The 2020 New England Journal of Photographic History, #178. This monograph by author Ron Polito, explores the lives, careers, and photographic techniques of Boston photographers Thomas E. Marr (1849-1910) and his son, Arthur {1877-1954). It is a quintessential American story. A young man rises from immigrant beginnings to gain patronage from some of the most successful individuals of the Gilded Age and early 1900s, including a wealthy, influential, sophisticated, and astute woman—Isabella Stewart Gardner.

The Marrs’ aesthetic and commercial relationship with Gardner and her museum benefitted both parties for many years, and brought widespread recognition to the Marr firm. It is also the story of a father and son who together built a wide-ranging photographic legacy, largely unknown today. While the firm outlived the father by three decades, it left the son’s life tinged with tragedy.

Order your copy of the 2020 PHSNE Journal from MagCloud

Full color: 122 pages, 84 photographs & illustrations; 11 tables; 4 appendices.  © 2021

Published by: PHSNE – the Photographic Historical Society of New England, Inc.

PHSNE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit society. Founded in 1973, our members bring their curiosity, enthusiasm, and knowledge to bear on every aspect of photo history, from the earliest experiments to the present day—and tomorrow. We welcome your participation and support of our society.

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2020 PHSNE Journal – Supplementary Materials

Addenda to the Monograph: T. E. Marr (& Son): Isabella Stewart Gardner’s Photographers – and More. Their Lives, Their Work, Their Photographic Techniques, by Ron Polito

Boston Photographers, Thomas E. and Arthur E. Marr: Using Negative Numbers To Date Their Photographs (1898-1932)