Old photo, circa 1936 – 1950. Photographer:  W. Albert Martin, Pasadena, California.

Price:  $15.00                  Size:  3 and 7/16 x 3 and 7/16″

A bit mildew-y as you can see, so this one’s more for digital use. The front markings could be rather easily taken care of in Photoshop, if anyone’s interested. Still, it’s a rather stunning photo printed on textured paper of a radiant young woman in a glam shot, showing bare shoulders, she’s smiling and looking up to her right.

W. Albert Martin (1891 – 1959) was a well-known photographer in Pasadena. His work appeared in The Pasadena Post quite often – shots of society persons, brides, young women appearing in plays, etc. He did the photography for the Cal Tech 1936 yearbook, (possibly other years but we didn’t search extensively) and per Worthpoint, photographed Albert Einstein and his wife, Elsa on five different occasions, and was also known for his photos of Native American and Western scenes. According to his obituary, he had later resided Scottsdale, Arizona and San Diego, California.

The Pasadena business address, 963 E. Colorado St. was found in city directories from 1936 – 1946.

From The Pasadena Post, September 13, 1947:

The 1940 Federal Census has him in Pasadena, photographer with own studio, with wife, Mabel S. Martin. The WWII Draft Registration recorded William Albert Martin, born Beatrice, Nebraska, July 24, 1892. Occupation photographer. Home address 1419 Rutan Way, Pasadena. Business address 696 E. Colorado. By the 1950, he is still in Pasadena, running own portrait studio and now married to Katherine D. Martin.

Obituary from the Independent Star-News, January 18, 1959:

Sources:  “W. Albert Martin Took Prize Photo.” The Pasadena Post, September 13, 1947. Monday, p. 5. (Newspapers.com).

“Native American Couple C1940s W Albert Martin Arizona.” https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/native-american-couple-c1940s-albert-114041173. (Accessed February 23, 2023).

Year: 1940; Census Place: Pasadena, Los Angeles, California; Roll: m-t0627-00240; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 19-435. (Ancestry.com).

The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (4th Registration) For the State of California; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147. (Ancestry.com).

United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: San Gabriel, Los Angeles, California; Roll: 3593; Sheet Number: 1; Enumeration District: 19-1719. (Ancestry.com).

http://www.e-yearbook.com/yearbooks/Cal_Tech_Big_T_Yearbook/1936/Page_6.html – caltech yearbook 1936

Independent Star-News, January 18, 1959 (Pasadena, California). Sunday, p. 38. (Newspapers.com).