Sometime around 1910, a woman posed for a studio photograph at Christmas time.
The sitter inscribed her name on the reverse – it appears to be “Hepsa”.
The name, “Hepsa” was common in the 18th century – it is a form of the Hebrew word, “Hephzibah”.
The name was uncommon by the late 19th century.
https://en.geneanet.org/first-name/Hepsa
The handwriting could be construed in other ways, so I am not certain of the name.
Our heroine is attired in a high-collared shirtwaist and a long dark skirt.
She appears to be wearing a watch or substantial locket around her neck.
The woman’s pose is typical of many studio portraits – the tilted head is intended to suggest thoughtfulness and approachability.
Alas, there is no studio mark, nor any other indication of the place at which the photograph was made.
The photo was addressed to “Mrs. and Mr. J. P. Nelson”.
I believe that this may be P. J. Nelson – because the photograph was purchased with correspondence of that name.
We have met P. J. Nelson and his wife in other postcard stories:
“Midget and Her Parents” and “Midget and Her Father”.
The Nelsons lived in Los Angeles in the first decades of the 20th century.
The form of the address, giving precedence to Mrs. Nelson, may indicate that Hepsa is more-closely connected to her.
One hopes that Hepsa and the Nelsons were pleased by the portrait and that Hepsa found happiness and success in the 20th century.
Genealogical Note
I searched the near relationship tree for Mrs. P. J. Nelson (Elizabeth Mae Jacobs) but have not yet found “Hepsa”.
