Carte de visiteJohn Cumming |
© Reproduced with acknowledgement to author of www.cartedevisite.co.uk
Detail from the back of the carte de visite
© Reproduced with acknowledgement to author of www.cartedevisite.co.uk
John Cumming |
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Thank you to Ron Cosens who runs the author of www.cartedevisite.co.uk web site for sending me, in March 2006, this copy of a carte de visite by John Cumming. |
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The name on the back of this carte de visite is Jno Cumming. 'Jno' is an abbreviation that was used for John. Abbreviations for longer names must have been useful (e.g. Wm = William) but I was surprised to find a name as short as John being abbreviated. The best explanation I have read for why the name is abbreviated to "Jno" rather than "Jon" is "to consider the 'o' as a glorious full stop". i.e. the John becomes abbreviated to 'Jn.' |
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Whether or not "Jno" is also an abbreviation for Jonathan seems to to be a matter of debate on the Internet, with views expressed on both sides, but that is not relevant in the case of the Cumming photographers in Edinburgh as their names are known to be James and John. |