Monthly Archives: April 2018

Edward Stanley Bent

Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

Edward Stanley Bent was recorded an announcement in The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York) on May 12, 1851, in the partnership of Byron & Bent.  Brooklyn Not To Be Outdone.—Byron & Bent, of 155 Atlantic Street, Brooklyn, whose artistic skill as Daguerreotypist, is rapidly gaining for them a distinguished celebrity, determined to keep pace with the New York artists, have, with a laudable enterprise, fitted up a Daguerrian gallery that will vie with any in the modern Gotham.  In point of accuracy of delineation, distinctness of execution and style, the likenesses by Byron & Bent, are as perfect as any we have seen, and superior to many, by artists who have had a longer experience, and hold a high rank in their profession.  We command Messrs. B. & B. to the patronage of their fellow citizens.  Their charges are moderate, and the portraits are permanent, which is not the case with very many of the low priced artists—we mean those who charge 50 cts.  Pay them a visit, and give them a trial; you will be sure to call again!

On May 17, 1851 the following advertisement appeared in The Brooklyn Daily Eagle.  The advertisement ran from May 17 to August 22, 1851.  While Stanley is recorded in other photographic directories and is not a new name.  The information in this advertisement states that they were from the Meade Brothers.  Advertisements in the New York Newspapers indicate that the Meade Brothers operated in Williamsburgh, N. Y. in 1853-1854.

Daguerrian Gallery, (From Meade Brothers,) 155 Atlantic street, Brooklyn.  The great want of a good Daguerrian Gallery, in South Brooklyn, has long been felt, and the subscribers have been induced to fit up the first floor over the splendid store of G. D. Sweetzer, at 155 Atlantic street, as one of the first class; and they can say, without fear of contradiction, that in point of convenience and general capabilities, it is surpassed by none in the States.

The Proprietors will always be on the spot, and guarantee that none but Superior Pictures shall be issued from their establishment.  Ladies and elderly persons will find a great convenience in the gallery and operating room being on the first floor.  Children’s Portraits taken in a few seconds.  Portraits taken at private residences.   A choice assortment of Lockets & c.  Portraits (colored) from $1.00 upwards, Portraits with Locket included, $2.50.

W. B. Benson

Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

W. B. Benson as stated before is possibly W. Benson and in the partnership of Benson & Wright, but until further research can be found it is only speculation that there is a connection.  The following announcements and advertisements are all from the Glasgow Weekly Times (Glasgow, Missouri.)

Announcement recorded on November 4, 1852.  Benson, The Daguerrean, Has arrived, and will remain 10 days at the “Glasgow House.”  Those Ladies and Gentlemen desiring Miniatures possessing Life Expression, Clearness of Outline and Beauty Of Finish will please call without delay.  Types taken without regard to weather and warranted not to fade.  Gentlemen taught by the most approved method.  W. B. Benson, Practical Operator.

On July 14, 1853 an announcement appears Daguerreotypes.—Benson, the far-famed Daguerrean Artist, is in town, which is a sufficient announcement for all who want faithful pictures of themselves and friends.  Give him a call.

An advertisement a week later on July 21 and ran until July 28, 1853.  Daguerreotypes.  Those who want a correct and highly finished miniature of themselves or friends, will call on the undersigned without delay, as I intend leaving for Huntsville in ten days from date.

Operating rooms in the Female Seminary.  Hours of business from 7 A. M. to 5 P. M.

The art taught with all the improvements.  A first rate second hand instrument for sale cheap.  W. B. Benson, Practical Operator.

Another advertisement ran for two weeks on August 4 & 11, 1853.  Daguerreotypes.  Those who want a correct and highly finished miniature of themselves or friends, will call on the undersigned without delay, as I intend leaving for Huntsville in ten days from date.

Operating rooms in the Female Seminary.  Hours of business from 7 A. M. to 5 P. M.

The art taught with all the improvements.  A first rate second hand instrument for sale cheap; together with everything necessary for a complete outfit.  One of the instruments is of the celebrated Voightlander’s make.  W. B. Benson, Practical Operator.

Also on August 11, 1853 another advertisement  appears.  Daguerreotypes.  Huntsville, Mo.  Those who want a correct and well-finished miniature of themselves or friends, will call on the undersigned Immediately,, as his stay is limited to a few days.  Operating rooms in the Court House.— Hours of business from 7 A. M. to 5 P. M.

The art taught with all the improvements.  Two first rate instrument for sale cheap; together with everything necessary for a complete outfit.  One of the instruments is of the celebrated Voightlander’s make.  W. B. Benson, Practical Operator.

W. B. Benson does not appear in any of the photographic directories that I have consulted.

W. Benson

Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

W. Benson was recorded in an announcement and then an advertisement in the Glasgow Weekly Times (Glasgow, Missouri) on September 5, 1850.  The advertisement ran until September 12.  Daguerrean Portraits.—See advertisement of Mr. Benson, Daguerrean Artist.  He is one of the best operators that has been in our city for some time, and those in want of likeness should give him a call.

Worthy of Notice.  Daguerreotype Portraits!!  W. Benson, Daguerrean Artist, most respectfully informs the citizens of Glasgow, and vicinity, that he has taken rooms for one week over J. C. Davis old Store, for the purpose of taking Daguerreotype Portraits.  Having a Practical Knowledge of his Profession, and apparatus of Superior quality, he is enabled to produce Pictures that, for life-like expressions, and correct delineation of features, Cannot Be Excelled!  Ladies and Gentlemen are politely invited to examine specimens, and judge for themselves.  Taken without regard to weather!  Instruction given in the art, and apparatus furnished.  Sick and deceased persons taken.  Office hours, from 8 A. M., to 5 P. M.

On September 19 another announcement appeared in the Glasgow Weekly Times.  Portraits.—All in want of a fine picture should not fail to call on Mr. Benson, forthwith.  He leaves this week, and another opportunity may not be presented soon.

Again in an announcement in the Glasgow Weekly Times on May 15, 1851 Jenny Lind in Fayette—Great Excitement.—Crowds are thronging to the Court House to view this beautiful specimen of Art, and to have themselves Daguerreotyped by Benson the famous Daguerrean.

W. Benson was also discussed in yesterday’s post, by the way he is written about in the announcements it appears that he has been around for some time.  Further newspaper research may shed more light into his career.

Benson & Wright

Ambrotypes, , , , ,

Benson & Wright were recorded in the Glasgow Weekly Times (Glasgow, Missouri) in an announcement on January 15, 1857.  Improved Ambrotypes.  Messrs. Benson & Wright, Ambrotypist, have opened a Gallery on First Street, opposite the Post Office, where they are prepared, with “Heaven’s own light,” to produce facsimiles of features and form, of all who will give them a call.  Their specimens are the best that we have seen, and those desiring a good likeness should call early as their stay is Limited.  Mr. Benson is one of the best operators in the country, having had long experience, which combined with his good taste, places him at the head of his profession.  He has some entirely new, and beautiful improvements.

On January 22, 1857 in the same newspaper another announcement appears.  Superb Ambrotypes.  We are not in the habit of puffing everyone and everything, but when we see those engaged in any business or profession who really deserve it, we take great pleasure in recommending them to the public.  Prof. Benson and Dr. Wright (We add the Prof. and Dr. to keep up with the times), Ambrotypist, are of the latter class, and we can cheerfully recommend them to all who want good pictures:  As they will remain only a few days longer, we advise our friends, if they want true likenesses of themselves, to call soon, for an opportunity like the present, does not often occur.—We had thought, when we commenced this article, that we would give a description of their pictures, but we feel confident that we could not do them justice.  Suffice to say there is life, beauty and perfection in their productions, that we have never seen equaled in Photography.  Then go and see for yourselves, and we are satisfied you will not leave without your likeness.  Gallery opposite the Post Office, where they are prepared to take miniatures, at all times, regardless of the weather.

Where no first names are associated with the announcements it is just speculation to associate them with other known photographers.  Both Benson and Wright are not recorded in other photographic directories nor have I been able to connect them through my research.   I do have some possible candidates but it is only speculation until further research can be found.  W. Benson and W. B. Benson are both listed in the early 1850’s.  They possibly are the same person but only further research can answer that question.  John Craig does list W. Benson in his registry in 1851 in Boonville, Missouri without an address.  Likewise Marcus Wright was recorded in the Illinois And Missouri State Directory for 1854-1855, but no further records or advertisements have been found.

Benson, W.                                                                                                                                                        1850                Over J. C. Davis old Store, Glasgow, Missouri.                                                      1851                Court House, Fayette, Missouri.                                                                                  1851                Address Unknown, Boonville, Missouri.[1]

Benson, W. B.                                                                                                                                          1852                Rooms at the Glasgow House, Glasgow, Missouri.                                                  1853                Rooms in the Female Seminary, Glasgow, Missouri.                                                1853                Court House, Huntsville, Missouri.

Wright, Marcus                                                                                                                                          1854                105 Market, St. Louis, Missouri.

[1] Information from Craig’s Daguerreian Registry

Nahum S. Bennett

Daguerreotypes, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

There are a series of announcements and advertisements in the Washington, D. C. Newspapers that place Nahum S. Bennett in D. C. from 1850 to late 1852.  He was first recorded in The Daily Union (Washington, D. C.) in an announcement on August 21, 1850.

We are indebted to Mr. N. S. Bennett, of this city, for a daguerreotype likeness of Mr. Millard Fillmore, the present President of the United States, and lithographed by Mr. A. Newman.  It is an admirable likeness, and beautifully executed.  The President’s face is calculated to grace the art of the daguerreotypist or the painter; but those features are too apt to undergo a premature revolution from the wrinkles of care, which power, if faithfully administered, stamps with its seal upon the brow.…

In an announcement that was published in the Daily American Telegraph (Washington, D. C.) on July 13, 1852.  A Beautiful Daguerreotype.  The most perfect and admirable daguerreotype likeness we have ever seen has just been made of General Winfield Scott, by Mr. Bennett, of this city.  It is of very large size, and as clear and distinct as the reflection from a polished mirror.

We learn that the old General sat for this likeness with cheerfulness and patience, though under protest, declaring that so frequently has he of late been called upon to sit to artists of various kinds that he must henceforth refuse.  If others have succeeded as well as Mr. Bennett, we do not, indeed, think further efforts are needed.

Also on the 13th the following advertisement appears Rocky Mountain Indians!  Daguerreotype likenesses of the principal Chiefs of the Different Rocky Mountain tribes of Indians on exhibition at Bennett’s National Gallery, Penna. av., between 6th and 7th sts.

The last Daguerreotype, from life, of the departed patriot, Henry Clay, may be seen at Bennett’s National Gallery, Pa. av., between 6th and 7th sts.

In an article entitled The Pueblo Indians in the Daily American Telegraph (Washington, D. C.) on August 13, 1852 in part….Bennett, the skilful and popular daguerreotypist, took their portraits yesterday.  They were highly gratified, and, when told that each of them should have a copy of his own likeness, their pleasure knew no bounds.  The old man of the party (aged sixty-four) looked at his image for a while, and then said:  “When I am dead, and gone to heaven, I shall still live in this.”…

In an advertisement in the Daily American Telegraph.  (Washington, D. C.) on September 20, 1852 we learn that a portrait of General Scott is being painted by Stanley[1] which is possibly the best portrait of the General ever painted.  It is from a most beautiful daguerreotype by Bennett, of this city.

The last advertisement in the Daily American Telegraph (Washington, D. C.) appeared on October 26 and ran until November 18, 1852.  Crayon Daguerreotypes.  This style of Photographic Pictures was patented by John A. Whipple, of Boston, about six years since[2], and introduced into this city by Bennett in 1850, as many who have had them know.  Mr. B. continues to take them, in a superior manner, at his Gallery, Pennsylvania avenue, between 6 and 7th streets.

Published in an article about early Daguerreotypist in Washington, D. C. a letter from Samuel Rush Seibert dated October 19, 1896 is included.  It is in reply to Samuel C. Busey’s inquiry about early Daguerreotypist in Washington.  He states in part “Mr. N. S. Bennett had a Daguerreotype gallery a few doors west, on the same avenue, in a building which was on the east side and adjoining L. D. Gilman’s drug store. During the winter of 1851 and 1852 I negotiated with him for the purchase of the gallery for Marcus A. Root and John H. Clark, who immediately obtained possession and refitted the skylight and rooms, and there produced many fine specimens of the Daguerrean art.[3]”

Based on the last advertisement of Bennett’s (October 26, 1852) and the first ad for Root in the Washington papers (December 19, 1852) the sale of the gallery had to be in October-November 1852.  Interesting John H. Clark[e] does not appear in any advertisements found in the D. C. newspapers.  According to Laurie Baty’s unpublished Directory of Washington, D. C. Photographers Clark was a pupil of Root’s and was the operator of his D. C. gallery.

Bennett was on board the steamer Empire which left Troy, NY around 7 P. M. on Friday July 15, 1853 heading to New York City, when it was in a collision with the sloop General Livingston about 2 A. M on the 16th on the west shore of the Hudson River, opposite Clinton Point, about two and a half miles above New-Hamburg, and six below Poughkeepsie.   A number of people were killed or injured in the accident.  The extent of Bennett injuries are unknown it is reported in the Daguerreian Journal that he did lose a valuable collection of daguerreotypes including a whole plate of the last portrait taken of Henry Clay, sixteen specimens of members of the U. S. Senate, Likenesses of the Rocky Mountain Indian Tribes, and a portrait of Billy Bow Legs and John Howard Payne[4], who was an American actor, poet, playwright, and author.

No other advertisements, notices or articles have been found in any of the Washington newspapers that I have access to, until the three advertisements in the Evening Star discussed previously about Smith Bennett who was award a silver medal at the 1855 Metropolitan Mechanic’s Institute while he was in Alexandria, Virginia.

Reported in the Evening Star (Washington, D. C.) on February 10, 1857.  That N. S. Bennett has sent an application to the Mechanics’ Fair to exhibit ambrotypes and daguerreotypes.  Then on March 31 (in the same paper) a list was published of the premiums awarded at The Fair…Class 30….

Brady, N. Y.—photographs—Silver Medal.                                                                                 Whitehurst, Washington—ambrotypes—Silver Medal.                                                               Whitehurst, Washington—daguerreotypes—First award of merit.                                         Langenheim, Philadelphia—stereoscopes—Silver Medal.                                                      Vannerson, Washington—photographs, ambrotypes and daguerreotypes—Bronze Medal.   Whitehurst, Washington—photographs—Diploma.                                                                       Cutting & Turner, Boston—ambrotypes—Diploma                                                                                  N. S. Bennett, Alexandria—daguerreotypes—Diploma.

Bennett is reported to have been active in 1860 in Alexandria at 69 King Street.  At this time I have been unable to find directories for Alexandria to verify activity dates and address for Bennett from 1855-1860+.

[1] Probably John Mix Stanley.

[2] Crayon Daguerreotypes were patented by Whipple on January 23, 1849, Patent No. 6,056.

[3] In an article published in the Records of the Columbia Historical Society, Washington, D. C.  Vol. 3, P. 81-95.  Entitled Early History of Daguerreotypy in the City of Washington, by Samuel C. Busey.

[4] Article in the New York Times, July 18, 1853, P. 1.

Nathan S. Bennett

Daguerreotypes, , , , , , , ,

Nathan S. Bennett was first recorded in the 1844 Boston City Directory as a photographer at 109 Washington Street, Boston[1], with no residence information provided.  He was not listed in subsequent directories.  He next appears in an advertisement in the Wilmington Journal newspaper (Wilmington, North Carolina.)  The advertisement ran from December 24, 1847 to January 28, 1848.

“Transferred by wondrous magic art, Behold how perfect every part.”  N. S. Bennett, From Boston, would most respectfully inform the inhabitants of Wilmington and vicinity, that he has fitted up rooms in the rear of Dr. Ware’s Office, Front Street, for the purpose of taking Daguerreotype Miniatures, and would invite all who wish really bold and perfect miniatures of themselves or friends, to give him a call.  By a new and expeditious process, peculiar to himself, he is enabled to take the likeness of infants, of almost any age; and parents may now procure pictures of their little ones which will be protraction’s of life itself.  Hours for operating, from 10 a. m., till 4 p. m.

Nathan S. Bennett is recorded in several photographic directories for his time spent in Boston in 1844.  The possible connection to the Hale brothers (Charles E. and or Luther Holman) has not previously been explored.  There is also another possible connection to Smith Bennett and Nahum S. Bennett in Washington, D. C. and Alexandria, Virginia.

[1] He may have worked for Charles E. Hale and or possibly Luther Holman Hale in 1844-1845 at 109 Washington Street.

J. A. Bennet

Daguerreotypes, , ,

J. A. Bennet was recorded in two advertisements on Long Island in The Corrector (Sag Harbor, New York,) the first advertisement ran from June 14 to August 5, 1843.

Portraits! Portraits!  By the Daguerreotype Process.  J. A. Bennet would inform his friends and the public, that he has been extensively engaged in taking portraits by this process in the southern country the past season, and has now the pleasure of announcing that he has taken a room in Maj. Hildreth’s brick buildings, at Sag Harbor, where he will be happy to see those who wish to procure life-like miniatures of themselves or friends; and he flatters himself, judging from the past, that he will be able to give satisfaction.  These pictures are also indelible.  Mr. B. has adopted all the recent improvements and will guarantee as good pictures as can be procured in Boston, N. York or Philadelphia, and at the same prices; he also colors them in the latest style.  All are invited to call at the room and examine specimens.  Whaleman, you are about to leave your homes; do you not wish to take with you miniatures of some loved ones, or do you not wish to present them at parting with a copy of your own features, true to the life; then delay not.  Price for taking miniatures (case included) $3.00; with coloring $5.00.

The second advertisement ran on August 16 & 23, 1843.

Daguerreotype Portraits, At Bridgehampton.  J. A. Bennet has taken a room at Mr. N. Mitchell’s, Bull’s Head, where he will remain for a few days, for the purpose of taking portraits, for all who may wish them, and he would invite the attention of the Bridgehampton people, to the specimens exhibiting at the above room.

Craig’s Daguerreian Registry does have an entry for John A. Bennet in South America in 1842-1843, and in Mobile, Alabama in 1843-1844.  At this time there is no evidence that they are the same person.

Smith Bennett

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

Smith Bennett is recorded in the Daily American Organ on February 9, 1855, and in the Evening Star on February 10, 1855.  Both newspapers are published in Washington, D. C. and reported that both Smith Bennett and Robert A. Carden exhibited beautiful frames of daguerreotypes at the Exhibition of the Metropolitan Mechanic’s Institute.  Bennett and Carden both have galleries in Alexandria, Virginia.

On March 17, 1855 in the Evening Star (Washington, D. C.) the following announcement appeared of the premiums issued at the fair.  Rehearing And Confirmation.—The Judges on daguerreotypes had a rehearing yesterday at the request of one of the disappointed, which resulted in the unanimous confirmation of the opinion declared on Wednesday evening, viz.  Smith Bennett, of Alexandria, Va., silver medal for the best daguerreotypes and stereoscopes.

Smith Bennett is not recorded in other photographic directories but Nathan S. Bennett, Nahum S. Bennett and Robert A. Carden are recorded in a number of directories and newspaper advertisement in other location.

There is evidence that suggest that Smith Bennett is almost certainly Nahum S. Bennett who has galleries in Washington, D. C. (1850-1852) and Alexandria, Virginia (1855-1857.)  I would also like to tie Nathan S. Bennett into the mix but no concrete information has been found to substantiate this theory.