1849-1850       Mr. Hiram Nelson’s House, Main Street, near the canal, Evansville, Indiana.

1850                Rooms, Corner Main and Water Streets, Under the Journal Office, Evansville, Indiana.

I. L. Teliga was recorded in ten announcements and two advertisements in The Evansville Daily Journal (Evansville, Indiana).  The first announcement appeared on December 13, 1849.  Photographic Miniatures.—Yesterday we made a visit to Mr. I. L. Teliga’s Daguerreotype rooms, at Mr. Hiram Nelson’s house, on Main street, near the canal, and examined a number of specimens of his skill as an artist.  We have visited a great number of Daguerreotype galleries in the cities and never saw better evidences of the perfection to which this branch of the art has arrived.  His likenesses are colored in the most life-like manner.  His long experience at the business, and his connection with Prof. Hawkins, the best Daguerreotypist in the West, substantiate his claims as a successful artist.  His likenesses are taken in the interval of from half a dozen to fifteen seconds, and are perfect.  Read his advertisement, and give him a call.

The first advertisement ran from December 13, 1849 to January 22, 1850.  Colored Miniatures.  I. L. Teliga has the honor of informing the citizens and visitors of Evansville, that he will remain in the city for a short time and take likenesses by the improved Daguerrean process.

As for the warrant of his skill, and superiority of his miniatures in taking as well as finishing them, it is enough to say, that he has been steadily engaged in the art ever since its first introduction into this country in 1840; and, furthermore, that he is connected with the popular, pre-eminent and highly meritorious Apollo Gallery in Cincinnati, conducted by that able, scientific, and well known to the American public, “First Pioneer of the Art,” Mr. E. C. Hawkins.  He calls the attention of parents to the fact, that he is able to take perfect likenesses in a short space of time from five to ten seconds!  Good, and the only chance for children (if they can be kept still that length of time.)

Ladies and gentlemen are very respectfully invited to see his specimens, and judge for themselves.  Room at the residence of Mr. Hiram Nelson, Main street, near the Canal.  Open from 8 A. M. until 4 P. M.                                               

The second announcement appeared on February 23, 1850.  Daguerreotypes.—Mr. Teliga’s room is now crowded with ladies every bright day, and he is kept busy beautifying his plates with their countenances.  His daguerreotypes are all good, and utterly unequalled by the works of other artist who have formerly visited this city.  Mr. T. has been induced to remain longer than he had anticipated by becoming at a late hour appreciated, yet he will continue operations in this city but a short time longer.  Let all, therefore, who wish to be handed down to posterity in their natural beauty or ugliness, drop in at Teliga’s at Nelson’s residence up Main street.

The third announcement appeared on March 29, 1850.  Coming Back.  A letter from Mr. Teliga, the Daguerreotype Artist, informs us that he will return to Evansville next week, with the intention of making this his place of residence for some time. He will take a large and handsomely located room, admirably adapted to the purpose.  He writes that he will bring the very finest stock in the Daguerreotype line, ever in Evansville, with elegant lockets and breastpins.  We know him to have the means and taste to do this.  A Daguerreotypist of the merit of Mr. Teliga will, we are sure, do a good business the whole summer in Evansville.  Numbers were disappointed in not being able to obtain likenesses, owing to his departure so soon; and several persons came to the city from a distance back in the country to get Daguerreotypes.  But all will soon have an opportunity of getting handed down to posterity on a plate. 

The fourth announcement appeared on April 11, 1850.  Daguerreotypes.—Mr. Teliga publishes his card in another column.  It is useless to remark that his Daguerreotypes cannot be excelled.  We have examined his stock of cases, lockets, chemicals, &c., and can say we never saw a more complete establishment in his line.  He is now ready to receive calls from ladies.  He has “fixed up” his room with much taste, till it is nearly as pretty as our sanctum, which is just adjoining.  Ladies are assured, that is they mistake the room and get into the parlor instead of the kitchen, if we do not take their likenesses we shall most certainly take their hearts, if they be not very careful.  And that reminds us, speaking of Daguerreotypes and the ladies—that our beautiful image has not yet been returned.  Who did steal it?  We do not wish to “waste our fragrance on the desert air” and therefore would thank some feminine to return that image.

The second advertisement ran from April 11 to July 15, 1850.  Daguerreotype Miniatures.  By I. L. Teliga.  Rooms, corner Main and Water sts. Under Journal Office.  Elegant Gold Lockets, Breastpins, Enameled and Turkey Morocco Cases, Frames &c., on hand.                                             

The fifth announcement appeared on April 16, 1850.  Call at Mr. Teliga’s Daguerreian Rooms and examine his specimens.

The sixth announcement appeared on April 29, 1850.  Mr. Teliga’s Daguerreian rooms are now fitted up in good style.  Mr. T. is an accommodating gentlemen and should be accommodated.  He wants fair weather and patronizing visitors.  The present is the best opportunity our citizens will have for some time, to secure good likenesses of themselves; so call and see him.

The seventh announcement appeared on May 11, 1850.  We saw a couple of Daguerreotypes taken by Mr. Teliga yesterday while it was raining dismally, which could not be excelled.  The one taken in forty-five second was perfect.

The eighth announcement appeared on May 18, 1850.  Fat-iguing.—The fat boy, only weighing 509 pounds, and fifteen years old, came into our sanctum yesterday like a perambulating earthquake.  He might have sat down but two arm chairs would not hold him.  He was rather disposed to quiz us for personal diminutiveness, but to retaliate in proportion to size would have taken to much wind.  Mr. Teliga, upon whom he called, transferred his corporocity to a Daguerreotype plate, and in delightful contrast we sat at his side.  Goliah and David—the dreadful ogre and Jack the Giant-killer!  Well, its our opinion that if the infant melts away this summer, there will be a fall in all kinds of grease in the western markets.

The ninth announcement appeared on June 19, 1850.  Mr. Teliga declares his intention of remaining in the city only two weeks longer, and he will as usual abide by his word.—Therefore, those desirous of having their Daguerreotypes taken, should call immediately, as he will as before have such a rush of business immediately previous to his departure, that many may lose the opportunity.—We doubt whether in five years to come, there will be so good a Daguerreotypist in Evansville as Mr. Teliga, or one who more deserves from his personal qualities, public patronage.  He has shown us letters from citizens of several places, among which is Cincinnati, inviting him to locate for a time with them, and making excellent promises of patronage.

The tenth announcement appeared on July 1, 1850.  Teliga, the Daguerreotypist, will remain in Evansville only this week.  During Friday and Saturday of last week, his rooms were crowded, and among his visitors were persons from Kentucky, and far back in this State, who were determined to take advantage of the occasion and have good Daguerreotypes of their phizes.  We have spoken sufficiently of his merits as an artist.  All we have to say, now is, that after this week he will not take a single likeness in Evansville—and that in five years to come you will probably never have an opportunity here of getting a better Daguerreotype than Mr. Teliga can take.

We feel sorry to see him go, and sincerely wish that prosperity may attend him where ever his lot may cast him.  A gentleman and artist is very seldom to be met with now a days.

I. L. Teliga is not recorded in other photographic directories.