1852                Rooms on Court, between Front and Second streets, over Mrs. Worcester’s Notion Store, Portsmouth, Ohio.

1852                Rooms in Mr. Dugan’s New Building, Market Street, Portsmouth, Ohio.

1852                Rooms on Second Street, above Market opposite the Farmer’s Hotel, Portsmouth, Ohio.

J. C. Alexander was recorded in three advertisements and one announcement in The Portsmouth Inquirer (Portsmouth, Ohio).  The first advertisement appeared on April 2, 1852.  Daguerreotypes, J. C. Alexander, Would respectfully inform the citizens of Portsmouth and surrounding country, that he is now prepared to take Daguerreotypes in a manner superior to any offered in said city.

He has secured at a heavy expense the latest and most valuable discoveries in the art,—one of which is a newly discovered chemical, which gives to pictures a natural flesh color, and makes the richest drapery ever taken by Daguerreotype Process.  With his new improvements, his practice, skill, and desire to please, he flatters himself he cannot fail to give satisfaction.

Ladies and Gentlemen Are solicited to call and examine his specimens particularly those which he has taken in this place.

Having the advantage of a skylight, he can take pictures light or dark, and with or without a shade, to suit the fancy of customers.  Hours of Operation, from 8 o’clock A. M. to 4 P. M.  Instructions in the Art, will be given, with the entire apparatus for operating, on very moderate terms.  Rooms on Court, between Front and Second streets, over Mrs. Worcester’s “Notion Store.”  Portsmouth, March 29, 1852.

The second advertisement ran from August 13 to 20, 1852.  J. C. Alexander, Daguerreotypist, Is again on the track, and can’t be run off it.  He is now making pictures that cannot be beaten, East nor West.  Having had the 3d story of Mr. Dugan’s new building, on Market street, fitted up expressly for a Daguerrean Gallery.

With a large North and a Sky-light combined, which is acknowledged by all No. 1 artists to be far superior to any other, and a new combination of chemicals [discovered by himself and known to no other] far surpassing any now in use, as may be seen by calling at his rooms and examining likenesses of our own citizens just taken in his New Gallery, he is satisfied that he can make as good a picture as any artist extant.

Having concluded to remain in Portsmouth, he is determined that no picture shall leave his gallery unless it is O. K.  Persons examining his specimens will please remember that they were taken by himself and not by Mr. Root, of Philadelphia, though they are as good as any ever taken by that celebrated artist and brought to this place. 

Ladies and Gentlemen of town and country are respectfully solicited to call and examine for themselves, the operator feeling assured that if they once see the beautiful flesh color and lite-like appearance of his specimens, they will not fail to have their own picture taken. 

N. B.  Pictures taken in all kinds of weather, and warranted good.  Instructions given in the art, and the entire apparatus furnished, if desired.  Rooms on Market street, 5 doors below 2d st.  Portsmouth, Aug. 12, 1852.

The announcement appeared on November 26, 1852.  J. C. Alexander is now prepared to take daguerreotypes at one dollar each, in the room formerly occupied by Stephenson’s book bindery.  See advertisement in another column.

The third advertisement ran from November 26 to December 24, 1852.  Daguerreotypes, J. C. Alexander Has reduced the price of pictures to One dollar, and is now ready to accommodate the public with an article superior to any ever offered to the citizens of Portsmouth by other operators.

Pictures reduced for a short time only.  The public are respectfully invited to call and examine specimens.  N. B.—A first-rate apparatus on hand which will be sold below cost.  Instructions given in the art for fifteen dollars.  Rooms on Second st, above Market opposite the Farmer’s Hotel.           Nov. 23, 1852.

J. C. Alexander is not recorded in other photographic directories.