1857 Car opposite the Seneca County Bank, Tiffin, Ohio.
1857 Rooms on Commercial Row, over St. John’s Drug Store, Tiffin, Ohio.
1857-1858 Rooms in Singer’s Old Block, Tiffin, Ohio.
1858 Rooms Singers Block, opposite the Court House, Tiffin, Ohio.
E. M. Collins was recorded in five announcements and four advertisements in The Tiffin Tribune (Tiffin, Ohio). The first announcement appeared on April 3, 1857. Ambrotypes. We would again call the attention to those beautiful Ambrotypes taken by our young artist friend, E. M. Collins in his car. Mr. C. is a proficient in the process by taking pictures, and eminently deserving the patronage of the public.
Ambrotypes, oh! What delight,
To gaze upon its work of light!
How high the polish, pure the tone;
And every face is Nature’s own.
Sure, never art, with all its skill
The soul with such delight could fill;
And never was such transport won,
As by these pictures from the sun,
Which on the glass imprints the face
With every line, and shade and grace,
Till we admit with throbbing heart,
Great nature’s triumph over Art.
If you want a picture of your face,
Collins Car is just the place
You’ll find all things prepared for action,
And warranted to give satisfaction,
Ambrotypes—all sorts and kinds,
To suit all fancies and all minds;
Large and small, and splendid cases,
Suitable for scenery or faces.
Or if you choose, a handsome locket
Just fitted for a sweet heart’s pocket,
All this, and more than we can mention,
You’ll find there to attract attention,
Come all no matter what your trade is,
Come right along and bring the ladies;
And whether they are fair or no;
Ambrotypes will quickly show.
Pictures in any kind of weather
Single, or two, or more together,
Or go his specimens to see,
No charge for that—admittance free,
Saloon on wheels ladies recollect,
It may be off ere you expect,
Pictures good and prices low,
Now is your time, oh don’t be slow,
Remember the place and call in soon—
Collin’s Ambrotype saloon.
N. B. Mr. C.’s., saloon is opposite the Seneca County Bank, don’t forget the place, pictures for 50 cents.
The second announcement appeared on July 3, 1857. Removal. E. M. Collins, Daguerrian Artist, has removed to Commercial Row, up stairs. See Advertisement.
The first advertisement ran from July 3 to October 16, 1857. Ambrotype Gallery, E. M. Collins, Commercial Row, over St. John’s Drug Store.
The third announcement appeared on October 23, 1857. Catch Beauty, ere it Fades. Reader, if you want to “see yourself as others see you,” go the E. M. Collins’ Ambrotype Rooms and get a picture. Mr. Collins is an Artist true to nature, and his pictures give general satisfaction. Rooms in the former office of W. P. & H. Noble.
The second advertisement ran from October 23, 1857 to March 5, 1858. New Counterfeits. E. M. Collins, Has just fitted up a new Sky Light and Ambrotype Gallery, In Singer’s Old Block, up stairs, for the purpose of Counterfeiting the “Human Face Devine.”
He is now prepared to make better pictures than were ever heretofore offered to the citizens of Tiffin And Surrounding Country; Among which are several New Styles, such as Tinted Ambrotype and the Hollotype, as well as Photographs, Melainotypes, and the common Ambrotypes.
Pictures Taken In All Kinds of Weather, and satisfaction given, or no charge will be made. For the small sum of Fifty Cents, you can get a fac simile of yourself, to send to your friends and sweethearts. Ladies are respectfully invited to call and examine our Specimens, Beauty Is Fleeting; Catch it ere it fades. Instructions Given in the Art on reasonable terms. E. M. Collins.
The fourth announcement appeared on October 30, 1857. Seneca County Agricultural Society. List of Premiums…Class 14th-Mechanical Products….
Entry no. 24, display daguerrean pictures Tunison & Fay 1st prem. Ohio Farmer.
Entry no. 25, display ambrotype pictures Tunison & Fay 1st prem. Diploma.
Entry no. 42, display daguerrean pictures E. M. Collins 2d premium, diploma.
Entry no. 43, display ambrotype pictures E. M. Collins 2d prem. diploma.
The third advertisement ran from March 12 to August 13, 1858. New Counterfeits. E. M. Collins, Has just fitted up a new Sky Light and Ambrotype Gallery, In Singer’s Old Block, up stairs, for the purpose of Counterfeiting the “Human Face Devine.”
He is now prepared to make better pictures than were ever heretofore offered to the citizens of Tiffin And Surrounding Country; Among which are several New Styles, such as Tinted Ambrotype and the Hollotype, as well as Photographs, Melainotypes, and the common Ambrotypes.
Pictures Taken In All Kinds of Weather, and satisfaction given, or no charge will be made. For the small sum of Twenty-Five Cents, you can get a fac simile of yourself, to send to your friends and sweethearts. Ladies are respectfully invited to call and examine our Specimens, Beauty Is Fleeting; Catch it ere it fades. Instructions Given in the Art on reasonable terms. Oct. 23. E. M. Collins.
The fourth advertisement ran from August 13 to October 29, 1858. New Counterfeits. Pictures For A Quarter! Collins’ New Gallery, Singer’s Block, opposite the Court House, Tiffin, O.
Something New, Pictures Taken on Purple Glass.
Behold the works of Art in grandeur rise,
Laugh at the Past and all its works despise.
The last achievement, from shades of night,
Just brought from Nature’s darkness into light,
Is the crystal gem—the Ambrotype,
On purple glass, that needs no black
Defective varnish on the back.
The Greatest Discovery of the Age. Pictures taken in this way are superior to all others in beauty and durability. They require no backing whatever and are not liable to crack or become blue and spotted.
No Humbug About It. Call and examine my specimens and get a picture for yourself. For Sale.—Open frames of all kinds for hanging against the wall. Instructions in the Art given on the most reasonable terms. E. M. Collins, Artist. Main Street, opposite the court House, Tiffin, O.
The fifth announcement appeared on October 29, 1858. List of Premiums. Awarded at the 8th annual Fair of the Seneca County Agricultural Society…Class 15th—Fine Arts….
Tunison & Fay, Display Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes 1st Premium, $2.00
E. M. Collins, Display Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes 2d premium, $1.00
Hartsock & Falkner, Display Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes, Discretionary, Diploma.
Tunison & Fay, Display of Photographs and Spherotypes, $2.00.
E. M. Collins does not appear in other photographic directories as being active in Tiffin, Ohio. An E. M. Collins is active in 1859-1860 in Lima, Ohio[1], but it is unknown if they are the same person. The distance between Tiffin and Lima using modern roads is 60½ miles.
[1] Ohio Photographers 1839-1900 & Craig’s Daguerreian Registry.
Pioneer American Photographers, 1839 - 1860 