1855-1856       139 Main Street, Over Woodhouse’s Bookstore, Richmond, Virginia.

1859                188 Main Street, Richmond, Virginia,

P. Henry Duke (in the partnership of Powers & Duke 1855-1856) was recorded in twenty six advertisements, and one announcement in The Daily Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia)  and one article in the Photographic and Fine Arts Journal.  The first advertisement ran from January 8 to 11, 1855.  Co-Partnership.—The undersigned have this day formed a Co partnership under the firm of Powers & Duke, for the purpose of carrying on the Daguerrean Business, and solicits a continuance of the patronage hitherto extended to their Senior Partner.

E. M. Powers, P. Henry Duke, 139 Main Street, over Woodhouse’s Bookstore.  ja. 8.

2d advertisement ran from January 19 to February 1, 1855.  How Life-Like, Beautiful And Cheap!—Such is almost the universal cry of those who have visited our Gallery and obtained for themselves a beautiful flesh-tint Daguerreotype, taken only by Powers & Duke, 139 Main st.  We particularly invite our friends, both city and country, to give us a call, as we are prepared to give all in want a beautiful flesh-tint Daguerreotype for only 50 Cents.

Come, friends and the public, one and all—

If a picture you wish which is nice—

Over Woodhouse’s store just give us a call;

You cannot object to the price.

Powers & Duke, Sign of the Red Flag. 

3d advertisement ran from February 2 to 8, 1855.  The Only gallery where you can get a Daguerreotype for 50 cents; and of the many hundreds sent out within the last two months, not a single one but what have given ample satisfaction in every respect.

We return our thanks to our friends and the public, and respectfully invite one and all to call and examine specimens, whether they set for a Picture or not.

Remember this is the only place to get a Daguerreotype for fifty cents.  Powers & Duke, 139 Main st., Sign of the Red Flag. 

4th advertisement ran from February 9 to March 6, 1855.  Fifty Cent Daguerreotypes are all the rage in our city, and Powers & Duke are the only men that can give you a superb likeness for Fifty Cents.  This is no humbug.  Their flesh tint Daguerreotypes are the best we have ever seen, and their pictures are warranted to please or no sale.  We have seen hundreds of their 50 cent Likenesses, and we pronounce them inferior to none, and far superior to many taken at other Galleries at a cost of Two Dollars.  For a good and cheap Picture call at Powers & Duke, 139 Main st., Over Woodhouse’s Bookstore, Eagle Square.

5th advertisement ran from March 6 to 19, 1855.  A Perfect Rush For Powers & Duke’s 50 cent Daguerreotypes, which, like the Penny Post and Dispatch, are too well known to need puffing.  We think it only necessary to remind the public of being still at the old stand, 139 Main street, where we are daily taking a great many of those beautiful 50 cent Daguerreotypes, which have been so much admired by every one who has seen them, and have been pronounced by judges to be superior to any taken at other galleries in this city for two dollars each.  While the weather is favorable to the art, we would respectfully invite one and all to give us a call before visiting elsewhere—Don’t forget the name and number.

Powers & Duke, 139 Main street, sign of the red flag, Over Woodhouse’s Bookstore.  mh. 6.

6th advertisement ran from March 23 to 27, 1855.  Powers & Duke Take Daguerreotypes For 50 Cents Each.—Call today and get one.  Stereoscope Pictures taken at $4, and warranted satisfactory.

Powers & Duke, 139 Main street, sign of the red flag, Over Woodhouse’s Bookstore.  mh. 23.

7th advertisement ran from March 28 to April 17, 1855.  50 Cent Daguerreotypes Are All The Go, to be had only at Powers & Duke’s large Sky Light Gallery, 139 Main street.

Our Daguerreotypes are warranted not to fade or change color, and those who wish something really good will do well to give us a call, over Woodhouse’s Bookstore—sign of the Red Flag. Powers & Duke. 

8th advertisement ran from April 19 to May 1, 1855.  Powers & Duke are still supplying their numerous friends and thousands of customers with beautiful and life-like Daguerreotypes, for 50 cents each.  They do not wish to humbug the public by saying that high priced pictures are the best; but this they do say, that their 50 cent likenesses are superior to many taken in this city at two dollars each.  All who want a picture worth carrying home, are respectfully invited to call at No. 139 Main street, over Woodhouse’s Bookstore, Eagle Square. 

9th advertisement ran from May 1 to 5, 1855.  5000 Daguerreotypes, taken by Powers & Duke, Since the first of January last.  This is enough to satisfy the curious that they are the men to call on for your Daguerreotypes.

Call to-day and get one of their never fading 50 Cent Daguerreotypes.  139 Main street, over Woodhouse’s Bookstore, Sign of the Red Flag. 

10th advertisement ran from May 8 to June 21, 1855.  From 50 Cents to $25—Lovers of Good Pictures are respectfully informed that Powers & Duke are the only artists in this city that offer good Daguerreotypes, from 50 cts. to $25, which is an inducement to every one in want of a good and beautiful Daguerreotype.  To be had only of Powers & Duke, 139 Main st., Over Woodhouse’s Bookstore, Eagle Square.  my. 8.

11th advertisement ran from June 23 to July 14.  Our Thanks are due to the people of Richmond, and especially to the “Young Guard,” for the liberal patronage bestowed upon us for the past year, for which we are very thankful, and hope to merit a continuance of the same, promising to use every means, without regard to expense, necessary to produce the finest Daguerreotypes ever offered to the public.

Our prices range from 50 cents to $30.  Stereoscopes taken for $5.              All Pictures warranted. Powers & Duke, 139, Main street, over Northern Telegraph Office.                           

12th advertisement ran from July 16 to August 15, 1855.  What The Virginia Gazette Says—If you want an exact image of your face and features, which you can hand down to your latest posterity, drop in to see Messrs. Powers & Duke.  Their Daguerreotypes never fade, and beside are as true as nature itself.  You can see the very fine sparkling in the eye.  We have tried the artistic skill of these gentlemen, and therefore speak from experience.

Those who have beauty, should to this firm take it; Those who have none should go to them to make it.  [Virginia Gazette. 

13th advertisement ran from August 14 to 18, 1855.  Daguerreotypes.—Call at Powers & Duke’s splendid Daguerrean Gallery and secure for yourself a beautiful Picture.

Here art triumphant our attention claims;

Here life seems speaking from a hundred frames;

Belles, merchants, statesmen throng the pictured walls—

Each face, each form its living type recall.—

Features, complexion, attitude, attire;

Beauty’s soft smile and manhood’s glance of fire,

Truly reflected from the burnished plate,

Astonish life with its own duplicate.

Think not these portraits by the sunlight made.

Shades though they are, will like a shadow fade—

No!  When the life of flesh in dust shall lie—

When Death’s grey film o’erspread the beaming eye—

These life-like pictures, mocking at decay,

Will still be fresh and vivid as to-day!

Gallery 139 Main street, Eagle Square, over Woodhouse’s Bookstore. 

1st announcement appeared on August 15, 1855.  Let the world say what it will, Watson’s Richmond’s Laureate still.

Poetry by the Protype Bard and Port Laureate of the city of Richmond.  Spoken extemporaneously in the presence of witnesses, after having his Likeness taken by Powers & Duke, whose Likeness has been seen (in his gold medal) by the President of the United States and the Mayor of Baltimore; also by Commodores Perry and Aulick, U. S. N., and supposed to be true and correct likeness of that great and immortal genius:

All that want their likeness took,

Step in with faith to Powers & Duke;

‘Tis true, the Artist and the Tailor

May embellish Nature’s failure;—

None can equal these two men,

That’s took me once and once again;

I am took fair in every feature,

As I was formed by mother Nature.

Lord knows I never was a beauty,

But if, my friends, this likeness suit ye,

I faithful told each Daguerrean

To let the Phototype be seen;

Though I am Richmond’s Poet laureate,

Not one cent they charged me for it.

As I must speak my mind sincere,

All who want their likeness here—

All who Tom Watson’s face do know,

Powers & Duke the same will show,—

Honest, fair, by Nature took.

Just step in to Powers & Duke.

Thomas Watson.

Prototype Bard of Virginia and Poet laureate of the city of Richmond, the only living successor of Byron, Burns, Milton, Moore and the immortal Wm. Shakspeare.   

14th advertisement ran from August 22 to September 12, 1855.  Powers & Duke’s Daguerreotypes, which has created such a sensation with the public, are still to be had at 139, Main street.

We have several late improvements in the art, to which we invite particular attention.  Boston Quick for sale by Powers & Duke. 

2nd announcement appeared on September 11, 1855.  Aid For The Sufferers.—We have to acknowledge from Messrs. Powers & Duke $22 for the benefit of the afflicted of Norfolk and Portsmouth.  This sum was received at their Daguerrean Gallery, yesterday.  With a commendable benevolence, they sat apart their receipts for the day to this humane object.  Their generous contribution shall have the proper destination.

15th advertisement ran from September15 to October 11, 1855.  Daguerreotypes.—We have seen some of Powers & Duck’s new style of Daguerreotypes, and pronounce them superior to any we ever saw, and is a decided improvement on the old style of Daguerreotype.  Call and see them. 

16th advertisement ran from October 1 to 5, 1855.  Daguerreotypes.—Powers & Duke, Eagle Square.

Daguerreotypes must be perfection,

Since pictured by the sun’s direction,

Heaven’s own bright rays shed from above,

To enshrine the forms of those we love.  oc. 1.

17th advertisement ran from October 16 to 20, 1855.  Daguerreotypes.—Powers & Duke are offering great inducements to persons in want of good and desirable Daguerreotypes.  All of our Pictures are warranted to please or no sale.  

18th advertisement ran from October 26 to November 2, 1856.  Daguerreotypes.—It is well known that we seldom or never award praise to those to whom it is not due; therefore those who may chance to read this will know that we speak true when we say that Powers & Duke’s Flesh-Tint Daguerreotypes are unsurpassed by any one, and we advise our friends, if they want the worth of their money, and a likeness that will not fade, to call on them, over Woodhouse & Co.’s Bookstore, Main st.

19th advertisement ran from November 20 to December 3, 1855.  50 Cent Daguerreotypes.—By the solicitation of many of our friends, we commence this day to take good and durable Daguerreotypes for 50 cents.   Respectfully, Powers & Duke. 

20th advertisement ran from November 24 to December 1, 1855.  Ain’t we glad that Powers & Duke have returned again to taking Daguerreotypes for 50 cents.  Oh! They are such dear little things.  no. 24.

21st advertisement ran from December 12, 1855 to January 16, 1856.  50 Cent Daguerreotypes.—Powers & Duke are still furnishing their customers with their never-failing Daguerreotypes for 50 cts. each.  They do not pretend to humbug the people with Ambrotypes or Glass Pictures, hermotically sealed between two glasses; but they are still taking their world-renowned Flesh Tint Daguerreotypes, which are to well known to the people of Virginia, and which have received the highest praise, both for their cheapness and durability. 

The article appeared in the Photographic and fine Arts Journal (New York, New York) on June 1, 1856, P. 217.  In an article entitled the Photographic Galleries of America.  Number Three, Richmond. The author visited 7 Galleries in Richmond.

Duke. — The specimens of this establishment, are complete caricatures on the art. Big heads on small plates, young ladies with bouquets in their hands, old ladies with either an orange or a red book clutched firmly between their fingers. Then imagine here and there a dab of red or yellow paint, marking out a watch or chain or some other jewelry, and you will have a good idea of these pictures, furnished all complete, gotten up and colored after the manner I have described, for the very low and degrading price of 50 cents. This establishment has not yet meddled with glass pictures; and for the sake of the art, for which I have always had a reverence, I hope it never will.

22d advertisement ran from January 10 to 16, 1856.  A Card.—The Firm of Powers & Duck is this day dissolved by mutual consent.  Those indebted to the firm will come forward and settle with E. M. Powers.  The creditors of the said firm will present their claims to said E. M. Powers for settlement.  E. M. Powers.  P. Henry Duke.  Richmond, January 3, 1856.

I have this day purchased of Mr. P. Henry Duke his entire interest in the Daguerrean Gallery known under the above firm and shall continue to carry on the business, hoping to merit a continuance of the patronage so liberally extended to the firm. E. M. Powers.  Richmond, January 8, 1856.

23d advertisement ran on July 20 & 21, 1859.  If you want a beautiful Likeness, go to Duke’s Gallery, corner above the Post-Office, at Osborne’s old stand.  Having lately engaged the services of one of the most talented artist in the United States, I am making nothing but the very best pictures, at prices from 25 cents to $25.

P. Henry Duke, Artist.             

24th advertisement ran on August 16 & 17, 1859.  Duke’s Gallery—Duke’s Gallery—Corner above Post-Office.  Corner above Post-Office.   Only Twenty-Five Cents, Fifty Cents, One Dollar and Up, For the best Pictures in the world.  Call and be convinced of the fact. 

25^th advertisement appeared on August 30, 1859.  At Duke’s Gallery, Cor. Above the P. O.  Gallery, Cor. Above the P. O.  Gallery, Cor. Above the P. O.  Gallery, Cor. Above the P. O.  Gallery, Cor. Above the P. O.

$2 Ambrotypes $2 Ambrotypes $2 Ambrotypes $2 Ambrotypes $2 Ambrotypes.  Taken for 50 cents.  Taken for 50 cents.  Taken for 50 cents.  Taken for 50 cents.  Taken for 50 cents.  In a large size case, In a large size case, In a large size case, In a large size case, In a large size case,

And warranted in every respect.  And warranted in every respect.  And warranted in every respect.  And warranted in every respect.  And warranted in every respect.  Equal to those at other Galleries for $2.  Equal to those at other Galleries for $2.  

26th advertisement ran on December 29 & 30, 1859.  Duke’s Southern Photographic Temple Of Art, 188 Main st., cor. Above the Post-Office.

Plain Photographs executed for $1 only; Duplicates $9 per doz.  Ivorytypes $10 and up.  Photographs in Indian Ink, pastel, Water Colors, and Oil, from miniatures to life size, on the most reasonable terms.

Mr. Wm. S. Shaw, late of London, who had the honor of being selected by the Protestant Episcopal Missionary Board to photograph the Bishops, Clerical and Lay Delegates of the Episcopal Church of America that met here in convention in October, Is now engaged at the Southern Photographic Temple of Art, and the public may rest assured they will be supplied with first class work in all branches of the art, equal to that of any other establishment in the Union—as Mr. Shaw is well known , and acknowledged one of the first photographers of this country.

P. Henry Duke is not recorded in other photographic directories, nor is the partnership of Powers & Duke. William S. Shaw is not recorded as being active in 1859 in Richmond, Virginia.