1854-1857       Corner Main and State Streets, Ellsworth, Maine.

1855                Address Unknown, Mt. Desert, Maine.

Moses Hale was recorded in six advertisements and two announcements in the Ellsworth American (Ellsworth, Maine).  The first two advertisements as Hale & Sanborn (Moses Hale & James G. Sanborn).  The first advertisement ran from January 12 to March 16, 1855.  Hale’s Daguerreian Rooms, The subscriber would announce to the citizens of Ellsworth and vicinity that he has recently fitted up Rooms over his Store, (formerly Post Office Building,) added a large and superior Sky Light furnished himself with new Stock and Apparatus—has associated with himself in the Daguerrian Business, Mr. James G. Sanborn, an experienced and skilful artist and is now prepared to furnish Miniatures of the various sizes in the best style of art, and at fair prices.

Miniatures put up in Breast Pins, Lockets, Frames and Common Cases.

Copies taken of Portraits, Miniatures, Engravings and Statuary.

Persons wishing for Miniatures would do well to attend to it to day while in life and health, as delays are dangerous and to-morrow may be to late.  Moses Hale.  Ellsworth, July 14, 1854.

The first announcement appeared on February 16, 1855.  Moses Hale has just returned from Boston with a lot new goods which he is selling very cheap.

The second advertisement ran from February 23 to March 23, 1855.  Hale’s Daguerreian Rooms Re-Opened!  Messrs. Hale & Sanborn would give notice that they have returned from their tour at Mt. Desert, and will be in readiness to wait upon customers on and after Monday next, the 26^th inst.

Pictures Taken In Any Weather, from 8 A. M. to 5 P. M.

The third advertisement ran from August 3, 1855 to January 18, 1856. Moses Hale, Daguerreian Artist Ellsworth, ME.

Pictures taken in any weather and warranted to give satisfaction.  A good assortment of Lockets and Pins always on hand.

The fourth advertisement ran from October 19, 1855 to January 18, 1856.  Cutting’s Patent Ambrotypes; Or Pictures On Glass!  The undersigned having purchased the right for the county of Hancock and having furnished himself with a new Whole Sized Camera and, apparatus, is now prepared to take those beautiful and Never changing Pictures on glass at his rooms, Corner of Main and State streets Ellsworth.

These pictures are taken upon the best plate Glass, over which is placed a corresponding glass, the two being united by a transparent gum, causing the picture to retain its brilliancy for ages.  They are beautiful in tone, bold and clear in effect, may be seen in any light, and are as enduring as the glass upon which they are taken.  They are not reversed like Daguerreotypes, but are seen in the natural position of the sitter.

Prices varying from two to fifteen dollars, according to size and quality of case or frame.

Daguerreotypes taken as usual.

All pictures warranted.

The public are invited to call and examine specimens.  Moses Hale.

The second announcement appeared on November 2, 1855.  The Ambrotype.  The Ambrotype is the last great improvement upon the Daguerreotype.  Whether there are other improvements in store inquisitive artist, time alone can unfold.  We recently observed in an exchange the announcement that the old partner of Daguerre had discovered a process by which he could fix all the primitive colors upon the plate.  This, if correct, (and we presume it is,) will add much to the beauty of the Daguerreotype, yet without the Ambrotype, even this discovery would fail of producing half its beauties.

The Daguerreotype is a beautiful picture, yet with all its beauty the artist has never been able to produce a picture which could be distinctly seen, unless held in a certain position to receive the rays of light.  But the Ambrotype avoids this difficulty, which has long been a serious objection, and at the same time presents a picture far surpassing in beauty and richness of color and shade, the finest steel engraving.

Mr. Moses Hale of this place, who has long been known as one of the most skillful Daguerrean artists in this part of the state, has recently purchased the exclusive right for taking Ambrotypes in the County of Hancock, and some of the specimens of his taking which we have seen, even surpass those of the artist from whom he learned to process.  See his advertisement in another column.

The fifth advertisement first appeared on December 28, 1855.  Mr. Moses Hale.  (Successor To B. Nourse.)  The stock of Books and Stationery kept by Mr. Nourse was always large and well selected, but since passing into the hand of Mr. Hale very large additions have been made to it, until now it is one of the best in this part of the state.  Mr. H. is very well and favorably known as a correct business man, and with his thorough knowledge and close attention, we doubt not he will have a full share of all the custom in his line, especially since he is determined not to be undersold by any one in the state.

His store has one of the best locations in the village, and being Agent for Hodgeman, Carr & Co’s. Express, he can very conveniently, at the shortest notice, order any book or other article that may be called for, either from Boston or New York.

In the second story are his Daguerrean Rooms, where he can take and put up any desired style, the best pictures of any artist in the country.  Or, if preferred, he takes the Ambrotypes, which is much superior to the Daguerreotype as a steel engraving is to a wood cut, and yet the Ambrotype cost but a trifle the more.

The sixth advertisement ran from January 25, 1856 to September 11, 1857.  Moses Hale, Daguerreian Artist Ellsworth, ME.  Cutting’s Patent Ambrotypes; Or Pictures On Glass!  The undersigned having purchased the right for the county of Hancock and having furnished himself with a new Whole Sized Camera and, apparatus, is now prepared to take those beautiful and Never changing Pictures on glass at his rooms, Corner of Main and State streets Ellsworth.

These pictures are taken upon the best plate Glass, over which is placed a corresponding glass, the two being united by a transparent gum, causing the picture to retain its brilliancy for ages.  They are beautiful in tone, bold and clear in effect, may be seen in any light, and are as enduring as the glass upon which they are taken.  They are not reversed like Daguerreotypes, but are seen in the natural position of the sitter.

Prices varying from two to fifteen dollars, according to size and quality of case or frame.

Daguerreotypes taken as usual.

All pictures warranted.

The public are invited to call and examine specimens.  Pictures taken in any weather and warranted to give satisfaction.  A good assortment of Lockets and Pins always on hand. Moses Hale.

Hale & Sanborn are not recorded as being in partnership in other photographic directories.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry does record Moses Hale as being active in Ellsworth, Maine in 1855-1856.  John does record a James G. Sanborn as being active in Cherryfield, Maine in1856-1860, and is probably the same person.