1850-1851       Francis Block, North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

1852-1853       Address Unknown, Pittsfield, Massachusetts.[1]

J. W. Hirst was recorded in two advertisements and one announcement in the Culturist and Gazette (Pittsfield, Massachusetts) a second announcement appeared in the Daily Republican  (Springfield, Massachusetts) which is a reprint of the C. & G announcement.  The first advertisement ran from October 9 to December 25, 1850.  Daguerrian Hall.  Daguerreotypes With all the latest improvements in Finishing and Gilding, taken at the rooms of J. W. Hirst, Francis Block, North Street, Pittsfield.

Miniatures set in Lockets, Frames Rings Pins, &c.  Watches, Jewelry, &c., plated with Gold and Silver by the Electro process.

Clocks & Musical Instruments Carefully repaired and warranted to give satisfaction, Umbrellas and Parasols made and repaired.

The second advertisement ran from December 25, 1850 to March 12, 1851.  Hirst’s Sky-Light Daguerreotype Rooms, Francis Block, North-st., Pittsfield.  Up One Flight Of Stairs Only.

Miss. Hirst Tenders her compliments to the citizens of Pittsfield, and vicinity, for the very liberal patronage so kindly bestowed upon her during her practice of the above profession, and would inform her friends and the public generally, that she has added to her rooms a very large Sky-Light, and that they will find her in readiness at all times, and in any weather, to wait on Ladies and gratify their desire to obtain true and pleasing Likenesses of themselves or acquaintances, or Copies Of Portraits, Daguerreotypes, &c., in the shortest space of time requisite, and respectfully solicits, a continuance of like favors.

Miniatures ut up in all the various styles, from the cheap Morocco to the richest and most magnificent Token.

Mr. Hirst will also be in attendance to wait upon gentlemen.

As we are not in the habit of making boasting or flattering speeches about what we can do, we respectfully invite all ladies and gentlemen to call and make a trial and satisfy themselves, and if not pleased no charge is made.

Clocks, Locks, Umbrellas, Parasols, Fans, Musical Snuff Boxes, Accordions, Musical Instruments, &c., carefully repaired.  Also Galvanizing with Gold & Silver,  By the Electro-Process, Done in the best manner and warranted to give satisfaction, by J. W. Hirst. 

The first announcement appeared on March 19, 1851.  A Hard Knot.—Mr. Hirst, Daguerrian Artist, of this village, showed us a few days since, a steel rat-trap, which had been sprung by pressing a stick some five inches long upon the pan, the stick remaining between the jaws of the trap.—It seems that a gentleman rat has very unceremoniously visited his rooms quite frequently of late, but has eluded ever attempt to be decoyed into the “tub of meal.”  The trap has been set for him several nights in succession, but each morning finds the trap sprung with some stick or other hard substance fastened in it, and his Ratship as free as ever.  Mr. H. says the trap is set in the room where no person enters during the night, and in such a position that the rat must pass through it to enter the room.

The second announcement was reprinted on March 24, 1851.  A Hard Knot.—Mr. Hirst, Daguerrian Artist, of this village, showed us a few days since, a steel rat-trap, which had been sprung by pressing a stick some five inches long upon the pan, the stick remaining between the jaws of the trap.—It seems that a gentleman rat has very uncermoniously visited his rooms quite frequently of late, but has eluded ever attempt to be decoyed into the “tub of meal.”  The trap has been set for him several nights in succession, but each morning finds the trap sprung with some stick or other hard substance fastened in it, and his Ratship as free as ever.  Mr. H. says the trap is set in the room where no person enters during the night, and in such a position that the rat must pass through it to enter the room.—Pittsfield Culturist.

J. W. Hirst is recorded in other photographic directories.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry records him as being active in 1852.

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[1] A Directory Of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900.