1852                Over William Holloway’s Store, Richmond, Kentucky.

J. M. Sandifer was recorded in two advertisements in the Weekly Messenger (Richmond, Kentucky).  The first advertisement ran on March 5 to 12, 1852.  J. M. Sandifer, Daguerreian Artists, Would Respectfully announce to all who wish to preeerve (Sic.) their faces for their friends or posterity, that he is prepared to execute Likenesses Single, or in Groups; done up in Cases, Lockets, Breast Pins and Finger Rings, in all kinds of weather, on Mahogany or Ivory back Grounds; which for neatness, durability and life like appearance, are seldom equaled, never excelled.

Miniatures of corpse taken upon application at their residence.  He will pay great attention to that part of his profession.

Pictures of all kinds copied accurately.

Instructions given in the Art, and apparatus furnished, &c., &c.

Ladies and gentlemen are respectfully invited to call and examine specimens.  Room over the Store of Wm. Holloway.  J. M. S.

The second advertisement ran on March 19 to 26, 1852.  J. M. Sandifer, Daguerreian Artists, Would Respectfully announce to all who wish to preeerve (Sic.) their faces for their friends or posterity, that he is prepared to execute Likenesses Single, or in Groups; done up in Cases, Lockets, Breast Pins and Finger Rings, in all kinds of weather, on Mahogany or Ivory back Grounds; which for neatness, durability and life like appearance, are seldom equaled, never excelled.

Miniatures of corpse taken upon application at their residence.  He will pay great attention to that part of his profession.

Pictures of all kinds copied accurately.

Instructions given in the Art, and apparatus furnished, &c., &c.

Ladies and gentlemen are respectfully invited to call and examine specimens.  Room over the Store of Wm. Holloway.  J. M. S.

Ingenious art! that bids the memory trace,

The features of some loved, but absent face—

The honored parent snatched by Death away,

In nature’s semblance meets the eye of day.

A lovely daughter finds an early tomb,

By the Destroyer blighted in her bloom;

Tho’ full and frequent fall affection’s showers,

No tears can ere revive that perished flower.

O then how vainly comes the deep regret,

That no parental fondness could forget

To have her  picture, ere her beauty past

And all we loved had faded in the blast!

Immortal art! that can restore to sight

The lip of loveliness—the eye of light—

The silken tresses—and the life like smile

Of those we prize our sorrow to beguile;

And spoil the grave of half its victory,

Restoring much again which cannot die!

Pictured in memory’s glass we fondly see

Departed worth revived again by thee.

Our absent ones are present to our eyes,

Tho’ ’twixt us billows roll and mountains [rise];

Oh think that Time, with ever-wasting power,

[Unnerves] youth’s arm and blights sweet beauty’s flower.

Artist! Tis thine with magic skill to lend

Life’s vivid hues to the departed friend;

And fix in undecaying beauty here

Each fleeting grace and affection held so dear.

True to the life thy pleasing pictures stand,

Justly attesting thy ingenious hand,

That to the sons of fame can truly give

The hues of life and bid their semblance live.

From Time’s strong grasp and the devouring grave,

Artist! Thy skill our fading  forms can save!”  May 8.

J. M. Sandifer is not recorded in other photographic directories.