1856-1857       85 Elm Street, Merchants’ Exchange Building, Manchester, New Hampshire.

1859                335 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

1859                Address Unknown, Lowell, Massachusetts.

1860                Carleton Block, Merrimack Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.

1856 July 21.  Manchester Daily Mirror.  (Manchester, New Hampshire.)  July 21, 1856, Vol. X, No. 132, P. 3.

New Ambrotype Firm.  The Best Pictures!  At No. 85 Elm Street, Merchants’ Exchange Building, Directly over John A. Perry’s Mammoth Drug Store. 

Hopkins & Elwell Artists in Ambrotype, Produces better Pictures, with less delay than any other establishment in the State.  This statement they are prepared to prove to any one who is disposed to test their skill in picture making.  They know what they now say, and they can and will do what they advertise to do. They do not wish to speak disparagingly of other artists in Ambrotype, for many of them make good pictures, but, we do know that we can and do produce the best Ambrotype Pictures ever exhibited in New Hampshire, and as compared with these, Daguerreotypes are worthless.

The public are respectfully invited to examine specimens at the place above named.

F. D. Hopkins, C. K. Ellwell.

Advertisement ran from July 21 to August 13, 1856.

1856 July 24.  Manchester Daily Mirror.  (Manchester, New Hampshire.)  July 24, 1856, Vol. X, No. 135, P. 2.

New Ambrotype Rooms—Hopkins and Elwell, two enterprising and studious artists, are fitting up a splendid Picture Gallery in the south part of Merchants’ Exchange. Directly over the Drug Store of J. A. Perry, for taking a lasting likenesses of the “human face divine” in ambrotype.  For light and convenience we know not where a better locality could be found.  Their pictures in the show case at the entry-way and in their rooms, show what they can do.  From what we have seen, and we have examined their pictures closely, we think they take an excellent ambrotype, well-toned, life-like and clear.  We commend their advertisement in another column to particular notice.

1856 September 20.  Manchester Daily Mirror.  (Manchester, New Hampshire.)  September 20, 1856, Vol. XI, No. 34, P. 3.

Ambrotypes!   The Best Pictures!!  F. D. Hopkins. No. 85 Elm Street, South End Merchants’ Exchange, Will furnish his customers with a better picture, either Ambrotype, Daguerreotype, or Photograph, Than can be procured at any other establishment in the State.

He would call particular attention to his Specimens of Ambrotype!  Which for boldness and truthfulness of delineation, softness of tone and beauty of finish, Cannot Be Excelled!!

Having had long and successful experience in all branches of the Art, he flatters himself that he can Defy Competition. 

Ambrotypes Set In Lockets, Pins, Rings, &c. And Warranted to give Entire Satisfaction. 

No charge made for trial where a good picture is not obtained.

For further particulars please call at his Gallery. No. 85 Merchants’ Exchange.  F. D. Hopkins.

Advertisement ran from August 27 to  October 17, 1856.

1856 October 15.  Manchester Daily Mirror.  (Manchester, New Hampshire.)  October 15, 1856, Vol. XI, No. 52, P. 2 & 3.

New Hampshire State Fair, Premiums Awarded…

Pictures, Hair Work, &c.

N. Brow, Concord, Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes, Dip.

F. D. Hopkins, Manchester, Improved Daguerreotype, Trans.

F. A. Brown, [Manchester], for Improved Ambrotypes, Med.

1856 November 19.  Manchester Daily Mirror.  (Manchester, New Hampshire.)  November 19, 1856, Vol. XI, No. 82, P. 3.

To the Ladies and Gentlemen! –Of—Manchester.  Having for the past three or four months listened to, and read in silence, the one thousand and one windy advertisements, and paid Editorial puffs, published and circulated by Daguerreotypists of the city—who have made numberless statements calculated to mislead those unacquainted with business, ad which they cannot prove, I deem it a duty due to myself and the public, to say a few words in regard to the subject in question.

The above named gentlemen (who dislike everything new because they find it difficult to keep up with the improvements of the time,) state that which they do not know to be a fact, that Ambrotypes are worthless, that they will “crack, spot, fade, peel off,” &c.

For the benefit of these ‘would be’ advisers and monopolists, I would say that I will, in presence of witnesses, subject any Ambrotype, made and finished by myself, to tests that will utterly spoil any Daguerreotype, and all without injuring the picture.  And furthermore, I will challenge any operator in the city, whether resident or imported for the occasion, whether a “finished workman” or unfinished, to produce a better picture, either as regards the fineness of chemical effect, delicacy of light and shade, or beauty of finish.

And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, since it has become the fashion, allow me to add my “one word of advice.” Never allow yourselves to be humbugged by Old Fogies; but let your own good sense be your guide both in the selection of pictures and artists.  I would further advise you to call at our gallery and examine our specimens of improved Ambrotypes, put them to any reasonable test, and then decide for yourselves.

I shall continue to devote myself exclusively to the Art.  Pictures executed in any desired, either Ambrotype, Daguerreotype, or Photograph, from the smallest miniature to the full plate, and warranted not to “Spot, fade, peel off,” or spoil in any way.  With ten thousand thanks for the very liberal patronage you have heretofore bestowed up on me, and many hopes for the continuance of the same, I will take my leave, hoping soon to have the pleasure of a personal interview.  Yours Truly, F. D. Hopkins.  85Elm Street, South End Merchants’ Exchange.

Advertisement ran from November 19 to 28, 1856.

1856 November 25.  Manchester Daily Mirror.  (Manchester, New Hampshire.)  November 25, 1856, Vol. XI, No. 87, P. 2.

It seems by the daily papers that Mr. Brown ad Mr. Hopkins are obliged to discuss the durability of their pictures—say nothing of merits, and Mr. French & Co. seem determined to patent the Greek language, but I would inform the public that at Goddard’s rooms, Smyth’s Block, they can get a picture either Ambrotype or Daguerreotype, that will speak for itself.  Call and see his 50c cases.

Advertisement ran from November 25 to December 5, 1856.

1857 January 20.  Manchester Daily Mirror.  (Manchester, New Hampshire.)  January 20, 1857, Vol. IX, No. 135, P. 3.

I am In Favor Of A Well Organized Military Companies Throughout The United States.  I shall ride Esq. Hutchings, Elevated Charger, dressed in a Field Officers Regimentals, at 12 O’clock, A. M., to-morrow, thro’ some of the Principal streets of Manchester.  On the occation (sic.) Mr. F. D. Hopkins, will take my Daguerreotype, one for the Hon. John B. Clarke, Editor of the Mirror, and one for the Hon. Joseph C. Abbott, Editor of the American, one for the Artist and one for myself.

This will give the citizens of Manchester, a double chance to see the man who is nominated for President on Horse back, and to call at the different offices and view the pictures.  Daniel Pratt, Jr. the Great American Traveller.

1857 March 14.  Manchester Daily Mirror.  (Manchester, New Hampshire.)  March 14, 1857, Vol. XII, No. 24, P. 2.

Take Notice.  The undersigned, Daguerreotypers of Manchester, will for the future charge from one to three dollars, according to size, for putting pictures in cases bought of Pedlers, so that they will cost at least twenty-five cents more than the same cases and pictures bought at any rooms in the City.  F. A. Brown, F. D. Hopkins, J. U. French & Co., R. A. Miller, A. H. Snow, J. Goddard.

Advertisement ran from March 14 to 17, 1857.

1850 May 7.    Lowell Daily Citizen and News.  (Lowell, Massachusetts.)  May 7, 1860, Vol. X, No. 1234, P. 2.

Fire Yesterday Noon.  About 1 o’clock, yesterday noon, smoke was seen issuing from an upper window in the rear of Carleton Block, on Merrimack street, and the alarm bell soon brought the fire department to the spot.  It took in a small room occupied by Mr. F. D. Hopkins, daguerreotypist, and contained his apparatus.  It is supposed to have been caused by the heat of the sun thrown by means of a powerful glass upon a quantity of saturated cotton.  It was extinguished with a few buckets of water.  The damage to Mr. Hopkins will not exceed $100.  The building was damaged by the burning of the window casing, &c., to the amount of $40 or $50.  Had the building got well on fire, our citizens would have seen the necessity of keeping the water pipes filled all the time.  The canals were drawn off, as they generally are on Sunday, and no water could be had excepting through the pipes.  Luckliy none was needed.

1850 May 11.   Vox Populi.  (Lowell, Massachusetts.)  May 11, 1860, Vol. XX, No. 27, P. 2.

A Slight Fire.  About 1 o’clock, P. M., on Sunday, fire was discovered in the fourth story of Carleton Block, issuing from the window in a room occupied by Mr. F. D. Hopkins for a laboratory, which is a part of his photograph and ambrotype establishment.  The alarm was given, and in a few moments the Fire Department was fully represented around the building, but its services were not required, as a few buckets of water extinguished the flames.  The supposition is that the fire was set by the rays of the sun operating, through the window glass and a mirror, upon a curtain.  Mr. Hopkins’ loss was about $100; the proprietors of Carleton Block do not lose more than $40 or $50 from the damages. 

Mr. Hopkings is a young artist of decided merit, and we regret that he met with this unpleasant draw-back.  His rooms, however, are now open, and he will be happy to receive the calls of those wanting photographs.

1850 June 1.   Vox Populi.  (Lowell, Massachusetts.)  June 1, 1860, Vol. XX, No. 30, P. 2.

It is an easy matter to send by mail a “counterfeit presentment” of one’s features; Hopkins in Carleton Block, makes a speaking likeness no larger than a letter-stamp…