1854 Rooms over Brown, Brawley & Co.’s. Store, Charlotte, North Carolina.
1856 Address Unknown, Greensboro, North Carolina.
1856 Address Unknown, Salisbury, North Carolina.
1857 Address Unknown, Charlotte, North Carolina.
1857 Rooms in Carson’s Brick Building, over Boone & Co.’s. Shoe Store, Charlotte, North Carolina.
1858 Rooms over the Post Office, Camden, South Carolina.
1854 November 17. The Western Democrat. (Charlotte, North Carolina.) November 17, 1854, Vol. 3, No. 17, P. 3.
Daguerreian Gallery. The subscriber respectfully invites the attention of Ladies and Gentlemen to his much admired and superior style of Pictures, and would also say, that he is now getting up Plates on an improved plan which will not only add to the Beauty of the Picture, but will render it Durable and Brilliant For Ages.
Call soon, as my stay is limited. Room over Brown, Brawley & Co.’s Store—third story. Nov. 17, 1854. W. P. Hughes.
Asheville, Sept. 8th, 1854.
Mr. W. P. Hughes:
Dear Sir—Be pleased to accept my thanks for the Picture sent by you. It strikes me as being equal, if not superior, to anything of the kind I have ever seen. I have seen many of your Daguerreotypes, and they are not only remarkable for the accuracy of the likenesses but particularly for their ease and fidelity to nature. They seem altogether to lack that stiffness and restraint which mars most pictures of the kind. Wishing you that patronage which your merit in this line seems to entitle you to, I remain Very respectfully yours, &c. T. L. Clingman.
Advertisement ran from November 17 to December 8, 1854.
1856 January 10. The Greensboro Times. (Greensboro, North Carolina.) January 10, 1856, Vol. 1, No. 2, P. 3.
Ambrotypes. A. Starrett, Esq., Showed us some specimens of Ambrotypes, this week, whose superiority over the old fashioned silver plated Daguerreotypes is unquestioned. An Ambrotype is taken on glass, and is not reversed like the old plan; and it can be seen in any light, as it is free from the polish of the silver plate. It cannot get dusty, and is not easily defaced; it is impervious to water, air or acid, and will last for ages unimpaired.
Mr. Starrett has engaged the services of Mr. Hughes, a celebrated artist, who will be in town this week.
1856 January 15. Republican Banner. (Salisbury, North Carolina.) January 15, 1856, Vol. 3, No. 31, Whole No. 115, P. 2.
Ambrotypes. “A. Starrett, Esq., Showed us some specimens of Ambrotypes, this week, whose superiority over the old fashioned silver plated Daguerreotypes is unquestioned. An Ambrotype is taken on glass, and is not reversed like the old plan; and it can be seen in any light, as it is free from the polish of the silver plate. It cannot get dusty, and is not easily defaced; it is impervious to water, air or acid, and will last for ages unimpaired.
Mr. Starrett has engaged the services of Mr. Hughes, a celebrated artist, who will be in town this week.”—Greensborough Times.
We have seen a few pictures taken in the same style of Daguerreotyping spoken of by the Times, taken by Mr. Hughes, and can add our testimony to their elegant beauty. We know Mr. H.well, and know further that he takes superior pictures.
We are glad to learn that Mr. Hughes will be in Salisbury in a few weeks, when all will have an opportunity of testing the new style of taking pictures.
1857 June 16. The Western Democrat. (Charlotte, North Carolina.) June 16, 1857, New Series— Vol. 5, No. 50, P. 3.
Wagon Pic Nic. Last Saturday witnessed, perhaps, one of the most novel, interesting and pleasing incident in the way of a Pic Nic. that has ever transpired in Charlotte within the knowledge of the most “antiquated inhabitant.” We (the Junior) can testify to the scenes that were seen; and the rest, are not recorded in the mind of some.
The company started on a “Fishing Pic Nic.” and headed by the Saxe Band, proceeded to “Lake Katerine” in the following order:
1st. Virginia Wagon, drawn by 4 mules—with flags and banners waiving—containing about 20 ladies and gentlemen. 2d. North Carolina wagon, drawn by 4 horses with 18 passengers—ladies and gentlemen. 3d. South Carolina Wagon, drawn by 4 mules, with 15 ladies and gentlemen as passengers. 4th. One mule cart, 4 ladies and gentlemen as passengers. 5th. One-horse wagon, 4 ladies and gentlemen. 6th. One horse wagon, containing the “Lady from Africa” as chief of the culinary department, with “Murat,” “Cass” and other Body servants to the party appropriately mounted.
The party halted in front of Mr. Hughes’ Daguerrean Gallery, where an Ambrotype of the party was taken, after which it proceeded on its way amid the shouts of the crowds assembled in the streets…
1857 October 20. The Western Democrat. (Charlotte, North Carolina.) October 20, 1857, New Series—Vol. 6, No. 279, P. 3.
Premium Photographs and Ambrotypes. W. P. Hughes, Photographist, Has taken rooms in Carson’s brick Building, over Boone & Co.’s shoe store, third story, where he will be found at all times ready to take Pictures of all who may favor him with a call, in a truly lifelike and artistic manner. My abundant facilities, with all the improvements of the present day, and long experience (being the oldest operator in the state) enables me to produce in cloudy as well as clear weather, the most strikingly correct and splendidly finished Likenesses, singly or in groups, colored in style belonging only to my productions, and warranted never to fade, for less money than any other Gallery in the State. Call soon as my stay is positively limited. Oct. 20.
Advertisement ran from October 20 to December 1, 1857.
1858 February 23. The Camden Weekly Journal. (Camden, South Carolina.) February 23, 1858, Vol. XIX, No. 8, P. 4.
Ambrotype and Photograph Gallery. The undersigned would respectfully inform the citizens of Camden and vicinity, that through their liberal patronage extended him on a former occasion, he has been induced to revisit them, and has taken Rooms over the Post Office for a short time only.
A fact Worth Knowing. It has become a well-known fact, that the Ambrotype and Photograph is the picture of the day. For boldness of relief, richness of tone and correctness of delineation, they cannot be surpassed by any picture taken by or under the sun.
The Ambrotype is particularly adapted to Children. The process being almost instantaneous that fixed and rigid expression so frequently seen, is thus avoided. Also the shortness of times precludes fatigue, and causes the picture to have that natural appearance so much to be desired.
In addition to the Ambrotype and Photograph, he is prepared to execute pictures upon Patent Leather, a convenient article for transportation by mail. Specimens of this style may be seen at my Room.
All those in want of well executed and artistic pictures will do well to call at an early day, as my stay is positively limited to twenty days from date. Jan 12. W. P. Hughes.
Pioneer American Photographers, 1839 - 1860 