1847-1849 100 State Street, Schenectady, New York.
B. Cooke was recorded a total of nine advertisements and two announcements, seven advertisements and one announcement in The Schenectady Reflector (Schenectady, New York) and two advertisements and one announcement in The Schenectady Cabinet, or, Freedom’s Sentinel. (Schenectady, New York). The first advertisement ran from July 23 to August 6, 1847 in the Reflector. Cooke’s Premium Only One Dollar! A Beautiful Daguerreotype, in a neat morocco case, all for one dollar. Now Is The Time to secure one of those valuable keepsakes; as they become, in time, the only memento of absent or deceased friends. Those who have been waiting for a first class artist, can now have the opportunity of procuring a Daguerreotype of the finest tone and finish, as Mr. Cooke was awarded the Silver Medal at the late exhibition of the New York State Agricultural Society, and highest honors at the New Jersey State and Rensselaer county exhibitions for the best specimens of colored Daguerreotypes exhibited.
Miniatures from one to ten dollars, and the utmost satisfaction guaranteed in every case. Rooms 100 State street, Schenectady.
Opinions Of The Press. Cooke & Co.’s Daguerrian Gallery is the resort of the elite and fashion of the city, and daily throngs of ladies visit his rooms. An examination of Mr. C.’s specimens of miniatures will at once satisfy any person, that as an artist he is unsurpassed by any now extant. It will amply repay a person to call in there and send a short time in examining the works of their art. To all we say give them a call.—New York Herald.
Mr. Cooke, of this city, received the first premium for the best Daguerreotype likeness exhibited at the State Fair at Auburn. This is a tall feather in his cap. Really, he executes some of the most exquisite pictures we ever saw.—Albany Knickerbocker.
In these days when everybody preserves his or her likeness in a daguerreotype, it is worth while to know where a good picture can be had. To make such a picture, two or three things are necessary on the part of the operator:–a delicate judgment, a skilful hand, and good taste in arranging the position of the sitter. All these requisites are possessed by Cooke, at his Gallery in Broadway, whose pictures, as every one knows that has tried him, cannot be surpassed if they can be equaled. We have had some experience in daguerreotypes, and certainly we never saw more exact, pleasing and legible ones. But go and try for yourselves, and we will agree that you will be satisfied of this in the most conclusive way.—Albany Telegraph.
The second advertisement ran on August 13 & 20, 1847. Daguerreotype. The subscriber, in again renewing his invitation to Ladies and Gentlemen to visit his Gallery, would respectfully state that his stay in Schenectady is limited to Saturday, August 21st, previous to which, those who wish to procure a Daguerreotype of unequalled tone and finish, should embrace the opportunity now offered. Mr. Cooke having received the well-qualified testimony of the press, the public and amateurs, and artists of acknowledged ability, as regards his efficiency in the art, is confident that he can render satisfaction to all who may choose to favor him with their patronage. As there is not a room in Albany (and in New York with but three exceptions) in which there is not one or more of Mr. Cooke’s photographs, which are pointed to as Premium Pictures, he would wish to impress upon the public that he received for His Own efforts, the Silver Medal at the late exhibition of the N. Y. State Agricultural Society.
A Diploma, the highest honor conferred at the Mechanics’ Institute, Newark, N. J., and Highest Honor at the Rensselaer County Agricultural Exhibition, for the best specimens of Colored Daguerreotypes exhibited. His rooms close positively Saturday, August 21. Miniatures from one dollar to ten dollars.
The third advertisement ran on August 27 and September 3, 1847. Daguerreotype Notice.
The family picture how dear to the heart,
And how precious, too, when called on to part;
Bright gift of a friend, appropriate and dear,
And so prized when the loved one may no longer be here.
The never the life-like Daguerreotype spurn,
Since the chance now offered may never return.
Owing to the liberal patronage bestowed on Mr. Cooke, by the inhabitants of Schenectady, and the numerous inducements and request that he should protract his stay for a few day longer, Mr. Cooke has concluded to remain ten days longer, to enable those who wish to procure a Daguerreotype in the first style of the art, the opportunity for doing so. To those who have so handly patronized him heretofore, he would take this mode of returning his most heartfelt thanks, and should be most happy at any time to see their familiar faces. Connoisseurs and those who can appreciate a good photograph, should embrace this opportunity, and view specimens which have been pronounced to be (by competent judges) unrivalled or excelled.
The fourth advertisement ran from November 23, 1847 to March 21, 1848 in The Schenectady Cabinet, or, Freedom’s Sentinel (Schenectady, New York. A Beautiful Miniature for Only One Dollar, At Cooke’s Premium Daguerreotype Gallery, No. 100 State-St., Schenectady.—Awarded three first premiums at the New York, the New Jersey, and Rensselaer County exhibitions, for the best specimens of Daguerreotypes exhibited. Miniatures taken every day, rain or shine, and warranted to excel everything of the kind ever offered in this city, and no charge made unless the utmost satisfaction is given.
The fifth advertisement ran from November 23 to December 17, 1847. A Beautiful Miniature for Only One Dollar, At Cooke’s Premium Daguerreotype Gallery, No. 100 State-St., Schenectady.—Awarded three first premiums at the New York, the New Jersey, and Rensselaer County exhibitions, for the best specimens of Daguerreotypes exhibited. Miniatures taken every day, rain or shine, and warranted to excel everything of the kind ever offered in this city, and no charge made unless the utmost satisfaction is given.
The first announced appeared on December 7, 1847 in The Schenectady Cabinet, or, Freedom’s Sentinel (Schenectady, New York). Elegant Daguerreotypes.—We have been permitted to examine some specimens of Daguerreotyping, by a new process called Gold-Daguerreotypes, by Mr. B. Cooke, No. 100 State-Street. They are really elegant specimens, and the new process will undoubtedly that precedence of all others. Mr. Cooke is very proficient in his art; the pictures produced by him receive unqualified approbation.
The sixth advertisement ran on December 31, 1847 & January 7, 1848. Splendid Gifts for the Holidays.—Mr. Cooke continues to put up in cases to suit purchasers, his unrivalled miniatures. They make a most desirable present to a friend, and one which time will render invaluable. His prices are lower than at any establishment this side of New York city. And from the encomiums bestowed upon him by the Press and Public, he believes them to be the best.
List Of Prices—Medium Size.
Red silk case, paper border, $1.00
Red silk case, metalic, best glass, $1.25
Velvet case, metalic, best glass, $1.50
Size Quarter.
Red Silk, best glass and matting, $2.00
Velvet, best glass and matting $2.50
Broad, best glass and matting $3.00
Size Half.
Silk, best glass, &c. $4.00
Velvet, best glass, &c. $5.00
Mr. Cooke has added to his operating department a splendid German three-quarter plate Camera, being the largest instrument this side of New York, furnishing inducements to those who wish a miniature, not offered in this city before. His rooms will remain open during the Holidays until January the 8th. This is positively the last opportunity for procuring one of his daguerreotypes, as his engagements in Albany preclude the possibility of his remaining any longer.
The seventh advertisement ran from January 14 to February 11, 1848. The Daguerreotype Art.
Through winter cold, our pictures in gold,
With the triumph of art shed warmth to the heart,
Throwing over each face an exquisite grace;
Lo, then let us cherish the loved ones that perish,
Whose true looks are given by the Sunlight of Heaven.
The winter season is charmingly enlivened by our beautiful sunlight pictures, which are now making, as appropriate holiday presents. Call and examine our specimens. Cooke & Co., Gallery, 100 State street, Schenectady.
The eighth advertisement ran from January 25 to March 21, 1848 in The Schenectady Cabinet, or, Freedom’s Sentinel (Schenectady, New York..) The daguerreotype. This is beautiful weather for the Daguerreotype. Call and see the gems of art, at Cooke & Co.’s., No. 100 State street.
The third announcement appeared on July 13, 1849. It is unnecessary to add any thing to the announcement, that Cooke is in town, at his old quarters, where he is taking pictures by the daguerreotype.
The ninth advertisement appeared on July 13, 1849. Calotypes And Photography.—Mr. Cooke, whose pictures by the Daguerreotype gave such universal satisfaction, some two years since ago, in this city, may again be found at the old stand, 100 State-st.—Mr. Cook is in possession of the secret of manipulating by by the Calotype, Anthotype and Chromotype processes, which no other Artist in this county can boast of. Views from nature on paper, copies of engravings, fac similes of any drawings or writing, to equal the original. In fact, no one, however shred, can discern the difference. He would call particular attention to the superiority of his instrument and Apparatus, made expressly for his use, being over four times as large as anything ever used in this city. Pictures made in a short time, and with more strength of outline. The difference in tone and finish can easily be appreciated.
Terms at the standard New York Prices. Remember 100 State Street, over Walker’s. July 13.
B. Cooke is not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Schenectady, New York. It is possible that this is Beekman Cooke who is recorded in Albany, New York in 1848-1849.
Pioneer American Photographers, 1839 - 1860 