All posts by pioneeramericanphotographers

Vail & Persac

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1856                Rooms in Heroman’s Building, corner Florida & Main Streets, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Vail & Persac (William Vail & Marie Adrian Persac) were recorded in ten announcements in the Sugar Planter (West Baton Rouge, Louisiana.) and one advertisement in The Morning Comet (Baton Rouge, Louisiana.)  The first announcement appeared on July 26.  Daguerreotypes.—We visited the Daguerrean gallery of Messrs. Vail & Persac on Monday last, and were astonished at the beauty, skill and finish of their pictures.  Among them we recognized many faces familiar about town, which to our mind is an evidence that their efforts are justly receiving a liberal share of patronage.  Give them a call and see for yourselves. Rooms in Heroman’s building, corner of Florida and Main Streets.

The second announcement appeared on August 2, 1856.  Call at Vail & Persac’s if you want to see some fine specimens of Daguerrean art.  Our West Baton Rouge friends wanting likenesses taken, would be perfectly satisfied with those taken by Messrs. Vail and Persac.  Don’t forget the place—over G. H. Heroman’s book store.

The third announcement appeared on August 23, 1856.  “Let justice be done through the Heavens fall,” and with a due observation of this maxim, call on Vail & Persac, and secure a “likeness ere the substance fades.”  They are reaping the reward of their labors. 

The fourth announcement appeared on August 30, 1856.  Don’t forget that Vail and Persac are taking daguerreotypes as cheap as ever.  A few more plates left.

The fifth announcement appeared on September 6, 1856.  Vail & Persac still taking pictures as cheap as ever.

The sixth announcement appeared on September 20, 1856.  Vail & Persac.—These eminent Daguerreotypists are still taking their fine pictures at the old stand.  Their pictures are taken in a superior and artistic style, and we would advise all those desiring likenesses to call and examine their specimens.  Rooms in Heroman’s new building, Corner of Laurel and Main Streets.

The advertisement ran from October 9 to December 27, 1856 in The Morning Comet (Baton Rouge, Louisiana).  Vail & Persac.  Daguerrean Artists, Heroman’s Building, Corner of Main and Florida streets.  Pictures taken in the very best style of art, any size desired.                       

The seventh announcement appeared on October 11, 1856.  Daguerreotypes.—Vail & Persac continue their extensive business at Heroman’s corner.  Their apparatus is complete in every department, and the most superior likenesses are guaranteed to all.  Gentlemen and ladies from the country can have their daguerreotypes taken at shortest possible notice, without interference with their business.  A few seconds are only required to complete the most beautifully finished picture of old or young.  Call at their rooms and examine specimens.

The eighth announcement appeared on October 18, 1856.  The Reign of Art.—In this wonderful age, art lays her master touches on almost everything.  The ceilings over us and the carpets we tread on, are hollowed by art.—Nothing is too lofty for her touch and nothing too humble.  A new proof of this old conviction has just fallen under our notice, in the shape of daguerreotypes at the establishment of Vail and Persac.  Go and see them by all means.

The ninth announcement appeared on November 22, 1856.  Daguerreotypes.—The pleasure of having the picture of a friend need not be expatiated upon, as it is appreciated by all, and the interchange of these tokens of regard, is one of the most beautiful customs of the age, while the facilities for observing it, leave no excuse for its non-observance.  Mr. Vail, in Heroman’s building is now more fully prepared than ever to take daguerreotype likenesses, and we advise our friends to give him a call.  So says the Gazette!

The tenth announcement appeared on January 24, 1857.  Ambrotypes.—We paid a visit yesterday, to the Daguerreotype gallery of Professor Vail, over Heroman’s store, and were shown some specimens of Ambrotypes that will rank with anything of the kind we have never seen.  The Ambrotype, to our mind is a far superior picture to the daguerreotype; being easier taken; of a softer finish and generally a better likeness.  The Professor is having quite a rush just now, but visitors are freely invited to call and examine specimens.  Rooms corner Main and Laurel streets.

Vail & Persac are recorded in other photographic directories.  Photography in New Orleans; Pioneer Photographers From The Mississippi To The Continental Divide A Biographical Dictionary, 1839-1865; Craig’s Daguerreian Registry and The New York Historical Society’s Dictionary Of Artists In America 1564-1860 list Adrian Persac as a Landscape painter active in Louisiana between 1857-1872.  The advertisement ran until December 27, 1856, the November 22 and January 24th announcements do not mention Persac name.

C.V. Ussam

Daguerreotypes, , ,

1858                Address and Location Unknown.

C.V. Ussam appeared in one announcement in The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York)  on December 10, 1858.  New-York City News.  Burning of the Harlem R. R. Depot.  Great Loss Of Property.  Four Men Buried in the Ruins.

This morning sometime between 3 and 4 o’clock, the Harlem Railroad Depot, in Centre street, caught fire on the White street side, and was partially destroyed, together with a large amount of property….

…C. V. Ussam, daguerreotype apparatus, loss $500.

C.V. Ussam is not recorded in other photographic directories.  It is unknown if Ussam was a daguerreotypist or supplier. 

Benjamin Franklin Upton

Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

1850-1856       45 Front Street, Bath, Maine.

N. D.               Rooms over Mr. Baker’s Store, Brunswick, Maine.

1852                Rooms over Mr. Baker’s Store, Brunswick, Maine.

Benjamin Franklin Upton was recorded in twelve advertisements and eleven announcements in the Eastern Times (Bath, Maine) and one Patent announcement in The New York Herald (New York, New York).  The first advertisement ran from July 18 to September 26, 1850.  Daguerreotype Rooms.  B. F. Upton respectfully announces to the ladies and gentlemen of Bath and vicinity, that he has taken the rooms formerly occupied by Mr. J. W. C. Morrison, where he will be happy to supply any in want with superior Daguerreotype Miniatures.

All are invited to call and examine specimens.

The first announcement appeared on August 8, 1850.  We had the pleasure, a few days since of examining  some excellent specimens of the Daguerreotype art, executed by Mr. B. F. Upton, at the Rooms formerly occupied by Mr. Morrison.  They were of superior finish—and not excelled, in any respect, we believe, by any specimens we have seen.  Mr. U, is now preparing several pictures for the purpose of exhibition at the Mechanics’ Fair, soon to be holden in Boston.  We are satisfied that those already prepared, are not, to say the least, inferior to any that have formerly taken the prize.

The second advertisement ran from September 26 to October 31, 1850.  B. F. Upton’s Daguerreotype Rooms, No. 45 Front Street, Bath, Maine.

The third advertisement ran from November 7 to December 19, 1850.  Daguerreotypes, Upton 45 Front Street.

The second announcement appeared on December 19, 1850.  Upton’s Daguerreotypes are now acknowledged to be superior to any produced in our city; and inferior to none in the country.  This is clearly attested by the crowds who visit his rooms, 45 Front street.  Give him a call, and—our word for it—you will not be disappointed.

The fourth advertisement ran from December 19, 1850 to February 20, 1851.  The Union Meeting Having passed off to the satisfaction of all true friends of the constitution, public attention is now being directed to Upton’s Daguerreotype Rooms, 45 Front Street.  Mr. Upton respectfully informs his customers that he has reduced his prices, so that none who wish for pictures can find an excuse for not embracing the present opportunity.

The fifth advertisement ran from February 27 to May 8, 1851.  Upton’s Daguerreotype Rooms, 45 Front Street 45.

The third announcement appeared on March 13, 1851.  Mr. B. F. Upton is without doubt one of the best daguerreotype operators in the country.  He has for many years given this business his entire attention, and none who visit his rooms at 45 Front St., can for a moment question his facilities for producing a perfect picture.  Strangers visiting the city will do well to give him a call.

The fourth announcement appeared on April 17, 1851.  Daguerreotypes.  In procuring a daguerreotype of yourself or friends, it is important that you employ an artist who thoroughly understands his business, and who is in every way capable of giving you a perfect picture.—Mr. B. F. Upton, 45 Front street, is a gentleman who has become celebrated for his beautiful and lifelike daguerreotypes.

The sixth advertisement ran from May 15 to August 21, 1851.  Upton’s Picture Rooms 45 Front Street.

The seventh advertisement ran from August 28 to September 18, 1851.  B. F. Upton’s Daguerreotype Rooms, 45 Front Street.  45

The fifth announcement appeared on January 8, 1852.  Mr. Upton Will be at his old Daguerreotype Rooms over Mr. Baker’s store in Brunswick, next week, commencing Jan. 12.

The eighth advertisement ran from April 8 to July 29, 1852.  Daguerreotypes, By Upton, 45 Front Street, 45.

The sixth announcement appeared on May 6, 1852.  Portrait Painting!  Swift, The Artist, Will open Rooms on or about the 10th of May, where he will be happy to receive orders from any who may wish to patronize his beautiful style of painting—a specimen of which may be seen at Mr. Upton’s Daguerrean Rooms.

Paintings true to life from Miniatures. Perfect satisfaction warranted.

The ninth advertisement ran from August 8 to September 2, 1852.  Daguerreotypes.  Mr. Upton is now at his rooms in Bath, No. 45 Front Street.

The tenth advertisement ran from August 5 to October 14, 1852.  Commencement.  Mr. Upton will be in Brunswick again some days previous to, and after commencement.  A fine opportunity will thus be presented for visitors to obtain Daguerreotypes.  This will probably be the last time he will visit Brunswick.  Terms as reasonable as can be found anywhere.

The seventh announcement appeared on April 28, 1853.  Patents.—Among the list of patents just issued, we noticed one to our townsman, B. F. Upton, for Improvement in Mercury Baths for Daguerreotyping.  [9,666][1]

The eleventh advertisement ran from September 9, 1852 to November 22, 1855.  Daguerreotypes, By Upton, 45 Front Street.  45.

The seventh announcement appeared on October 1, 1854 in The New York Herald (New York, New York). New Patents Issued…for week ending September 19, 1854.  Benjamin F. Upton, of Bath, Me., for improved apparatus for polishing daguerreotype plates.  [patent No. 11,709.]

The eighth announcement appeared on January 4, 1855.  The nearest thing for a New Year’s Present is one of Upton’s Daguerreotypes.  He is the prince of artists in this community, as is generally conceded.

The ninth announcement appeared on October 18, 1855.  Sagadahoc County Fair.  The Cattle Show and Fair of the Sagadahoc Agricultural and Horticultural Society, at Topsham last week, was a very creditable affair…

Daguerreotypes.—All the specimens of this beautiful and truly valuable art, which enables us to carry with us always the faces of our friends, were presented by the well known artist, B. F. Upton—his portraits may without suffering be compared with any which adorn the celebrated galleries of our larger cities.  The committee noticed the whole sized portrait of Dea. A. R. Mitchell as remarkable for accuracy and distinctness; a whole sized representation of two ladies as showing great taste in arranging the posture and catching the living expression of subjects, and also half sized portraits of Rev. Dr. Tappan and Elihu Burrett as remarkable for depth and richness of tone.

The tenth announcement appeared on November 8, 1855.  Photographs.—Messrs. Upton & Smiley, at the old Daguerreotype Rooms of Mr. Upton, have recently introduced a photographic department to their establishment.  We have seen some specimens, colored in oil by Mr. Harris, which, for correctness of delineation and beauty of finish can’t be beat.  We say this without fear of contradiction, and any one who will take the trouble to visit the rooms, and examine the likeness of our venerable fellow citizen, Judge Clap, we are sure will agree with us.

The twelfth Advertisement ran from November 29, 1855 to April 17, 1856.  Daguerreotypes By Upton & Smiley, 45 Front Street 45.

Benjamin Franklin Upton is recorded as B. F. Upton in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry in Bath, Maine in 1855-1856. Craig also references unknown dates in Chicago, Illinois and St.Anthony, Minnesota.  

[1] American Photographic Patents The Daguerreotype & Wet Plate Era 1840 – 1880.

Upton & Smiley

Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

1855-1856       45 Front Street, Bath, Maine.

Upton & Smiley (Benjamin Franklin Upton & Smiley) were recorded in one announcement and one advertisement in the Eastern Times (Bath, Maine).  The announcement appeared on November 8, 1855.  Photographs.—Messrs. Upton & Smiley, at the old Daguerreotype Rooms of Mr. Upton, have recently introduced a photographic department to their establishment.  We have seen some specimens, colored in oil by Mr. Harris, which, for correctness of delineation and beauty of finish can’t be beat.  We say this without fear of contradiction, and any one who will take the trouble to visit the rooms, and examine the likeness of our venerable fellow citizen, Judge Clap, we are sure will agree with us.

The advertisement ran from November 29, 1855 to April 17, 1856.   Daguerreotypes By Upton & Smiley, 45 Front Street 45.

Benjamin Franklin Upton is recorded in other photographic directories but not in the partnership.  While Smiley is not recorded with a first name, this is possibly G. S. Smiley who was active in Brunswick, Maine in 1854.  For more information on Benjamin Franklin Upton see tomorrows post.  

Upham

Photographs, ,

1858                Hawley Block, adjoining and over the Post Office, Jamestown, New York.

Upham of the partnership of Hoard & Upham was recorded in one advertisement and  announcement in the Jamestown Journal (Jamestown, New York).  The advertisement ran on September 3 & 10, 1858.  From The Seat Of War!  Camp Life of B Company 68th Reg’t. N. Y. S. M.  I had the pleasure of seeing this grand parade of Military men, and enjoying the full benefits of ca,[ life (except the pay) in common, with Officers and Soldiers of B Company from our village.  My duty on the field was only that of a spectator, except at meal times, when I was pressed into service by order of Captain C. L. Jeffords, and marched to the victualing tent of J. D. Stearns, where we found lots of good things to eat, and James ready to wait upon us.  In this part of the exercise I believe I made a capital Soldier; I saw no one that could present the knife or folk and charge upon beef steak or boiled ham with better skill than myself.  After the performance was all over and tents taken down, six of us took passage in an extra train for Jamestown, making it in the unprecedented quick time of ten hours.  Upon the whole, it was [    ] nice affair, and I think that B Company showed off well.  All it lacks of making just such a company as it should be, is the proper attention and assistance of our citizens.  For further particulars call on Hoard & Upham at their rooms, where you can get a full view of the ground, and a nice Photograph of yourself for $3.50, and other styles of pictures for less.                       

The announcement appeared on September 24, 1858.  County Fair, 11 A. M., Sept. 22d, 1858…Hoard & Upham have a fine assemblage of pictures and photographs…

Upham is recorded in other photographic directories as being active in the partnership in 1859.  It is unknow if they won a premium or if one was even offered at the County Fair.

William S. Unthank

Ambrotypes, , ,

1859                            Address Unknown, Richmond, Indiana.

William S. Unthank was recorded in twice of the same reprinted announcement.  The first appeared on May 17, 1859 in The Evansville Daily Journal (Evansville, Indiana).  The Richmond (Ind.) Battle Axe notices the melancholy fact that Wm. S. Unthank, formerly an ambrotype artist at Richmond, has become insane, and is now an inmate of the State Asylum at Indianapolis, in consequence of the conduct of his son, who is charged with robbery.

The second in the Dayton Daily Empire (Dayton, Ohio) on May 21, 1859.  The Richmond (Ind.) Battle Axe notices the melancholy fact that Wm. S. Unthank, formerly an ambrotype artist at Richmond, has become insane, and is now an inmate of the State Asylum at Indianapolis, in consequence of the conduct of his son, who is charged with robbery.

William S. Unthank is recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Richmond and Indianapolis, Indiana.

U. S. Daguerreotype Company

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

N. D.               30 & 32 West Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio.

1855                105 Superior Street, Cleveland, Ohio.

N. D.  Ninth Plate advertising card in C. L. Branch’s collection, posted on Facebook.

U. S. Daguerreotype Company, Tyler & Co., Nos. 30 and 32, West Fourth St., Cincinnati.

Thirty operators employed in making 800 Portraits daily, by a new German process connected with machinery, and the triple Camera, which takes three likenesses at one sitting.

Superior Daguerreotypes for 25 cents and upwards.  Tyler & Co.

1855.   Ohio Photographers 1839-1900.  By Diane VanSkiver Gagel. 

United States Daguerreotype Co.  103 Superior Street, Cleveland, Ohio.

Tyler & Company are recorded in many photographic directories.  It is unknown at this time if Tyler & Company were involved with the 1855 gallery in Cleveland. 

Uline & Miller

Daguerreotypes, ,

1841                130 Genesee Street, Utica, New York. 

Uline & Miller were recorded in one announcement and one advertisement in the Oneida Whig  (Utica, New York).  The announcement ran on November 30, 1841.  Daguerreotypes.—Messrs. Uline & Miller have set up their apparatus in “Kirkland’s Building” for the purpose of taking likenesses by the Daguerreotype process.  We have seen some specimens of their art which are very fine, and in the shading of the drapery, superior to any that we have previously examined.  See advertisement.

The advertisement ran from November 30 to December 28, 1841.  Photographic Miniatures, Drawn by the Daguerreotype Process.  Messrs. Uline & Miller would respectfully inform the citizens of Utica, that their apparatus is now in readiness for taking Likenesses, at No. 130 Genesee street, (3d story) near the canal bridge, where they will take pleasure in waiting upon such as desire a cast of their art, and pledge themselves that that the Portraits taken by them shall be superior to any yet exhibited to the public.

Instruction given and apparatus furnished as above.  Uline & Miller are not recorded in other photographic directories. 

Isaac G. Tyson

Daguerreotypes, ,

1856                86 North Second, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1]

Isaac G. Tyson was recorded in the Photographic and fine Arts Journal (New York, New York) on April 1, 1856 in an article entitled the Photographic Galleries of America.  Number Two, Philadelphia. The author visited 57 Galleries in Philadelphia.

Tyson, North Second St — Another very mediocre artist. Perhaps his trouble is in the process.

Isaac G. Tyson is record in other photographic directories, but is included here because on the first hand account of his work

[1] Not all first names or complete addresses were recorded in article.   Directory of Pennsylvania Photographers, 1839-1900 (Linda A. Ries & Jay W. Ruby) and Craig’s Daguerreian Registry was used to assist in identification when possible first name and address were added. 

F. Tuson

Daguerreotypes, ,

1854                Next door to the Printing Office, Groton, Massachusetts.

F. Tuson was recorded in one announcement in the Groton Mercury (Groton, Massachusetts) on February 28, 1854.  Mr. F. Tuson has opened a daguerreotype room, next door to our printing office.  He exhibits some very neat pictures, and those in want would do well to try him.

F. Tuson is not recorded in other photographic directories.