All posts by pioneeramericanphotographers

H. J. Turner

1846                Room at the Eagle Tavern, Batavia, New York.

H. J. Turner was recorded in one announcement in The Spirit of the Times (Batavia, New York)  on February 3, 1846.  Mr. H. J. Turner, at the Eagle Tavern in this village, has taken a large number of daguerreotype miniatures, which for accuracy and finish have not been equaled by any daguerreotypists who have visited this place.  Those of our citizens who may be desirous of procuring accurate likenesses can do no better than call on Mr. Turner.  His terms are very reasonable.

H. J. Turner is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Turck & Elting

1854-1855       57 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, New York.

Truck & Elting (J. Turck & A. Elting) were recorded in two advertisements and one poem in The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York).  The first advertisement ran from December 7, 1854 to January 6, 1855.  Holiday Presents.—Daguerreotypes.—57 Fulton street, Brooklyn, opposite Hicks st., where the subscribers are prepared to execute likenesses of a superior tone and finish in all the variety of styles for Holiday Presents at low prices.  Having a large assortment of fancy cases, the[y] flatter themselves that they can please all who may favor them with a call.

Their Daguerreotypes are not to be excelled by any others in this city or New York.  J. Turck, A. Elting.                

The poem ran on December 22, 1854.  Santa Claus; Or, A Directory For The Holidays….

Daguerreotypes.

When the friends we loved in another day

Are keeping the holidays far away,

And we, though longing, cannot be there,

The pleasures and festive joys to share,

What else can such enchantment lend

As the likeness of an absent friend?

A daguerreotype any taste to suit,

Such as Elting & Turck can execute.

The second advertisement ran from February 9 to May 14, 1855.  Turck & Elting’s Daguerreotype Rooms. 57 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, opposite Hicks st., where we intend offering to the citizens of Brooklyn, and all who may favor us with a call, Daguerreotypes equal to any taken in this city or New York, at the low price of Fifty Cents—including case.

We possess advantages, that few can boast of—our rooms are easy of access, we have a large and beautiful Sky Light, which is admitted to be the best in this city; this, together with twelve years experience in the Daguerreotype business, will be sufficient inducement to all those in want of a pleasing, soft toned, life like and unfading picture to give us a call.

Pictures of Adults take[n] in cloudy as well as clear weather.  J. Turck.  A. Elting.       

Turck & Elting (J. Turck & A. Elting) are not recorded in other photographic directories.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry does list a Jeremiah Turck, possibly in Hudson, New York in 1850 recorded as J. Surck and in Troy New York in 1851-1852 as Turck & Forshew and again in Troy in 1857-1858.  It is possibly that they are the same person based on the time line.

Mr. Tucker

1855                262 Ninth street, three doors from First Avenue, New York, New York.

Mr. Tucker was recorded in one advertisement in The New York Herald (New York, New York) on October 20, 1855.  An Immense Business For $100.—A Young Man with the above amount, will be taken as an equal partner by an ambrotypist artist, who intends travelling and wants assistance.  This is a new art that will supersede daguerreotyping.  Immense profits can be realized, as there is scarcely any opposition.  Call or address a note to Mr. Tucker, 262 Ninth street, three doors from First avenue.

Mr. Tucker is not recorded in other photographic directories without more information.

Tucker & Perkins

1858-1859                   Address Unknown, Augusta, Georgia

Tucker & Perkins (Isaac Tucker & J. W. Perkins) were recorded in one announcement and two advertisements.  The announcement appeared in the Edgefield Advertiser (Edgefield, South Carolina) on December 22, 1858.  Art In Perfection.  As illustrated at the Photographic Gallery of Tucker & Perkins in Augusta, Ga.

Happening to call in at the photographic gallery of Messrs. Tucker & Perkins the other day, we cannot delay to notice and applaud its pleasing attractions.  These gentlemen have certainly carried their art to a high degree of perfection.  With the best of materials, and the most skilful of operators, their likenesses are truly to be prized; and when colored by the tasteful hands of their very superior painters, they are invaluable as keepsakes and mementos.  None should fail to avail themselves of the chance here offered to procure accurate and life-like copies of their relatives and friends.  Apropos, we observe in the Southern Banner the following merited encomium of this firm, from one who knows a good thing whenever and wherever he sees it.  Hear what D. Redmond says of them:

“One of the most attractive place in our quite city, is the Gallery of Messrs. Tucker & Perkins, the unrivalled Photographic artist.  Here the lover of the “human face divine,” can behold it in all stages, from the cherub infant, scarcely able to “sit alone,” to the hoary and venerable grand-sire of “three score years and ten”—and in all styles of art, from the dingy, dim and distorted Daguerreotype of ten years ago, to the soft, clear Ambrotype, and radiant and life like colored Photograph of to-day.  Of the beauty and perfection of these latter portraits—the full size Photographs—no description can convey an adequate idea.  They have all the correctness and accuracy of detail of the best Ambrotype, with the delicate flesh tints and expression of the finest oil painting; and may, therefore, as portraits be considered altogether unrivalled.

It is absolutely impossible for even the most skillful portrait painter to produce a likeness as correct as the camera, which gives the actual reflection of the countenance, as in a mirror; and when this reflection, magnified up to the size of life, is colored after nature by such artists as Hunt, Freeman and Tomlinson, (now engaged with Messrs. Tucker & Perkins,) there is nothing left to desire by way of fine portraiture.

It has required years of patient investigation, labor and experiment, on the part of these gentlemen, to obtain their present enviable position in their beautiful art; but I am happy to say that they are now beginning to reap their reward.  Orders are pouring in upon them from every part of this and the adjoining States, and their pictures wherever exhibited, bear off the prizes from all competitors.  The skill with which they change a small, old and faded daguerreotype into an almost speaking, life-size Photograph, is truly marvelous; and the arrangement, coloring and general execution of their pictures, cannot fail to delight all lovers of the fine arts: many of whom, I know, are among your readers.  D. R.  Augusta, Ga.  Dec. 4, 1858.

The first advertisement appeared in the Edgefield Advertiser (Edgefield, South Carolina) on December 28, 1859.  Tucker & Perkin’s Great Southern Photograph & Ambrotype Gallery of Art, Augusta, GA., Is now open for the reception of visitors.  One of the Largest and Finest collections of Photographic Paintings in the world, on exhibition free to visitors.  We have exhibition Free to Visitors.  We have engaged for the season, the Best Corps of Photographic Portrait Painters Ever brought together in the United States.  Our superior Photographs will be sold at prices as low as those at the best Northern Galleries.

Tucker & Perkins’ Celebrated Ambrotypes Taken As Usual.

Stock, Chemicals, and materials Of Every Kind Furnished To The Trade at New York Prices!

Life Size Photographic Paintings Made From Small Daguerreotypes And Ambrotypes.

Our Patrons at a distance from Augusta, and desiring a Picture Copied, will please send it to our address, by Mail or Express, with a description of the color of the hair, eyes, complexion, etc., etc., of the original, and we will return it to them by express or otherwise, without the least injury, with a beautifully colored Photograph copy of any size they may specify.

P. S.—A fine assortment of Steroscopic Pictures and instruments for sale, at Ndew York Prices.

The second advertisement appeared on December 29, 1859 in The Abbeville Banner (Abbeville, South Carolina).  Tucker & Perkin’s Great Southern Photograph & Ambrotype Gallery of Art, Is now open for the reception of visitors.  One of the Largest and Finest collections of Photographic Paintings in the world, on exhibition Free to visitors.

We have engaged for the season, the best Corps of Photographic Portrait Painters Ever brought together in the United States.  Our superior Photographs will be sold at prices as low as those at the best Northern Galleries.

Tucker & Perkin’s Celebrated Ambro’ypes Taken As Usual.  Stock, Chemicals, and Materials Furnished To The Trade At New York Prices.

Life size Photographic Portraits made from small Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes,

N. B.—Our patrons at a distance from Augusta, and desiring a Picture Copied, will please send it to our address, by Mail or Express, with the description of the color of the hair, eyes, complexion, etc., of the original; and we will return it to them by Express or otherwise, without the least injury, with a beautifully colored Photograph copy of any size they may specify.

P. S.—A fine assortment of Stereoscopic Pictures and instruments for sale, at New York Prices.

Tucker & Perkin’s Picture Frame Manufactory Is now in Full Operation.

Every description of Oval and Square Rosewood and Gilt Frames, made to order, at New York Prices.

Old Frames re Gilded and made to look as well as when they were new, at Very Low Rates.

Orders from country Dealers Solicited.  Dec. 22, 1859.

Tucker & Perkins are recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as having dissolvedtheir partnership in April of 1853.

Nelson H. Tuck

1854-1855       Pavilion, near Junction Hotel, Clyde, Ohio.

Nelson H. Tuck was recorded in one advertisement that ran from December 29, 1854 to April 20, 1855 in the Fremont Journal (Fremont, Ohio).  Sky Light Daguerreotype Pavilion, The subscriber having recently constructed his new and scientifically arranged Sky-Light Daguerreotype Pavilion, with a light for its softness and beautiful shading is not surpassed in northern Ohio.  The Pictures taken under such a light are noted for their smoothness of shading and beautiful delineation of the features.  With the above facilities and several years experience in the South, he feels safe in saying his pictures are not surpassed by any taken in west of New York City.  Citizens of Sandusky and adjoining counties, will have a good opportunity of getting likenesses of themselves or friends true to nature.  Satisfaction given to all, or no pay.

Pictures taken from sunrise until sunset, in cloudy as well as in clear weather.

Likenesses of all sizes from the half size plate to the smallest miniature ring.  Post Mortem cases attended to at the shortest notice.

Pavilion located near Junction Hotel. Nelson H. Tuck. Clyde, Dec. 29, 1854.

Nelson H. Tuck is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as being active in Aurora, Indiana, 1858-1861. It is unknown if they are the same person.

Mr. Truth

1853                Address Unknown, Ithaca, New York.

Mr. Truth was recorded in one advertisement that ran from June 22 to September 21, 1853 in the  Ithaca Journal and Advertiser (Ithaca, New York).  Lost Conscience.  For a poor Fading Miniature character—and night as well have saved it by going to Mr. Truth’s Daguerrian Gallery, No. 1, for my Miniatures.  He has the great Sky Light and works upon the new and beautiful improvements, and has the largest optical instrument in the wide world—but it is done;—and it is my own true life-like likeness, positively made in stereotype form, of light and dark prismatic shades, according to the true laws of Light, &c., and I have most devoutly labelled the same Lost Money, in bold italics on my ‘bare face’—and have adorned it with as assortment of Chinese (large and small) inlaid with Rose French, and all other paints, splendid and rare, doing a first rate business—please see for yourself.  And I have from the bottom of my heart caused a true engraving of print of the same to be published weekly in the Ithaca Journal and Advertiser, that all the people can see me, and read me, and know me, and fee me, for my loving galvanic power.  June 17, 1853.

Mr. Truth is not recorded in other photographic directories.

N. Tribou

1853                Knapp’s Block, Malone, New York.

1855                Washington Hall, Main Street, Penn Yan, New York.

1855                Address Unknown, Elmira, New York.

N. Tribou was recorded in three advertisements and two announcements.  The first advertisement ran from August 4 to September 15, 1853 in the Frontier Palladium (Malone, New York).   

Daguerreotypes!  The Subscriber having determined on spending a few week in this vicinity, for the benefit of his health, has made choice of Malone as a temporary residence, and has taken rooms in “Knapp’s Block,” for the purpose of taking Daguerreotype Likenesses, Where he would be happy to wait on all who may favor him with their patronage.

He would also take occasion to say that, aided as he is by an experience of nearly nine years, in some of the first establishments of Boston, New York and Philadelphia, and using none but the Best Materials.  He feels no hesitation in saying that the present is an opportunity seldom met with procuring an Accurate And Artistic Picture.

All the newest styles of Plain and Fancy Cases, at the lowest New York Prices.

Persons having had inferior or unsatisfactory pictures taken by inexperienced operators, can have them exchanged at a trifling cost.

Please call and examine for yourselves.

Will positively remain but a few weeks.  N. Tribou. Malone, July 29, 1853.

The second advertisement ran from August 6 to September 27, 1853 in the Franklin Gazette  (Fort Covington, New York).  Daguerreotypes!  The Subscriber having determined on spending a few week in this vicinity, for the benefit of his health, has made choice of Malone as a temporary residence, and has taken rooms in “Knapp’s Block,” for the purpose of taking Daguerreotype Likenesses, Where he would be happy to wait on all who may favor him with their patronage.

He would also take occasion to say that, aided as he is by an experience of nearly nine years, in some of the first establishments of Boston, New York and Philadelphia, and using none but the Best Materials.  He feels no hesitation in saying that the present is an opportunity seldom met with procuring an Accurate And Artistic Picture.

All the newest styles of Plain and Fancy Cases, at the lowest New York Prices.

Persons having had inferior or unsatisfactory pictures taken by inexperienced operators, can have them exchanged at a trifling cost.

Please call and examine for yourselves.  N. Tribou.  Malone, July 29, 1853.

The first announcement appeared in the Franklin Gazette (Fort Covington, New York) on August 13, 1853.  Daguerreotypes For Fifty Cents!  At Tribou’s Rooms, “Knapp’s Block.”

Open for only a short time longer.

The third advertisement ran from June 27 to July 11, 1855 in the Penn Yan Democrat.  (Penn-Yan, New York).  Daguerreotypes For 25 Cents!  At Tribour’s Rooms, Washington Hall, Main St., Penn Yan.  The Subscriber has opened a room at the above place, for the purpose of making Daguerreotypes at prices varying from 25 c’s to Six Dollars—which for accuracy of delineation, ease and gracefulness of position, Truth fullness of expression, harmonious blending of Light and Shade, beauty and durability of finish, and in fact all the requisites of an accurate and artistic picture, he confidently assures the public Cannot Be Surpassed.

An early call is respectfully solicited, as his stay is limited to A Few Weeks.  N. Tribou, Artist.  Penn Yan, June 26, 1855.

The second announcement appeared on August 15, 1855 in the Penn Yan Democrat (Penn-Yan, New York).  Pass Him.—A daguerrean Artist, by the name of Tribou, who has been sojourning in our village for several weeks, has left for somewhere else, without paying a bill for advertising, amounting to $2, due us.  He advertised to take pictures for 50 cts.  He is a small sized man, with large dark whiskers.  The craft will please give him the benefit of their circulation.—Elmira Gazette.

The same “small sized man, with large dark whiskers,” owed us something like $3, which he wrote to us he would positively pay on the coming Saturday—but, as he absconded the same night, we presume he forgot it.

N. Tribou is not recorded in other photographic directories.

J. F. Tracy

1845                233 Broadway, opposite the Park fountain, New York, New York.

J. F. Tracy was recorded in one announcement and two advertisements.  The announcement appeared in The New York Herald (New York, New York) on April 14, 1845.  The daguerreotype—We had thought that the perfection of this art had been attained, but we find there are still improvements.  Among those we have seen recently were some specimens at Mr. Tracy’s rooms, No. 233 Broadway.  He has taken some portraits which, for life-like beauty and effect, cannot be excelled.  He has, likewise, engaged the services of Mr. Burgess, who formerly occupied rooms at the corner of John and Broadway, and those who wish a picture in his style, which is acknowledged to be superior, will please call soon, as Mr. B. leaves the city in a few days.

The first advertisement ran from April 14 to May 27, 1845 in The New York Herald (New York, New York).  Daguerreotype Portraits.  J. F. Tracy has taken Rooms at No. 233 Broadway, up stairs, second floor, where he is executing some of the most beautiful specimens of the Daguerrian Art in this city.  The prices are according to the style and finish, from One To Three Dollars.

Those in want of perfect Pictures are requested to call and examine his specimens.  Mr. T. is happy to announce that he has engaged the professional services of N. G. Bingers [sic.], for a short time, and those who wish Pictures in his peculiar beautiful style would do well to call soon.

Plates, Cases, Chemicals, &c., always on hand, and instructions given in the Art on moderate terms.                                                                                                            

The second advertisement appeared on June 13, 1845 in the New York Daily Tribune (New York, New York).  Tracy’s Daguerrean Rooms, 233 Broadway, opposite the Park Fountain.  Portraits from $1 to $5, including case—correct Likenesses, and no other delivered.  Instructions in the art—Plates, Chemicals, &c., &c.

J. F. Tracy does not recorded in other photographic directories.  Nathan G. Burgess association with Tracy was previously unknown.

Benjamin C. Townsend

1843                42 Beaver Street, New York, New York.

Benjamin C. Townsend of the partnership of Welton & Townsend Joseph C. Welton & Benjamin C. Townsend)[1] were recorded in one advertisement that ran from April 20 to 26, 1843 in The New York Herald (New York, New York).  Daguerreotype Plates.  “Scovills” first quality plates, pronounced by the first operators in this country, to be superior to any imported plates, for sale by their agents, Welton & Townsend, 42 Beaver street. 

Benjamin C. Townsend is not recorded in other photographic directories.  According to the 1842/1843 New York City directory their occupation was buttons at 42 Beaver Street, the following directory 1843/1844 their occupation was still listed as buttons but they had moved to 5 William. 


[1] 1842/1843 & 1843/1844 New York City Directory.

Mrs. Townsend

1843                235 West 19th Street, Near 9th Avenue, New York, New York.

Mrs. Townsend was recorded in one advertisement that ran from March 14 to 16, 1843 in the New York Daily Tribune (New York, New York).  Daguerrian Miniatures Of every sizes—copies of Pictures, Statues, Bust, &c., &c. (in all weather) by Mrs. Townsend, No. 235 West 19th street, near 9th avenue.

N. B.  Perfect likenesses may be had for breastpins, Lockets, Bracelets, Rings, &c.

Mrs. Townsend is not recorded in other photographic directories.