All posts by pioneeramericanphotographers

L. S. Skiff

Daguerreotypes, ,

1847-1848       Room over the Post Office, Geneva, New York.

L. S. Skiff was recorded in two advertisement and one announcement.  The first advertisement ran from December 4, 1847 to April 1, 1848 in the Geneva Daily Gazette (Geneva, New York).  Price Reduces.  And Pledged not to be Outdone!

“Secure the shadow ‘ere the substance fade.”

Mr. L. S. Skiff, Would inform the ladies and gentlemen of Geneva, that he has taken the room formerly occupied by the Young Men’s Association Over The Post Office, and fitted it up for a Daguerreotype Gallery and intends to make a permanent residence,

Mr. S. has just returned from New-York with a choice lot of stock, of different qualities and sizes, and has secured the Latest Improvements, in the art.

He can take pictures, giving them the most life-like expression, the most perfect fresh color, and showing the variegated eye, with all the perfection and beauty of life itself.  None but those who have lost companions, parents, or children, can appreciate these valuable keepsakes.  When we are in life let us prepare for death—who will die and be forgotten, when they can preserve their memory for ages and generations to come for so mall a sum.

Ladies and Gentlemen are invited to call and examine specimens.  Children that are old enough to keep still 20 or 30 seconds can be taken as well as older persons.

Miniatures put in Lockets and Pins, And warranted perfect and never fade.  Instructions given in the art on reasonable terms.

Rooms open from 8 A. M. to 5 P. M., clear or cloudy.

Don’t forget the place, first door at the head of the stairs, over the Post office—Skiff’s Gallery.

The same advertisement ran from December 8, 1847 to February 9, 1848 in the Geneva Courier (Geneva, New York). 

The announcement appeared on July 26, 1848 in the Geneva Courier (Geneva, New York).  Our friend, Mr. Skiff, informs us that he intends soon to return to Geneva and open a Daguerreotype Room.  During his absence Mr. S. has improved his former method by the Late London Process, and is now available to produce unrivalled specimens of his art.

L. S. Skiff is not listed in other photographic directories.

Sites

Daguerreotypes, ,

1852                Glasgow House, Glasgow, Missouri.

Sites was recorded in one advertisement that ran from January 8 to February 12, 1852 in the Glasgow Weekly Times (Glasgow, Missouri).   

Daguerreotypes. 

In this world of notions each man acts his part,

Sites has chosen the Daguerrean Art,

He has just arrived in the city of Glasgow,

Where he has hung out his shingle to show—

The people of the place—the greatest of places,

To see how well he can counterfeit faces.

He takes fine pictures in all kinds of weather,

With the lights and shades neatly blended together,

Come down to the Glasgow House, and before

You go in you will see his sign at the door,

Walk up, take a chair—lean your arm on the stand,

Sites will then give you a touch of the grand.

He’ll take you a picture which never’ll fade away,

A thousand years hence, will be bright as to-day;

And see some sights (Sites) in the Daguerrean Hall,

If you’ve time you had better give him a call,

He takes all sizes from cases to lockets,

And readily suites the state of your pockets. 

Sites is not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Glasgow.  A. J. Site is recorded in Pioneer Photographers From The Mississippi To The Continental Divide A Biographical Dictionary, 1839-1865  as being active in St. Joseph in 1851. It is unknown if they are the same person.       

C. Wells Simons

Daguerreian Stock and Materials, Daguerreotypes, , ,

1842                155 Broadway, New York, New York.

C. Wells Simons appeared in one advertisement in The New York Herald (New York, New York) on September 15, 1842.  For Sale—Improved Daguerreotype Apparatus, with full instructions, for sale low—Persons, who in consequence of the depressed times have been thrown out of employment, may, with a very limited capital, enter into this elegant profitable business with a certainty of success.—There are many towns, even in this State, that have not yet been visited by any operators; and at the South and West there is a first rate field open for those wishing to travel.

A full knowledge of the Art can be obtained in a few days, by applying to C. Wells Simons, 155 Broadway, N. Y.

N. B.—Persons in the country can be furnished with the Apparatus, and written instructions that will enable them to operate successfully.  C. Wells Simon.         

C. Wells Simons is not recorded in other photographic directories.  C. Wells Simons was not listed in the 1841-1842 or the 1842-1843 New York City directories.  It is unknown if Simons was an amateur or professional daguerreotypist or a retailer of daguerrean equipment.

Simons & Collins

Daguerreian Case Maker, , , ,

c. 1845               Address Unknown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Simons & Collins (Montgomery Pike Simons & Thomas P. Collins) was mentioned in one advertisement that ran from July 4, 1846 to September 25, 1847 in the Sunbury American and Shamokin Journal (Sunbury, Pennsylvania).  Silver Medal, Awarded By The Franklin Institute, 1845.  City Daguerreotype Establishment.  T. P. Collins, (Late Simons & Collins.)  No. 100 Chestnut st., above Third, South side, Philadelphia.

Miniatures taken equally as well in cloud as in clear weather.  A dark silk dress for a lady, and a black suit for a gentleman, are preferable in sitting for a picture.  No extra charge is made for coloring, and perfect likenesses are guaranteed. 

Simons & Collins are recorded in other photographic directories and publications as casemakers Philadelphia Photographers 1839-1900 reference  Collins & Simons as David C. Collins and M. P. Simons activity dates 1845-1846.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry list Simons as a casemaker from 1844-1847, with no mention of the partnership.  Nineteenth-Century PhotographyAn Annotated Bibliography 1839-1879 list the partnership as being active in 1845.

W. H. Sigourney

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1853-1855       New Exchange Building, corner of Washington Street and the Public Square,                              Watertown, New York.

W. H. Sigourney of the partnership of Woodruff & Sigourney was recorder in two advertisements.  The first advertisement ran from December 21, 1853 to December 13, 1854.

In the Northern New York Journal (Watertown, New York).  Washington Daguerrean Gallery.  The subscribers have opened a New Daguerrean Gallery in the New Exchange Building, corner of Washington street, and the Public Square, where they are now ready to execute work in a Superior Style.

Their Rooms are beautifully fitted up, and no pains or expense has been spared in procuring the Best Operators, and the latest and most approved apparatus.

Ladies and gentlemen are most respectfully invited to call.  Jonah Woodruff.  W. H. Sigourney.

The same advertisement ran from September 14, 1854 to January 4, 1855 in The New York Reformer (Watertown, New York).  Washington Daguerrean Gallery.  The subscribers have opened a New Daguerrean Gallery in the New Exchange Building, corner of Washington street, and the Public Square, where they are now ready to execute work in a Superior Style.

Their Rooms are beautifully fitted up, and no pains or expense has been spared in procuring the Best Operators, and the latest and most approved apparatus.

Ladies and gentlemen are most respectfully invited to call.  Jonah Woodruff.  W. H. Sigourney.

W. H. Sigourney is not listed in other photographic directories.

C. Sibley

Daguerrean Car, Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

1852                On the Common, Barre, Massachusetts.

C. Sibley of the partnership Mason & Sibley was recorded in one advertisement that appeared on  July 30, 1852 in the Barre Gazette (Barre, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotypes.  Messrs. Mason & Sibley Are Now In Town, with their, Mammoth Traveling Daguerreian Saloon.  The largest Ever Built, and on the principle of the Best City Rooms, with one Large Sky, and 2 Large Side Lights, which can be so arranged as to produce any kind of shade desirable.

We would invite the citizens of Barre, and vicinity, to give us a call, whether they wish to sit for a picture or not.  Pictures put up of every size and style.

Pictures of the Sick or Deceased, taken at their Residence at all times, by giving short notice.

We keep posted up in all the Improvements of the Art from Europe and this Country, Let The Cost Be What It May.

Cloudy weather preferable, except for Children.

Any one wishing to learn the Art, are requested to call at the National, and make inquiries.

Stock and Apparatus furnished to Pupils at the Wholesale Prices.

The Daguerreian Saloon is stationed on the Common.  J. L. Mason, C. Sibley, Proprietors and Artists.  Barre, July 16, 1852.

C. Sibley is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Amzi Shoemaker

Daguerreotypes, ,

1854                Rooms in the Exchange Block, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.

Amzi Shoemaker was recorded in one announcement and one advertisement in The Star of the North (Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania).  The announcement appeared on March 2, 1854.  If you want a good daguerreotype to give to a valued friend, go to Mr. Shoemaker’s gallery in the Exchange block, and see how good looking you are.

The advertisement ran from March 2 to June 15, 1854.  Amzi Shoemaker, Daguerrian Artist Announces to the citizens of Bloomsburg and vicinity, that he has opened a Daguerreian Gallery in the Exchange Block, over Cleaver & Pursel’s Store, where he is prepared to take good and true likenesses in the highest style of the art.  Those who wish a lasting memorial of their friends that may too soon leave them, or who wish to make the most valuable of presents to a true friend or relative should call and secure a good likeness.

Amzi Shoemaker is not recorded in other photographic directories.

T. H. Shippy

Ambrotypes, ,

1858                Room at the Dixon House, Findlay, Ohio.

T. H. Shippy was recorded in one advertisement that ran on March 12 to 28, 1858 in The Hancock Jeffersonian (Findlay, Ohio).  Ambrotypes In Cases For Only Fifty Cents.  The subscriber has opened a room at the Dixon House, where he is prepared to furnish Ambrotype Likenesses, in a style inferior to none in Ohio, at the low price of Fifty Cents, with large size pictures, either single or in groups.  Pins, Rings, Lockets, &c., at equally low prices.

Having secured the services of an Artist of fifteen years’ experience in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and other cities of the east, he feels confident of being able to give entire satisfaction to all who may favor him with their patronage.

Old Pictures copied, or exchanged at a trifling cost.

Please call and examine specimens.

Entrance through the Hotel, or by private entrance on Sandusky street.  T. H. Shippy, Artist. Findlay, March 3, 1858.

T. H. Shippy is not recorded in other photographic directories.

E. Shewell

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1854    Address unknown, Portsmouth, Ohio.

E. Shewell was mentioned in an advertisement that ran from December 15, 1854 to July 13, 1855 in The Portsmouth Inquirer (Portsmouth, Ohio).  Portsmouth Daguerrean Gallery.  Mr. Lamartine would respectfully announce to the citizens of Portsmouth and vicinity that he has purchased the entire stock of E. Shewell, deceased, and will carry on the above business at the old stand.  Mr. L. intends making this a permanent location, and he would say to those wishing pictures, call in and look at our work, as we give satisfaction or no sale.

Pictures of all sizes taken.  Also, Lockets, Rings, Broaches and Pins taken at the shortest notice.

Open from 8 A. M., to 4 P. M.  Instruction in the art given, and apparatus furnished.  Dec. 8th.

E. Shewell is recorded in Ohio Photographers 1839-1900 and in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as being active in Cincinnati in 1853 and Portsmouth in 1853-1854.

Joel Shew

Daguerreotypes,

ND                  Address and Location Unknown, New York.

Joel Shew was recorded in The Freeman’s Journal (Cooperstown, New York) on October 12, 1855.  Dr. Joel Shew, well known as a pioneer in the Water Cure practice, died at his Water Cure establishment at Oyster Bay, L. I. on Saturday last.  He was a native of Saratoga County, and was 40 years of age.  His death was caused by a derangement of the liver, first induced by an injudicious use of chemicals in daguerreotyping.

Joel Shew is not recorded in other photographic directories.  It is unknown his association with photography was as a professional or as an amateur.