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S. O. Seelye

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1845                Rooms in the Cobble Stone Block, Batavia, New York.

S. O. Seelye was recorded in one advertisement that ran on August 26 & September 2, 1845 in The Spirit of the Times (Batavia, New York).  S. O. Seelye, Respectfully Informs the citizens of Batavia and vicinity that he has taken the rooms formerly occupied by the Misses Miller in the Cobble Stone Block, for the purpose of taking Daguerreotype Miniatures, Likenesses, in a style If Not Superior, equal to any taken in New York, put up in a rich embossed Russia Morocco cases, manufactured at Meade Brothers, N. Y. State Daguerrean Gallery, No.’s 3 and 4 Exchange Building, Albany.  From whom Mr. S. receives from time to time a knowledge of all the improvements made in the Art—whereby he is enabled to take Miniatures in a few seconds of time, that in point of clearness, accuracy and beauty are unequaled by any other process.  Those having pictures taken by other operators with which they are not satisfied, can have them taken over at a trifling expense.  Impressions taken from Portraits of departed friends if required.  Miniatures put in Breast Pins or Lockets.  This is now a favorable opportunity for young Gentlemen to accompany the Ladies in whom they feel an interest, and exchange with each other those delicate tokens.

Mr. S. Respectfully invites the Ladies and Gentlemen of this place to call and witness the process; as he is ready and willing at all times to gratify their curiosity.

Persons wishing likenesses are requested to call soon s his stay is limited.

S. O. Seelye is not recorded in other photographic directories.  It is possible that S. O. Seeley who was active in Geneva, New York in 1843 is the same person.

Charles A. Seely

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, Photographic Stock and Chemicals, Photographs, , , , , , ,

1855                324 Broadway, New York, New York.

1856                387 Broadway, New York, New York.

1856-1857       94 Duane Street, New York, New York.

1857-1859       424 Broadway, New York, New York.

Charles A. Seely was recorded in eighteen advertisements in The New York Herald (New York, New York).  The first advertisement appeared on August 29, 1855.  Daguerrean Gallery For Sale—At A Lower price and with a cheaper rent than any in the city, or the apparatus will be sold low by itself, or a partner, with $300, will be taken, by an artist in photography, ambrotypes, &c.; also, a small lathe for sale cheap.  Inquire of C. A. Seely, 324 Broadway.

The second advertisement appeared on January 3, 1856.  For Sale At A Bargain—The Apparatus Of the original stereoscopic daguerrean gallery of New York, including two superior half size Harrison cameras, with every thing peculiar to the business, with instructions, for plate and glass pictures, if desired.  Inquire of C. A. Seely, 324 Broadway.

The third advertisement appeared on March 17, 1856. Daguerreotypes, in Cases, 25 Cents; Ambrotypes extra large size 50 Cents, cases included. Charles A. Seely, photographic chemist, is connected with this establishment from this date. Quinby & Co., Factory 387 Broadway.

The fourth advertisement appeared on November 29, 1856. $700.–One Of The Oldest Established Daguerreotype gallery in the busiest parts of the city, well furnished and stocked with large size apparatus, and now doing a good business; the rent is very low. Apply to Seely & Garbanati, photographic chemist, &c., 94 Duane street.

The fifth advertisement appeared on May 5, 1857.  Seely & Garbanati, Photographic Chemicals, &c., have removed to 424 Broadway.  Amateurs supplies in all their wants.

The sixth ad appeared on September 19, 1857.  Ambrotype Gallery For Sale—At A Bargain. In a good location for business, will be sold at a sacrifice, as the present owner has other business.  Apply immediately to Seely & Garbinatti, photographic chemicals, 424 Broadway.

The seventh ad appeared on December 11, 1857.  $200—For Sale, An Old Established Ambrotype and Photographic Gallery, Apply to Seely & Garbanati, 424 Broadway.

The eighth ad appeared on January 22, 1858.  Daguerrean Gallery.—For Sale, The Lease of an old established daguerrean gallery, with instruments, furniture, and everything necessary for all branches of the business.  Inquire of Seely & Garbanati, Photographic Chemists, 424 Broadway.

The ninth ad appeared on March 24, 1858.  Ambrotype Gallery For Sale—Price $70 cash.  The reason for selling is the owner is going into another business.  Apply to Seely & Garbanati, photographic chemist, 424 Broadway.

The tenth ad appeared on April 7, 1858.  Ambrotype And Photograph Gallery In Broadway.—Authenticated profits upwards of $75 per week.  Price $1,500; $1,000 down.  The above is well furnished and stocked, and is a rare bargain.  Apply to Seely & Garbanati, photographic chemists, 424 Broadway.  An lease on the gallery.

The eleventh ad appearedonMay 22, 1858.  Ambrotype, Photograph And Daguerreotype Gallery.—For sale, the lease, stock and fixtures, and everything pertaining to the art, now doing a good business.  Apply to Seely & Garbanati, photographic chemists, 424 Broadway.

The twelfth adappeared onJune 2, 1858.  For Sale Cheap—A Broadway Daguerrean establishment, thoroughly fitted and furnished, and replete with every accessory for the art. The most satisfactory reason giving for selling.  Apply to Seely & Garbanati, photographic chemist, 424 Broadway.

The thirteenth ad appearedonAugust 17, 1858.  Ambrotypes For Sale—A Well Fitted Up gallery on Broadway, doing a good business, the owners  being engaged in another establishment, will dispose of the above at the lowest price of $175.  Inquire of Seely & Garbanati, photographic chemists, 424 Broadway.

The fourteenth advertisement appeared on August 25, 1858.  Ambrotypes.—For Sale A Well Furnished ambrotype gallery on Broadway, doing an excellent business; the owner being engaged in another business, will sell the gallery for the low price of $175.  Inquire of Seely & Garbanati, photographic chemist, 424 Broadway, New York.

The fifteenth advertisement appeared on April 27, 1859.  To Photographists.—Wanted To Purchase, An interest in, or whole of a first class photographic gallery on Broadway, not above Union square.  Inquire of Seely & Garbanati, 424 Broadway.

The sixteenth advertisement appeared on May 25, 1859.  $1,000 To $50,000—A Valuable Patent, In demand everywhere, for sale by Seely & Garbanati, Photographic Chemists, 424 Broadway.

The seventeenth advertisement appeared on June 29.  Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Photographs, &c. copied, enlarged and colored in all styles of the art at moderate prices, by Seely & Garbanati, photographic chemists and publishers, 424 Broadway, Stereoscopic pictures wholesale.

The eighteenth ad appeared on September 5, 1859.  Photographic Engraving.—Patent Rights for sale, engraving done at moderate rates, by Seely & Garbanati, photographic chemists, 424 Broadway.  A complete set of apparatus, chemicals, &c., for taking pictures on glass and paper, for $30.  The American Journal of Photography, semi-monthly, $1.50 per annum; The Ambrotype, price 25 cents; Hardwick’s Photographic Chemistry, 50 cents; Sir David Brewster on the Stereoscope, $1, will soon be out.

Charles A. Seely, Henry Garbanati and Charles J. Quinby are all recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry.  Seely was recorded in Craig’s as being active in New York between 1857-1860.  It appears that he was active in New York City before the advertisement on August 29, 1855. The partnership of Seely & Garbanati began in 1856 at 94 Duane street, before moving to 424 Broadway.  The other interesting item from all the advertisements is that they were unable to sell the gallery and that they were all over the place with the sale price.  It is also possible that their main focus was the manufacturing of photographic chemicals and not the image side of the business.

S. O. Seeley

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1843                Room at Miss Collier’s, a few doors north of the Post Office, Geneva, New York. 1843                Rooms on Main Street, Geneva, New York.

S. O. Seeley was recorded in two advertisement that appeared in the Geneva Courier (Geneva, New York).  The first advertisement ran from July 25 to August 15, 1843.  Photographic Miniature Portraits.  The ladies and gentlemen of Geneva and vicinity, are respectfully informed that the subscriber is prepared to execute his beautiful Photographic Miniatures by the Daguerreotype process, upon a recently improved system with a certainty and perfection which cannot fail to please those who may favor him with their patronage.

Those who have not seen Mr. Seeley’s specimens cannot judge of their beauty from what they have seen from other operators, as his mode of producing likenesses is peculiar to himself.

Rooms appropriately fitted up for the reception of visitors at Miss Collier’s, a few doors north of the Post Office.

N. B.  Instruction given and the improved patent apparatus furnished on the most reasonable terms.  Early application is necessary as his stay is limited.             S. O. Seeley.  Geneva, July 25, 1843. 

The second advertisement ran from August 22 to September 26, 1843.  A Card.  To The Public.—S. O. Seeley, Photographer, Main street, respectfully returns his thanks to his friends and the public, for the liberal patronage with which he has been honored for the past few weeks; and hopes for a continuance of the same while he remains.  He will endeavor, at all times and to the utmost of his ability, to give satisfaction to those who may favor him with a call.  His rooms will be open at all hours of the day and evening, for the reception of visitors who may wish to examine some beautiful and correct likenesses of some of the citizens, reproduced by the Daguerreotype, which he will at all times be happy to have the pleasure of exhibiting.  He has just received from New York a new style of Morocco Cases, suitable for two persons.  His prices are as follows, viz:

Double Cases…………………… $5.00

Single do………………………..  $3.00

Groups of two taken on one plate, $3.00

N. B.  Mr. S. respectfully invites those who wish to have a correct likeness of themselves, to call immediately, as previous engagements will not permit him to remain long.

S. O. Seeley is not recorded in other photographic directories.  See S. O. Seelye which will be posted on 12-22-20, who is possibly the same person and was active Batavia, New York in 1845. 

Datus E. Sedgwick

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, Photographic Stock and Chemicals, Photographs, , , ,

1857-1859       84 Owego Street, over J. Kendall’s store, Ithaca, New York.              

Datus E. Sedgwick was recorded in three advertisements and one announcement in the Ithaca Journal and Advertiser (Ithaca, New York).  The first advertisement ran from March 11 to August 5, 1857.  Something New!  Excelsior Ambrotype & Daguerrean Rooms.  The undersigned having fitted up the rooms formerly occupied by the Sons of Temperance over J. Kendall’s store and directly opposite the Journal Office, would respectfully inform the citizens of Ithaca and vicinity that he is now prepared to take Ambrotypes and Daguerreotypes of the first quality.  Being in possession of all the recent improvements, he will warrant them to be equal if not superior in durability and artistic merit to any thing ever produced in this country.

Having had an experience of some 16 years in this business he is confident of pleasing all who may favor him with a call.  Satisfaction given or no charge and none but first class pictures will be permitted to leave the rooms.

Types taken from the whole size down to the smallest at all hours and on the most reasonable terms.  Remember the place 84 Owego street, over J. Kendall’s store.  D. E. Sedgwick.

The announcement appeared on July 1, 1857. A series of six fine daguerreotype and ambrotype views taken after the late flood by B. G. Jayne & Co., and have been forwarded to Frank Leslie of New York, who telegraphed for the same.  Mr. D. E. Sedgwick has a superb picture of one of the best views after the Freshet.

The second advertisement ran from December 16, 1857 to February 10, 1858.  The very Cheapest Yet!  The subscriber having recently increased his facilities in the Photographic Art, by a New and Large Sky and side Light combined, is prepared to delineate the human Features, in a style which for truthfulness and beauty of finish, is unsurpassed in the state.

Photographs, Ambrotypes & Daguerreotypes in every style, taken in all kinds of weather, at prices to suit the times, 12½ cents to $25.  Now is the time for those who wish cheap Pictures!

Photographs, plain and colored in aquarelle, fully equal to the best Oil Paintings—the best type sending by mail.

Particular attention given to Children’s Types, having an Instrument expressly adapted to this branch of the art.

The subscriber thankful for the liberal patronage heretofore enjoyed, solicits a continuance of the same.

N. B.—Artists supplied with Stock, Chemicals, &c, on terms satisfactory.  Particular attention called to an article of Collodian, of his own Manufacture, which in skilful hands will produce the most superb results known to art.  D. E. Sedgwick. 84 Owego-st.  Ithaca, Dec. 11, 1857.

The third advertisement ran from April 6 to June 15, 1859.  Now on Exhibition!  At Sedgwick’s Premium Photographic Gallery Daguerreotypes, the most perfect and beautiful style of Pictures known to the art, and only require to be seen to be appreciated taken only at this Gallery.  Call and see them Also Superior Photographs, recent discoveries giving a delineation of feature and a brilliancy heretofore unattainable, well adapted to sending to distant friends.  The above pictures are conceded to be the best results ever yet produced by the Camera.

Ambrotypes and Daguerreotypes still taken in the best style of the art.  Satisfaction always given and prices as low as 50 cents including case.  Remember the place 84 Owego street, over J. Kendall’s store.     

Datus E. Sedgwick is listed in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as being active in 1859 in Ithaca, New York without a business address.

Seaver & Butler

Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

1853-1856       140 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.[1]

Seaver & Butler (Chandler Seaver, Jr. & George H. Butler) were recorded in one announcement and one advertisement in the Boston Daily Evening Transcript (Boston, Massachusetts).  The announcement appeared on July 12, 1853.  New Daguerreotype Rooms.  It will be seen by reference to our advertising columns, that Messrs. Seaver & Butler have established themselves at No. 140 Washington street, where they would be happy to see their friends and the public, and to serve them in the line of their art.

The advertisement ran from July 12 to 25, 1853.  New Daguerreotype Rooms.  140 Washington Street, Seaver & Butler, having recently purchased these rooms, and neatly fitted and newly furnished them throughout, till they are surpassed in convenience and elegance by none in the city, are now prepared to take Likenesses with promptness, in the very best style of the art, and in every size and mode of finish.  The public are respectfully invited to give them a call.  Entire satisfaction guaranteed.

Mr. Seaver having been employed as Operator at Ives’s Establishment, for over a year past, would be pleased to see his numerous friends and acquaintances at his new place of business, where they will meet with entire satisfaction, as heretofore.

Chandler Seaver, Jr and George H. Butler are both recorded in other photographic directories.  The new information is that the partnership started in 1853 and that Seaver worked for Loyal Moses Ives in 1852.

[1] 1854-1856 A Directory Of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900.

D. W. Seager

Daguerreotypes, , , , , , ,

1839                In Chilton’s, Broadway, New York, New York.       

D. W. Seager was recorded in four announcements, the first three are from the Morning Herald (New York, New York) the fourth is from The Evening Post (New York, New York) and one letter.  The first announcement appeared on September 30, 1839.  We saw, the other day, in Chilton’s in Broadway, a very curious specimen of the new mode, recently invented by Daguerre in Paris of taking on copper the exact resemblance of scenes and living objects, through the medium of the sun’s ray’s reflected in a camera obscura.  The scene embraces a part of St. Paul’s church, and the surrounding shrubbery and houses…It seems that for an annuity of $1200 a year, paid by the French Government, the inventor, in Paris, agreed to make public the process of taking such miniature pictures. Mr. Segur, of this city, on this description, set to work his powers, and, about three days ago, succeeded in making the experiment…

The second announcement appeared on October 3, 1839.  The Daguerreotype.—A lecture will be given by Mr. Seager, at the Stuyvesant Institute, on Sunday evening, the 5th inst. At half past seven o’clock, upon the Daguerreotype, or the art of imprinting, in a few minutes, by the mode of Mr. Daguerre, the beautiful images of landscapes, Architecture, Interiors, &c. formed in the Camera Obscura.  These drawings will be found so perfect that distant houses, appearing not larger than a pin’s head, may be magnified to discover doors, windows, &c.—The process is rapid and simple, but requiring delicacy and a certain adherence to rules which will be explicitly laid down, as well as the particular miniature to be observed to ensure a certainty of success.  The process cannot be carried to ultimate completion by candlelight, but every stage of the operation will be exhibited to familiarize others with the mode.

The following scientific gentlemen have given permission to be referred to as being familiar with the process and its extraordinary results:

President Duer, Columbia College; Professor Morse; James R. Chilton, Esq.; Jno L. Stephens, Esq.[1]

Tickets, 50 Cents, may be had of Dr. Chilton. 261 Broadway; at the Messrs. Carvill’s, at the Booksellers’, and at the Stuyvesant Institute.—Broadway.                                   

Advertisement ran from October 3 to 5, 1839.          

The letter is from the collection of the George Eastman House & Museum.  Printed on the outside of the envelope:  Nov. 7. 1839./ DW Seager/Daguerreotype painting.  To the manager of the American Institute.

Nov. 7 1839

Gentlemen

Allow me to present to the American Institute a specimen of the Daguerreotype which I produced in the month of September and exhibited at your last fair.  My first result was on the 16th Septr last and through nearly Eight weeks have elapsed I have seen nothing, with which to compare results.  This little specimen will serve to mark the progress of the art, the process of which is now generally known, but which simply consist in cleansing the silvered surface of a plate of copper with diluted nitric acid, subjecting it to the vapor of iodine for a few seconds and by placing it in a camera obscura to receive the impression of light from any object desired.  The drawing is produced by the action of light upon the thin film of ioduretted [?] silver & when the plate is subjected to the vapor of mercury at a temperature of 167 Fahrenheit the vapor is attracted and coheres to those parts most influenced by light.

Some of my more recent results now in the possession of Dr. Chilton I am told by those who have seen Daguerres drawings, are equal to some of his.  The truth of these drawings amounts almost to a reflection of the object in a mirror.  I have obtained good results at nine feet distance & Thus a complex and intricate piece of machinery, requiring much time a labor of an expert draughtsman to produce a drawing correct in all its measurements may in a few moments be drawn with such mathematical precision and exactness, that one part being measured or known would be the scale for the whole, and a moderate time would suffice for many drawings under different point of view, or relative position of parts.

I am [Gentlemen]

Your obedient Servt

DW Seager

150 Greenwich Street.

The third announcement appeared on January 21, 1840.  What is all this bluster and rhodomontade about, between Gouraud and Seager, respecting the Daguerreotype?  It looks a little like Twedledum and Twedledee.

The fourth announcement appeared on January 23, 1840. A newspaper controversy has taken place between Mr. Gouraud, who brought over the Daguerreotype from France, and a Mr. Seager, a pupil of his, who has set up for himself, and attacked Mr. Gouraud with great ferocity in certain advertisements.  That Mr. Gouraud is the person he represents himself to be—that he is a pupil of Daguerre, the inventor—and that he brings over to this country the latest improvement in the Daguerreotype—there can be no doubt; and the attempt to supplant him strikes us as unfair and unjust.  The charge that Mr. Gouraud has passed under a feigned name, is not true, as we know from having seen his passport made out by the French Police for this country.

D. W. Seager is known and recorded in a number of histories and in Craig’s Daguerreian Register but was added because he is an important early practitioner and may shed light into the controversy/disagreement between Morse and Gouraud.

[1] James R. Chilton (1810-1863); William Alexander Duer (1780-1858); Samuel Finley Breeze Morse (1791-1872); John Lloyd Stephens (1805-1852).

Mr. Scott

Daguerreotypes, ,

1846                Address Unknown, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Mr. Scott appeared in one announcement in the American Republican and Baltimore Daily Clipper (Baltimore, Maryland) on December 12.  Items of News…A man named Scott, engaged in the daguerreotype business at Cincinnati, has been arrested on the charges of obtaining goods in New York, under false pretenses.

Mr. Scott is not recorded in other photographic directories.

A. S. Scott

Daguerreotypes, ,

1844                Rooms at L. C. Scott’s, Brandon, Vermont.

A. S. Scott was recorded in one announcement and one advertisement in The Voice of Freedom  (Brandon, Vermont).  The first announcement appeared on March 14, 1844.  Daguerreotype.  The attention of the citizens of Brandon and vicinity is called to an advertisement of A. S. Scott’s, to be found in another column of this paper.  Judging from the Miniatures I have seen of Mr. Scott’s taking, I can assure the public that they excel in beauty and elegance any before exhibited in this place.  No one has any excuse now for leaving friends without accurate portraits.—D. S. M.

The advertisement ran from March 14 to 21, 1844.  Daguerreotype.  Mr. A. S. Scott Respectfully announces to the citizens of Brandon and vicinity, that he has taken a room at L. C. Scott’s, where he will be found constantly ready to serve those who may be so liberal as to bestow upon him a share of their patronage.

To those desirous of procuring correct likenesses of themselves or their friends, a favorable opportunity is now presented of gratifying their wishes, at comparatively trifling expense.  Photographic Miniatures can be taken, that will exhibit their features as perfectly as nature itself.  In point of durability, these impressions are decidedly superior to any painting that can be produced, as they are taken on plates of Silver, and are less affected by time and the atmosphere, than paintings.

The Daguerreotype is decidedly superior to any other invention which the ingenuity of man has sought out, for delineating accurately the human features, or natural scenery.  The advantages of this process, over the ordinary method of taking miniatures, are numerous and important; among which may be particularly specified, the moderate cost, the very great rapidity of the operation, and the true and perfect resemblance of the impression on the plate, to the original.  These impressions will never be affected, neither by time, nor climate; but the bright hues, and delicate tints of the pencil, are often dimmed and sullied by the effects of age and temperature.

A. S. Scott is not recorded in other photographic directories.

S. Scofield

Daguerreotypes, ,

1848                White Building on Ford Street, nearly over Strickland’s Jewelry Store,                           Ogdensburgh, New York.

S. Scofield was recorded in one advertisement that ran from March 21 to April 11, 1848 in The Ogdensburgh Sentinel (Ogdensburgh, New York).  Daguerreotype Portraits.  Mr. S. Scofield would hereby inform the Ladies and Gentleman of Ogdensburgh that he has taken Rooms in the 2nd story of the White Building on Ford street nearly over Mr. Strickland’s Jewelry Store, where he will be prepared to take photographic likenesses, on the intest and most approved principles, and at deduced prices.  The public are invited to call and examine a few specimens of the Art.                              

S. Scofield is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Mr. Schwert

Colorist, , , ,

N. D.               Address Unknown, Cleveland, Ohio.

1859                Address Unknown, Ashland, Ohio.

Mr. Schwert was recorded in one announcement on October 19, 1859 in The Ashland Union.  (Ashland, Ohio).  Photographs.—Mr. Ensminger had on exhibition at the county Fair as fine a collection of colored Photographs as can be found in any gallery in any city East or West.  The coloring of these Photographs was executed by Mr. Schwert, late of Cleveland.  Mr. S. will remain in Ashland two or three weeks, and all who desire to obtain for themselves or friends life-like Pictures, should avail themselves of the rare opportunity now offered.  A visit to Mr. Ensminger’s gallery will compensate all who appreciate good pictures.

A second announcement appeared on October 26, 1859 in The Ashland Union (Ashland, Ashland Ohio). Mr. Schwert’s name does not appear but should have also been credited.  Premiums Awarded at the Eighth Annual Fair of the Ashland County Agricultural Society…

Best painted photographs, E. Ensminger, diploma and 5, 00.

Mr. Schwert is not recorded in other photographic directories.  He is also not recorded in The New York Historical Society’s Dictionary of American Artists 1564 to 1860.