All posts by pioneeramericanphotographers

Parker C. Purviance

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, Melainotypes, Photographs, Stereotypes, , , , ,

1856-1859       At his residence on 2nd Street, one door South of Merrell and Carter’s Tin-                                       ware establishment Clearfield, Pennsylvania.                                                          1859                   Corner of Second and Cherry Streets, Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

Parker C. Purviance is recorded in three announcements and four advertisements in the Raftsman’s Journal (Clearfield, Pennsylvania).  The first announcement appeared on June 18, 1856.  Ambrotypes.—By reference to card of P. C. Purviance, it will be seen that he is now prepared to take Ambrotype Likenesses, as well as Daguerrean.  We have seen several of his pictures, and would say that they are, truly, most magnificent.  Persons desirous of having a good likeness of themselves, or friends, can procure the desired object, by calling at Mr. Purviance’s Gallery at his residence, on 2d street.

The first advertisement ran from June 18 to December 3, 1856.  P. C. Purviance, Ambrotypist and Daguerreotypist, Clearfield, PA.

Gallery at his residence on 2d Street, one door South of Merrell and Carter’s Tin-ware establishment.

The second advertisement ran from December 10, 1856 to June 15, 1859.  Ambrotypes.—P. C. Purviance, Professor of Photographic Chemistry.  Gallery at his residence on 2d Street, one door South of Merrell & Carter’s Tin-ware establishment, Clearfield, Pa.  Days of operation:  Friday and Saturday of each week.

The second announcement appeared on March 10, 1858.  Those who wish to secure a truthful likeness on glass, (i. e. an ambrotype,) would do well to call at Purviance’s Photographic Gallery, on 2d st., as he is now supplied with good chemicals, &c.  His terms are cheap and accommodating; he never charges unless the picture is satisfactory.  Remember the place: 2d St., next door to Merrell & Carter’s Iron and Tin-ware establishment.

The third announcement appeared on June 15, 1859.  We direct attention to the new Photographic Gallery of Mr. Purviance on the corner of Second and Cherry street—otherwise designated by the sign of the Red Flag—where the constant attention of Mr. P. is devoted to the business.  We are authorized to say that life-like and beautiful Ambrotypes, Melainotypes, Niellotypes, &c. are taken at this Gallery at very low prices, and entire satisfaction given to customers.

The third advertisement appeared on June 22, 1859.  Ambrotypes For 15 Cents.—The subscriber has opened a new Picture Gallery on the corner of Second and Cherry streets, Clearfield, at the sign of the Red Flag, to which he devoted his whole attention, and where Ambrotypes, Melainotypes, Ferrotypes, Stereoscopes, Nielloyypes, and in fact all varieties of Photographs on Glass, Iron and paper are taken and put up in a superior manner.  Don’t trust his word, but call and examine his specimens, and judge for yourselves.  Being connected with one of the leading Galleries of Pittsburgh, he will be constantly in the receipt of every new and variety of Sun-Light pictures together with such aid and such information as will enable him to produce the most Life-Like and best toned specimens of the Art.  In order that all may have an opportunity of procuring copies of their faces he has determined to be reasonable as to prices; 15 cents and upwards according to size, fixtures and case.  Remember the place, the sign of the Red Flag, corner Second and Cherry streets, directly opposite Judge Moore’s.  Parker C. Purviance.

The fourth advertisement ran from August 3 to December 21, 1859.  P. C. Purviance, Ambrotypist, corner of 2d and Cherry streets, Clearfield, Pa.

Parker C. Purviance is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Lemuel H. Purnell

Daguerreotypes, , ,

1852-1853       159 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Lemuel H. Purnell was recorded in one advertisement that ran from July 17, 1852 to July 16, 1853 in the Sunbury American (Sunbury, Pennsylvania).  Van Loan Daguerrean Gallery, 159 Chestnut Street, At this celebrated establishment you can always procure the newest and most improved styles of Daguerreotype & Talbotype Portraits, at 50 to 100 per ct. less cost than such pictures can be had for elsewhere.

Now that you can secure such perfect portraits of your loved ones at a mere nominal cost, don’t delay—lest you lose them.

Every Variety of fancy cases, frames, &c., on hand or furnished to order, and every picture made satisfactory and warranted to be in the best style of the art or No Charge.  Call and see us at 159 Chestnut st.  L. H, Purnell.  Philadelphia July 17, 1852.

Lemuel H. Purnell is recorded in other photographic directories as only being active in 1853.

Charles W. Purcell

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1849-1850       128 Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland.[1]                                                        1851                   Rooms in Sharpe & Yandee’s Building, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Charles W. Purcell was mentioned in an announcement that appeared on October 9, 1851 in the Indiana State Sentinel (Indianapolis, Indiana).  “Here Life Seems Speaking From A Hundred Frames.”—The new and beautiful Daguerreotype Rooms of Mr. S. Rea are completed, and are now open for the reception of visitors.  The quality of Mr. Rea’s pictures has always been greatly admired, but since he has introduced the improvement of his new sky-light, and side-lights, he is enabled to give a much better finish to Daguerreotypes, and to produce a more perfect picture than heretofore.  By his new arrangement of light, the difficulty heretofore experienced in taking the likenesses of children, aged persons, and those with light-colored or weak eyes, has been removed, and an impression is taken on the plate in a very short space of time.  We have seen several of his pictures taken by the new light, and for beautiful gradation of light and shade, clearness in the image, and the softness of tone, we have never seen them equaled.

The Metropolitan Gallery consists of two large rooms, in Sharpe & Yandee’s building.  One is used for operating, and the other as the gallery and reception room.  The latter is tastefully and splendidly furnished, the pictures being arranged on each side of the room, and also in the frame-work of a circular moveable case, placed on a pedestal in the centre of the room.  His beautiful assortment of fine gold lockets and breastpins for miniatures, occupy a portion of this case.

Mr. Rea has secured the services of Mr. Charles W. Purcell, of Baltimore, an experienced operator, and he pledges himself that not a picture shall leave his establishment that does not give entire satisfaction.

Charles W. Purcell is recorded in other photographic directories but the above information helps to clarify his timeline.

[1] Baltimore activity dates and address from Directory of Maryland Photographers 1939-1900, p. 43.  By Ross J. Kelbaugh..

James Adolphus Pugh

Daguerreotypes, , ,

1856                Address Unknown, Mulberry Street, Macon, Georgia.

James Adolphus Pugh appeared in an announcement on October 8, 1856 in The South-Western (Shreveport, Louisiana).  Great Fire in Macon.—A little before daybreak, on Monday, the 22d ult., our citizens were aroused by the ringing of alarm bells and the cry of fire.  The cause of the fire is not known, but it was first discovered, we believe, on the premises of Mr. E. E. Brown, on Mulberry street, opposite the Lanier hotel,…The following is a list of the houses destroyed, some of which were owned by their occupants, and others by different persons:…Pugh’s daguerreotype gallery;…

J. A. Pugh is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as being active in Macon, Georgia in 1859, they are possibly the same person.

Proctor & Buell

Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

1852                Room over William’s Hardware Store, Grand Rapids, Michigan.                                1852                New School House, Grand Haven, Michigan.

Proctor & Buell (Adonijah Proctor and Lorenzo Buell) were recorded in two advertisements and two announcements in the Grand River Times (Grand Haven, Michigan).   The first advertisement ran from March 2 to May 5, 1852.  Daguerreian.  Messrs. Proctor & Buell of the National Skylight Gallery of Grand Rapids, over William’s Hardware Store, would respectfully invite the citizens of Grand Haven and vicinity, to call and examine specimens of the art, which for clearness of outline, distinctness of features and elegance of expression are not surpassed.  Pictures put up in Pins, Bracelets or Lockets, and in cases or Frames of every variety of style, to suit the most fastidious.

P. S.  Messrs. P. & B., will visit Grand Haven, in April, when they will hope to receive that encouragement which their merit claims.

The first announcement appeared on March 23, 1852.  A reference to our advertising columns will show that Messrs. Proctor & Buell, Daguerreian artist, of Grand Rapids, will visit us in April, for the purpose of transferring to silver plates the “human face divine,” in which business they have gained an enviable reputation.

The second advertisement ran from May 12 to June 2, 1852.  Daguerreian.  Messrs. Proctor & Buell of the National Skylight Gallery of Grand Rapids, over William’s Hardware Store, would respectfully invite the citizens of Grand Haven and vicinity, to call and examine specimens of the art, which for clearness of outline, distinctness of features and elegance of expression are not surpassed.  Pictures put up in Pins, Bracelets or Lockets, and in cases or Frames of every variety of style, to suit the most fastidious.

Messrs. P. & B. have taken rooms at the New School-house, in this place, where they will remain for two weeks.  Those wishing pictures of themselves or friends, are very respectfully invited to call and examine for themselves.

The second announcement ran on May 26, 1852, Vol. I, No. 45, P. 2.  Mr. Buel, the daguerreian artist, of the firm Proctor & Buel, is in town yet, and wants to see every one of you at his gallery in the New School-house. Where he will be “very happy” to sit you and make a durable shadow of you.  Give him a call, any way, and see if his picture ain’t  “some.”

Both Adonijah Proctor and Lorenzo Buell are recorded in other photographic directories, but not as partners.

Messrs. Pride

Daguerreotypes, ,

1844                Rooms in the Cobble Stone Block, Batavia, New York.

Messrs. Pride were recorded in two announcements in The Spirit of the Times (Batavia, New York).  The first announcement ran on March 27, 1844.  Daguerreotype Miniatures.—It may not be known to many of our readers that the Messrs. Pride have taken one of the upper rooms in the Cobble-Stone block, and are prepared to furnish Daguerreotype Miniatures on the “shortest notice.  We examined several that were taken yesterday, many of which were as perfect as could possibly be taken.  They warrant a faithful picture to any one who will sit,—one which shall be satisfactory to the sitter.  Our citizens will find it a pleasant place to lounge for a half hour.  Call and see for yourself.

The second announcement appeared on April 3, 1844.  Photographic Likenesses.—The Messrs. Pride continue to furnish accurate portraits at their daguerrian Gallery, in the Cobble Stone block.  The likenesses taken yesterday and the day before are excellent.  Call and examine them, or come and see ours.

Messrs. Pride are not recorded in other photographic directories.

J. Cephas Pride

Daguerreotypes, ,

1849                One Door North of N. M. Wardwell’s store, Pulaski, New York.

J. Cephas Pride is recorded in one advertisement that ran on May 16 & 23, 1849 in the Richland Courier (Pulaski, New York).  Daguerreotype Likenesses.  The Subscriber would respectfully announce to the ladies and gentlemen of Pulaski and vicinity, that he has opened a Daguerrean Gallery, one door north of N. M. Wardwell’s store, where he will be happy to receive a call from his friends; and pledge himself that he will take their Miniatures better than any other artist has been able to do heretofore, in this place.  J. Cephas Pride.  Pulaski, May 9, 1849.

J. Cephas Pride is not recorded in other photographic directories.

G. B. Pride

Daguerreotypes, ,

1849-1850       Ford’s Building, north of the Salmon River House, Pulaski, New York.

G. B. Pride was recorded in one advertisement that ran from September 5, 1849 to February 6, 1850 in the Richland Courier (Pulaski, New York).  Daguerrean Gallery, In the second story of Ford’s building, north of the Salmon River House, Pulaski, N. Y.  G. B. Pride Would inform his friends and the public that he is now in readiness to wait upon them, and as he has been to much expense in procuring the best materials, and fitting up a suitable gallery, he feels confident of being able to give perfect satisfaction.  A perfect likeness warranted in all cases.  Pulaski.

G. B. Pride is not recorded in other photographic directories.

E. Pricemer

Retailer, ,

1841                3 Broad Street, New York, New York.

E. Pricemer was recorded in one advertisement that ran from March 23 to April 13, 1841.  Just Received From France, and for sale by E. Pricemer, 3 Broad street—Large and small Daguerreotype Plates, Hyposulfite of Soda, Cripoli, Daguerreotype Drawings of the Monuments of Paris and Rome.

E.Pricemer is not recorded in other photographic directories as a retailer of daguerreian supplies.

S. W. Price

Colorist, Portrait Painter, , , ,

1857                Between Main and Franklin Streets, Clarksville, Tennessee.

S. W. Price is recorded in two announcements in the Clarksville Chronicle (Clarksville, Tennessee). The first announcement appeared on November 20, 1857. We are pleased to see that our clever friend and accomplished artist, Mr. S. W. Price, has returned to our city, to remain a short time.  We are shown a specimen of his skill, in the way of coloring upon the Photograph likeness of our Editor.  It is certainly a fine specimen of art.

If, with McCormac to take the picture, and Price to do the coloring, our senior’s face is not well taken, then there is no use in any one else trying.  In our opinion, this Photograph cannot be surpassed.

The second announcement appeared on May 21, 1858.  Mr. Price is again in our midst Mr. Price is a painter of decided merit, and if evidence of that fact were wanting, his picture of that fact were wanting, his picture of Mr. Fillmore is sufficient to place the matter beyond a doubt.  Mr. Price is also a high-toned and honorable gentleman, and we bespeak for him a liberal share of patronage.  We presume he will resume his employment as colorer of Photographers for Mr. W. J. McCormac.  Success attend them both.

S. W. Price is not recorded in other photographic directories. There is a possibility that this is Samuel Woodson Price a portrait and figure painter who was active in Kentucky and Tennessee prior to the Civil War.