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Mr. Palmer

Daguerreotypes, ,

1853                215 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

Mr. Palmer was recorded in one advertisement that ran in the Boston Daily Evening Transcript (Boston, Massachusetts) on February 26, 1853.  Daguerreotype Portrait Painting.  Photographic Portraits are taken with all the recent improvements adopted in the process in France, England and America, by Palmer & Co., 215 Washington street Boston.

Photographic Portrait Painting (sun painting) now takes its place by the side of pencil drawing.  By painting with instruments an outline of mathematical precision is obtained which can scarcely be expected with the hand; and by judicious employment of chemicals and the careful use of color, the finest tone and finish imparted to the picture.   Landscapes and Portraits are taken with equal exactness and fidelity—valuable pieces of sculpture are copied in high relief—and minute Portraits are executed for lockets, broaches, pins and rings.  Unless we are prepared to quarrel with the sun and dispute the laws of nature, we must admit that the trust and most perfect portrait may be obtained by the Daguerreotype.  For specimens see case at the door, 215 Washington St.

Mr. Palmer is not listed in other photographic directories nor was he listed in the Boston City Directory; residence section from 1851-1854.

Randolph Palmer

Daguerreotypes, Portrait Painter, , ,

1841                Studio east corner of the Exchange Building, over Mr. Haight’s Jewelry Store,                               Auburn, New York.

Randolph Palmer was recorded in three advertisements and two announcement in the Auburn Journal and Advertiser (Auburn, New York).  The first advertisement was recorded on January 6, 1841.  Portrait Painting.  R. Palmer would say to the Ladies and Gentlemen of Auburn and its vicinity, that he would be happy to wait upon them in the line of his profession, at his room, Chedell’s Buildings.

As to his ability as an artist, he would leave it with connoisseurs to decide.  His portraits are always ready for inspection: let them speak for themselves.  Call and examine them.  Auburn, February 18, 1840.

The first announcement appeared on January 20, 1841.  The Daguerreotype.  By reference to the advertisement of Mr. R. Palmer in other columns, our readers will notice that he has recently fitted up his establishment so as to enable him to take likenesses, by the new and curious system of Daguerreotype.  It was our intention to have given at this time a sort of bird’s eye view of the course adopted in carrying out the rules of this new discovery;—but we shall be compelled to defer it till our next. Such of our citizens as desire a perfect miniature, will do well to give Mr. P. a call at his “glass house,” east end of Exchange Buildings—and those who desire a Portrait, will there see specimens of his skill with the pencil and brush, as large, as natural, and apparently as animated as life itself.

The second advertisement ran from January 20 to March 24, 1841.  Portraits, Miniatures, And Photographic Likenesses in the Daguerreotype Process R. Palmer, has removed his studio to the east corner of Exchange Buildings, (directly over Mr. Haight’s Jewelry Store,) within the Glass House, where he will always be found ready, and happy, to wait upon all who may desire to hand down to posterity their Phiz upon canvass, Ivory, or Silver

He is perfectly willing to be criticized upon his own productions, but thinks it unfair for critics to find fault with the Pictures which Nature paints.

The Daguerreotype paints along with the colors which the sun produces, by reflecting light upon the sitter,—the sitting for the Daguerreotype vary from 3 to 8 minutes, according to light.  The best time for taking likenesses is in a clear day from 8 A. M., to 3 P. M.—It is not necessary to have the sun shine upon the sitter.

The second announcement appeared on February 10, 1841.  Daguerreotypes.  Likenesses of this description are now taken with the greatest accuracy by Mr. Palmer, at his “glass house” at the east end of the Exchange Buildings.

“The pictures as pictures (says the N. Y. Courier, in speaking of Daguerreotypes) are superior to any other specimens of the art that we have seen, and as likenesses of the originals, there is no sort of mistake.  No one who would be flattered need sit, but the man or woman who seek a similitude of their own face and features, as exact as it is in the mirror into which they look, had better apply here.  It is not a resemblance but an absolute identity of look and appearance, that is the result.”

Mr. P. has also recently succeeded in taking by the above power some beautiful landscape views.

The third advertisement appeared on March 31, 1841.  Portrait Painting.  R. Palmer has removed his room to 89 (Beach’s Block) Genesee st., where he will be happy to attend to all business in the line of his profession.—As to his ability as an artist, he would leave it with connoisseurs to decide.  His portraits are always ready for inspection: let them speak for themselves.

The Ladies and Gentlemen of Auburn and vicinity are respectfully invited to give him a call. Auburn, March, 1841.

Randolph Palmer is not recorded in other photographic directories.  He is recorded in The New-York Historical Society’s Dictionary Of Artists In America 1584-1860 as a portrait painter working in Auburn, New York from 1839 to 1843 and also working in Albany and Seneca Falls.

O. B. Palmer

Ambrotypes, ,

1856-1858       21 Main Street, Westfield, New York.

O. B. Palmer was recorded in two announcements and two advertisements in the Westfield Republican (Westfield, New York). The first announcement appeared on September 17, 1856. The Fair—Official Awards.  Premiums awarded at the Chautauqua Agricultural Fair, for 1856….Paintings and Drawings….

Lot of Nine Ambrotypes, discretionary, $3, Hall & Palmer, Westfield.

The first advertisement ran from October 29, 1856 to April 15, 1857.  O. B. Palmer Daguerrean Artist.  No. 21, Main-st., over Dr. J. Spencer’s Drug Store.  Westfield, N. Y.

The second advertisement ran from April 22 to August 12, 1857.  Ambrotype Hall.  “There is luck in odd numbers,” says Rory O. Moore.  And if you will only call at No. 21 Main Street, [up stairs,] you’d have the luck to get as nice an ambrotype—put up in any style you choose and at cheap a rate—as can be found in Western New-York.  Lockets, Pins, &c., kept constantly on hand and fitted to order.  O. B. Palmer.

The second announcement appeared on September 15, 1858.  We spent a pleasant half hour the other day, in Mr. Palmer’s Ambrotype Hall.—He has been making many desirable improvements, and has a great variety of specimens of his art.  Those who can appreciate the artistic, and want a capital picture, will do well to visit his rooms.

O. B. Palmer is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as being active in Erie, Pennsylvania from 1859 to 1860. Linda A Ries and Jay W. Ruby in Directory of Pennsylvania Photographers 1839-1900 list him in Erie from 1864 to 1866. It is possibly they are the same person.  The distance between Westfield, NY and Erie, PA. is roughly 34 miles.

John Palmer

Daguerreotypes, ,

1856                Address Unknown, Schellsburg, Pennsylvania.

John Palmer was recorded in one advertisement that ran from May 16 to June 13, 1856 in The Bedford Gazette (Bedford, Pennsylvania).  Ho! Ye Sons Of Art!!!  Excelsior Daguerrean Gallery!  John Palmer, Artist, would respectfully inform the citizens of Schellsburg, that he will remain in that place a short time for the purpose of taking Daguerreotype Likenesses.  Photographic pictures of every description executed in a neat, beautiful and permanent manner.  Likenesses Singly Or In Groups!  Portraits of sick, or deceased persons, taken on the shortest notice, Daguerreotypes, Paintings, engravings, &c., accurately copied when desired.  Pictures will be put up in beautiful cases, medallions or lockets, to suit the tastes of customers—also handsomely set in rings or breastpins.  He defies competition to surpass his pictures either in correctness, or in depth of tone and finish.  His Study Is To Please.  No pictures will be required to be taken unless it gives Full And Entire Satisfaction.

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, are invited to his gallery to examine specimens—all will be welcome visitors whether wanting pictures or not.  Come one, come all!

John Palmer is not recorded in other photographic directories.

John C. Palmer

Daguerreotypes, , ,

1846-1851       Palmer & Ramsay’s Jewelry Store, Raleigh, North Carolina.

John C. Palmer was recorded in five advertisements in The North Carolina Standard (Raleigh, North Carolina).  The first advertisement ran from March 4 to 18, 1846.  A Fine Assortment of Watches, Jeweler, and Cutlery, For sale very cheap.  Watches repaired well, and warranted.

Daguerreotype Likenesses.  Taken in superior style, large or small size, from one to five on the same plate—warranted equal to any taken at the North—colored so as to be as durable as painted portraits.  Specimens can be seen at my room.  J. C. Palmer.

The second advertisement ran from November 24, 1847 to January 12, 1848.  Daguerreotype Gallery.  J. C. Palmer has just returned from the North and is prepared to execute Likenesses in the most perfect and new style, warranted never to fade or lose their color, large or small, in Breast Pins or Lockets—having purchased Breast Pins and Lockets expressly for the business.  Call and see, and have your likeness taken for your Wife, Children and Husbands.  Warranted to give satisfaction or no charge.

A fine and good assortment of Cases, Plates, and materials of all kinds for sale cheap for cash only.  Orders attended to punctually.

The third advertisement ran from January 26 to February 16, 1848.  Daguerreotype Gallery.  J. C. Palmer has just returned from the North and is prepared to execute Likenesses in the most perfect and new style, warranted never to fade or lose their color, large or small, in Breast Pins or Lockets—having purchased Breast Pins and Lockets expressly for the business.  Call and see, and have your likeness taken for your Wife, Children and Husbands.  Warranted to give satisfaction or no charge.

A fine and good assortment of Cases, Plates, and materials of all kinds for sale cheap for cash only.  Orders attended to punctually.

The fourth advertisement ran from June 27 to November 21, 1849.  Daguerreotypes.  John C. Palmer has perfected himself in the above Art, having lately received all the improvements from the North.  The Celerotype which far excels other improvements they are now as perfect as life.  Warranted a good Picture.  The only fault to them some times they are too natural.  Call at Palmer and Ramsay’s Jewelry store.

The fifth 1850 Advertisement ran from November 27, 1850 to August 16, 1851.  John C. Palmer’s Daguerrean Gallery, In his finely Furnished Room warrants the Likenesses perfect, and to please.  His reputation is so well known in North Carolina, it is useless to say more.  Call at Palmer & Ramsay’s Jewelry Store.

John C. Palmer is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry without a business address and without the connection with Palmer & Ramsay Jewelry Store.

C. A. Palmer

Daguerreotypes, ,

1853                Rooms over J. P. Plank’s Store, Herkimer, New York.

C. A. Palmer was recorded in one advertisement that ran from October 5 to November 9, 1853 in the Herkimer County Democrat (Frankfort, New York).  Daguerreotypes.  Persons wishing to procure for themselves or friends a good Daguerreotype, are respectfully solicited to call soon at the room of the subscriber, In Herkimer, over J. P. Plank’s Store, where he will remain but a short time longer.

Pictures put up in every variety of Cases, Lockets and Rings, in a manner that cannot fail to please.

Do not postpone coming, for his stay in this place is of short duration.  C. A. Palmer, Artist.

C. A. Palmer is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Palmer, Bartholomew & Co

Melainotypes, ,

1857                Address Unknown, Westfield, New York.

Messrs. Palmer, Bartholomew & Co. were listed in an announcement in the Westfield Republican (Westfield, New York) on October 7, 1857.  Agricultural Society Report…Painting &c….

In the Daguerreotype Department, there were several exhibitions deserving of more than a Passing notice from your Committee, but as the scale of premiums have been limited, we are reluctantly compelled to contain ourselves to the following;

Best specimens of Daguerreotypes, called Melainotypes, to                                                              No. 162, O. Monroe, Dunkirk; 2d do. No. 158.

The committee would respectfully recommend a premium of the 2d class to.                            No. 316 G. R. Martin, being four Photographs in oil.

There were on exhibition three Ambrotypes without numbers from Messrs. Palmer, Bartholomew & Co. Westfield, deserving much credit for their perfection and life-like expression of the specimens presented for inspection.

Palmer and Bartholomew are not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Westfield, New York.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry does list a Charles G. Bartholomew in Ithaca, New York from 1849 to 1854 and Auburn, New York from 1854-1860. It is possible that they are the same person but it is only speculation at this time.

Paine, M. S.

Daguerreotypes, , ,

1855-1856       233 Grand Street, New York, New York.

M S. Paine (of the firm Martin & Paine) was recorded in two advertisements in The New York Herald (New York, New York) and one article in the Photographic and fine Arts Journal.  The first advertisement appeared on July 10, 1855.  To Daguerreotypists.—Wanted, A Superior daguerrean operator to take an interest in that old established daguerrean gallery, 233 Grand street, corner of Bowery.  Inquire at M. S. Paine writing and bookkeeping, on the same floor, day or evening.

The second advertisement appeared on July 15, 1855.  $10.—Bookkeeping, Time Unlimited—Writing, $2, twelve lessons, at Paine’s, 233 Grand street, corner of the Bowery.  For sale an old established daguerrean gallery, or an operator wanted to take an interest in the same.  Apply at the Writing Academy, 233 Grand street, corner of the Bowery.

The article appeared on January 1, 1856 entitled the Photographic Galleries of America.  Number One, New York. The author visited 69 Galleries in New York City.  Martin & Paine—These gentlemen join two professions in one, book-keeping and daguerreotyping.  Some pretty fair photographs.

Both Martin and Payne are listed as partners in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry. M. S. Paine is not recorded.  At this time it is unknown if Paine was a daguerreotypist or just a partner in the firm.

George Porter Paine

Ambrotypes, ,

1855                Address Unknown, St. Albans, Vermont.

George Porter Paine was recorded in an advertisement in the Burlington Free Press (Burlington, Vermont) on December 7, 1855.  Ambrotypes.  A New Style of Photographic Pictures taken upon glass combining the beauty of a fine steel engraving with the most brilliant surface.  They can be seen in any light, having none of the dazzling reflection objected to in Daguerreotypes.  Unlike the daguerreotype they do not fade and cannot be affected by climate, water, or even acids.—Likenesses can be taken by this process almost instantaneously, insuring a lifelike expression rare in daguerreotypes.

These pictures can be procured of the subscriber, the only Ambrotype artist in Franklin or Chittenden counties.

Persons desirous to learn the art, can receive instruction from him on reasonable terms.  Price of pictures same as Daguerreotypes!  George Porter Paine.  St. Albans, Nov. 28, 1855.

George Porter Paine is not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in St. Albans, Vermont.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry does list a George Porter Paine as being active in St. Louis, Missouri in 1854-1855.  The St. Louis directories were dated 1854-1855, not 1854 and 1855, the names in the directory were recorded in 1854, so it is possible that they are the same person.

Paige & Beach

Daguerreotypes, , , , , , , , , , , ,

1848                Concert Hall, Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D. C.

Paige & Beach (Blanchard P. Paige & Albert Beach) was first recorded in unpublished research A Directory of Nineteenth Century Photographers of Washington, D. C., by Paula Fleming & Laurie Baty.  Paige & Beach proprietors for Plumbe Gallery, Washington, D.C.

They next appeared in an advertisement and article.  The advertisement appeared in the  New York Daily Tribune (New York, New York) on July 12, 1848 Henry Clay In His 71St Year.—Published this day, (June 6, 1848.) by E. Anthony, 205 Broadway, a beautiful steel mezzotint engraving of Henry Clay, drawn and engraved from several Daguerreotypes by H. H. Ritchie [Possibly Alexander Hay Ritchie]

This likeness was mainly taken from a fine Daguerreotype now in the possession of the subscriber, executed by Messrs. Paige & Beach, Washington.  The artists is also indebted to Daguerreotypes taken by Messrs. Root, Simons, and W. & F. Langenheim of Philadelphia, and M. B. Brady, M. M. Lawrence and the Plumbe Gallery of New York, to all of whom the subscriber takes this occasion to express his thanks for the liberality with which they placed their valuable pictures at his disposal.

In addition to its merits as an exquisite likeness, this picture stands unrivaled as a work of art.

The title prefixed to this advertisement will distinguish the engraving from any other likeness of Henry Clay published by the subscriber or others.

Price of Proofs on India paper, $1.                                                                                                                      Price of plain paper, 50 cents.                                                                                                                      Price of prints in enameled frames, from $1 upwards.                                                                            For sale by E. Anthony, 205 Broadway.

Daniel Webster.—Also a fine steel engraving of Daniel Webster by Ritchie, from an excellent Daguerreotype by Whipple, of the same size and style with the above.

To any Editor who will give the above advertisement, with this notice, a prominent insertion, a copy of Henry Clay will be forwarded on the receipt of the paper.

The article appeared in the American Telegraph (Washington, D. C.) on July 8, 1851.  A sad case.—about a week ago the records of the Criminal Court should that Albert Beach had been found guilty of obtaining money under false pretenses; and he was yesterday sentenced by Judge Crawford to the Penitentiary for eighteen months.

This man is, we suppose, about thirty-six years old.  He was educated to commercial business in the city of New York, where he afterward held a profitable and responsible position in one of the first establishments.  He subsequently followed the business of daguerreotyping in this city, with apparently very good success; and while so engaged, two or three years ago, married a most estimable and excellent young lady.  To the surprise of many, however, he suddenly sold out his interest in the daguerreotyping establishment, and threw himself out of business for a time; but after a little commenced an auction store, in which his career was brief, as many who had come to know him predicted.  His course was then rapidly downward, and instead of “swelling” at the hotels he turned to lounging at the groggeries; and instead of trying to effect “transactions” at wholesale stores, his aim was simply to “do” some poor fool out of a few dollars.  Caught in one of these tricks, he has at least been sentenced to the felon’s punishment….

The partnership of Paine & Beach is not recorded in published photographic directories.  Paine is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry, but Albert Beach is not.