All posts by pioneeramericanphotographers

Mr. Becker

Daguerreotypes, , ,

Mr. Becker is recorded twice in the Auburn Journal and Advertiser (Auburn, New York) first on September 3, 1845.

We are requested to say that Mr. Becker, of New York, is prepared to take Daguerreotypes likenesses, on an improved plan, and superior to anything yet seen in this section, at Doct. Munson’s Dentist Rooms, directly opposite Western Exchange.

He is recorded a second time in an advertisement for E. P. Senter on December 17, 1845,

…Mr. Becker, so favorably known for the correctness and beauty of his likenesses of many of our townsmen, taken during a short sojourn here a few weeks since, has returned and associated himself with Mr. Senter: and the two combined offer advantages which should be appreciated by our citizens.

Mr. Becker does not appear in other photographic directories as being in Auburn.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry list an J. F. Becker as being in Syracuse in 1845.  The distance between Syracuse and Auburn, New York is about 25 to 35 miles.  It is possible that they are the same person but at this time no proof has been established.

J. H. B. Beck

Daguerreotypes, ,

J. H. B. Beck was recorded in two advertisements in The National Whig (Washington, D. C.)  The first appeared on April 30 and ran until June 1, 1847.

Beck’s Daguerreotype Rooms!  One hundred per cent cheaper than the cheapest!  Likenesses taken in the best style inferior to none, either singly or in groups at the very reduced price of $1.50!!! each.  Specimens may be seen at the rooms over the Furnishing Store of L. S. Beck, E street near the General Post Office.  Remember the price $1.50.  Groups in proportion.

On June 1, 1847 the second advertisement appeared and ran until September 29, 1847.

$1.50  Beck’s  $1.50 Daguerreotype Rooms, Removed to the corner of 7th street and Penn avenue, over Stott’s Drug Store.  Accurate and highly finished Portraits for $1.50, Groups in Proportion.  Post Mortem cases attended to with promptitude and certain success at a reasonable advance.  A share of the public patronage in most respectfully solicited.

Beck is not recorded in other directories.

Jefferson Beardsley

Landscape Painter, Photographs, Portrait Painter, , ,

Jefferson Beardsley (1833-1895) was recorded in an advertisement in the Ithaca Journal and Advertiser (Ithaca, New York) on September 15, 1858 and which ran until February 23, 1859.  His address is based on Moses Reeves’s advertisement 49 Owego Street, over T. C. Thompson’s Merchant Tailor’s store, Ithaca.

The Sun Still Shines!  “By their Works ye know them.”  I would respectfully announce to the citizens of Ithaca and surrounding country, that I have taken the rooms formerly occupied by M. Reeves, over T. C. Thompson’s and 2 doors west of Culver’s store, where I am prepared to take all kinds of Photographic Pictures in a superior manner.  I will take pictures of Invalids or Deceased Persons, at their residence, on the most reasonable terms and the shortest possible notice.  Portraits painted—miniature or life size—in oil and crayon, Views of residences, Draughting and pictures of every description painted to Order.

Another example of a painter doing photography.  After doing an internet search for Jefferson Beardsley.  I found out that he was a portrait and landscape painter and photographer, working into the 1880’s and possibly beyond.  He is listed in The New York Historical Society Dictionary of Artist in America, 1864-1860.  As a genre painter, Ithaca (N. Y.), exhibited at the National Academy in 1859.

A foot note Beardsley attended the American Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia in 1876 and evidently purchased photographs of French pornography, sometime after he returned home he was charged with a crime and stood trial after college student and young men came in contact with them, he was also accused of making copies.  At the end of the trial he was sentenced to six months of hard labor.[1]

[1] Zen And The Art Of Local History (edited by Carol Kammen, Bob Beatty) p. 103-110.

Joseph G. Beach

Daguerreotypes, ,

Joseph G. Beach appeared in two advertisements in the Tri-State Union (Port Jervis, New York.)  The first advertisement ran from July 6 to September 21, 1854 and the second from November 9, 1854 to September 20, 1855.  He advertises skylight daguerreotypes and that he has fitted up a Daguerrean Gallery in the building on Pike street, opposite A. Kopman’s Store, where he is prepared to take Likenesses, single or in groups in the highest style of the Art, and at the very lowest prices at which good pictures can be procured.

In the second advertisement he states that he has made his business a study, and like a good student renders his works a study and admiration for others.  All styles of cases, Lockets, Rings, &c. constantly on hand.  He goes on to say that the best time for children [is] in the morning.

Beach does not appear in any other photographic directory or history that I have been able to find.

Albert Beach

Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

Albert Beach is recorded in the New York Daily Tribune (New York, New York) on July 12, 1848 in the partnership of Paige & Beach. The advertisement reads in part.

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.[1]  This likeness was mainly taken from a fine Daguerreotype now in the possession of the subscriber, executed by Messrs. Paige & Beach, Washington.

The second entry was actually the first mention of the Albert Beach that I came across which 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…

After checking Craig’s Daguerreian Registry Beach was not list but Blanchard P. Paige was.  I checked part of Laurie Baty’s unpublished research of Nineteenth Century Washington, D. C. Photographers, and found an entry that said that he they worked at Plumbe’s studio.

[1] Alexander Hay Ritchie, Engraver, genre, portrait, and figure painter.

Julian Vannerson

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, Photographs, , , , , , ,

I have recently rechecked The Photographic and Fine Art Journal, December 1857 issue for the source of Vannerson working for McClees in Washington D. C.   For background, I have added the first advertisement for James E. McClees in Washington, D. C. from the Evening Star (Washington, D. C.) October 23, 1857.

New Gallery of Art.  No. 308 Pennsylvania Avenue, (over Davis’s Piano Store.) The subscriber, induced by his success in Philadelphia, and the numerous orders he receives from this section of the country, has opened a first-class gallery in this city for the production of Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes and Photographs, affording the citizens of Washington and the public an opportunity of procuring as fine a work as is made in New York or Paris.

Portraits in Oil, from Life or Daguerreotypes; and Photographs finished in India Ink, Crayon, and Natural Colors, by a distinguished Parisian artist, engaged expressly for this establishment.

Persons residing at a distance wishing to have Daguerreotypes enlarged and painted can send them (with description of person) and have them accurately copied, and returned by express.   All likenesses are guaranteed, and an examination of specimens is solicited.  J. E. McClees, Photographer, 308 Pennsylvania avenue, 626 Chestnut street, Philadelphia.

Entry from the Photographic and Fine Art Journal.  Washington Galleries.  Washington November 5, 1857.

Mr. James McCleese of Philadelphia, has opened his new gallery below the Kirkwood House.  His operator is Samuel A. Cohner, Esq., a practical chemist of some notoriety; he is very successful in all of his operations.  I was shown many of his beautiful plain photographs, that in tone and sharpness were exquisite.  But ‘tis just like Mr. McC., he never has any body about who does not fully understand his business.  His gallery is one of the finest in Washington, and the many water colored pictures that are adorning his walls, speak highly for the business.  His artists is a man of the first order and paints with unusual rapidity.  Mr. Vannerson is the agent is the agent of Mr. McClesse’s gallery, and for the length of time he has resided in Washington, no man is more capable of doing the agreeable in securing the public patronage.  This gallery will do a large share of the business the coming winter.  I fully predict a brilliant career for them, and well they deserve it.  By the time your next number appears, I hope to be able to speak more of this gallery.                             J. R. J.

 

Battles & Hadley

Daguerreotypes, , , , , ,

Battles & Hadley were recorded in the Jamestown Journal (Jamestown, New York) on September 28, 1849.  Which was reprinted from the Fredonia Censor, a report of the premiums awarded at the annual fair of the Chautauqua County Agricultural Society….Miscellaneous in-door articles…

Specimens of Daguerreotype likenesses  Battle & Hadley         1.00                                          Specimens of Daguerreotype likenesses       S. Ward                       75                                        Specimens of Daguerreotype likenesses       J. M. Petch                 50

Unfortunately an address was not provided in the report for Battle & Hadley, J. M. Petch, or S. Ward and additional information is unavailable at this time.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry list a Sylvanus Ward in Westfield, New York in 1850-1851.  It’s possible that they are the same person, based on the activity dates and that Westfield is in Chautauqua County.

Monroe L. Battel

Ambrotypes, Photographs, , ,

Monroe L. Battel, 371 Broadway was recorded in the Photographic and fine Arts Journal (New York, New York.) on January 1, 1856.  In an article entitled the Photographic Galleries of America.  Number One, New York. The author visited 69 Galleries in New York City.

M. L. Battel—Here again we encounter the artist. The ambrotypes are excellent. The photographs are worthy of much praise. The gallery is very pleasant and tastefully arranged.

First name and address are from Craig’s Daguerreian Registry.  Even thou M. L. Battel is a known name and activity dates are also known.  I have included names that were listed in the article because of the firsthand account of the author’s description of the gallery and the quality of the photographs on exhibit.

J. L. Bartholomee

Ambrotypes, ,

J. L. Bartholomee was recorded in The Opelousas Patriot (Opelousas, Louisiana) on October 18, 1856. The advertisement ran from October 18, 1856 to January 3, 1857.

New Style Of Likenesses!—Ambrotypes!  Daguerreotypes Superseded!  There is a softness and brilliancy in this new style of Picture which has never been obtained in the old Daguerreotype process.

Persons wishing to see this new style of Picture are invited to call at the rooms of J. L. Bartholomee, Opelousas Varieties.

J. L. Bartholomee is previously unrecorded in photographic directories and histories that I have checked.

George F. Barstow

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

Yesterday I posted the entries for the partnership of Barstow and Spencer. George F. Barstow the senior member of the partnership was first recorded in the Essex County Republican (Keeseville, New York) on January 29, 1845, the advertisement ran until February 12th.

Premium Colored Daguerreotype Miniatures. George F. Barstow Would respectfully inform the inhabitants of Keeseville and vicinity, that he will remain in town for a short time only, and that possessing a superior apparatus, with all the late important improvements, he is prepared to execute every variety of these Miniatures in a style unsurpassed.  Ladies and Gentlemen are invited to call and examine the specimens at his room, over E. A. Hurlbut’s office, and favor him with their patronage, so far only as he gives complete satisfaction.

On February 15, 1845 he is recorded in the Plattsburgh Republican (Plattsburgh, New York) and ran until March 8th.  The partnership is announced the following week on March 15th.

Colored Daguerreotype Miniatures. Geo. F. Barlow would respectfully inform the inhabitants of Plattsburgh and vicinity that he is prepared to execute Photographic Likenesses with all the late improvements, in a style unsurpassed.

Ladies and Gentlemen are invited to call and examine the specimens at his rooms over Messrs. A. L. & G. N. Webb’s store, and favor him with their patronage so far only as he gives complete satisfaction, February 14, 1845.

Based on the wording in the advertisements and the proximity between Keeseville and Plattsburgh which is a distance of 15 to 20 miles, it is a safe assumption to suggest that they are the same person.