All posts by pioneeramericanphotographers

J. A. Bennet

Daguerreotypes, , ,

J. A. Bennet was recorded in two advertisements on Long Island in The Corrector (Sag Harbor, New York,) the first advertisement ran from June 14 to August 5, 1843.

Portraits! Portraits!  By the Daguerreotype Process.  J. A. Bennet would inform his friends and the public, that he has been extensively engaged in taking portraits by this process in the southern country the past season, and has now the pleasure of announcing that he has taken a room in Maj. Hildreth’s brick buildings, at Sag Harbor, where he will be happy to see those who wish to procure life-like miniatures of themselves or friends; and he flatters himself, judging from the past, that he will be able to give satisfaction.  These pictures are also indelible.  Mr. B. has adopted all the recent improvements and will guarantee as good pictures as can be procured in Boston, N. York or Philadelphia, and at the same prices; he also colors them in the latest style.  All are invited to call at the room and examine specimens.  Whaleman, you are about to leave your homes; do you not wish to take with you miniatures of some loved ones, or do you not wish to present them at parting with a copy of your own features, true to the life; then delay not.  Price for taking miniatures (case included) $3.00; with coloring $5.00.

The second advertisement ran on August 16 & 23, 1843.

Daguerreotype Portraits, At Bridgehampton.  J. A. Bennet has taken a room at Mr. N. Mitchell’s, Bull’s Head, where he will remain for a few days, for the purpose of taking portraits, for all who may wish them, and he would invite the attention of the Bridgehampton people, to the specimens exhibiting at the above room.

Craig’s Daguerreian Registry does have an entry for John A. Bennet in South America in 1842-1843, and in Mobile, Alabama in 1843-1844.  At this time there is no evidence that they are the same person.

Smith Bennett

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

Smith Bennett is recorded in the Daily American Organ on February 9, 1855, and in the Evening Star on February 10, 1855.  Both newspapers are published in Washington, D. C. and reported that both Smith Bennett and Robert A. Carden exhibited beautiful frames of daguerreotypes at the Exhibition of the Metropolitan Mechanic’s Institute.  Bennett and Carden both have galleries in Alexandria, Virginia.

On March 17, 1855 in the Evening Star (Washington, D. C.) the following announcement appeared of the premiums issued at the fair.  Rehearing And Confirmation.—The Judges on daguerreotypes had a rehearing yesterday at the request of one of the disappointed, which resulted in the unanimous confirmation of the opinion declared on Wednesday evening, viz.  Smith Bennett, of Alexandria, Va., silver medal for the best daguerreotypes and stereoscopes.

Smith Bennett is not recorded in other photographic directories but Nathan S. Bennett, Nahum S. Bennett and Robert A. Carden are recorded in a number of directories and newspaper advertisement in other location.

There is evidence that suggest that Smith Bennett is almost certainly Nahum S. Bennett who has galleries in Washington, D. C. (1850-1852) and Alexandria, Virginia (1855-1857.)  I would also like to tie Nathan S. Bennett into the mix but no concrete information has been found to substantiate this theory.

Samuel N. Benedict

Ambrotypes, Cameotype, Daguerreotypes, Melainotypes, Sphereotype, , , , , , , ,

Samuel N. Benedict is recorded twice in Penn Yan Democrat (Penn-Yan, New York), in the partnership of House & Benedict.  They are first listed in an announcement by the editors of the newspaper and second in an advertisement that ran from June 3 to September 23, 1857.   In the announcement we learn that they came from Elmira, New York. To date no  newspapers from Elmira have been searched.

Attention is invited to the advertisement of House & Benedict, which may be found in this paper.  They are recently from Elmira, where they had established a reputation as first rate artists.  They take all kinds of pictures—Daguerreotypes Ambrotypes, Melanotypes and Cameotypes in superior style.  They have taken the rooms recently occupied by Mrs. McAllaster.

House & Benedict’s Daguerreotype, Ambrotype, Melainotype and Cameotype Rooms.  House & Benedict (formerly of, Elmira) having purchased the Rooms previously occupied by Mrs. McAllaster, over Suydam’s Grocery Store on Main st., Penn Yan, beg leave to call the attention of the citizens of Penn Yan and vicinity, to the new and Superior Style of Pictures taken by them.  They are now prepared to take Pictures of nearly every kind, such as Daguerreotype, Melainotype, Ambrotype, Sphereotype, Cameotype, Transfer Pictures, etc., which are warranted not to fade.

The Melainotype, or Iron Picture, receives universal commendation by all who have examined their superior qualities.

Lockets, Pins, Rings, &c., Filled with neatness and dispatch, either with Daguerreotype or Melainotype.  A large variety of Fancy Cases, Frames, &c., constantly on hand, and at Moderate Prices.  Pictures taken in all kinds of weather.—Sphereotype, Cameotype, Transfer Pictures taken only at this Gallery.  Instructions given in the Art, and Apparatus furnished if desired.  The public are invited to call and examine specimens, whether wishing a Picture or not.  Pictures copied with neatness.            Tho’s J. B. House.  Sam’l N. Benedict.

Craig Daguerreian Registry does have an entry for Samuel N. Benedict, and there has been no connection found to suggest a connection to N. Benedict even though there is a possibility they could be the same person.  John does have an entry for T. J. B. House in Penn Yan and Milo, New York in 1859.

N. Benedict

Daguerreotypes, ,

N. Benedict was recorded twice in the McGrawville Express (McGrawville, New York) on November 28, 1850. First in an announcement by the editors of the newspaper and second an advertisement which ran from November 28 to December 12, 1850.

We would call the attention of the public to the notice of Mr. N. Benedict’s Daguerrean Gallery in another column.  One need only call and examine his specimens to be convinced that Mr. Benedict understands his business, and possesses the admirable, though difficult skill of bringing out the eye, without which, the picture is almost worthless.

Ladies and Gentlemen, call and gratify the eye by looking at pictures “as are pictures.”

Daguerreotypes.  N. Benedict’s Daguerrean Gallery!  Is now open one door East of McGraw & Green’s store, up stairs.  The citizens of McGrawville and vicinity are respectfully invited to call and examine his specimens.  Likenesses taken in all weather, from 8 o’clock A. M. to 4 o’clock P. M.

While there are other Benedict’s recorded in other photographic directories no connection can be made to connect them with N. Benedict at this time.

Henry S. Bellows

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

There were two advertisements recorded for Henry S. Bellows in The Corrector (Sag Harbor, New York.)  The first ran from July 31, 1850 to July 23, 1851 while he was in the partnership of Parker and Bellows.

Daguerreotype Likenesses Taken at Parker & Bellows’s Daguerrean Rooms, with a large and improved apparatus, and warranted to give perfect satisfaction.  Ladies and gentlemen are respectfully invited to call and examine their specimens.

The second advertisement announces the end of the partnership and ran from July 23, 1851 to September 17, 1851.

All relations heretofore existing between T. Hazard Parker and Henry S. Bellows, in the Daguerrean business, are this day dissolved, by mutual consent.  All bills connected with the business, will be settled by T. Hazard Parker.

No other listing for Henry S. Bellows has been found in other photographic directories or newspapers.

Bellows & Bosworth

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

Bellows and Bosworth are recorded in an advertisement in the Orleans Independent Standard (Irasburgh, Vermont) dated April 16, 1858.

Ambrotypes!  Messrs. Bellows & Bosworth, the eminent Daguerrean Artist’s, are in Irasburgh, where they will remain for a few days only.  Those wishing for correct likenesses would do well to call soon.

In Craig’s Daguerreian Registry John list a Noyes Bosworth, daguerreian in Pharsalia, New York in 1859, but does not have an entry for Bellows.   See tomorrow’s blog for Henry S. Bellows…active in New York in 1850-1851.  At this time no connection can be made to determine their identity.

Adolphus Behn

Daguerreotypes, ,

Adolphus Behn is recorded in an advertisement in The Lancaster Gazette (Lancaster, Ohio) on July 7, 1848.  The advertisement ran until August 25, 1848.

Daguerreotype.  The undersigned respectfully announces to the citizens of Lancaster        and the public in general, that he is prepared to take Daguerreotype Likenesses, both single ones and family groups.  The prices are from $1 to $3 according to size, frames included.  Office at Mr. Lange’s.  Wheeling Street, Opposite F. A. Foster’s Residence, from 9 to 12 and from 1 to 3 o’clock every day.  Adolphus Behn.  Lancaster, July 7, 1848.

An Adolphus Behn is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry and Biographies of Western Photographers as being in LaGrange, Texas in February 1847.  It is unknown if they are the same person.  He has not been recorded in other photographic directories.

William D. Beemus

Daguerreotypes, ,

William D. Beemus is recorded in the Franklin Gazette (Fort Covington, New York) on June 11, 1853.

Mr. Wm. D. Beemus, a Daguerrean Artist, has taken rooms in Knapp’s Block, where he will remain for a short time.  We have seen some of his specimens and call them first rate.  Give him a call.

Beemus has not been recorded in other photographic directories or newspaper I have been able to reference to date.

Bedell

Daguerreotypes, Photographs, , ,

In an article in the Photographic and Fine Arts Journal of January 1, 1856 entitled the Photographic Galleries of America, Number One, New York. The author visited 69 Galleries in New York City.

Bedell—Cleanliness is next to godliness, especially is this the case in photographic galleries. Very excellent pictures are often underrated from the fact of the glass being soiled or the plate or paper spotted. This gallery contains some excellent specimens.

John Craig list three Bedell’s in his work Avery Augustus (1851-1853); Richard, Jr. (1853-1856); and William (1851-1852).  Only Richard, Jr. has the correct dates but he is listed has a dealer in daguerreian apparatus not a daguerreian.  As I continue to go through New York City newspapers it might be possible to identify which Bedell the above article is about.