All posts by pioneeramericanphotographers

William Allen

Daguerreotypes, ,

Recorded in The Spirit of the Times which was published in Batavia, New York, William Allen advertised that he is taking daguerreotype miniatures at the Genesee House.  In addition to taking likenesses he also is marking copies of portrait paintings and daguerreotypes and he has lockets of all sizes and prices constantly on hand.  Advertisement ran from December 5, 1848 to January 2, 1849.

In searching through the photographic directories and histories no other William Allen has been located.  As discussed in the post dated February 9 under Mr. Allen. It is possible that William A. Allen who was in Brooklyn at the time is the same person but at this time it is only speculation without more information.

Mrs. Allen

Ambrotypes, ,

Mrs. Allen from Wisconsin is recorded three times in the St. Cloud Democrat, published in St. Cloud, Minnesota on May 19, 1859.  She has taken the Flower House on Third Avenue and is taking ambrotypes.  On June 16—Mrs. Allen having her new room with an excellent sky-light complete, is now able to furnish our citizens with fac similes of their faces.  The terms are reasonable; and she will take produce, butter, eggs, beef or breadstuff in exchange for pictures. On August 25 the third announcement appears—Mrs. Allen has been taking landscape views which are unsurpassed for clearness and fidelity.  One of the Democrat office, we have never seen equaled.  Our citizens should not neglect to avail themselves of this means of getting counterfeit presentments of their many beautiful homes.  We can think of no more agreeable present to a distant friend than a view of the new home in the far distant West; and no other advertisement of this country could approach Ambrotypes of its new homes and natural beauties.  Mrs. Allen talks of going east in a few weeks, to be gone for some length of time, and those wanting pictures should not delay getting them.

All three notices were single issue and not advertisements. Did Mrs. Allen go east?  In Craig’s Daguerreian Registry he list two Mrs. Allen’s, a Mrs. George D. Allen in Cleveland in 1860 who he says might be a photographer which is based on her contribution to Fredericks defense fund against the Cutting Patent. In Ohio Photographers 1839-1900 (Diane VanSkiver Gagel) list her as a daguerreotypist c. 1860.  Both Craig and Gagel list Mrs. M. Allen as a daguerreotypist in Norwalk, Ohio 1859-1860.

Mr. Allen

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

A Mr. Allen appears in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle and Kings County Democrat, on December 24, 1846 at 43 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, N.Y.  There is also a Mr. Allen recorded in The Long Islander, published in Huntington, N.Y. on July 2, 1847 at Mr. Silas T. Ketcham’s.  It is conceivable to think that the two possibly are the same person.

In the Long Islander advertisement he states that he has had long experience in the business.  He takes likenesses for insertion in rings, breast pins, lockets or bracelets, and makes copies from paintings, portraits and daguerreotypes.  Likenesses taken of the sick or deceased persons, at their residences, on the shortest notice.  He also offers instructions in the art, and has rings, breast pins, lockets, and bracelets also apparatus and chemicals of all kinds for sale.

Is the statement that he has had long experience in the business hype or has he been active in the business for a number of years? In trying to identify who Allen might be and verify activity dates a search of photographic directories and histories turned up nothing.  Of the twenty six Allen’s that are listed in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry William A. Allen is the only possibility, based on location and activity dates, his first entry is 1848-1849 at the corner of Bridge and Tillery Streets in Brooklyn.  Two other daguerreian’s E. A. Allen who I posted a couple of day ago was in Burlington, Vt. In 1841, and William Allen who was listed in Batavia, N.Y. in 1848-1849, which is over 350 miles away.  But again without additional conclusive information this is only speculation.

George Allen, Jr.

Daguerreotypes, ,

Published in the Green-Mountain Freeman, Montpelier, Vermont on May 17, 1855, George Allen, Jr. advertises from May 17 to September 27, 1855.

New Daguerreotype Rooms. Having fitted up rooms in Keith’s Building, opposite the Brick Church, Main Street, Montpelier, I am prepared to furnish with Correct Likenesses all who may favor me with a call.  A good assortment of Cases constantly on hand.

N. B.—I  will make a likeness of one person for seventy-five cents, and twenty five cents for each additional one of a group. Montpelier, May 1, 1855.

George Allen, Jr. does not appear in any other sources I have checked or have access to.

E. A. Allen

Daguerreotypes, ,

Recorder in the Burlington Free Press, published in Burlington, Vermont on August 13, 1841, Daguerreotype Miniatures taken by E. A. Allen, at the American Hotel, Burlington, Vt.  Ladies and Gentlemen wishing to obtain beautiful and perfectly correct likenesses, are respectfully invited to call and examine his specimens and prices. He trusts that the novelty of the science, to say the least, will induce the curious to give him a call. The Miniatures can be made of various sizes suitable for a neat Morocco Case, Gilt Frame, Locket or Breast Pin.

N. B.  Instruction will be given to a limited number of Pupils, if desired, and the Apparatus, Materials, &c. for the process furnished.   Advertisement ran from August 13 to 27, 1841.

E. A. Allen does not appear in any other sources I have checked or have access to.

Alger, A. C.

Ferreotypes, Statuetype,

Alger appeared in two issues of The South Western which was published in Shreveport, Louisiana on March 23 & 30, 1859.  He called is studio The Excelsior Photographic Gallery at the corner of Market and Texas Streets, over Mr. Frank’s Jewelry Store.  He advertises that he is making a new style of picture called Ferreotypes and Statuetype.  Particular attention paid to setting miniatures in lockets, bracelets, pins, etc.

Craig’s Daguerreian Registry list an A. C. Alger in 1855-1856 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  It’s unknown at this time if they are the same person.

James Alexander

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

From The Daily Press, published in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 27, 1859 the following announcement appeared.  Wanted—Mr. James Alexander (Daguerrean Artist) and Jesse M. Adams are requested to call immediately at the Daguerrean Room located on the south-west corner of Sixth street and Western row, (over Hanneford’s Drug Store,) where they will hear something to their interest by leaving their address.

As far as I can ascertain James Alexander is a new name, he is not recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry or Ohio Photographers 1839-1900 (Diane VanSkiver Gagel.)  It is unknown if James Alexander was from Cincinnati or some other part of Ohio or if he possibly is from Kentucky or Indiana?  The same also applies to Jesse M. Adams.  Both Alexander and Adams are not recorded in the 1859 or the 1860 Cincinnati City Directory, resident section nor are they recorded as photographers in the business section.  The address south west corner of sixth and Western Row belongs to Duncan & Davis, (James H. Duncan & W P. Davis).  They were not listed in the 1860 Cincinnati city business directory and the studio address is now listed under Samuel Hewitt.

Aldrich & Morse

Daguerreotypes, ,

Recorded from the Worcester Daily Spy, published in Worcester, Massachusetts on January 1, 1851.  The name(s) and partnership are new and were not recorded in A Directory of Massachusetts Photographers, 1839-1900.  One could speculate, but that is all it would be speculation at this time, that Aldrich is L. Aldrich who was record in Lowell, Massachusetts in several newspaper advertisements from May 29 to August 22, 1846 but there is no information that tie the two together.  A stronger case could be argued that Morse is possibly L. Morse who was recorded in the Worcester newspapers at 142 Main Street, from January 11 to 27, 1849.  Note of advertisement in the lower right hand corner was date November 2, 1850.

Now Is The Time, And Waldo Block is the Place.

In order to introduce our Types to the public, we shall sell them for a few days for fifty cents.  In the Best Cases for One Dollar, such as are sold for $1.50 at other rooms.  We intend to attract the public to our Rooms by making good Miniatures at fair prices, rather than by a display of Stained Glass, costly Mirrors, Tapestry Carpets, &c.  Beware of humbugs, and remember our Rooms are up only one flight of stairs, and that we have decidedly The Best Light in the City.     Aldrich & Morse.  Worcester.                          Nov. 2, 1850.                Advertisement ran from January 1 to March 14, 1851.

Alcan & Helleberg

Daguerreotypes, Photographs, , ,

An advertisement that appeared in The Evansville Daily Journal that was published in  Evansville, Indiana on October 3, 1855.

Photograph of Evansville.—We are indebted to the politeness of Messrs. Alcan & Helleberg, Daguerreotype and Photographic Artists, for a very pretty little photograph view of Evansville, taken on paper, from a point below Pigeon Creek Bridge. Of course it is correct in the most minute details.  These artist have located in Evansville for the present, and can be found at Mr. J. P. Elliott’s new building on Main Street.  They are prepared to take elegant Daguerreotype or Photographic likenesses, and at low prices.

A. Shea Addis

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, , , ,

Information on A. Shea Addis appears to be convoluted and without more intense research the picture of this photographer will remain unclear. See Craig’s Daguerreian Register.   The following is reported in an advertisement in the Squatter Sovereign published in Atchison, Kansas on September 26, 1857.

Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, etc. Mr. A. Shea Addis, late of Platte City, Mo., from whence he comes highly recommended, has taken rooms over Doyle & Green’s Store, on C Street, where he will execute likenesses of various sizes of a life-like appearance and fine finish.  We have not yet been able to visit his rooms, but will endeavor to send one of our hands for him to operate on, which will enable us to speak more advisedly.  In the meantime, those of our citizens who “wish to see themselves as other see them,” will do well to give him a call.