Category Archives: Ambrotypes

F. (Francis) Burrows

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

1849                   Main Street, in Prescott’s brick building, Keeseville, New York.                            c.1850-1852    80 State Street, Schenectady, New York.                                                                    1854-1858       87 State Street, Schenectady, New York.[1]

F. (Francis) Burrows was recorded in three advertisements and one announce in the Essex County Republican (Keeseville, New York) which ran on May 12, 19 & 26, 1849. Miniature Gallery. Premium Daguerreotypes.  F. Burrows would announce to the citizens of Keeseville and vicinity that he has [occupied] the pleasant room in [Prescott’s] brick building on Main st. opposite the bank, where he will be in attendance at all hours to attend calls with which he may be favored.  Mr. B. will [   ] his pictures entirely satisfactory, and he is confident with his long experience both in city and country, that he can produce an article in life-like appearance not surpassed by any.  His pictures are of a deep [  ] tone with beautiful lights and shades.  Miniatures will be put up in any style and in any weather.  N. B. Instructions given to those who wish to learn the business and apparatus found.

The second advertisement ran from November 28, 1851 to November 19, 1852 in The Schenectady Reflector.  (Schenectady, New York.)  F. Burrow’s Sky Light gallery For Daguerreotypes, No. 80 State street, Schenectady.—Mr. B. is happy to return his compliments and  humble thanks to the citizens of Schenectady and vicinity, for their liberal patronage during the past year.  His rooms are still open for business, and he will be extremely happy to wait on customers at any time.  Work will be executed at short notice, and perfect satisfaction guaranteed in all cases.

Miniatures will be taken of any size, for a locket or ring up to a half plate.  All kinds of cases and frames furnished to order.  Views and landscapes taken, positive or negative.  Work will be done as cheap as at any other establishment in this vicinity.

On January 27, 1854 the following announcement appears in The Schenectady Reflector (Schenectady, New York.)  Removal—Burrow’s Daguerrean Gallery.—Burrows has removed his Daguerreotype gallery to No. 87 State Street, over the store of Messrs. Barrenger & Co., and has fitted it up anew throughout.  He has now the largest and best sky and side-light in the city, and is prepared to furnish pictures as much better than his former ones, as his facilities are greater.  Our citizens who have not already done so, would do well to look in at the new rooms.

The last advertisement found ran from November 9, 1855 to April 18, 1856. In The Schenectady Reflector (Schenectady, New York.)  Burrows’ Ambrotype And Daguerreotype Rooms.  Ambrotypes Patented.  A New Style of Pictures, far exceeding in beauty and durability any thing ever before made.  The exceeding fineness, depth of light and shade, and richness of tone is wonderful.  They do not reverse the subject, but represent every thing in their true position.

They are without the glare of a daguerreotype, and may hence be seen in any view.  They will last unchanged for ages, and possess the rare quality of imperishability.  They are pronounced by competent judges to be the greatest achievements in the Photographic art, having a relief and clearness that is truly astonishing.  The Ambrotype is hermetically sealed between two pieces of glass, and may be left in water for months with perfect safety.  Ladies and Gentlemen are invited to call at No. 87 State street, Schenectady.

[1] Craig’s Daguerreian Registry list a Francis Burrows in 1857-1858 at 87 State Street, Schenectady.

H. F. Burch

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1858                Rooms over White’s Drug Store, Glasgow, Missouri.

H. F. Burch was recorded in an announcement in the Glasgow Weekly Times (Glasgow, Missouri) on January 7, 1858. Ambrotypes.—An excellent Ambrotypist is in town. His specimens are good, and those wanting pictures should call without delay.

On January 14, 1858 he was listed in an advertisement in the same newspaper which ran until February 18, 1858.  Ambrotyping.  We would respectfully announce to the citizens of Glasgow and vicinity, that we have opened rooms over White’s Drug Store, for a short time only, for the purpose of Taking Pictures in the above named Art.

This new style of Pictures is fast taking the place of all other methods of producing photographic pictures, as they possess all the beauty of light and shade so much desired in a likeness of one’s self; at the same time they cannot be surpassed in beauty of finish and depth of tone.  The picture is taken up-on glass and is subject to no change in any climate, giving the true position of the subject; and the time of sitting is reduced to about one-third; therefore, the beauty of expression is preserved in all its truthfulness.    H. F. Burch.

On March 25, 1858 he is mentioned in an advertisement as a teacher of John Chamberlain in the Glasgow Weekly Times (Glasgow, Missouri.)  Ambrotypes.—Mr. Jno. Chamberlain has fitted up a room in the rear of his jewelry shop, where he is prepared to take likenesses of every description, at a moments notice.  He formerly was engaged in the Daguerrean business, and has recently graduated under Prof. Burch, one of the best Ambrotypist that has ever visited our town.  Mr. C. has a fine instrument, a good assortment of stock, and will do you up a likeness of any required description or price, in less time than you have taken to read this notice.

H. F. Burch is not listed in other photographic directories.

A. V. Brown

Ambrotypes, , ,

1858                Address Unknown, Covington, Indiana.                                                          1858                Address Unknown, Emporia, Kansas.

A. V. Brown is recorded in the same announcement in two different papers the first on June 12, 1858 in The Kansas News (Emporia, Kansas, Territory.) and the second on June 26, 1858 in The Kansas Herald of Freedom.  (Wakarusa, Kansas, Territory.)  Mr. A. V. Brown writes us from Covington, Indiana, that he expects to be in Emporia by the middle of the present month, to make arrangements for erecting an Ambrotype Gallery in this place.

A third announcement appeared on August 7, 1858 in The Kansas Herald of Freedom  (Wakarusa, Kansas, Territory.)  “The Art Preservative of Physiog’s.”—Mr. A. V. Brown has just opened in Emporia an Ambrotype Gallery.  His apparatus is entirely new, and his pictures thus far have given general satisfaction.  Those wanting good pictures taken, we would advise to call and examine Mr. B.’s specimens, which, we think, display genuine talent and an intimate knowledge of the profession.

A. V. Brown does not appear in other photographic directories.

Luther M. Brooks

Ambrotypes, , ,

1858                Stewart’s Block, over Chapman & Barrour’s, Middlebury, Vermont.

Luther M. Brooks is recorded in an advertisement that ran from April 28 to June 9, 1858 and appeared in The Middlebury Register (Middlebury, Vermont.)  Superior Ambrotypes!  A Good Sky-Light, And an Operator that knows how to use it.  A Genuine Ambrotype, Including Case, Only 50 CTS.

Luther M. Brooks announces to the public that he has reopened the Ambrotype Rooms in Stewart’s Block.  These Rooms have recently undergone repairs, and are fitted up in a neat and tasty manner.  He has engaged the services of the celebrated Ambrotypist, William H. Rablen, who guarantees to make pictures as good as can be produced by the process.

Pictures set in Lockets, Pins, Bracelets, &c.  If you want a first-rate Picture, call and have it done by Rablen, at Brooks’ Sky and Side Light Gallery, Stewart’s Block, over Chapman & Barrour’s.

Luther M. Brooks is not recorded in other photographic directories.  John Craig list a William Rablin in Troy, New York from 1854-1857, in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry.  It is unknown if they are the same person.

H. F. Brooks

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

1856                Rooms over Store of E. B. Shattuck & Co, Barre, Massachusetts          1857                Upper Rooms in the Brick Block, Barre, Massachusetts.

H. F. Brooks is mentioned in six advertisements in the Barre Gazette (Barre, Massachusetts.) The first appeared on July 4, 1856. Daguerreotypes!  H. F. Brooks, May be at the rooms heretofore occupied by Mr. Tapley, where he is prepared to furnish people with good Daguerreotypes, and at fair prices.  A complete assortment of Cases and Lockets can be found from which customers can make selections to please their various tastes.  Barre, June 6, 1856.

It is unknown if Mr. Tapley is a daguerreotypist or not.  John Craig list in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry a Charles E. Tapley in Worcester, Massachusetts from 1857-1860 it is unknown if they are the same person.

The second and third advertisements appeared on December 19, 1856 and January 16, 1857.  And announces that Fred Ruggles has taken over the rooms formerly occupied by H. F. Brooks.

The fourth and fifth advertisement are for Brooks & Ruggles which appeared on March 13 and May 1, 1857 which were posted yesterday.

The sixth advertisement ran on September 11, 1857.  Barre Annual Cattle Show and Fair!  Persons visiting Barre during the Fair will find H. F. Brooks Ambrotype Rooms, lust the place to pass an hour or two, where he will be happy to wait upon his friends and take his or her Ambrotype, with that correctness which characterizes the city artist.  Give him a call in Brick Block.  N.B. Remember the place H. F. Brooks.

H. F. Brooks was not listed in A Directory of Massachusetts Photographers, 1839-1900.

J. Broadhead

Ambrotypes, ,

1857-1858       Address Unknown, North East, Pennsylvania.

J. Broadhead was recorded in an advertisement that ran in the Westfield Republican (Westfield, New York.) from August 5, 1857 to October 13, 1858.  Watches & Jewelry.  J. Broadhead, Watchmaker and Jeweler, North East, Pa.  Watches and Jewelry for sale, also every description of work cleaning and repaired.  Ambrotype pictures executed in the most perfect style of the art, with all its modern beauties and improvements.

J. Broadhead is not listed in other photographic Directories.

H. S. Breen

Ambrotypes, Melainotypes, Photographs, , ,

1859                Room at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, Washington, Louisiana.

H. S. Breen was recorded in two advertisements in The Opelousas Patriot (Opelousas, Louisiana) on January 1, 1859, advertisement ran through January 29th.  Photographic Rooms, Odd Fellows’ Hall, Washington.—Mr. H. S. Breen has at considerable expense, fitted up his rooms and is now prepared to execute in every style any kind of picture made in the United States.  Ambrotypes, Melainotypes, Photographs, plain and colored, and Crayon Mezzographs on canvass.

Those wishing pictures and portraits that are artistic and durable, are requested to give him a call.  He can not compete either in price or execution with cheap Operators whose only expense is a pocket instrument and a dozen paper cases.  Those wishing cheap worthless pictures need not call.

The second advertisement ran from February 12 through April 30, 1859.  Photographic Gallery.—Odd Fellows’ Building, Washington, La.  It is as great a mistake to suppose that anybody can become a good Photographist as to conclude that any one can be a Hiram Powers or a Shakespeare.  There was a time within memory of all when the entire country was overrun with a set of one horse daguerrean operators whose claim to the name artist were about as well founded as those of the Rev. Dauphin Williams to the throne of France.  This “noble army of martyrs” has been gradually decreasing for some years past and a very superior class of men an acknowledged position among the fine arts, and has been brought to a high degree of perfection by the combined efforts genius and labor.  Mere dabsters have been taught that two or three weeks is not sufficient to place them on a par with men who have spent years of toil and study in developing and perfecting the art.  Among those who have made this art their study since the first incipient process was invented by the immortal Daguerre Is H. S. Breen who has lately fitted up in Washington one of the most complete suite of rooms in the South.  He has a light containing over one hundred feet of glass two dozen cameras of every kind and size and a very extensive laboratory of chemicals?   In fact he is prepared to execute in the most complete style of art any kind of picture made in the United States.  Particular attention is called to his plain photographs which are gems in their way and afforded at so low a price as to be within the reach of all.

His photographs colored in oil are as durable as any oil painting on canvas besides which they are always true representations of the original.  Washington, La., February 5, 1859.

Breen is not recorded in other photographic directories.

R. Bostwick

Ambrotypes, Lettertypes, Melainotypes, Photographs, Sphereotype, , , ,

R. Bostwick appeared in two advertisements in The Union News (Union, New York.)  The first ad ran from June 11 to August 20, 1857.  Ambrotypes, Sphereotypes, Melainotypes and Stereoscopic Method of taking Pictures, all of which are of the latest improvements, and well known to some of the fraternity as being the most beautiful and durable of any process yet discovered.  Specimens of some of our own townsmen can be seen at my car in Union.  Cases sold 25 per cent less than usual.  Please give me a call before I leave again for the West.      R. Bostwick.  Union, Jan. 14, 1857.

The second advertisement appeared on August 27, 1857 and ran until April 22, 1858.

Ambrotypes.  A gallery In Union!  Now located in the Exchange Block, No. 1, where the Photographic Art will be pursued, with all the latest improvements in the art.  Pictures taken on different materials, such as Glass, Iron, Patent Leather, Paper and Parchment.

Also, instructions given in the art to those who wish.  Three different processes are used in transferring pictures from glass to a lighter and more convenient material, and for sending in letters or cutting for lockets.  Also, the Tinting process, which is beautiful and just the thing, long sought after for coloring the drapery.  Good substantial cases will be offered from fifty cents to six dollars.  Invalids taken at their residences if desired.  R. Bostwick.   Union, Aug. 25, 1857.

In the first advertisement there are several items worth bringing to your attention, no business address is given, and one can only assume that the gallery is in Union, New York.  Second is the date of the advertisement January 14, 1857.  Unfortunately June 11 was the first newspaper that I had access to for 1857.  The other interesting note is his statement about leaving again for the West.

The only other photographic directory that has a listing for R. Bostwick is Craig’s Daguerreian Registry that list a Ransom Bostwick in 1859-1860 in Union, New York without a business address.  It is probably the same person.

Bossue

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, Vitrotype, , , , ,

Bossue was recorded in an advertisement for Tyler and Co. on April 14, 1857 on The Daily Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia.)  The Twenty Artist that Tyler & Co. employ are not mere pretenders in their business, but are regular educated gentlemen, calculated to excel in the fine arts and scientific results.  The ease and poetry of position, the life-like expressions of the features and eyes of the portraits, taken at 139 Main street, is not the effect of bungling mechanical doings, but of true artistic skill, seldom met with.  Bossue, the principal Artist of this famous establishment, has been the pioneer in Photography in Europe the last ten years.

Bossue is not recorded in other American photographic directories.  Of the hundreds of advertisements for Tyler & Co., this is the only one that mentions Bossue by name.

James Boone

Ambrotypes, ,

James Boone was recorded in an advertisement on May 3, 1856 in the Anti-Slavery Bugle (New-Lisbon, Ohio.)  The advertisement ran from May 3, 1856 to March 28, 1857.  Pictures On Glass.  Our friend James Boone is still taking Ambrotypes, & c., at his old stand, in Johnson & Horner’s building.

He has succeeded in doing away with the dark and smutty appearance often to them by other operators, “Jeems” understands his business.  Call and examine his pictures.

James Boone does not appear in other photographic directories.  By the wording in the advertisement James Boone probably was active prior to May 3, 1856 in New Lisbon, Ohio, but no documentation has been found to date to verify this assumption.  John Craig does list a James H. Boone in 1852 in Marshall, Texas as does David Haynes in Catching Shadows, but there is nothing to suggest that they are the same person.