Category Archives: Daguerreian Case Maker

Edward G. Taylor

1854                16 Spruce Street, New York, New York.

Edward G. Taylor was recorded in one announcement in The Evening Post (New York, New York) on March 6, 1854.  Great Fire In Spruce Street.—Four Buildings Destroyed—Yesterday (Sunday) morning, about half past two o’clock, a fire was discovered in a five story brick building at No. 8 Spruce street…the fire soon extended to the adjoining store, No. 10, the basement of which was occupied by Mr. Spinney, dealer in rags.  The first floor by Benedict & Cunningham as a paper warehouse.  Second floor as the publication office of the Independent.  Third floor in part by T. C. Janes, importer of book binders’ leather.  The remaining portion of the third floors, together with the whole of the fifth floor, also the first and second stories of No. 16, were occupied by S. W. Bendict, printer.  The fourth floor was occupied by Edward G. Taylor, book binder and daguerreotype case manufacturer…

Edward G. Taylor is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as being active in 1851 to 1853 at 128 Fulton and 89 Nassau.  Further research indicates that he is not listed in the following New York City directories 1854/55; 1855/56; 1856/57 but, in the 1857/58 directory he is listed as a Bookbinder at 15 Nassau Street.

William P. Swain

1845                23 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio.

William P. Swain was recorded in one advertisement that ran on August 7 & 14, 1845.  Morocco Case Manufactory.  The subscriber has taken the stand at No. 23 East Fourth street, Cincinnati, lately occupied by Mr. J. A. Kimball, where he will manufacture to order, Surgical, Dental, Jewelry and Daguerreotype Miniature Cases, of the very best style and quality, and at the lowest eastern prices.

Miniature Cases of all sizes constantly on hand and for sale, wholesale and retail.

Orders from the country respectfully solicited and promptly attended to.

William P. Swain is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Simons & Collins

c. 1845               Address Unknown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Simons & Collins (Montgomery Pike Simons & Thomas P. Collins) was mentioned in one advertisement that ran from July 4, 1846 to September 25, 1847 in the Sunbury American and Shamokin Journal (Sunbury, Pennsylvania).  Silver Medal, Awarded By The Franklin Institute, 1845.  City Daguerreotype Establishment.  T. P. Collins, (Late Simons & Collins.)  No. 100 Chestnut st., above Third, South side, Philadelphia.

Miniatures taken equally as well in cloud as in clear weather.  A dark silk dress for a lady, and a black suit for a gentleman, are preferable in sitting for a picture.  No extra charge is made for coloring, and perfect likenesses are guaranteed. 

Simons & Collins are recorded in other photographic directories and publications as casemakers Philadelphia Photographers 1839-1900 reference  Collins & Simons as David C. Collins and M. P. Simons activity dates 1845-1846.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry list Simons as a casemaker from 1844-1847, with no mention of the partnership.  Nineteenth-Century PhotographyAn Annotated Bibliography 1839-1879 list the partnership as being active in 1845.

D. G. Lougee

1849                257 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.                                                          1850                85 Main Street, Charlestown, Massachusetts.

D. G. Lougee was mentioned in two advertisements in the Norfolk County Journal (Roxbury, Massachusetts). The first advertisement ran from April 27 to June 29, 1850. Roxbury Daguerrian Gallery At The Old Stand, In Lemist Building, 82 Washington St., Corner of Felton Place, Over Lemist and Kellogg’s Dry Goods Store.

Miniatures, single or in groups, taken in the best manner, without regard to weather, and warranted not to fade.  An idea has prevailed that, in time, pictures would fade, but this erroneous impression has been entirely removed by many eminent chemists, who give it as their opinion that a Daguerreotype Picture, coated with a solution of gold, will stand any length of time; and no respectable operator will send out a picture without this gilding.

Ladies are recommended to dress in figured or dark material, avoiding white or light blue.  Gentlemen, a black or figured vest, also figured scarf or cravat, so that the shirt bosom will not be too much exposed.  Children, plain and stripped, or figured dresses, avoiding white or light blue; red will take like a dark dress.  Children taken from 9, A. M., to 2, P. M.; others from 8, A. M. till 6, P. M., without regard to weather.  Lancey & Co.

N.B…Messrs. Lancey & Co. Having fitted up an extensive Daguerrian Establishment in the City of Charlestown, in connection with Mr. Jenkins, under the name of Jenkins & Co., and engaged the valuable services of Mr. Lougee to superintend the operating department, would recommend the citizens of Charlestown and vicinity if they wish to get an excellent Daguerreotype Likeness of themselves and friends, to give Mr. L. a call at the Daguerrian Gallery, 85 Main st., Charlestown.  April 27th, 1850.

The second advertisement ran from June 29 to November 9, 1850.  Price Reduced.  Miniatures taken Lower than at any other Establishment and warranted not to fade.

Roxbury Daguerrian Gallery At The Old Stand, In Lemist Building, 82 Washington St., Corner of Felton Place, Over Lemist and Kellogg’s Dry Goods Store.

Miniatures, single or in groups, taken in the best manner, without regard to weather, and warranted not to fade.  An idea has prevailed that, in time, pictures would fade, but this erroneous impression has been entirely removed by many eminent chemists, who give it as their opinion that a Daguerreotype Picture, coated with a solution of gold, will stand any length of time; and no respectable operator will send out a picture without this gilding.

Ladies are recommended to dress in figured or dark material, avoiding white or light blue.  Gentlemen, a black or figured vest, also figured scarf or cravat, so that the shirt bosom will not be too much exposed.  Children, plain and stripped, or figured dresses, avoiding white or light blue; red will take like a dark dress.  Children taken from 9, A. M., to 2, P. M.; others from 8, A. M. till 6, P. M., without regard to weather.  Lancey & Co.

N.B…Messrs. Lancey & Co. Having fitted up an extensive Daguerrian Establishment in the City of Charlestown, in connection with Mr. Jenkins, under the name of Jenkins & Co., and engaged the valuable services of Mr. Lougee to superintend the operating department, would recommend the citizens of Charlestown and vicinity if they wish to get an excellent Daguerreotype Likeness of themselves and friends, to give Mr. L. a call at the Daguerrian Gallery, 85 Main st., Charlestown.   April 27th, 1850.

D. G. Lougee is recorded in A Directory of Massachusetts Photographers 1939-1900 and Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as being active in 1849 in Boston.

Samuel Hart

1853                82 John Street, New York, New York.

Samuel Hart was recorded in an announcement that ran on March 20, 1853 in The New York Herald (New York, New York).  Mother O’Pearl Visiting Card Case, ground thin pearl for papier mache work, porte monnale sides, daguerreotype cases, and all kinds of mother o’pearl goods, manufactured to pattern, by the Philadelphia mother o’pearl works, and for sale at their depot in New York.  Samuel Hart & Co., 82 John street.

Samuel Hart is not recorded in other photographic directories.