Category Archives: Daguerreotypes

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.

Joseph P. Beckwith

Daguerreotypes, ,

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.

Beckwith — “Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest,” should be the motto of this gentleman, and better pictures would be the result.

Craig’s Daguerreian Registry list a Joseph P. Beckwith, Daguerreian at 382 Hudson Street in 1855-1856.

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.

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.