1847                Address Unknown, Bennington, Vermont.

1849                Address Unknown, Aurora, Illinois.[1]

1849                Address Unknown, Galena, Illinois.

1850-1851       Main street, over Pettingill & Babcock’s Store, Peoria, Illinois.

1854                Address Unknown, Peoria, Illinois.

1856                Corner Main and Washington Streets, Peoria, Illinois.

1847 November 1.  The State Banner.  (Bennington, Vermont.)  November 1, 1847, Vol 7, No. 33, Whole No. 345, P. 2.

Mr. Cole is astonishing our citizens with his splendid Daguerreotype Miniatures.  We have seen some specimens of his skill and pronounce them truly elegant.  See his advertisement.

1847 November 1.  The State Banner.  (Bennington, Vermont.)  November 1, 1847, Vol 7, No. 33, Whole No. 345, P. 3.

Daguerreotype Miniatures R. M. Cole Would respectfully inform the citizens of Bennington and vicinity, that he has located himself for the purpose of taking Daguerreotype Miniatures, over the store formerly occupied by C. Thatcher, where he will be pleased to take the likenesses of all who desire, in the latest and most approved style with or without colors, well put up in the best quality of Morocco Cases, and warranted not to fade or change by age.

None but those who have lost companions, parents, or children, can appreciate these, the most valuable keepsakes.  “When we are in life, let us prepare for death.”  Let us “secure the shadow , ere the substance fades”

Advertisement ran from November  1 to 15, m1847.

1847 November 15.  The State Banner.  (Bennington, Vermont.)  November 15, 1847, Vol 7, No. 35, Whole No. 347, P. 2.

See R. M. Cole’s advertisement of Daguerreotype Miniatures.  He takes beautiful Miniatures.  Give him a call.

1847 November 22.  The State Banner.  (Bennington, Vermont.)  November 22, 1847, Vol 7, No. 36, Whole No. 348, P. 3.

Daguerreotypes.  Mr. Cole, by request, will remain another week in this place.  Those who wish their miniatures taken, will please call this week.

1847 November 29.  The State Banner.  (Bennington, Vermont.)  November 29, 1847, Vol 7, No. 37, Whole No. 349, P. 3.

Miniatures.  In consequence of the unfavorable weather during the past week, the undersigned could not fulfil his engagements.  He would say to those individuals who have called for miniatures, and to the public generally, that he will remain in this place for a few days longer.  R. M. Cole.

1849 December 21.  Galena Daily Advertiser.  (Galena, Illinois.)  December 21, 1849, Vol. 2, No. 175. P. 2.

Daguerreotypes.  The subscriber having received a very liberal patronage during his stay in Galena, has been induced to send east for a new and large assortment of materials of the latest and most elegant styles that have arrived, which the public are requested to call and examine; as also specimens of his work.

Those desiring his services are requested to call soon, as he designs to leave this place in two weeks, engagements require him abroad.

Among his new stock may be found some rich and beautiful cases, in different forms, embossed with pearl, flowers, &c., suitable for elegant Holiday Presents, among the “beaux and belles of this goodly city.” 

Truly grateful for the favors already extended to him, the subscriber hopes his additional means of pleasing, will secure the further support of the public.  R. M. Cole.    

1851 June 11.  Peoria Democratic Press.  (Peoria, Illinois.)  June 11, 1851, Vol. XII, No. 19, P. 1.

Color Daguerreotypes.  Mr. & Mrs. Cole, Would respectfully inform the ladies and gentlemen of Peoria and vicinity, that they have fitted up rooms on Main street, over Pettingill & Babcock’s store, where they are prepared to take daguerreotype likenesses entirely  superior to any ever before exhibited in this part of the state, enclosed in cases and lockets to suit purchasers.  Likenesses of deceased persons, particularly of children, will be taken if desired.  Daguerreotype portraits and miniatures copied; Pictures taken in any weather and of all prices, from the cheapest common to the best fancy cases.

Instructions in the art given on reasonable terms.  October 30, 1850.

1853 March.  The Photographic Art Journal.  (New York, New York.)  March 1853, Vol. 5, No. 3, P. 188-189.

Peoria, Ill., Feb. 19, 1853.  Mr. Smith:  Sir.—I have enclosed five dollars, my subscription for the Photographic Art Journal for 1853, which I consider well worth the money.  I commenced the first year of its publication, and I am well satisfied that I have received the worth of my money so far, and I have no reason to doubt as to the future.  I have always been able to find interesting and instructive matter contained in all the numbers, well worth the attention of all true lovers of the art; and, to make a long story short, no practical daguerreotypist should be without this Journal.  Every one can find some useful hints, that will assist him in his manipulations.  It is possible that some have got so far advanced that they consider they have learned all that is to be learned.  But I am happy to say for one, that I am not one of those fortunate—or unfortunate, as you may see fit to call them.  I have thought of writing something for the Journal, but not being accustomed to the task, and not being able to add anything to what has already been said, I have not made any attempts.  Perhaps I may at some future time.  I intend to visit New York this summer, if so, I will call at number 19.  Yours as ever, R. M. Cole.

Don’t be bashful.  Every one can say something that will be interesting to his neighbor, and when it is on his mind he should speak or write it out.  We shall always be pleased to receive communications for the Journal from any of our subscribers.

1853 June.  The Photographic Art Journal.  (New York, New York.)  June 1853, Vol. 5, No. 6, P. 376.

Our friend, R. M. Cole, of Peoria, Ill., is on a visit to the commercial emporium, but he did not bring us any specimens of his skill, which we regret, for his modesty and conversation convinces us that he could not have anything to fear in comparing his works with others,  In our opinion he is an artist who is on the road to an elevated standard, and will arrive at it rapidly.

1854.  Illinois And Missouri State Directory for 1854-1855.  (St. Louis, Missouri.)  1854, P. 141-142.

1854 July.  The Photographic And Fine Art Journal.  (New York, New York.)  July 1854, Vol. 7, No. 7, P. 224.

Mr. R. M. Cole, of Peoria. Ill., is one of the most successful operators in the Western country, and is deserving of great praise for his perseverance in attaining to his skill he now exhibits, and is well worthy the support he receives.

1855 April.  The Photographic And Fine Art Journal.  (New York, New York.)  April 1855, Vol. 8, No. 4, P. 327.

The Peoria Republican thus speaks of our friend Cole of that city—“We were shown to-day, at the Daguerrean Gallery of R. M. Cole, some of the most beautiful large size photographic likenesses that we ever beheld.  Among them we noticed the phizzes of Henry Grove and John A. McCoy, which are taken as true to life as the reflection of the original in a mirror.  Mr. Cole has attained great perfection in the photographic art, and is a worthy and successful rival of Alexander Hesler of Chicago, whose pictures have obtained for him so much celebrity as an artist.  Mr. C. is now prepared to take likenesses on the largest size plate, we believe, that is used.  These large pictures are triumphs of art, such as, doubtless, were never dreamed of by the immortal inventor of the photographic process.  The countenance may be taken on them, if desired, nearly as large as life.  We recommend those who count themselves good judges to call at the Daguerrean Gallery—(which, by the way, is fitted up with elegance, reflecting credit on the taste of Mr. Cole’s better half)—and inspect the large picture recently taken.

We clip the following from the same source showing that Mr. Cole can use his pen as well as his chemicals to advantage. 

Messrs. Editors:  I observed in your issue of Friday last an article giving some satisfactory reasons in reference to the impression that a daguerreotype makes upon the mind of the beholder.  Why is it, Messrs. Editors, that pictures taken by this art fail to give satisfaction?  When we are viewing the daguerreotype of a friend which is true to nature in every respect with the exception of life and motion, may not lack of those conditions be that something wanting which the writer speaks of?  With regard to the satisfaction that the portrait-painter is able to give in transferring the beauties of the face and form to the canvas, the writer says that a portrait is satisfactory in so far as the painter has sympathy with the subject, and delightful to us in proportion as the resemblance reflected by his sympathies is in accordance with our own:—In the daguerreotype, he says, there is no such medium, and the face comes before us without passing through the human mind and brain to our apprehension.—Would the writer wish us to understand that the mind and brain of the daguerrean artist is not exercised in transferring the likeness of the human face to the metallic plate, or is it, in his opinion, accomplished by some hocus-pocus, or put into a box and ground out, like music out of a hand organ?  Are we to believe all of this?—No: the mind of the operator must be at work, and it is in this that we see so great a contrast in daguerreotypes.  It is the mind of the artist operating upon matter that producessuch beautiful and accurate likenesses.  But the writer says that the daguerreotype is seldom satisfactory, and always leaves something for the sympathies to desire.  What is that something?  It is this: when we are viewing some of those lifelike pictures that are before us every day, we expect to hear them speak or manifest some sign of recognition.  R. M. Cole.

1856 December 17.  Knox Republican.  (Knoxville, Illinois)  December 17, 1856,  Vol. 1, No. 11, P. 3.

Cole’s Daguerreotype and Ambrotype Fine Art Gallery, Corner of Main and Washington Streets, Peoria…………….Illinois.

Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes taken in every style of the Art, and of the greatest beauty and perfection, combining all the beauty and color of the finest Oil Paintings on Ivory.

Apparatus, Plates, Cases, Chemicals, Lockets, and everything connected with the Photographic Art, constantly on hand and for sale low for Cash.

Instructions given in this beautiful art.  oct 29.  R. M. Cole.

Advertisement was recorded four times between December 11, 1856 to December 21, 1857.

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[1] A Directory of Early Illinois Photographers., Craig’s Daguerreian Registry.