1854 Healey’s Arcade, South Common, Lynn, Massachusetts.[1]
1856-1860 49 Union Street, Lynn, Massachusetts.1
1863 94 Market Street & 6 Exchange Street, Lynn, Massachusetts.1
Ca.1864-1866 Address Unknown, Lynn, Massachusetts.1
1854. Broadside (Lynn Historical Society Collection.)
Patent Mezzotypes and Crystalotypes. T. S. Williams Beg leave to return his thanks to the Ladies and Gentlemen of Lynn for their liberal share of patronage, and to make his yearly report. For the year ending Sept. 1st, he has taken over two thousand likenesses, making an increase over the year before of eight hundred. Now this fact shows at once that the people of Lynn appreciate true merit, and also shows that No. 49 Union Street is the place to get a good Daguerreotype at a reasonable price.
The proprietor intends to give his patrons the benefit of every improvement in the art, therefore he has purchased the Patent Right Whipple, Cutting & Co., of Boston to make Pictures on Glass and Paper.
The Mezzotype is taken on glass, put up and protected by a cement that is neither affected by heat, cold, nor dampness, and consequently will not fade or sport. They are pronounced by good judges to be superior to Daguerreotypes.
Crystalotypes. The likeness is first taken on glass, then transferred to paper by the agency of light, in unlimited numbers, as from a copper plate; being equal in beauty to the finest engraving. If a Teacher or Clergyman wishes to give each one of his pupils or church members a likeness of himself, he can obtain any number of positives of paper by only one sitting once for a negative on glass, and at a cheap rate of about 25 cents apiece by the hundred, much larger, better, and more durable than any cheap Daguerreotypes.
Mr. W. would respectfully invite all teachers and Clergymen in Lynn, to call at his rooms and take a sitting, and for the trouble of so doing each one will be presented with a large sized Photograph of themselves. An early call is solicited.
A quick process for taking Children, which seldom fails; the forenoon is the best time. Please call and see specimens.
Daguerreotypes taken in the best style from $1 to $20 and warranted. Cheap pictures for 50 cents in a good Case.
T. S. Williams, Proprietor. C. G. Hill, Assistant Operator. No. 49 Union Street, opposite Central Depot.
ND. Broadside (Harvey Zucker’s Collection)
Williams’ Sunbeam Gallery!! No. 49 Union St., 49,—Lynn.
Immortal sun, great source of light,
Thou that maketh all things bright,
By thy aid and mysterious power,
nature smiles after a genial shower.
By thy aid we are able to trace
The features of the human face,
And upon the polished plate impress
Face and form, with lifelike truthfulness.
Surprising art! by which we lend
our countenance to an absent friend,
Or at the close of life’s eventful career,
Leave a memento for those we hold dear.
Next Thursday will be thanksgiving day,
Some meet for sport, others to pray;
But Williams will his favorite art pursue,
To save the shadows of the noble crew.
For a Holiday Gift of all the rest,
A type of yourself is surely the best,
Then hie for Union Street,—No. Forty-nine,
And get your Picture in a Case or Locket fine.
I have made arrangements with Mr. Hill—a first rate Artist—to assist me during the winter, therefore I shall be prepared to take any number of Pictures at short notice, from the smallest to the largest. My apparatus is considered the most complete in this country, having a Quick Camera, made expressly for taking Children, by which we can get a perfect likeness in Two Seconds of time; therefore persons wishing for a Good Likeness, at a low price, are invited to call before going else where.
Pictures warranted perfect, or no charge will be made.
1856 January 11. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) January 11, 1856, Vol. 13, No. 2, P. 2.
Daguerreotypes.—Mr. G. C. Hill has taken the rooms recently occupied by T. S. Williams, No. 49 Union Street, where he will execute daguerreotypes, crystalotypes, and mezzotype pictures, in the best style. Mr. Hill is a good operator, and will give satisfaction. He pays particular attention to the likenesses of children. See his advertisement.
1856 January 11. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) January 11, 1856, Vol. 13, No. 2, P. 3.
C. G. Hill’s Daguerreotype, Crystalotype, and Mezzotype Gallery, 49 Union Street, opposite Central Depot, Lynn, (Recently occupied by T. S. Williams.) Pictures executed in the highest order of the art. A good variety of Cases, Frames, Lockets, Pins, &c., constantly on hand. Please call and examine for yourselves.
N. B. Particular attention devoted to the execution of likenesses of children.
Advertisement ran from January 11 to May 2, 1856.
1856 January 18. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) January 18, 1856, Vol. 13, No. 4, P. 3.
Gallery of Female Beauty. Prizes amounting to $20,000 for the likenesses of the Handsomest Women in America.—Daguerreantypes of beautiful females taken Without Expense To The Sitters, by the first artists in the country!—The celebrated Enterprise of Mr. P. T. Barnum, “The Gallery Of American Female Beauty,” is now being actively carried out by the proprietors of Barnum’s American Museum in New York, Messrs Greenwood & Butler, as originally designed by Mr. B.
The premium for the likenesses of the handsomest lady is $1000; for the next most handsome, $300; the next, $200; the next $150; the next $100; and the next ninety, $25 each. The entire one hundred are to be painted in oil portraits, afterwards, by distinguished artists, and the Ten handsomest of all will be engraved for the world’s Book Of Beauty in Paris. The following artists will take the daguerreotypes, in this city, free of all expense to the sitter: T. S. Williams & Hill, opposite Lynn Depot; Bower’s Gallery, L. Ingalls, operator, Market street.
Advertisement ran from January 18 to February 1, 1856.
1856 February 15. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) February 15, 1856, Vol. 13, No. 8, P. 2.
Mezzotypes.—This is the name of the beautiful picture on glass, taken by Mr. C. G. Hill, whose advertisement will be noticed. These pictures are preferred by many to daguerreotypes. The picture is between two plates of glass, which are sealed together by a gum, impervious to water, and perfectly transparent. Unlike the daguerreotype they can be seen at any angle; they are not reversed, but present a perfectly life-like representation of the sitter, and in any light have all the clearness of the finest steel engraving. These pictures possess several great recommendations, one of which is that they can be taken in about one fourth the time required for an ordinary daguerreotype, thereby ensuring a more natural expression, and avoiding a fixed look which is the frequent result of an ordinary sitting. Mr. Hill is taking many of this kind of Likenesses, as well as daguerreotypes, specimens of which may be seen his rooms. Those who wish for a good likeness will find Mr. Hill to be a good operator, polite and attentive to callers, and determined to satisfy his customers.
1856 March 7. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) March 7, 1856, Vol. 13, No. 11, P. 2.
Mezzotypes.—The public are much pleased by the beautiful pictures taken by Mr. Hill. These likenesses are taken on glass, and are so easily seen in any light, that they are preferred by many to daguerreotypes. The latter pictures are not given up, however. Mr. Hill continues the execute them, in a superior manner. We advise all who wish for a good picture, of either kind, to call at his rooms, and see his beautiful specimens.
1856 March 21. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) March 21, 1856, Vol. 13, No. 13, P. 3.
Daguerreotypes, Crystalotypes, and Mezzotypes, at C. G. Hill’s, 49 Union Street, Lynn, opposite Central Depot. A style of likeness upon Glass Plates, for durability unequalled by anything ever before produced. They have been pronounced, by judges of the art, superior to anything ever offered to the public.
Advertisement ran from March 21 to May 30, 1856.
1856 July 4. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) July 4, 1856, Vol. 13, No. 28, P. 3.
Improved Ambrotypes. Williams & Hill. Having made some improvements in this new process, they are prepared to take likenesses in a superior manner, beautifully colored, and also inserted in Lockets, Pins, Rings, &c.
The public are cautioned about being deceived by Patent Stamps. “’T is not all gold that shines.” We first introduced this new style of pictures in Lynn, and have added some late improvements, which make them a superior kind; therefore persons will be quite as likely to get a good likeness here as elsewhere; and we have as good right to sell them as any one. Come and try. Satisfaction guaranteed.
Rooms, No. 49 Union Street, opposite Central Depot.
Advertisement ran from July 4 to September 2, 1856.
1856 September 9. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) September 9, 1856, Vol. 13, No. 38, P. 3.
“Pro Bono Publico.” Our Neighbor artist seems very much worried because of our good success as artists; but all his advertising and harping on one string, about Cutting’s Gum Balsam Patent, only increase our number of customers. The constant rush to our rooms, for the last few weeks, shows it to be a fact.
We had the refusal of Cutting’s patent for a week, but in the meantime found out that it was good for nothing, (as he could only claim the use of balsam, which is worthless, as it never dries, and is constantly oozing out and defacing the mat and case) while it did not restrict any one from using other gums or varnishes to cement the glasses together with. Therefore we rejected it, on the above grounds, and also not wishing to be fooled out of three hundred dollars for just the right of Lynn, when we could not be protected. He says he owns the exclusive right of Lynn. If he does, why don’t he prosecute us for taking Ambrotypes? for we always have taken them, and still continue to take them. He says our improved ambrotypes are entirely different. We are very glad they are. The process on glass is nearly the same; but while he sticks his glasses together with balsam, because he paid a big price for a humbug patent, we go in for improvements, and use crystal varnish, which becomes hard in a few minutes, and gives a beautiful clear tone, showing the natural color better than anything else.
We would just say to the public, that there is no such a thing as a patent likeness—no more than a patent [sermon]; any one has a perfect right to take them where they please. They can get a genuine portrait of themselves, put up true to life, by calling at Williams & Hill’s Original Ambrotype Gallery, 49 Union Street, opposite Central Depot. Our motto is, “Pictures good, and prices low.”
Advertisement ran from September 9 to 30, 1856.
1856 September 23. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) September 23, 1856, Vol. 13, No. 40, P. 3.
A Few Words in Defence. I noticed, in the last issue of the Lynn News, an advertisement, headed, “Pro Bono Publico;” and as it contains may erroneous statements, which are likely to deceive the public, statements which, if credited, would have a tendency to injure me n=and my business, I am of opinion that it would not be right for me to let it pass unnoticed.
Messrs. Williams & Hill say that they found out that Cutting’s patent was good for nothing, as he could only claim the use of balsam, which they say is worthless, and constantly oozing out and defacing the mat and case, while it not restrict any one from using other gums or varnishes to cement the glasses together. Now that is every word False, from beginning to end. They never found out that the patent was good for nothing. Mr. Cutting Can and Does claim, not only balsam, but all substances applied in producing the same effect. (The patent says, Balsam of Fir and its equivalents.) The Balsam does not constantly ooze out; but, on the contrary, as it is now used, never oozes out at all; and I challenge any one to produce a single picture that I have sold during the past two or three months, showing that the balsam oozes out. I do not deny that the balsam did ooze out of a very few pictures that were among the first made; but an improvement was soon made in the process of cementing the plates; and nothing of the kind can take place under the method now adopted. I presume Messrs. Williams & Hill are well aware of this fact. If they are not, they are not quite as well “posted” as their boasting about “improvements” would lead people to believe. Balsam of Fir, properly prepared, is by far the best article knownfor securing ambrotypes; but there are other materials which can be used.
Messrs. Hill & Williams tauntingly ask why I do not prosecute them. Many others have asked the same. But it is a question that need not be discussed here. They sell pictures on glass, and put up just like daguerreotypes, and call them ambrotypes. they are not ambrotypes, any more than a daguerreotype or an oil painting is an ambrotype. They are put up like daguerreotypes, but are made upon glass instead of silver plate, and are varnished instead of being gilded with a solution of gold.
The name Ambrotype was never applied to any picture until Mr. Cutting adopted it to designate the particular style of pictures made by his patent process. The name is included in his patent. It is our trade mark and our property; and Messrs. Williams & Hill have no right to steal it, and apply it to their single glass pictures. Last wither, the called their pictures “Mezzotypes!” Now, they call them Ambrotypes, (because Ambrotypes are so popular, I suppose.) What will the next name be likely to be?
I am responsible for what I say, and hold myself ready to prove every assertion which I have here made.
I make genuine Ambrotypese, Daguerreotypes, &c., at my Gallery, in Usher’s Building, Market street, and will be happy to receive calls from my friends and the public generally, whether they wish to sit for likenesses or not. W. T. Bowers.
Advertisement ran from September 23 to October 7, 1856.
1856 October 7. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) October 7, 1856, Vol. 13, No. 42, P. 3.
Read The Truth! “Truth cuts sharper than a two-edged sword.” This old saying is sometimes verified, as in the case of our answer in the news, four weeks ago, to some of Mr. Bowers’s insinuating advertisements, (directly interfering with our business.) and exposure of Cutting’s bogus patent. It was cut up so fine that it took two weeks to collect Gum Balsam enough to stick it together again; them Mr. Bowers comes out in Lynn News, with it completely plastered over with a back of false statements, thinking to make the public swallow the whole dose, (gum and all,) by saying that he holds himself ready to prove every assertion.
Now out of his own mouth will I condemn him, and show how much he can prove. In answer to a statement that balsam oozed out from between the two glasses, he says that it is false, from beginning to end, but afterwards repents and says he does not deny that it oozed out of a few. This is the way he can prove the rest of his manifesto—to be all false. Mr. cutting may claim everything, but he dared not try to maintain anything, so he has recently given it all up as worthless, and applied for a new patent. Mr. Bowers asserts that the name Ambrotype was included in Mr. Cutting’s patent. Now this is untrue; for while in Washington, last winter, I had a chance to learn the facts of the case. Mr. Root, of Philadelphia, suggested the name some time after the patent was granted. But Mr. Bowers claims it as his trade mark and property, and says we have no right to steal it. This charge is false as it is mean, for he has got no mark that is worth stealing. It is a fact that all notorious rogues are the very first to cry “stop thief.”
To prove how artists in general regard Cutting’s patent, among between forty to fifty, in New York city, only one bought a right for Cutting’s balsam patent, but most all take them, and put them up as Ambrotypes. In Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Boston, it is about the same, Most of the victims have been country operatives, who have found out, since, that they have paid too much for their whistle.
Mr. Bowers says we make pictures on glass, and put them up just like Daguerreotypes, which are not Ambrotypes any more than an oil painting. Now this is the most barefaced falsehood that he could possibly tell, for we challenge him, or any one else, to tell the difference, by the finish, between two pictures of the same person—one put up by his balsam process, and the other put up by our process—by looking at them after they are cased, or framed and hung up.
Now, as Mr. Bowers has commenced such a war upon us, I wish to state a few simple facts, to show that we have some occasion for self defence and somewhat show the character of the man we have to deal with. The first thing, after breaking up a trade for Mr. Hill and Whitmore, and taking the chance himself, was to take pictures cheaper; the next thing was to come down along side Scribners, and take them for twenty-five cents; between them both they made the business good for nothing. I looked around for something better, and commenced the glass and paper process. Soon after this I sold out to Mr. Hill, and went south for my health. Mr. Bowers then comes out with the gum balsam process, (which I had rejected,) thinking to monopolize the whole business.
“He cautions the public in purchasing pictures taken on glass, as Ambrotypes that do not bear the patent stamp,” in the News. He says no one else has a right to take them, and they cannot be obtained anywhere else in Lynn except at his gallery. In another notice of his he tries to injure Mr. Hill’s trade by saying that his glass pictures were just as much exposed as Daguerreotypes.
I returned from the south last spring. I saw that Mr. Bowers’s whole course of advertising was calculated to deceive the public, and injure Mr. Hill’s business; therefore as a friend and brother, it was my duty to defend him. But, before I had a chance to say a word, Mr. Bowers comes out in the Bay State, and says one reason that people will get as good pictures at his place as anywhere is, that he has had more than twice the experience of any artist in the city. According to this statement, he has been in the business twenty-four years—six years longer than the art has been known in America! Now any one can see how absurd his statements are, and how mean, insulting, and impudent his whole course has been, to injure us and build his own reputation.
He remarked to Mr. Hill that he should blow some the second year, so I presume some of this noise is blowing. He said to me recently, that I was not aware how much talent he had. Now if meanness, duplicity, and deception, is talent, I must acknowledge that he is a talented man.
Now all we have to say to him is, that he mind his own business, and let ours alone. We have never interfered with his, and shall mind ours, and take no notice of him.
The people of Lynn will find us still taking Improved Ambrotypes, at No. 49 Union street. Call in and look at them. T. S. Williams.
Advertisement ran from October 7 to 28, 1856.
1856 October 14. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) October 14, 1856, Vol. 13, No. 43, P. 3.
Notice. The utter disregard for truth, and the blind, reckless manner, in which T. S. Williams continues to spew out his spite and venom against me, render his miserable slang unworthy the least notice from me. With regard to his charges against me personally, I will therefore only say, that they are all false, and he knows it; and I challenge him to substantiate one of them. I also challenge and defy to show that I have made any statement in my advertisements that is untrue.
Now, in regard to the Ambrotype patent, Mr. Williams is wrong when he asserts that Mr. Cutting dare not try to maintain anything; for prosecutions have been commenced against several parties for infringing the patent, and there are no less than five cases now pending.
Again: his statement that Mr. Cutting had given it all up as worthless, and had recently applied for a new patent, is not true. Mr. Cutting did apply for a re-issue of this patent, because a few men, just like this Mr. Williams, thought they saw holes where they might crawl through and evade it. Mr. Cutting claims no more than he did before the patent was reissued; but the object sought was to have it in such form that there could be no question as to the ground it covered. The patent was re-issued several months ago; and, although I give Mr. Williams credit for considerable ignorance about the matter, (notwithstanding his visit to Washington,) I cannot believe that he was quite so ignorant as not to know that the patent had already been re-issued, when he said “Mr. Cutting has recently applied for a new patent.”
The following advertisement of Cutting and Bowdoin, cut from a Boston paper, I will insert.
Re-Issue Of The Ambrotype Patent. The great merit of the Ambrotype pictures has been most signally shown, by the united efforts of some of the principal daguerreotypists to break down and prevent a re-issue of the patent. They have been defeated by the government in their attempts, and a new patent has been issued, covering the entire claims of the patentee, in making pictures on glass, and hermetically sealing them between two plates of glass, with basam of fir or its equivalent, giving exceeding brilliancy and beauty of tone, which cannot be affected by the atmosphere, water, or acids; making it as enduring as the glass in which it is secured.
The word Ambrotype, coined expressly to designate the picture, is also patented. All persons, not having purchased the right, that are making use of the term to sell a worthless imitation, taken on a single glass, and covered with varnish and black paint, will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The genuine pictures all have the patent stamp. Cutting & Bowdoin, the originators and proprietors.
Now I have to say to the public, that I own the exclusive right for making Ambrotypes in Lynn. There is a great deal of difference between and ambrotype, (which is a picture cemented between two plates of glass,) and a single glass picture; and the difference can be very readily seen and shown. I am very willing that the public shall be the judges as to the value of the different kinds; but if genuine Ambrotypes are wanted, call at my rooms, on Market street. W. T. Bowers.
Advertisement ran from October 14 to November 4, 1856.
1856 October 28. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) October 28, 1856, Vol. 13, No. 45, P. 3.
Unhappy Jeremiah. We remarked, in our last communication, that we should take no further notice of Mr. Bowers; but in looking over the Lynn News of last week, we find that he comes out in such a bold and impudent sort of a way, denying plain matters of fact, and defying and challenging us so much, that we could not let it pass without one word of defence. Almost any one would think that he was perfectly insane, “instead of blind and reckless,” according to the noise he makes about “Cutting’s patent;” but it only reminds us of the ass that covers himself with the lion’s skin, to frighten his neighbors, and make them believe he was a lion; but the tremendous roar he intended to make turned out to be nothing but the bray of a donkey after all. We can show many of his statements, &c., to be untrue, but one will be sufficient here, which he has often repeated, that we sell pictures as Ambrotypes, put up with only a single glass. Now this is false, and he knows it; for we sell all of our pictures put up between two glasses, and will warrant then to last as long as his. He tries to deceive the public, by saying that there is a “vast difference readily seen,” &c., between what he calls a genuine Ambrotype and our style of pictures. Now, to decide the thing, I am willing to stake from ten to twenty dollars, that he may finish one picture, and I the other, of the same person, and call in three or five persons to look at them, and they can’t point out the difference. The money is ready at my rooms, any time he has a mind to call.
Williams & Hill are the only ones in Lynn who take the improved Ambrotypes. So be sure and call at 49 Union Street. T. S. W.
Advertisement ran from October 28 to November 18, 1856.
1856 December 2. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) December 2, 1856, Vol. 13, No. 50, P. 3.
Dissolution. The partnership existing between T. S. Williams and C. G. Hill is this day dissolved, by mutual consent. Owing to the bad state of my health, I am obliged to give up the business at present, and would recommend Mr. Hill to the citizens of Lynn and vicinity, as an artist of taste and experience.
He has a perfect right to use Cutting’s patent Collodion process. Therefore, all who want pictures in elegant style of finish should call on Mr. Hill, at 49 Union St. T. S. Williams.
1856 December 16. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) December 16, 1856, Vol. 13, No. 52, P. 3.
C. G. Hill’s Photographic and Fine Art Gallery, No. 49 Union street, opposite Central Depot, Lynn. Photographs, Ambrotypes, and Daguerreotypes, of all sizes and styles, at the lowest prices. Fine Gold Lockets, Fancy Cases, &c.
Please call and see.
Advertisement ran from December 16, 1856 to February 3, 1857.
1857 January 6. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) January 6, 1857, Vol. 14, No. 3, P. 3.
Boarders. A man and his wife, or two single gentlemen, can be accommodated with board, and a parlor chamber, with fire, &c., if desired. Inquire at No. 146 Broad street, or Hill’s Daguerrean Rooms, No. 49 Union street.
Advertisement ran from January 6 to 20, 1857.
1857 February 10. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) February 10, 1857, Vol. 14, No. 8, P. 2.
Mr. C. G. Hill, at No. 49 Union street, takes excellent pictures, as may be seen by his specimens, which the public are invited to call and examine. Those who wish to secure a likeness should give him a call.
1857 February 10. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) February 10, 1857, Vol. 14, No. 8, P. 3.
Lynn Fine Art Gallery. This is the oldest and most popular establishment in the city, and the proprietor possesses every facility for taking Ambrotypes, Photographs and Daguerreotypes, of a superior kind to any offered in Lynn, and at such prices as to suit all. Rooms No. 49 Union street, opposite Central Depot.
Advertisement ran from February 10 to June 23, 1857.
1858 September 7. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) September 7, 1858, Vol. 15, No. 37, P. 2.
Those who are in want of a colored photograph, or a good ambrotype or daguerreotype, should call and see the large number of specimens in the gallery of Mr. C. G. Hill, at No. 49 Union street. Mr. Hill takes the best of pictures; and his prices, as well as his style of work, will be sure to please.
1858 September 7. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) September 7, 1858, Vol. 15, No. 37, P. 3.
C. G. Hill’s Gallery of Art. Photographs taken, portrait-size, with his mammoth Camera, lately imported from France.
By this process, Daguerreotypes, or Ambrotypes, good or indifferently taken, may be copied to any desirable size, and finished in Oil or Water Colors; also, in India Ink.
Please call and examine the largest collection of pictures in the city.
No. 49 Union Street, (Opposite Central Depot,) Lynn, Mass.
Advertisement ran from September 7, 1858 to March 15, 1859.
1859 July 6. Lynn News. (Lynn, Massachusetts.) July 6, 1859, Vol. 16, No. 27, P. 2.
On Saturday, June 25, the Empire Fire and Benefit Association, No. 5, paraded in uniform, accompanied by Gilmore’s Band.
They marched to the daguerrean saloon of Mr. C. G. Hill, who executed a fine photograph likeness of the entire company…
[1] A Directory Of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900.
Pioneer American Photographers, 1839 - 1860 