Louis L. Bishop

1845                285 Broadway, New York, New York.

1847                12 Maiden-Lane, Up Stirs, New York, New York.

1850                23 Maiden Lane, New York, New York.

Louis L. Bishop was recorded in eight advertisements, seven in The New York Herald, one in the New York Tribune and on one title page.  The first advertisement in The New York Herald ran from July 25 to 27, 1845.  Ruins Of The Burnt District.  The Daguerreotype View of these Ruins, taken from Exchange Place, opposite the spot where stood Crocker & Warren’s store, may be seen at Louis L. Bishop’s, Daguerrian Artist, No. 285 Broadway.

The view, embracing all the ruins in Broad street, New street and Broadway, in their actual state, and such as it will soon be impossible to obtain, forms a picture most interesting to preserve in commemoration of the sad calamity of the 19th inst.  It will be disposed of at a reasonable price.

Apply as above, at Louis L. Bishop’s Daguerreotype Rooms, 285 Broadway.

The title page illustration for The Gipsey in the North published in 1846 is a portrait of Miss Julia L. Northall engraved by Francis D’Avignon, Lithograph by G. & W. Endicott, after a daguerreotype by Louis L. Bishop.   

Advertisement ran from March 18 to April 2, 1847 in Herald.  Daguerreotype Plates.  Just Received per ship Burgundy—

3000 Daguerreotype Plates, full size.

6000 do                       do      Medium size.

From the best French manufacturers.  For sale at the lowest prices, by Louis L. Bishop, importer, 12 Maiden Lane, up stairs.                                                                                                         

The third advertisement ran from June 1 to 14, 1847 in the New York Daily Tribune.  (New York, New York).  Daguerreotype Plates.—The best and cheapest Daguerreotype Plates for sale at Louis L. Bishop’s 12 Maiden-lane, up stairs.

The fourth advertisement ran from June 18 to 20, 1847 in The Herald.  Daguerreotype Plates—Louis L. Bishop, No. 12 Maiden-lane, begs leave to inform all persons in want of Daguerreotype Plates, that he has now a full stock on hand, and is ready to sell them at the reduced price which he has lately announced to his regular customers.  Orders to be directed to Louis L. Bishop, No. 12 Maiden-lane, N. Y.                                                         

The fifth advertisement appeared on March 24, 1850 in the Herald.  To Daguerrian Artists—Louis L. Bishop’s Daguerreotype Plates, warranted to give to portraits a richer tone than any other plates, are for sale at Victor Bishop’s, Importer, 23 maiden Lane, N. Y.

The sixth advertisement ran from April 23 to 30, 1850 in the Herald.  Important to Daguerrean Artists.

To Mr. Victor Bishop, No. 23 Maiden lane, N. Y.

Dear Sir—We cheerfully testify that we have used for some time Louis L. Bishop’s plates, and that they are decidedly superior to all others, either imported or manufactured here.  Beckers & Piard, 201 Broadway.

Those plates are marked in full with the name of Louis L. Bishop, and are for sale only at Victor Bishop’s, No. 23 Maiden Lane.

The seventh advertisement ran from May 3 to June 1, 1850 in the Herald.  Daguerreotype Plates—Lewis L. Bishop’s Plates, acknowledged superior to all others, for sale by Victor Bishop, 23 Maiden lane.

The Eighth advertisement ran from September 17 to 24, 1850 also in the Herald.  Daguerreotype Plates—Great Reduction in price.  We are now enabled to sell Louis L. Bishop’s plates, at $30 per hundred, full size.  They are warranted superior to any other, and sold with the privilege of returning those that would not give entire satisfaction.  Victor Bishop, 23 Maiden lane, up stairs.

Louis L. Bishop is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Register as being active from 1845-1848.

A. G. Bisbee

1858-1859       Allen’s Block, Ravenna, Ohio.

A. G. Bisbee was recorded in one advertisement that ran from September 30, 1858 to March 24, 1859  The Weekly Portage Sentinel (Ravenna, Ohio).  Bisbee’s “Gallery Of Art,” You can get a good Ambrotype or Melainotype likeness for 25 Cents, and upwards.  The finer Styles of cases, which are usually sold at from $1.50 to $4.00, we sell at 75 cents to $2.50.

People From The Country will save time by coming as early in the day as possible, for our rooms are always full in the afternoon, and customers are often obliged to wait some time for their turn, as we adhere to the rule of “First come, first served.”

We warrant our work to be as perfect, in every respect, as any made in this section at double the price.

Good Pictures Made In All Kinds Of Weather.

Rooms in Allen’s Block, nearly opposite east end of Phoenix.  A. G. Bisbee.  Ravenna,

A. G. Bisbee is not recorded in other photographic directories.

John T. Billings

1857                Corner Central and Jackson Streets, Lowell, Massachusetts.

John T. Billings was recorded in one advertisement that ran from January 3 to May 6, 1857 in the   Lowell Daily Citizen and News (Lowell, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotypists:—A lot of good American and German Bromine received and for sale by John T. Billings, Apothecary, cor. Central and Jackson Streets.  jan3.

John T. Billings is not recorded in other photographic directories.

William P. Bickel

1857                Rooms at the Opelousas Varieties, Opelousas, Louisiana.

1858                Rooms at the Opelousas Varieties, Opelousas, Louisiana.

William P. Bickel was recorded in three advertisement and one announcements.  The first advertisement ran from June 20 to July 18, 1857 in  The Opelousas Courier (Opelousas, Louisiana).  Ambrotype Portraits.  Wm. P. Bickel, the Ambrotype Artist, has arrived in Opelousas and opened his Gallery in the Varieties, where he will remain a short time, for the purpose of supplying the citizens of this vicinity with his celebrated new style of pictures, so celebrated at present throughout the world, as being superior to all other styles of Photographic pictures known, not only for its beautiful delineation, its brilliancy of tone , but for its everlasting durability, from whence it takes its name—Ambrotoz (Greek) eternal, imperishable.

The announcement appeared March 27, 1858 in The Opelousas Patriot (Opelousas, Louisiana).  The artist skill will supply all with pictures of the best and newest styles:—call on our friends Millspaugh & Bouchez, who have established a permanent Photographic and Ambrotype Room at Odd Fellows’ Hall in Washington, or on William O. Bickel, who is stopping for a short time at the Varieties, in Opelousas, and get pictures of yourself or friends.  See their advertisements in another column.

The second advertisement appeared on March 27, 1858 in The Opelousas Courier (Opelousas, Louisiana).  Portraits, Ambrotypes, Melainotypes & Photographs.  The Photographic Artist, Wm. P. Bickel, has arrived in Opelousas, where he will remain a short time, for the purpose of supplying the citizens of this vicinity, with his celebrated New Style of Pictures.

Those who want likenesses by this process, should call soon and examine those beautiful emblems of nature, which are Superior to any ever before taken in this place, my method and style of drawing them being the latest out, and, as to coloring they are not surpassed by any in the United States.

Gentle reader have you not a friend for whom you fond emotion cherish?  If so, procure the shadow ere the substance perish.

Gallery always free to visitors.  Children taken in clear weather.  Melainotypes taken on iron plates, and inserted in lockets and breast pins of any size.

Daguerreotypes, Paintings, Drawings, &c., copied.  Rooms at Opelousas varieties.                           

The third advertisement appeared on March 27, 1858 in The Opelousas Patriot (Opelousas, Louisiana).  Portraits, Ambrotypes, Melainotypes and Phototypes.  Wm. P. Bickel, The Photographic artist, has arrived in Opelousas, at the “Varieties.” where he will remain a short time, for the purpose of supplying the citizens of this vicinity, with his celebrated new style of Pictures.

Those who want likenesses by this process, should call soon and examine those beautiful emblems of nature, which are superior to any ever before taken in this place, my method and style of drawing them being the latest out, and, as to coloring they are not surpassed by any in the United States.

Gentle reader have you not a friend for whom you fond emotion cherish?  If so, procure the shadow ere the substance perish.

Gallery always free to visitors.  Children taken in clear weather.  Melainotypes taken on iron plates, and inserted in lockets and breast pins of any size.

Daguerreotypes, Paintings, Drawings, &c., copied.  Rooms at Opelousas varieties.   

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

Ebenezer James Bennett

1844-1845       449 Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky.[1]

1846                St Clair Street, Louisville, Kentucky.

Ebenezer James Bennett in an advertisement that was recorded on January 6 & 12, 1846 in the Daily Commonwealth (Frankfort, Kentucky).  Plumbe National Daguerrean Gallery.  Prof. Plumbe purposes having a Daguerreian Gallery opened in this city, on the 27th inst., on St. Clair street, over Pierson & Merriweather’s Confectionary, to be conducted by E. James Bennett, where he will be gratified to wait upon all those who may be desirous of securing a perfect likeness, warranted durable, and possessing all the distinctness and boldness of relief of a good painting.  In proof of this you need but call at his room and examine for yourselves his specimens.

Ladies and Gentlemen are earnestly requested to take the trouble of calling at his rooms.  They will afford him a pleasure in having the honor of waiting upon them, either in exhibiting specimens, or in receiving their sittings.

Founded 1840.  Awarded the Medal, Four First Premiums, and two Highest Honors, by the Institutes of Massachusetts, N. York, and Pennsylvania, respectively, for the most beautiful Colored Daguerreotypes, and best apparatus ever exhibited.

No. 33, Main st., adjoining the Northern Bank of Kentucky, Louisville, Ky.

No. 251, Broadway, New York.

No. 75 Court street, Boston.

No. 136, Chestnut street, Philadelphia.

No. 122, Baltimore street, Baltimore.

Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D. C.

Lyceum Hall, Alexandria, D. C.

No. 56, Canal Street, New Orleans.

No. 127, Vielle Rue du Temple, Paris.

No. 32 Church Street, Liverpool.

Market St., St. Louis, Mo.

Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa.

Main Street, between 4th and 5th, east side, Cincinnati.

Broadway, Saratoga.

Douw’s Building, Albany.

Middle Street, Portland, Me.

Main Street, Newport, R. I.

Remarks.—“We have been no inattentive observer of the progress of this novel art, and we are free to say, from what we have seen, and personally examined, that Mr. Plumbe has succeeded in this art so as to surpass all others in the line in this country.”—N. Y. Herald.

“Mr. Plumbe has brought the Daguerreotype to absolute perfection; and miniature painting, we regret to say, is scarcely heard of since the admirable specimens of this artist have become known.”—N. Y. Mirror.

“A photograph of a lady by Professor Plumbe, is the finest thing of the kind we have ever seen.”—Phil. Pub. Ledger.

Ebenezer James Bennett is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as J. Ebenezer Bennett active in 1845-1846 at 449 Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky, presumably employed by John Plumbe, Jr.


[1] Craig’s Daguerreian Registry

Bell

1858                Address Unknown, Ogdensburgh, New York.

Bell was recorded in one announcement that appeared on September 21, 1858 in The Daily Journal (Ogdensburgh, New York).  New Style.—The Bell’s have just introduced in this place a new arrangement of pictures and a new way of looking at them.  The pictures are photographs duplicated, placed in an arrangement not unlike an opera glass, which is divided by a partition so that each eye takes in a picture and reduces the duplicates to a single view.  The effect is magical and produces a perfectness impossible to imagine. 

Their store was crowded last evening by curious and anxious spectators.

Bell is not listed in other photographic directories.

William Bell

1856                14 Massachusetts Street, Woodward’s Block, Lawrence, Kansas.

William Bell was recorded in one advertisement that appeared on April 28, 1856 in the Kansas Free State (Lawrence, Kansas).  Now Is Your Best Chance!!  William Bell, Daguerrean.  Would respectfully inform the citizens of Lawrence and vicinity that he has obtained a room in the second story of Woodward’s Block, No. 14 Massachusetts St., where all—especially the ladies, are invited to call, and examine the neatness and skill of his workmanship.

As he intends remaining but a few weeks, those who wish daguerreotypes should call at the earliest opportunity.  no. 49.

William Bell is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Beckel Brothers

1858-1859       19 John Street, New York, New York.

Beckel Brothers (Joseph & Lewis) were recorded in four advertisements, one in the New York Daily Tribune, and three in The New York Herald.  The first advertisement appeared in the New York Daily Tribune (New York, New York) on  March 2, 1859.  Stereoscopes and Stereoscopic Views.  Beckel Brothers, No. 19 John-st., Manufacture Stereoscopes and Import the Latest Views taken on glass and paper of all parts of the world.

The second advertisement appeared on April 25, 1859 in The New York Herald (New York, New York).  Stereoscopes and Stereoscopic Views.  Beckel Brothers, 19 John street, keep the largest assortment of glass views.  Also Elliot’s and Sylvester’s colored and illuminated groups and paper views.

The third advertisement appeared on May 22, 1859.  Stereoscopes and Stereoscopic Views.—Beckel & Brothers, No. 19 John street, keep the largest assortment of glass views.  Also Elliot’s and Sylvester’s colored and illuminated groups and paper views.

The fourth advertisement appeared on November 10, 1859. A Great Reduction of Prices in Stereoscopic Goods at Beckel Brothers, 19 John street.

Beckel Brothers are recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry under Beckel as being active in Lockport, New York as apparently stereo photographers prior to 1858.  While in New York City they are retailers selling stereoviews.  Joseph Beckel first appears in the New York City directory in 1852 as an Optician at 355 Broadway, from 1853-1855 Joseph is listed as [imp or lmp?] at 19 John.  From 1856-1859 Beckel Brothers (Joseph & Lewis) are listed from (1856-1857) as [imp or lmp?] in 1858-1859 as spectacles at 19 John.

John R. Beard

1859                Address Unknown, Cambridge, Ohio.

John R. Beard was recorded in one announcement on March 1, 1859 in the Wheeling Daily Intelligencer (Wheeling, Virginia).  Look Out For Him!—An adroit thief, calling himself J. B. Hawkins, broke into the room of John R. Beard, a daguerrean artist at Cambridge, Ohio, night before last, and stole a valuable gold watch and a considerable sum of money.  Mr. Beard was in town yesterday on the hunt of the rascal who is now supposed to be lurking about this city.  Hawkins is supposed to be the same man who recently broke into Mr. Partridge’s daguerrean gallery in Parkersburg, and stole a sum of money.  He pretends to be a photographer, and has a smattering knowledge of the art.  He is about six feet high, sandy complexion, slightly freckled, grey eyes and decidedly awkward in his general appearance.  He has been pretty extensively engaged in the thieving line, and should be checked in his career before he does something which may entitle him to server punishment than he now deserves.

John R. Beard is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Lothrop G. Bean

1857                234 Merrimack Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.

1858-1859       234 Merrimack Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.[1]

Lothrop G. Bean was recorded in one advertisement that appeared on December 10, 1857 in the  Lowell Daily Citizen and News (Lowell, Massachusetts).  Great Attraction At Bean’s Patent Ambrotype Hall, 234 Merrimack Street.  His Patent Ambrotypes are all the rage, as they are taken and finished in superior style, and are sealed between two plates of fine polished plate glass, so that they are secured from air and dampness.  Warranted not to corrode or change in any climate.  His pictures can be colored like the Daguerreotype, but are much more beautiful in finish, more soft and delicate in effect, and come nearer to nature than any other picture.

The public are respectfully invited to call and see the difference, between the genuine and the so called Ambrotype, advertised by others.  The genuine being durable, the other perishable.  Jy23.

Lothrop G. Bean is recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Lowell from 1858 to 1859.  Lothrop G. Bean is possibly the same person as L. G. Bean who was active in Westerly, Rhode Island 1853 and in Fall River, Massachusetts in 1856.  


[1] Directory of Massachusetts Photographers, 1839-1900.