1855-1859 Rooms in Tomb’s Block, opposite the Shawhan House, Tiffin, Ohio.
1859-1863 Rooms in St. John’s Block, opposite the Court House, Tiffin, Ohio.
Tunison & Fay (David C. Tunison & Fabius B. Fay) were recorded seven advertisements and four announcements. The first eight entries were from The Tiffin Tribune the last three entries are from The Tiffin Weekly Tribune (Tiffin, Ohio). The first advertisement ran from May 9, 1856 to February 27, 1857. Ambrotypes Tunison & Fay Would respectfully announce to their friends and the public that they have entered into copartnership for the purpose of taking Ambrotype Likenesses in connection with Daguerreotyping. The Ambrotype is a new and beautiful style of picture taken on glass, and for the delicacy of shade, tone and brilliancy are unequaled by any other style. To be appreciated they must be seen. Having obtained the Ambrotype process from one of the best practical operators in the United States, they flatter themselves that they can produce these pictures equal to any taken in this country.—Their cost is but a trifle more than a Daguerreotype, and they are indestructible to the action of the atmosphere and cannot be injured by rubbing or washing. Call and examine Specimens.
Instructions Given In the Art of Ambrotyping and Daguerreotyping, on liberal terms.
Rooms in Tombs Block, opposite the Shawhan House, Tiffin, Ohio. Tunison & Fay. Nov. 16th, 1855.
The second advertisement ran from February 20 to April 24, 1857. David C. Tunison, Fabius B. Fay. Tunison & Fay, Tombs Block, O, 3d Story. Operators of Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, Paperotypes, And every variety of pictures taken by means of the Camera and chemicals.
The Ambrotype is a new and beautiful style of picture taken on Glass, and for delicacy of shade, brilliancy and tone are unequalled by any process known. They are Indestructible To the action of the atmosphere, and may be cleansed without injury. To be fully appreciated they must be seen. Call and examine them.
The Daguerreotype is so well known as to need no explanation. The most beautiful pictures taken in this style at a trifle less cost than the Ambrotype.
The Paperotype Is a new and beautiful discovery by which likenesses as accurate and truthful as the Ambrotype are taken on marble board paper, and are peculiarly convenient for sending by mail, as the weight will not add to the cost of postage.
These pictures are furnished at the low cost of 50 Cents!
A cheaper rate than pictures were ever furnished before in this place.
Every variety of pictures taken from the size of a finger ring set, to a parlor wall portrait, and each at a price as low as the lowest.
A long and successful experience enables us to promise as beautiful and delicate and artistic likenesses as can be obtained anywhere in the Union.
Instructions Given, In all the various processes of the art on the most liberal terms. Tunison & Fay.
The third advertisement ran from May 15 to October 30, 1857. Something New Tunison & Fay Are now prepared to take positive likenesses on Patent Leather, A new style, not easily defaced and durable. Just the kind to send by mail. Call and examine them. They are also taking Likenesses in all the various styles of the Art. viz. Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Melainotypes, Sphereotypes, Paperotypes etc., etc. All pictures Warranted to please. Instructions given in the apparatus furnished on reasonable terms
Gallery in Tomb’s Block, opposite the Shawhan house, Tiffin, Ohio. May 8, ’57.
The first announcement appeared on October 2, 1857. A New Discovery. Tunison & Fay have discovered a new mode of coloring pictures to the life, delineating, with an admirable imitation of Nature, all the different colors and shades of the hair, dress, drapery, scenery, &c. Call and examine their pictures. Specimens may be seen at the Fair.
The second announcement appeared on October 30, 1857. Seneca County Agricultural Society. List of Premiums…Class 14th-Mechanical Products.
Entry no. 24, display daguerrean pictures Tunison & Fay 1st prem. Ohio Farmer.
Entry no. 25, display ambrotype pictures Tunison & Fay 1st prem. Diploma.
Entry no. 42, display daguerrean pictures E. M. Collins 2d premium, diploma.
Entry no. 43, display ambrotype pictures E. M. Collins 2d prem. diploma.
The fourth advertisement ran from October 30, 1857 to April 8, 1859. Heliography. If You want a good Likeness—one that is worth having, go to Tunison & Fay’s Gallery, in Tomb’s Block, opposite the Shawhan House; Where you can get an Ambrotype, Daguerreotype, Melainotype, Photograph, or any style of picture known to the Photographic Art.
Messrs. Tunison & Fay warrant their pictures to be of The First Class, being unlike those Things made by One Horse Operators, who now infest the country. Special attention is called to their Tinted Ambrotypes. They are entirely new and beautiful giving all the colors of the drapery, &c., true to nature. They are now prepared to put up their inimitable pictures, in a neat morocco case, for Seventy-Five Cents, and warrant them; in all cases, to lie perfectly satisfactory, or no sale. A general invitation is given to both Ladies and Gentlemen to call and examine our different styles, before going elsewhere. Rooms in Tomb’s Block, opposite the Shawhan House. Tunison & Fay.
The third announcement appeared on October 29, 1858. List of Premiums. Awarded at the 8th annual Fair of the Seneca County Agricultural Society…Class 15th—Fine Arts….
Tunison & Fay, Display Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes 1st Premium, $2.00
E. M. Collins, Display Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes 2d premium, $1.00
Hartsock & Falkner, Display Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes, Discretionary, Diploma.
Tunison & Fay, Display of Photographs and Spherotypes, $2.00.
The fifth advertisement ran from April 15 to 29, 1859. Heliography. If You want a good Likeness—one that is worth having, go to Tunison & Fay’s Gallery, in St. John’s Block, opposite the Court House; Where you can get an Ambrotype, Daguerreotype, Melainotype, Photograph, or any style of picture known to the Photographic Art.
Messrs. Tunison & Fay warrant their pictures to be of The First Class, being unlike those Things made by One Horse Operators, who now infest the country. Special attention is called to their Tinted Ambrotypes. They are entirely new and beautiful giving all the colors of the drapery, &c., true to nature. They are now prepared to put up their inimitable pictures, in a neat morocco case, for Seventy-Five Cents, and warrant them; in all cases, to lie perfectly satisfactory, or no sale. A general invitation is given to both Ladies and Gentlemen to call and examine our different styles, before going elsewhere. Rooms in St. John’s Block, opposite the Court House. Tunison & Fay.
The sixth advertisement ran from May 13 to December 30, 1859 in The Tiffin Weekly Tribune.
Heliography. If You want a good Likeness—one that is worth having, go to Tunison & Fay’s Gallery, in St. John’s Block, opposite the Court House; Where you can get an Ambrotype, Daguerreotype, Melainotype, Photograph, or any style of picture known to the Photographic Art.
Messrs. Tunison & Fay warrant their pictures to be of The First Class, being unlike those Things made by One Horse Operators, who now infest the country. Special attention is called to their Tinted Ambrotypes. They are entirely new and beautiful giving all the colors of the drapery, &c., true to nature. They are now prepared to put up their inimitable pictures, in a neat morocco case, for Seventy-Five Cents, and warrant them; in all cases, to lie perfectly satisfactory, or no sale. A general invitation is given to both Ladies and Gentlemen to call and examine our different styles, before going elsewhere. Rooms in St. John’s Block, opposite the Court House. Tunison & Fay.
The seventh advertisement ran from October 7 to February 13, 1863. Premium Ambrotypes and Photographs! Tunison & Fay, Have again Taken the Premium, for the best Specimens of Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes & Photographs. They are now prepared to furnish their beautiful Specimens of Art, (viz: Photographs,) from Miniatures to Life Size, at a very cheap rate. Copies taken from Old Daguerreotypes or any other kind of Picture, and enlarge to any size required. Those who want Good Life-Like Pictures, would do well to give us a call and examine our Specimens. Special attention is called to our Ambrotypes, Taken On Purple Glass, which for beauty and durability is far superior to any other Glass picture. There is no Black Varnish about them to crack and spoil the picture; and We Warrant them to Stand all kinds of climate or weather. Our Colored Ambrotypes (giving all the natural colors of the flesh and drapery) are far superior to any thing of the kind in this part of the country, and have taken the First Premium for the last three years, at our Annual Fairs.
A Large Supply of Plain and Fancy Cases always on hand, from the cheapest to the best. So you can always be accommodated in regard to Price and Quality. Perfect Likenesses of Small Children Warranted.
Rooms in Tomb’s Block; also opposite the Court House. Tunison & Fay.
The fourth announcement appeared on October 14, 1859. List of Premiums Awarded at the 9th annual Fair of the Seneca County Agricultural Society….Class 15th—Fine Arts.
Best display of Ambrotypes and Daguerreotypes, Tunison & Fay, 1st Prem. OF 2.
2d Best display of Ambrotypes and Daguerreotypes, Falkner & Pennington, 2d Prem. 1.
Tunison & Fay are recorded in other photographic directories. Craig’s Daguerreian Registry does list a David C. Tunison in Brooklyn, New York in 1853-1854. John also records Tunnison in 1859-1860; Ohio Photographers 1839-1900 list David Tunison as being in the partnership of Tunison & Fay until 1865 and Tunison & Son partnership 1866 to 1889. The first recorded advertisement Tunison & Son appeared on September 18, 1863.