1854-1855       Car at the East end of the Bridge, Augusta, Maine.

1856-1858       Water Street, opposite the Stanley House, Augusta, Maine.

1959                Rooms opposite the foot of Oak Street, Augusta, Maine.

O. P. Howe was recorded in twelve advertisements and three announcements. The first advertisement appeared on December 14, 1854 in the Maine Farmer (Augusta, Maine).

East Side Daguerreotype Establishment.  Calotypes, Daguerreotypes, Crayons, and Stereoscope Likenesses are executed in the Highest Style of the Art at Howe’s Miniature House, East End Kennebec Bridge, Augusta.

The second advertisement ran from on December 21, 1854 to January 11, 1855 in the Maine Farmer.  East Side Daguerreotype Establishment.  Calotypes, Daguerreotypes, Crayons, and Stereoscope Likenesses are executed in the Highest Style of the Art at Howe’s Miniature House, East End Kennebec Bridge, Augusta. 

Mr. O. P. Howe has the pleasure of announcing to the ladies and gentlemen of Augusta and vicinity, that he has located his Mammoth Daguerreotype Establishment at the East end of the Bridge, where he will be happy to wait on all who will favor him with a call, and are in want if Fine Pictures, set in fine Gold Lockets, Pins, or Rings; Rosewood, Gilt, German and French Frames; Papier Mache, Shell, Pearl, Jenny Lind, Morocco, Velvet, Jewel, Octagon Jewel, Dutchess, Mourning, Cabinet, and all kinds of Silk Velvet Cases, at fair prices.

N. B. No cheap 50 cent pictures and cases sold at this establishment.  Every Picture will be executed so that it will be worth the price charged for it.  I have spared neither pains nor expense to make everything just what it should be to meet the wants of First Class Customers.  Come and see.  A share of the patronage is solicited.

To my friends and numerous patrons at Waterville, East, West and North Vassalboro’, China, South China, Branch Mills, Weeks’ Mills, South Windsor, Cooper’s Mills, Turner’s Corner, King’s Mills, Pittston, Alna, Woodbridge’s Corner, New Castle, Sheepscot Bridge, &c., &c., I would say that being now comfortably settled, in my new and enlarged Saloon—probably the largest in the world on wheels—with every facility for producing pictures in the highest style of the Art, I should be pleased to receive a continuance of the favors which have heretofore been so liberally bestowed upon me, and for which I must here take occasion to express my sincere thanks.  Should they visit Augusta this winter, they will find me ready to furnish pictures in my usual perfect manner, on silver or paper, from 8 A. M. till sunset, in any kind of weather.  I choose to let my pictures speak for themselves.  Satisfaction given or no charge.

The subscriber has been for a number of years successfully engaged in furnishing Melodeons and Seraphines.  He will continue to furnish the Best Instruments from the best manufacturers, at their Lowest Cash Prices.  Any one in want of Reed Instruments, Fine Gold Rings, Bosom Pins, Bosom Studs, Ear Drops, Motto Pins, Lockets, Locket Pins, Locket Seals and Rings, Ladies’ and Gent’s Chains, &c., &c., or any description of Sheet Music, can do as well in buying of him, as they can any where else, as his prices never exceed those of other dealers.

The latest Songs, Waltzes, Polkas, Schottisches, Variations, &c. for the Piano, always on hand.

Sheet Music sent by mail.  On receipt of one dollar, I will forward six twenty-five cent pieces, free of postage.  Orders attended to.  O. P. Howe.

The third advertisement was recorded  from January 19 to February 14, 1855 in the Kennebec Journal (Augusta, Maine).  To the Members of the Legislature, and Everybody else.  Poetry And Science.

Attention all hands!  I wish to suggest

To the people of Augusta, where they can do best;

My Miniature House is now wide awake,

And I am ready and Able good pictures to make:

I’ve every convenience to take young and old,

And make as fine as ever was sold.

I wish to remind you that this is the place.

Where, with a fine light, the features I trace,

And with the assistance—the light of the sky—

I never have fail’d to produce “a good eye.”

No “four cent” pictures at this Gallery are made,

Because we think such  things are sure to fade;

Neither will 50 ct. pictures here be sold,

For we Gild our plates with Chloride of Gold;

But for nine shillings, or dollar ‘nd a half,

I’ll put them in cases that are “bound in calf;”

With Gilt out-side—Silk Velvet within—

With a hook on each end as nice as a pin—

I can put them in Rings, in Pins, or in Lockets,

Or in funny little cases to carry in your pockets;

Or in neater ones still, on your table to lay,

Which are inlaid with pearl, and called “Papier Mache.”

Jenny Linds and the like, to numerous to mention,

But to dwell on these is not my intention.

I’ve all kinds of Cases, both single and double,

And Lockets of all sizes, which saves you all the trouble

Of looking any further than my Daguerreotype Car,

At the East end of the Bridge, which is not very far;  

Come in fair weather or foul, or come when you will,

I’ll give you a good Picture if you’ll only sit still.

And just in conclusion, I invite one and all,

Take “Time by the fore-top,” and give Howe a call;

For I’ve all things ready, plate bright as a dollar,

I’ll take you so “natural” you’ll almost holler.

N. B. Daguerreotypes taken on Silver or Paper, and satisfaction given or no charge.

Mr. H. is selling some very superior Melodeons and Seraphities at low prices.

Melodeons to let.  O. P. Howe.  Howe’s Miniature House, Jan, 15, 1855.

The fourth advertisement ran from June 7 to July 12, 1855 in the Maine Farmer.  (500 Pieces Sheet Music, Just Received, consisting of Songs, Ballads, Quartets, Polkas, &c. &c.  I will forward six 25 cent pieces, postage free, to anyone who will remit one dollar.  Send in your orders for any price you want, and I’ll be sure to have it.  Address O. P. Howe, Augusta, Me.

The sixth advertisement ran from July 26 to August October 4, 1855 in the Maine Farmer.  Melodeons and Seraphines.  For sale and to let by O. P. Howe.  Ware Rooms over Nason & Hamlen’s store, corner Bridge and Water Streets, Augusta, Me.

The seventh advertisement appeared on December 6, 1855 in the Maine Farmer.  Melodeons. Another Lot of those splendid Model Melodeons, made by S. D. & H. W. Smith, and Mason & Hamlin, Boston.  The subscriber begs to inform the people of Augusta, and the Musical public generally, that he has now on hand, and will keep as large an assortment of the above instruments as can be found in any Musical Establishment in Boston…

The eighth advertisement ran from February 7 to April 24, 1856.   Something New!  Ambrotypes and Mezzograph Pictures At Howe’s Miniature House, Water Street, Augusta.  Ambrotypes are taken upon fine plate glass, over which is placed a corresponding glass,—the two being cemented together, so that the picture is just as permanent as the glass on which it is taken.  They are far superior, in many respects, to the best Daguerreotypes.  They will not change or corrode by time, are soft and beautiful in tone, are not reversed in position, and, being taken on glass, are exceedingly brilliant, and are perfectly distinct in any angle.  Mezzographs are taken upon paper, and are equal to steel plate engravings.  They can be painted in Grecian or oil colors.  I am taking more of this kind than in any other style.  They are much admired.  The public are invited to examine specimens at my Gallery opposite the Stanley House.

Having the largest and most expensive apparatus ever brought into this city, and having the exclusive right for making the above pictures, I feel better prepared than ever to wait upon my friends, and respectfully solicit a continuance of the patronage which has been so liberally bestowed for the past year.  Daguerreotypes taken as usual.  O. P. Howe.

The ninth advertisement ran on February 19, 21 and March 2, 1855 in the Kennebec Journal. 

Melodeons!  Those Who Wish To Buy Or Hire Good Melodeons, will find it greatly to their advantage to call at Howe’s Miniature House, East End the Bridge, Augusta, Maine.

The tenth advertisement ran from February 21 to March 20, 1856 in the Maine Farmer.  Notice Particular.  I hereby certify, That I bought of Cutting & Bowdoin the exclusive right of Cutting’s Ambrotype Patent for the State of Maine, except the city of Portland, and that O. P. Howe of Augusta, has no right, whatever, under said patent, I having sold the exclusive right of the city of Augusta, to J. S. Hendee.  Asa Millit.

The first announcement appeared on March 13, 1856 in the Maine Farmer.  Daguerreotypes.  We would call the attention of our readers, and strangers from out of town, who have occasion to visit Augusta, and who may desire to patronize a daguerreotypist, to the establishment of Mr. O. P. Howe, opposite the Stanley House.

Mr. Howe’s daguerreotypes, and also his ambrotypes, are very fine specimens of his art.

We have also seen some photographs made by him, for a gentleman in connection with this office, which are certainly very finely executed.  Mr. Howe’s establishment is beautifully arranged for the comfort and convenience of his patrons, and we have no hesitation in saying that the treatment they will receive from the hands of this good-natured artist, will remove all sour looks from the countenance, and secure for the sitter a life-like, good-looking and pleasant picture.

The eleventh advertisement ran from March 20 to April 10, 1856 in the Maine Farmer.  To Artists.  Howe’s Dry Chemical, Acknowledged, by all Artists who have used it, to be the best, quickest, and safest Chemical in use.  Sent by mail at $1.00 per bottle.

Address O. P. Howe, Augusta, Maine.

The twelfth advertisement ran from October 15 to November 19, 1857 in the Maine Farmer.  Something New!  The Greatest Invention of the Age!  The March of Improvement is ever onward!  The Ambrotype supplanted the Daguerreotype, the Melainotype is now rapidly taking the place of both!  Melainotypes.  The subscriber begs to call the attention of all lovers of Pictures, and all in want of Permanent and Perfect Likenesses of themselves or friends, to a new style of Picture, called the Melainotype.  They are taken on a thin sheet of iron; are patented in the United States and England; they can be sent in letters without extra postage, can be handled without and glass over them; can be washed when soiled; they will bend without injury; are not affected by light, atmosphere, rain, or anything else.  In  short, they are the Cheapest, Prettiest, and Most Durable Picture Ever Yet Invented.  They Cannot Fade, but will last for all time.  Try one!  Try one!

Taken at “Howe’s Saloon,” opposite Stanley House, Augusta.  O. P. Howe.

The second announcement appeared on November 11, 1858 in the Maine Farmer.  At Work Again. Our neighbor O./P. Howe who has been confined by sickness for several months, has just re-opened his Daguerreotype Saloon, and is prepared to take portraits in the best style.  Ambrotype, photograph, and other styles of sun-painting done to order.  Give him a call.

The third announcement appeared on December 29, 1859 in the  Maine Farmer.  Ambrotypes And Photographs.  Our old acquaintance Howe, whose success and popularity as an artist formerly made his “institution” on Water Street the resort of all who wanted a good picture for themselves or friends, we are glad to see, after an interregnum of several months, has re-located himself in Augusta, at the rooms opposite the foot of Oak St.  He is prepared to supply any description of picture in the line of his profession in a style that will be satisfactory to all who may patronize him.  Call and examine his specimens.

O. P. Howe is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as being active in Augusta, Maine in 1856.  More research is needed it appears that Howe was running several businesses in Augusta at the same time and did not feel the need to advertise through the newspapers as often as some daguerreotypist/photographers…