Tag Archives: Ambrotypist

William Williams

Ambrotypes, ,

1859                Address Unknown, New York, New York.

William Williams appeared on July 9, 1859 in one announcement in The New York Herald  New York, New York).  Court of General Sessions, Before Judge Russell…  A Well Known Youthful Burglar Sent To The State Prison.  William Williams, a young man nineteen years old, against whom were three indictments, pleaded guilty to burglary in the third degree, and was sent to the State Prison for three years.  He said he was an ambrotype artist by profession. The City Judge was informed that he was a notorious burglar, although scarcely twenty years of age.

William Williams is not recorded in other photographic directories.  It is unknow if he was in fact an ambrotypist, if he had a studio under his name or who he might have worked for in NYC or elsewhere.   

T. & J. B. Williams

Ambrotypes, Photographs, , ,

1857                At the Wharf, Sheffield, Ohio.

T. & J. B. Williams were recorded in one advertisement that ran from January 6 to February  24, 1857 in the Meigs County Telegraph (Pomeroy, Ohio).  Ambrotypes And Photographs.  The undersigned takes pleasure to announce to the citizens of Sheffield and vicinity, that their well known Boat, Floating Gallery, is now lying at Sheffield Landing, and will remain there during the winter.  Persons wishing to obtain correct and life like portraits of themselves and families, will give us a call, and we will try to please all.

Our Boat is well got up and well furnished, and has every advantage, and is not inferior to any of the first class Galleries.  T. & J. B. Williams.  Dec. 22.

T. & J. B. Williams are not recorded in other photographic directories.

S. Willett

Ambrotypes, ,

1857                Rooms over Leech’s Oyster Saloon, Jamaica, New York.

S. Willett was recorded in one advertisement that was recorded that was recorded on June 30, 1857 in the Long Island Farmer, and Queens County Advertiser (Jamaica, New York).  Willet’s Ambrotypes.  The subscriber respectfully announces that he will be in Jamaica for one week.  Room over Leech’s Oyster Saloon, 1st door west of Rider’s Store.

The Ladies and Gentlemen of this place and vicinity have now an opportunity of obtaining these invaluable keepsakes in the highest style of perfection.

Many favorable notices could be adduced, but he prefers to let his work speak for itself.

The popularity of this new style of pictures has become so great that they have superseded the Daguerreotype.

Perfect satisfaction given, or no charge will be made.

Dark dresses make the most pleasing Pictures.  Always avoid white, light pink, and light blue.  S. E. Willett.                                                                   

S. E. Willett is not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Jamaica, New York in 1857.  It is possible that this is Seabrook E. Willett who active in Flushing, New York in 1859.

Silas D. Wickes

Ambrotypes, , ,

1856                Rooms in Abeel Street near Division Street, Rondout, New York.

Silas D. Wickes was recorded in one advertisement that ran from August 29 to September 5, 1856 in The People’s Press (Kingston, New York).  Improved Ambrotypes, S. D. Wickes, Artist From New York, Would respectfully inform the citizens of Rondout and Kingston, that he is prepared to produce the finest style of Ambrotypes taken in this country.  The pictures are finished and colored to life.

Mr. W. is prepared to take the Likenesses of Sick and Deceased Persons at their Residences.  Also children of any age taken in a few seconds.  He is enabled to take by his new process Views of Dwellings, Landscapes & Animals in the finest style.  A large assortment of fancy Cases, Frames and Lockets, of the newest style, and to suit all tastes.

His Rooms are in Abeel st, near Division st., Rondout, call and examine specimens.

N. B. Pupils taken and taught the New Process on reasonable terms. August 26, 1856.

Silas D. Wickes is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as being active in New York City from 1853 to 1856, and in Kingston, New York in 1857.  A side note Rondout, was located on the Hudson River, at the mouth of Rondout Creek and merged with Kingston in 1872. 

F. Whitton

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1854                Main Street, opposite the Court House, Rooms over Hubbell, Wilson & Eppley’s Store, Eaton, Ohio.

1856                Address and Location Unknown,

F. Whitton was recorded in one advertisement and one announcement.  The advertisement ran from June 8 to September 21, 1854 in the Eaton Democrat (Eaton, Ohio).  F. Whitton, Daguerrean Artist.  Pictures Taken in Clear or Cloudy Weather. 

Rooms over Hubbell, Wilson & Eppley’s Store, opposite the Court House, Main street, Eaton, O.

The announcement appeared on October 23, 1856 in the Marshall County Republican (Plymouth, Indiana).  List of Premiums Awarded at the Second Annual Fair of the Marshall County Agricultural Society Held At Plymouth, October 17th, 1856….14th Class.—Discretionary…

Best Specimens Ambro & Daguerreotypes.  F. Whitton,                  1.00

F. Whitton is not listed in other photographic directories.  It is unknown if the two entries are for the same person, the distance between Eaton, Ohio and Plymouth Indiana is 192 miles.

E. Westcote

Ambrotypes, ,

1856                Unknown Location, Oneonta, New York.

E. Westcote was mentioned in one advertisement that ran from March 14 to June 6, 1856 in The Freeman’s Journal (Cooperstown, New York).  Ambrotypes.  It Is Talked By A Certain Few that the Ambrotype likeness spoil.  In stating [realities] we hope to be allowed to correct all those false and erroneous illusions.  We will admit that some of the pictures we made before purchasing the Ambrotype right did spoil. We were made to believe that those pictures were equally as good as the patent Ambrotype; they resemble the Ambrotype so nearly that at first sight a person cannot distinguish them from the genuine pictures.  But by keeping them a while they spoil, and soon show for themselves.—This kind of picture is made in the county and sold throughout the State as Ambrotypes.  Their right name we will omit, but will say that they are a positive picture made and finished on the single glass, referred to in the Caution to the people by the Boston Ambrotype Company as worthless.  All those who got that kind of Likeness at our rooms can return them and have the genuine Ambrotype reset in their cases free of charge.

We have recently sold the right of the southern portion of this county to E. Westcote of Oneonta.  His Car and Excelsior Gallery in Cooperstown, are the only places where the genuine patent Ambrotypes can be obtained in Otsego county.

N. D.—Prices as low as the lowest.  All our work warranted to please, and to be as good as at any other room in the State.  Olendorf & Smith.

E. Westcote is not recorded in other photographic directories.

John Wenzen

Ambrotypes, Photographs, , ,

1857                St. Anthony Street, Near the Post Office, St. Paul, Minnesota.

John Wenzen was recorded in one advertisement that was recorded on January 3, June 13 & August 8, 1857 in the Saint Paul Financial, Real Estate and Railroad Advertiser (St. Paul, Minnesota).  John Wenzen.  Ambrotypes And Photographs, taken in the latest style for from $1.00 to $1.15, at his Gallery, on St. Anthony st., near the Post Office, St. Paul.

John Wenzen is not recorded in other photographic directories.  Recorded in Pioneer Photographers From The Mississippi To The Continental Divide A Biographical Dictionary, 1839-1865,by Peter E. Palmquist and Thomas R. Kailbourn—John Wenzen this is probably the same person.

H. Wendell

Ambrotypes, , , ,

1857                Address Unknown, Amsterdam, New York.

H. Wendell appeared in one announcement on January 29, 1857 in the Mohawk Valley Register  (Fort Plain, New York).  …Mr. Allen, (in connection with H. Wendell of Amsterdam) has secured the Exclusive Right of Mont. County, for the manufacture of Cutting’s Patent Ambrotypes,…

H. Wendell is not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Amsterdam, New York.  It is possible H. Wendell is Harvey Wendell who was active in Albany, New York from 1857-1859.   

Wells, Miller & Co.

Ambrotypes, Lettertypes, Photographs, Sphereotype, , , , , , ,

1857-1858       148 & 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont.                  

Wells, Miller & Company (Charles Miller) were recorded in two announcements and four advertisements in the Burlington Free Press (Burlington, Vermont).  The first announcement appeared on October 9, 1857.  Chittenden County Fair…Works of Art…Wells, Miller and Co., Burlington—exhibited photographs, plain and touched in oils; Sphereotypes, and ambrotypes—all of high order.  These gentlemen are the successor of Mr. Parker, in the establishment on Church St.  Their pictures indicated both skill of the artist, and the improvement which is constantly going on in photographic art.

The first advertisement ran from October 16 to November 13, 1857.  Patent Sphereotypes, Patent Ambrotypes, Photographs. The only picture that will stand, Exclusive Rights, By Wells, Miller & Co.  Successor to T. M. Parker, 148 & 149 Church St., Burlington.

The second announcement appeared on January 8, 1858.  Holiday Presents.  If you wish to give a friend or relative a really appropriate Christmas or New Year’s Present, which cannot fail to be acceptable, go to Wells, Miller & Co.’s. on Church Street, and get one of the new patent Sphereotypes.

For Two Weeks prices of pictures will be low to accommodate all.

The second advertisement ran from March 19 to August 20, 1858.  Wells, Miller & Co., Would Call The Attention of Persons wishing accurate, durable and desirable likenesses, to the various styles of pictures taken by them at their Daguerrian Rooms and Portrait Gallery, Church Street, Burlington, Vermont.

Among which are Photographs, Sphereotypes, Ambrotypes, Melanotypes, Lettergraphs, &c.  Our Plain Photographs by an improved process we claim to be unsurpassed by any taken anywhere,—New York and Boston not excepted.  We furnish them also, beautifully finished in Oil, or India Ink, making the most beautiful and satisfactory likenesses known to art; and when several copies are desired, the cheapest pictures taken. 

Our Sphereotypes and patent Ambrotypes are unequalled.  We challenge comparison with them the Lettergraph is a picture taken on prepared cloth, of small size, very cheap, and very convenient for sending in a letter. 

The Public are desired to Take Particular Notice that we Own the Rights for Chittenden County, of the Sphereotype and Patent Ambrotype.—None are genuine without the Patent Mark.  People are cautioned against being humbugged by transient and irresponsible individuals into the purchase of pictures, which inferior at first, are sure to fade and become effaced by time. Our Ambrotypes and Sphereotypes are literally indestructible, except by violence or fire.

We pay particular attention to Pictures Of Children.  Infant’s likenesses taken in one second.  Bring the children along; we can take them; it is a sure thing with us.

We have the best rooms and the largest collection of specimens of our art in this State, and invite the Public generally to give us a call.  Wells, Miller & Co., Church st., Burlington, Vt.      

The third advertisement ran from July 2 to 30, 1858.  Where Did You Get That Picture?  Up At Wells, Miller & Co.’s.  The only pictures made on glass which are durable, are the patent Sphereotype and Patent Ambrotype.

Remember that, by using these Patents, we are able to make a much more prominent, brilliant and better picture, every way, and, as we say, the only Durable Picture; in saying so, we say what we know, as we have tested them to our entire satisfaction.  Wells, Miller & Co. have the exclusive right to use these Patents in this town and vicinity, and if any persons tell you that they make the Sphereotype or Ambrotype, they say what is not true.  And, of course, we shall not allow any one to infringe on them.  The Improved Ambrotype, so called, is worth but very little, and those who purchase them, will soon find out the fact.  They can be made cheap and will not last long; but if any person wishes to have such Pictures, we will make all they may want for 50 cents each.

Photographs made as well by any one in the country—colored in oil or touched with India Ink.

We have competent Copying Apparatus, for copying from small up to any size desired; we can copy up and color to nature, old and dim pictures which will soon be worthless, so that you can see your departed friends in life, as it were.

These Pictures Are As Permanent As Oil Portraits.

Please call at our Rooms, 146½ Church St., Burlington, and examine specimens.  Wells, Miller & Co.  Burlington, May 12, 1858

The fourth advertisement ran from August 20 to October 1, 1858.  Chittenden County Picture Gallery.  Wells, Miller & Co. [Successor to T. M. Parker.] Patent Sphereotype, Patent Ambrotypes, Melainotypes, Lettergraphs, Photographs. Plain, In Oil or India Ink.  Pictures made as cheap as in any place in Vermont, and Far Better,

Please remember the place 147½ Church Street, Burlington, Vt.  Burlington, May 17, 1858.

Wells, Miller & Co. do not appear in other photographic directories.  Charles Miller is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as being active in Burlington in 1859-1860 (+).  Wells is unknown at this time.  One can speculate that it is Jeremiah D. Wells who was active in Northampton, Massachusetts, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, Brattleboro Vermont, (which is over 150 miles away from Burlington) and possibly Port Jervis, New York.

J. D. Wells

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1856                Rooms in D. T. Cox’s Building, Pike Street, Port Jervis, New York.

J. D. Wells was recorded in two advertisement and one announcement in the Tri-State Union (Port Jervis, New York).  The first advertisement ran from July 10 to August 14, 1856.  Daguerreotype and Ambrotype Gallery.  The subscriber has opened a room in D. T. Cox’s building, Pike St., with a good skylight and other facilities for taking Daguerreotype and Ambrotype Likenesses, of superior finish, accuracy and artistic effect, and would be happy to wait upon those wishing a beautiful colored life-like miniature.  Strangers and citizens visiting this gallery can have portraits and miniatures beautifully cased in silk velvet, morocco, or other fancy cases, or set in gold lockets or pins.  Daguerreotypes, paintings or drawings copied, out door views and miniatures of sick or deceased persons taken.

He has made arrangements with Mr. E. Jessup of Middletown, who has the exclusive right for this county, for taking the Double-glass Ambrotypes, to attend at the subscribers gallery in Port Jervis, on Thursday and Friday of each week, and take portraits and miniatures by this new and beautiful process.

Gallery open from 8 o’clock a. m. until sunset.  J. D. Wells.     Port Jervis, June 26, 1856.

The second advertisement ran on July 24, 1856.  Ambrotypes.  The Ambrotype miniatures when taken properly and secured in the best manner surpass all other portraits.

There is the single and double glass process.  In the single the picture is liable to become loosened and fall from the glass, while in the double, the two glasses being cemented together, thereby excluding all influence of the air, they remain permanently fixed upon the glass.  They possess greater relief, depth of tone, as well as greater strength and beauty, than the single glass Ambrotypes.

Mr. E. Jessup of Middletown, the agent of the patentee for the Western portion of Orange County has a few specimens of each, the inspection of which will convince any one of the superiority of the patent double glass pictures.  This fact all should understand, for in the one they have a permanent picture, while in the other they are liable to lose the picture.

Mr. J. D. Wells, of this village, has made arrangements with Mr. Jessup by which he is able to furnish the inhabitants of Port Jervis and vicinity with the true double glass pictures.

N. B.  Some will tell you that they put up the double glass Ambrotypes, while they are only a reversed picture, covered over with a second glass, but not in a manner to exclude the air.  When you buy an Ambrotype, assure yourselves that the two glasses lie in close contact and are firmly cemented together.  Examine well the two classes of pictures before buying.

The announcement appeared on August 7, 1856.  A day or two since we saw several really fine and life-like Ambrotypes taken by our cleaver village artist, J. D. Wells, Give him a call.

J. D. Wells is not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Port Jervis, New York.  It is possible that this is Jeremiah D. Wells from Northampton, Massachusetts who also had galleries in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania and Brattleboro, Vermont.