Tag Archives: Ambrotypist

H. F. Brooks

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

1856                Rooms over Store of E. B. Shattuck & Co, Barre, Massachusetts          1857                Upper Rooms in the Brick Block, Barre, Massachusetts.

H. F. Brooks is mentioned in six advertisements in the Barre Gazette (Barre, Massachusetts.) The first appeared on July 4, 1856. Daguerreotypes!  H. F. Brooks, May be at the rooms heretofore occupied by Mr. Tapley, where he is prepared to furnish people with good Daguerreotypes, and at fair prices.  A complete assortment of Cases and Lockets can be found from which customers can make selections to please their various tastes.  Barre, June 6, 1856.

It is unknown if Mr. Tapley is a daguerreotypist or not.  John Craig list in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry a Charles E. Tapley in Worcester, Massachusetts from 1857-1860 it is unknown if they are the same person.

The second and third advertisements appeared on December 19, 1856 and January 16, 1857.  And announces that Fred Ruggles has taken over the rooms formerly occupied by H. F. Brooks.

The fourth and fifth advertisement are for Brooks & Ruggles which appeared on March 13 and May 1, 1857 which were posted yesterday.

The sixth advertisement ran on September 11, 1857.  Barre Annual Cattle Show and Fair!  Persons visiting Barre during the Fair will find H. F. Brooks Ambrotype Rooms, lust the place to pass an hour or two, where he will be happy to wait upon his friends and take his or her Ambrotype, with that correctness which characterizes the city artist.  Give him a call in Brick Block.  N.B. Remember the place H. F. Brooks.

H. F. Brooks was not listed in A Directory of Massachusetts Photographers, 1839-1900.

J. Broadhead

Ambrotypes, ,

1857-1858       Address Unknown, North East, Pennsylvania.

J. Broadhead was recorded in an advertisement that ran in the Westfield Republican (Westfield, New York.) from August 5, 1857 to October 13, 1858.  Watches & Jewelry.  J. Broadhead, Watchmaker and Jeweler, North East, Pa.  Watches and Jewelry for sale, also every description of work cleaning and repaired.  Ambrotype pictures executed in the most perfect style of the art, with all its modern beauties and improvements.

J. Broadhead is not listed in other photographic Directories.

H. S. Breen

Ambrotypes, Melainotypes, Photographs, , ,

1859                Room at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, Washington, Louisiana.

H. S. Breen was recorded in two advertisements in The Opelousas Patriot (Opelousas, Louisiana) on January 1, 1859, advertisement ran through January 29th.  Photographic Rooms, Odd Fellows’ Hall, Washington.—Mr. H. S. Breen has at considerable expense, fitted up his rooms and is now prepared to execute in every style any kind of picture made in the United States.  Ambrotypes, Melainotypes, Photographs, plain and colored, and Crayon Mezzographs on canvass.

Those wishing pictures and portraits that are artistic and durable, are requested to give him a call.  He can not compete either in price or execution with cheap Operators whose only expense is a pocket instrument and a dozen paper cases.  Those wishing cheap worthless pictures need not call.

The second advertisement ran from February 12 through April 30, 1859.  Photographic Gallery.—Odd Fellows’ Building, Washington, La.  It is as great a mistake to suppose that anybody can become a good Photographist as to conclude that any one can be a Hiram Powers or a Shakespeare.  There was a time within memory of all when the entire country was overrun with a set of one horse daguerrean operators whose claim to the name artist were about as well founded as those of the Rev. Dauphin Williams to the throne of France.  This “noble army of martyrs” has been gradually decreasing for some years past and a very superior class of men an acknowledged position among the fine arts, and has been brought to a high degree of perfection by the combined efforts genius and labor.  Mere dabsters have been taught that two or three weeks is not sufficient to place them on a par with men who have spent years of toil and study in developing and perfecting the art.  Among those who have made this art their study since the first incipient process was invented by the immortal Daguerre Is H. S. Breen who has lately fitted up in Washington one of the most complete suite of rooms in the South.  He has a light containing over one hundred feet of glass two dozen cameras of every kind and size and a very extensive laboratory of chemicals?   In fact he is prepared to execute in the most complete style of art any kind of picture made in the United States.  Particular attention is called to his plain photographs which are gems in their way and afforded at so low a price as to be within the reach of all.

His photographs colored in oil are as durable as any oil painting on canvas besides which they are always true representations of the original.  Washington, La., February 5, 1859.

Breen is not recorded in other photographic directories.

R. Bostwick

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

R. Bostwick appeared in two advertisements in The Union News (Union, New York.)  The first ad ran from June 11 to August 20, 1857.  Ambrotypes, Sphereotypes, Melainotypes and Stereoscopic Method of taking Pictures, all of which are of the latest improvements, and well known to some of the fraternity as being the most beautiful and durable of any process yet discovered.  Specimens of some of our own townsmen can be seen at my car in Union.  Cases sold 25 per cent less than usual.  Please give me a call before I leave again for the West.      R. Bostwick.  Union, Jan. 14, 1857.

The second advertisement appeared on August 27, 1857 and ran until April 22, 1858.

Ambrotypes.  A gallery In Union!  Now located in the Exchange Block, No. 1, where the Photographic Art will be pursued, with all the latest improvements in the art.  Pictures taken on different materials, such as Glass, Iron, Patent Leather, Paper and Parchment.

Also, instructions given in the art to those who wish.  Three different processes are used in transferring pictures from glass to a lighter and more convenient material, and for sending in letters or cutting for lockets.  Also, the Tinting process, which is beautiful and just the thing, long sought after for coloring the drapery.  Good substantial cases will be offered from fifty cents to six dollars.  Invalids taken at their residences if desired.  R. Bostwick.   Union, Aug. 25, 1857.

In the first advertisement there are several items worth bringing to your attention, no business address is given, and one can only assume that the gallery is in Union, New York.  Second is the date of the advertisement January 14, 1857.  Unfortunately June 11 was the first newspaper that I had access to for 1857.  The other interesting note is his statement about leaving again for the West.

The only other photographic directory that has a listing for R. Bostwick is Craig’s Daguerreian Registry that list a Ransom Bostwick in 1859-1860 in Union, New York without a business address.  It is probably the same person.

Bossue

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, Vitrotype, , , , ,

Bossue was recorded in an advertisement for Tyler and Co. on April 14, 1857 on The Daily Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia.)  The Twenty Artist that Tyler & Co. employ are not mere pretenders in their business, but are regular educated gentlemen, calculated to excel in the fine arts and scientific results.  The ease and poetry of position, the life-like expressions of the features and eyes of the portraits, taken at 139 Main street, is not the effect of bungling mechanical doings, but of true artistic skill, seldom met with.  Bossue, the principal Artist of this famous establishment, has been the pioneer in Photography in Europe the last ten years.

Bossue is not recorded in other American photographic directories.  Of the hundreds of advertisements for Tyler & Co., this is the only one that mentions Bossue by name.

James Boone

Ambrotypes, ,

James Boone was recorded in an advertisement on May 3, 1856 in the Anti-Slavery Bugle (New-Lisbon, Ohio.)  The advertisement ran from May 3, 1856 to March 28, 1857.  Pictures On Glass.  Our friend James Boone is still taking Ambrotypes, & c., at his old stand, in Johnson & Horner’s building.

He has succeeded in doing away with the dark and smutty appearance often to them by other operators, “Jeems” understands his business.  Call and examine his pictures.

James Boone does not appear in other photographic directories.  By the wording in the advertisement James Boone probably was active prior to May 3, 1856 in New Lisbon, Ohio, but no documentation has been found to date to verify this assumption.  John Craig does list a James H. Boone in 1852 in Marshall, Texas as does David Haynes in Catching Shadows, but there is nothing to suggest that they are the same person.

C. S. Bonney

Ambrotypes, ,

C. S. Bonney was recorded on February 4, 1857 in the Penn Yan Democrat (Penn-Yan, New York) Ambrotypes.—We have been shown several specimens of Ambrotypes taken by a new process, by Mr. C. S. Bonney, of this place.  The pictures present a beautiful, clear and natural appearance, surpassing anything in the Daguerrean or Ambrotype line it has yet been our pleasure to examine.  Mr. Bonney has been teaching this new process in this state and Pennsylvania with marked success, and we learn that he is now making arrangements to impart the secret to any artist who may wish to possess it, at a trifling expense.

C. S. Bonney does not appear in other photographic directories I have searched.

Bleecker Gallery

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, Photographs, , , , ,

On June 14, 1858 the following series of seven advertisements appear in the New York Daily Tribune.  (New York City.)  The advertisement only ran in a single issue.  To date no other advertisements have been found for the Bleecker Gallery.  In talking with several photographic historians in New York Jeremy Rowe has suggested that the gallery is probably that of Abraham D. Hopper at 229 Bleecker Street.

[Advertisement.]                                                                                                                                                    The Bleecker Gallery, Cor. Bleecker-st. and Broadway.  Aquaral Photographs.

[Advertisement.]                                                                                                                                                  The Bleecker Gallery, Corner Bleecker-st. and Broadway.  Photographs, large size, for $1.

[Advertisement.]                                                                                                                                                    The Bleecker Gallery, Cor. Bleecker-st. and Broadway.  Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes, Large size, in case, for 50c.

[Advertisement.]                                                                                                                                                    The Bleecker Gallery, Cor. Bleecker-st. and Broadway.   Miniatures on Ivory.

[Advertisement.]                                                                                                                                                    The Bleecker Gallery, Cor. Bleecker-st. and Broadway.   Life-size Photographs in Oil.

[Advertisement.]                                                                                                                                                        The Bleecker Gallery, Cor. Bleecker-st. and Broadway.  Life-size Photographs in Pastel.

[Advertisement.]                                                                                                                                                  The Bleecker Gallery, Cor. Bleecker-st. and Broadway.  Photographic Views of Villa Residences, &c.

George P. Blakesley

Ambrotypes, Melainotypes, , , ,

The address and location of George P. Blakesley in 1858 is unknown at this time.  The information comes from a newspaper article in the The Cass County Republican (Dowagiac, Michigan) announcing the premiums awarded at the Cass County Agricultural Society Fair held in Cassapolis Michigan on October 8th and 9th…Class XVI—Painting, Drawing, &C….Best case of ambrotypes, L. D. Smith.  2d best case of ambrotypes, George P. Blakesley…Trans.

On March 3, 1859 he is reported in the following advertisement in The Cass County Republican (Dowagiac, Michigan.)  The advertisement ran from March 3 to July 21, 1859.

Ladies and gentlemen, don’t you know                                                                                                        At G. P. Blakesley’s the place to go,                                                                                            Ambrotypes, Melaneotypes he does take,                                                                                                And seldom, if ever, an error does make.

Lithographs and other pictures too, we find,                                                                                            are taken in a style to suit the mind,                                                                                                            For a few weeks only, at half price,                                                                                                                He will take your picture, and that in a trice.

Then walk right up to the Daguerrean Car,                                                                                                You Ladies and Gents that come from afar,                                                                                                  And you that live near should never delay,                                                                                                But quick get a likeness, for you it will pay.

His Car is opposite the Canada Store,                                                                                                        Where many likeness he has taken before,                                                                                                And the Canada Store is on Front street,                                                                                                Where George will be happy his friends to greet.

No difference it makes in regard to the weather,                                                                                        If it is cloudy or bright or as light as a feather,                                                                                          For in the business he has been for three years past                                                                              And every improvement has learned to the last.

Now, in himself, he has great confidence of late,                                                                                    No Artist before in this village so great,                                                                                                  Could ever with him begin to compare,                                                                                                        For all them he can beat, is the truth, I declare.

Particular attention to children is paid,                                                                                                    From 9 A. M., to 4 P. M., so don’t be afraid                                                                                                      To bring along your children, and your money likewise,                                                                      And get a nice picture that will please your eyes.

All are invited to call and examine specimens. Geo. P. Blakesley, Artist.  Dowagiac, March 3d, 1859.

Blakesley is recorded as an Ambrotypist in Dowagiac in 1860.  Information from the Directory of Early Michigan Photographers (David V. Tinder)

Click to access tinder_directory.pdf

G. F. Bissell

Ambrotypes, , ,

G. F. Bissell was recorded in The Freeman’s Journal (Cooperstown, New York) in an advertisement that ran on September 23 & 30, 1859.

For Sale.  An Ambrotype Car, nearly new, and in good repair, together with the apparatus and furniture.  Instruction in the art given to the purchaser free.  Terms of payment made easy.  The above property will be sold cheap, and offers a rare chance for some enterprising young man wishing steady, easy and profitable employment.  G. F. Bissell, Laurens, Sept. 19, 1859.

Bissell name is not recorded in other photographic directories.  The possibility exist that Bissell is not a photographer that he is just selling the car, but the possibility also exist that he is selling the car and giving the instructions to whoever purchases the car.