Tag Archives: Augusta Georgia

Tucker & Perkins

1858-1859                   Address Unknown, Augusta, Georgia

Tucker & Perkins (Isaac Tucker & J. W. Perkins) were recorded in one announcement and two advertisements.  The announcement appeared in the Edgefield Advertiser (Edgefield, South Carolina) on December 22, 1858.  Art In Perfection.  As illustrated at the Photographic Gallery of Tucker & Perkins in Augusta, Ga.

Happening to call in at the photographic gallery of Messrs. Tucker & Perkins the other day, we cannot delay to notice and applaud its pleasing attractions.  These gentlemen have certainly carried their art to a high degree of perfection.  With the best of materials, and the most skilful of operators, their likenesses are truly to be prized; and when colored by the tasteful hands of their very superior painters, they are invaluable as keepsakes and mementos.  None should fail to avail themselves of the chance here offered to procure accurate and life-like copies of their relatives and friends.  Apropos, we observe in the Southern Banner the following merited encomium of this firm, from one who knows a good thing whenever and wherever he sees it.  Hear what D. Redmond says of them:

“One of the most attractive place in our quite city, is the Gallery of Messrs. Tucker & Perkins, the unrivalled Photographic artist.  Here the lover of the “human face divine,” can behold it in all stages, from the cherub infant, scarcely able to “sit alone,” to the hoary and venerable grand-sire of “three score years and ten”—and in all styles of art, from the dingy, dim and distorted Daguerreotype of ten years ago, to the soft, clear Ambrotype, and radiant and life like colored Photograph of to-day.  Of the beauty and perfection of these latter portraits—the full size Photographs—no description can convey an adequate idea.  They have all the correctness and accuracy of detail of the best Ambrotype, with the delicate flesh tints and expression of the finest oil painting; and may, therefore, as portraits be considered altogether unrivalled.

It is absolutely impossible for even the most skillful portrait painter to produce a likeness as correct as the camera, which gives the actual reflection of the countenance, as in a mirror; and when this reflection, magnified up to the size of life, is colored after nature by such artists as Hunt, Freeman and Tomlinson, (now engaged with Messrs. Tucker & Perkins,) there is nothing left to desire by way of fine portraiture.

It has required years of patient investigation, labor and experiment, on the part of these gentlemen, to obtain their present enviable position in their beautiful art; but I am happy to say that they are now beginning to reap their reward.  Orders are pouring in upon them from every part of this and the adjoining States, and their pictures wherever exhibited, bear off the prizes from all competitors.  The skill with which they change a small, old and faded daguerreotype into an almost speaking, life-size Photograph, is truly marvelous; and the arrangement, coloring and general execution of their pictures, cannot fail to delight all lovers of the fine arts: many of whom, I know, are among your readers.  D. R.  Augusta, Ga.  Dec. 4, 1858.

The first advertisement appeared in the Edgefield Advertiser (Edgefield, South Carolina) on December 28, 1859.  Tucker & Perkin’s Great Southern Photograph & Ambrotype Gallery of Art, Augusta, GA., Is now open for the reception of visitors.  One of the Largest and Finest collections of Photographic Paintings in the world, on exhibition free to visitors.  We have exhibition Free to Visitors.  We have engaged for the season, the Best Corps of Photographic Portrait Painters Ever brought together in the United States.  Our superior Photographs will be sold at prices as low as those at the best Northern Galleries.

Tucker & Perkins’ Celebrated Ambrotypes Taken As Usual.

Stock, Chemicals, and materials Of Every Kind Furnished To The Trade at New York Prices!

Life Size Photographic Paintings Made From Small Daguerreotypes And Ambrotypes.

Our Patrons at a distance from Augusta, and desiring a Picture Copied, will please send it to our address, by Mail or Express, with a description of the color of the hair, eyes, complexion, etc., etc., of the original, and we will return it to them by express or otherwise, without the least injury, with a beautifully colored Photograph copy of any size they may specify.

P. S.—A fine assortment of Steroscopic Pictures and instruments for sale, at Ndew York Prices.

The second advertisement appeared on December 29, 1859 in The Abbeville Banner (Abbeville, South Carolina).  Tucker & Perkin’s Great Southern Photograph & Ambrotype Gallery of Art, Is now open for the reception of visitors.  One of the Largest and Finest collections of Photographic Paintings in the world, on exhibition Free to visitors.

We have engaged for the season, the best Corps of Photographic Portrait Painters Ever brought together in the United States.  Our superior Photographs will be sold at prices as low as those at the best Northern Galleries.

Tucker & Perkin’s Celebrated Ambro’ypes Taken As Usual.  Stock, Chemicals, and Materials Furnished To The Trade At New York Prices.

Life size Photographic Portraits made from small Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes,

N. B.—Our patrons at a distance from Augusta, and desiring a Picture Copied, will please send it to our address, by Mail or Express, with the description of the color of the hair, eyes, complexion, etc., of the original; and we will return it to them by Express or otherwise, without the least injury, with a beautifully colored Photograph copy of any size they may specify.

P. S.—A fine assortment of Stereoscopic Pictures and instruments for sale, at New York Prices.

Tucker & Perkin’s Picture Frame Manufactory Is now in Full Operation.

Every description of Oval and Square Rosewood and Gilt Frames, made to order, at New York Prices.

Old Frames re Gilded and made to look as well as when they were new, at Very Low Rates.

Orders from country Dealers Solicited.  Dec. 22, 1859.

Tucker & Perkins are recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as having dissolvedtheir partnership in April of 1853.

J. W. & E. S. Dodge

1856                Rooms over Hicks’ China Hall, Nashville, Tennessee

J. W. & E. S. Wood were recorded in an announcement on October 26, 1856 in the Nashville Union and American (Nashville, Tennessee). Mechanics’ Institute.  Second Annual Exhibition.  Premiums Awarded…   Class No. 6—Marble Work, Paintings, Drawing, Daguerreotypes, Etc.

J. W. & E. S. Dodge, Nashville, Miniatures on Ivory……………………. 5.                                            J. W. & E. S. Dodge, Nashville, Photographs, plain and colored…….…5.                                          A. Larcomb, Nashville, Ambrotypes……………………………….……. 5.                            Hughes Brothers, Nashville, Daguerreotypes……………………………5.

The identity of the J. W. is probably John Wood Dodge who was active in St. Louis, Missouri in 1855 and in Nashville, Tennessee from 1855-1858(+).  E. S. is probably Edward Samuel Dodge.  In looking through genealogical records I discovered that they were in fact brothers.  Both were painters and are recorded in the New York Historical Society’s Dictionary of Artist in American 1564-1860.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry list Edward Samuel in Richmond, Virginia in 1844 and Augusta, Georgia in 1850-1853.  Early Georgia Photographers 1841-1861 a Biographical Checklist Compiled by E. Lee Eltzroth list him in in Augusta, Georgia from 1848-1853.

William H. Chalmers

1853-1861       Post Office Corner, Augusta, Georgia.[1]                                                                            1856                   Address Unknown, New York, New York.1                                                                          1856                   Address Unknown, Edgefield, South Carolina.                                                                  1858                   over Burpee’s Carriage Shop, opposite the Bank, Athens, Georgia.1  

William H. Chalmers was listed in four advertisements in the Edgefield Advertiser (Edgefield, South Carolina.)  The first three are when he was in partnership with John Leigh as Leigh & Chalmers.  The first advertisement ran from October 1, to November 5, 1856.  Ambrotypes!  Those Beautiful and Imperishable Pictures can be had at John Leigh’s Office.  They are superior in Brilliancy, depth of tone and finish to any ever offered in this community.  Leigh & Chalmers.  Edgefield, Sept. 30, 1856.

The second ran from October 1 to December 31, 1856.  Photographs.  This beautiful style of Picture so popular in both this country and Europe, can be had at Leigh & Chalmers’ Gallery, Augusta, Ga.  Persons having Daguerreotypes of themselves or friends can have them photographed from life-size to the smallest miniature.                                                                Leigh & Chalmers.  Augusta, Sept. 30, 1856.

The third advertisement ran on March 4, 1857.  Photograph of Hon. P. S. Brooks.  Messrs. Leigh & Chalmers, of Augusta, have kindly forwarded to us a photograph likeness of our lamented Brooks, for which we return then thanks.  It is just the thing we were endeavoring to procure and is a most acceptable gift.  The likeness is striking and the execution excellent.  As there are very many citizens of Edgefield who would be glad to have a faithful portrait of their late beloved representative, we would suggest to them that, for only $4, they can procure such an one from Messrs. Leigh & Chalmers.  Mr. Leigh brought up a hundred copies the other day, but they are going off very rapidly.  Those who have engaged them should apply early; and those who have not done so, can now make the arrangement with Mr. L., who is at this place for the present.

The fourth advertisement was for William H. Chalmers alone and ran from December 8 to 29, 1858 in the Edgefield Advertiser (Edgefield, South Carolina.)  Ambrotypes For Fifty Cts. At The Chalmers’ Gallery, Post Office Corner, Augusta, Geo.  Wm. H. Chalmers, the well-known and successful Ambrotypist, is still furnishing pictures in the same Beautiful And Life-Like Style, that was so much admired last season, for the Low Price of 50 Cts. and upwards, According to the size and style of case.  The Gallery having a Mammoth Sky-Light and Side-Light combined, together with Instruments of the latest and most approved kinds, Pictures can be taken at all hours of the day, and as well in cloudy weather as in clear.

Having secured the services of several of the Best Operators in the United States, Likenesses will in all cases be Perfect or no charge.  Each Picture will be handsomely colored by an experienced Artist, and warranted not to fade.

The Public are invited to call and examine the large collection of Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, Melainotypes, Photographs, Paintings, &c., on exhibition.  Entrance to Gallery on door above the Post Office.

N. B. Instructions given in the Art and Apparatus furnished.         Augusta, Dec. 7.

[1] Early Georgia Photographers, 1841 – 1861: a Biographical Checklist, Compiled by E. Lee Eltzroth