Black was recorded in the Photographic and fine Arts Journal (New York, New York.)  on April 1, 1856 in an article entitled the Photographic Galleries of America.  Number Two, Philadelphia. The author visited 57 Galleries in Philadelphia and recorded his impressions.

Black, Eighth & Carpenter. — Evidently a child in the art, whom I mention in order to keep my list correct.

This is possibly James R. Black.  In Craig’s Daguerrean Registry John attributes the entry to James R. but the address in the directories do not match up.  The same is true with Directory of Pennsylvania Photographers, 1839-1900. It is possibly that another photographer with the last name of Black was in Philadelphia that has not been recorded but there is no proof of that.  Did the author record the wrong address?  It’s Possible, no Philadelphia newspapers have been researched at this time.