Tag Archives: Boston Massachusetts

Seaver & Butler

Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

1853-1856       140 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.[1]

Seaver & Butler (Chandler Seaver, Jr. & George H. Butler) were recorded in one announcement and one advertisement in the Boston Daily Evening Transcript (Boston, Massachusetts).  The announcement appeared on July 12, 1853.  New Daguerreotype Rooms.  It will be seen by reference to our advertising columns, that Messrs. Seaver & Butler have established themselves at No. 140 Washington street, where they would be happy to see their friends and the public, and to serve them in the line of their art.

The advertisement ran from July 12 to 25, 1853.  New Daguerreotype Rooms.  140 Washington Street, Seaver & Butler, having recently purchased these rooms, and neatly fitted and newly furnished them throughout, till they are surpassed in convenience and elegance by none in the city, are now prepared to take Likenesses with promptness, in the very best style of the art, and in every size and mode of finish.  The public are respectfully invited to give them a call.  Entire satisfaction guaranteed.

Mr. Seaver having been employed as Operator at Ives’s Establishment, for over a year past, would be pleased to see his numerous friends and acquaintances at his new place of business, where they will meet with entire satisfaction, as heretofore.

Chandler Seaver, Jr and George H. Butler are both recorded in other photographic directories.  The new information is that the partnership started in 1853 and that Seaver worked for Loyal Moses Ives in 1852.

[1] 1854-1856 A Directory Of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900.

Joseph Ropes

Daguerreotypes, Landscape Painter, Portrait Painter, , , , , ,

1841                Exchange Building, Portland, Maine.                                                                                1843                5½ Tremont Row, Boston, Massachusetts.                                                                      1843                Manning’s Building, Salem, Massachusetts.

Joseph Ropes was recorded in one notice, one advertisement and one biographical entry.  The announcement appeared in the Portland Transcript (Portland, Maine)[1] on August 14, 1841.

Daguerreotypes.   We have not before called the attention of our readers to the opportunity now afforded of obtaining a Portrait from life by means of the Daguerreotype.  Mr. Ropes has taken rooms for a brief period in the Exchange, where he attends to Photographic Miniature painting.  A sitting of from two to four minutes will give one a perfect likeness—a portrait of wonderful beauty and delicacy.  Our readers generally have doubtless heard of this surprising art, by which a faithful transcript of one’s features may be obtained, drawn by Nature’s own finger, and it is well worth their while to visit Rope’s Room and look over the different portraits taken in this way.  When Nature paints, she paints correctly and minutely.  One cannot help being astonished at the exquisite finish to be observed in these drawings.  Every minute figure of the dress—every thread even may be detected‑‑and so with the features—every line is completely shadowed forth.  Mr. R. is always happy to see his friends at his room—who have but to speak the word to obtain from him their counterparts.

The advertisement ran from July 3 to August 17, 1843 in the Salem Register (Salem, Massachusetts).  Beautiful Specimens of Photographic Miniatures.  May be seen at the room of the subscriber in Manning’s Building, 3d story.  He has been connected several months with the establishment of Southworth & Co., Prize Photographers, and is familiar with their process of taking and coloring pictures.  Those who wish for a Daguerreotype likeness in the most pleasing and popular style will do well to call.

Room open to visitors at all hours of the day.  J. Ropes.

The biographical entry is from The New-York Historical Society’s Directory of Artists in America 1564-1860.  Ropes, Joseph (1812-1885).  Landscape,. Miniature, and crayon artist and drawing teacher.  Born at Salem (Mass.)  In 1812, he did not seriously study painting until in his mid-thirties when he took lessons from John R. Smith and at the National Academy.  He exhibited at the academy in 1848.  From 1851-1865 he had a studio in Hartford (Conn.).  In 1865 he went abroad for eleven years; on his return he settled in Philadelphia.  He died in NYC in 1885.  Ropes was the author of Linear Prespective (1850) and Progressive Steps in Landscape Drawing (1853) [ ] French, Art and Artists in Connecticut, 79; Bolton, Miniature Painters; Cowdrey, NAD; Swan, BA; Hartford CD 1855; Tuckerman, Book of the Artists.

Joseph Ropes is recorded in A Directory of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900.

[1] Transcribed from DagNews.

Robinson & Ellis

Daguerreotypes, , , , , , , ,

N. D.               Address Unknown, Boston, Massachusetts.

Robinson & Ellis (Josiah C. Robinson & Lemuel Ellis) research provided by Graham Garrett. Stanstead, Lennoxville and Sherbrooke, L. C. (Quebec).  Senior partner was Joseph C. Robinson, born in the U. S. in 1826.  Listed as a portrait painter and daguerreotypist.  Mentioned on Sherbrooke Census as having a residence in Lennoxville.  Advertisement on January 9th, 1851 stated, “Messrs. Robinson & Ellis, the celebrated Photographic Artists, (from Boston), contemplated visiting Sherbrooke about the 25th Jan….”  Listed in 1848 as having gallery at 170 Broadway, N.Y., Cincinnati, 1850-51.  Lemuel Ellis (q.v.), a partner, was also located at 123 Washington St., Boston, and advertised in Montreal in 1854.

Josiah C. Robinson not (Joseph C.) is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as being active in New York and Cincinnati.  Lemuel Ellis is also recorded in A Directory of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900 and in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry.  The information about the Canadian connection and being from Boston prior to 1851 is new information.

 

Obadiah Rich

Daguerreotype Plate Manufacturer, ,

1840                Court Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts.[1]

Obadiah Rich was recorded in one advertisement that ran from April 14 to May 4, 1840 in the  Boston Daily Evening Transcript (Boston, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotype Plates made and for sale by O. Rich, Court Avenue.

The following information is from the Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers, fourth edition.  Obadiah Rich was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1809 and died in 1888.  He worked as a silversmith in Boston first under the apprenticeship of Moses Morse.  In 1830 he went into business for himself; 1832-1835 in partnership with Samuel L. Ward; 1835-1850 in association with Jones, Low, and Ball.  “Was an outstanding craftsman who produced a number of exceptionally high quality presentation pieces during his career.”  His hallmark appears to have been an oval with concave sides, O Rich at the top, Boston on the bottom, and in the center a dragon.

Obadiah Rich is recorded in other photographic directories the information from Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers, fourth edition may possibly help identify any plates in existence.

[1] A Directory Of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900.

Dr. Reynolds

Daguerrean Car, Daguerreotypes, , , ,

ND                  96 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.                                                              1852               Near the Common, Woburn, Massachusetts.

Dr. Reynolds was recorded in one announcement that appeared on April 10, 1852 in the Woburn Journal (Woburn, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotypes.  We have received from a friend the following complimentary notice of the manager of the Daguerreotype Saloon now in town and from our observations are sure that our correspondent is correct as to the quality of pictures taken, as well as the reasonable price charged.

Now is an excellent opportunity to have a likenesses taken, thus saving the trouble and expense of a journey to Boston, and at the same time feeling assured that you will get just as good a picture of Dr. Reynolds as of any of the Boston operators, at one half the expense

Boston, March 29th, 1852.                                                                                                                                      Mr. Editor.— Being called to your thriving village on a matter of business last week, I noticed the Daguerreotype Saloon of Mr. B. P. Batchelder, near the Common.  I desire to say a brief word in relation to the merits of the “Operator” Dr. Reynolds, whose services the proprietors have secured.  The Dr. has been a very successful assistant of the world famed Whipple of this city, whose success in this wonderful art is almost marvelous.  Dr. Reynolds is no pretender but an educated practical chemist, and the inhabitants of Woburn can now rely upon receiving as perfect a picture at their own doors, as they can possibly obtain by a journey to Boston, and at about one half the price.  Families desiring groups, or the pictures of their little ones will find this an opportunity which will not again soon occur.  Knowing what I here state to be entirely correct, I hope that the Dr. will receive the patronage he so well merits.  R.

Dr. Reynolds is not recorded in other photographic directories.

James Pierpont

Daguerreotypes, , ,

Ca. 1850-1851   Address Unknown, San Francisco, California.[1]                                                  1857                      109 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.[2]

James Pierpont was listed in Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. (New York, New York.)  P. 1409.

Born in Boston 1822,                                                                                                                                          Died Winter Haven, Fla. 1893                                                                                                                        Father John Pierpont was an abolitionist minister in Boston and held the rank of Brig. General in the Union Army during the Civil War.                                                                                        James joined the confederacy during the Civil War.                                                                        James was also an American composer

Jingle Bells, or The One Horse Open Sleigh (1859) which did not become popular until the 20th century.  His best known works were the Little White Cottage, or Gentle Nettie Moore (1857);  We Conquer or Die (1861); and Strike for the South (1863).

2016 December 8.  On line article in BU Today “Jingle Bells”…Pierpont could not have written “Jingle Bells”  in a Medford tavern in 1850, because in 1850, he was in California trying in vain to cash in on the Gold Rush.  He did enjoy some small measure of success as a daguerreotype artist, at least until an 1851 San Francisco fire burned down his shop.  He returned to Boston broke.

James Pierpont is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as being active in Boston in 1857.

[1] On-line article in BU Today News, Opinion Community.  December 8, 2016 by Joel Brown.  “Jingle Bells” History takes surprising tern beloved Christmas favorite was first performed in Boston Minstrel Hall.  (Research by Kyna Hamill).

[2] Craig’s Daguerreian Registry.

Mr. Palmer

Daguerreotypes, ,

1853                215 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

Mr. Palmer was recorded in one advertisement that ran in the Boston Daily Evening Transcript (Boston, Massachusetts) on February 26, 1853.  Daguerreotype Portrait Painting.  Photographic Portraits are taken with all the recent improvements adopted in the process in France, England and America, by Palmer & Co., 215 Washington street Boston.

Photographic Portrait Painting (sun painting) now takes its place by the side of pencil drawing.  By painting with instruments an outline of mathematical precision is obtained which can scarcely be expected with the hand; and by judicious employment of chemicals and the careful use of color, the finest tone and finish imparted to the picture.   Landscapes and Portraits are taken with equal exactness and fidelity—valuable pieces of sculpture are copied in high relief—and minute Portraits are executed for lockets, broaches, pins and rings.  Unless we are prepared to quarrel with the sun and dispute the laws of nature, we must admit that the trust and most perfect portrait may be obtained by the Daguerreotype.  For specimens see case at the door, 215 Washington St.

Mr. Palmer is not listed in other photographic directories nor was he listed in the Boston City Directory; residence section from 1851-1854.

Alexander Gibbs Nye

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

ND                  Address Unknown, Plymouth, Massachusetts.                                                        1844                62 Milk Street, Boston, Massachusetts.                                                                                1853                Address Unknown, Weymouth, Massachusetts.

Information from A Genealogy of the Nye Family, 1907. p.379-380.  Dr. Alexander Gibbs Nye, born at Falmouth, Massachusetts, August 24, 1817, and died in Weymouth, Massachusetts, October 7, 1901.  In early life he was a painter and worked several years at that trade in Boston and New York, and on one occasion he went to Mobile and New Orleans.  He studied higher art and achieved some fame as a portrait and sketch painter.  Later he took up the Daguerreotype business and carried it on extensively for several years in Plymouth, Massachusetts, afterward moving to Boston and them to Weymouth.  Afterwards he gave his attention to dentistry…

Alexander Gibbs Nye is recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Boston and Weymouth but not in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  It is possibly he is the same A. Nye selling his daguerrean apparatus in 1847 in yesterday’s post.

A. Nye

Daguerreotypes, ,

1847                475 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

A. Nye was recorded in one advertisement that ran from February 23 to 26, 1847 in The Daily Chronotype (Boston, Massachusetts).  Important To Daguerreotype Artists.  A Complete Apparatus And Fixture for the business, for sale at a great sacrifice.  Apply to A. Nye, 475 Washington st.

A. Nye is not listed in other photographic directories as being active in Boston, Massachusetts in 1847.  It is possible that this is Alexander Gibbs Nye who was first active prior to 1844 in Plymouth, Massachusetts and in 1844 in Boston and in 1853 in Weymouth.  It is possible while in Boston in 1847 he is selling his apparatus and not actively practicing photography.  See Alexander Gibbs Nye in tomorrows post.

L. W. F. Mark

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, Photographs, ,

Ca. 1859          20 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.                                                                 ND                     Address and Location Unknown.

L. W. F. Mark was recorded from a facsimile of a broadside. From (Jim Foster’s Classy Camera, Urbana, IL.) with notes. Ca. 1859.

Photographs!  Ambrotypes.  L. W. Mark, Late of Boston, has now the pleasure of informing the inhabitants of this town and vicinity, that he has taken rooms at

__________________________

for a few days only, for the purpose of taking Photographs, Ambrotypes & Lettertypes.  With superior German Instruments, and the best Stock, he is prepared to take Group or single Miniatures at the lowest prices, and trusts he can please even the most fastidious.

At this Establishment, all are allowed to sit and make changes until satisfied with a likeness.

The supply of Plain and Fancy Cases, Frames, and Life-like Likenesses, and the terms at which they are furnished, he trusts will be an inducement to call and see specimens, if not to patronize.

Copying and all that pertains to the art done at short notice.—Pictures of Deceased Persons taken at their residences; Views, &c.

Parents wishing Miniatures of their Children, will please come in the fore part of the day, as the light is stronger and better.  Come One, Come All, Give the Lame Man a Call!  L. W. F. Mark.

“Twenty-two original broadsides were found with much of the photographers camera equipment.  He was born and raised in Keene, New Hampshire.  In the 1850’s he worked as an apprentice at a Boston Daguerreian Gallery located at 20 Washington Street.  In a letter to his mother dated 1859 he wrote I live in a gentleman’s hotel and looking around at all the potential Customers…he purchased two of Roberts, Box-in-a-Box Daguerrian cameras one ¼ plate and one ½ plate, plate holders, tripod, and other materials for wet-plate photography.  He returned to Keene, New Hampshire and became town clerk.

L. W. F. Mark is not recorded in other photographic directories.