1852-1857 163 Clay Street, San Francisco, California.
1857 Corner Clay and Kearny Street, San Francisco, California.
1858-1859 182 Washington Street, San Francisco, California.
1859-1860 111 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California.
1852 May 15. Daily Alta California. (San Francisco, California.) May 15, 1852, Vol. III, No. 135, P. 3.
Daguerreotypes.—Chase, Daguerrian Artist, from Boston, has taken rooms in this city, in connection with Mr. Hamilton, on Clay street, near Montgomery, in Dr. Rabe’s building.
Advertisement ran from May 15 to 23, 1852.
Hamilton & Starr’s Daguerrean Gallery. The Miniatures taken in this establishment are well known for their lifelike appearance, beauty of coloring, and style of finish. Messrs. H. & S., are both practical operators, and specimens of their work, can at all times be seen in their Gallery, in shadows of well known individuals, and which specimens are always open to the inspection of the public.
Buildings, Landscapes, and everything appertaining to the art, executed at short notice, and satisfaction guarantied in all cases. Apparatus and stock for sale at the lowest prices. Mr. H. has recovered from his late indisposition, and ladies and gentlemen who were disappointed previous to the sailing of the last steamer can now be attended to with facility and dispatch. A visit from ladies and gentlemen is respectfully solicited. Hamilton & Starr’s, Daguerrean Gallery, Rabe’s Building, Clay street, three doors above Montgomery.
Advertisement ran from December 17, 1852 to April 15, 1853.
1853 June 24. San Francisco Evening Journal. (San Francisco, California.) June 24, 1853, Vol. II, No. 336, P. 2.
Re-Opened. Star & Johnson’s “Excelsior Daguerrean Gallery.” (Late Hamilton and Starr’s) The above Gallery, having been closed for a fortnight past, is now re-opened, greatly enlarged and improved, no pains or expense having been spared to make this, as its name imports, The Excelsior Gallery of San Francisco. The Show Rooms, Private Dressing Room for Ladies’, Laboratory, etc., are of the largest and most convenient plan. The light is superior to any in the city, and equal to the most celebrated Galleries in the Atlantic cities. Our Rooms are especially adapted for taking Family Groups, and so well ventilated that no unpleasantness is experienced even in the warmest weather, as is the case in smaller Galleries. Mr. Johnson, the artist, from his experience of thirteen years’ successful practice as a Daguerreotypist in the cities of New York and New Orleans, Augusta, Ga., Cleveland, Ohio; and during four seasons at Saratoga and two at the White Sulphur Springs,—feels himself warranted in insuring perfect satisfaction to all our patrons. No charge is made nor is any picture suffered to leave our possession, until the sitter is entirely satisfied. Rabe’s Building, 163 Clay st.
1854 April 6. Daily California Chronicle. (San Francisco, California.) April 6, 1854. Vol. 1, No. 16, P. 2.
Chas. F. Hamilton. Jacob Shew. Daguerreotypes! Daguerreotypes! The Subscribers respectfully inform the public of San Francisco that they have purchased the Daguerrean Gallery on Clay street, lately occupied by Starr & Johnson, and refitted it in the most complete manner, and where every thing relating to the art will be executed in the most perfect manner.
The only place in California where Shew’s Daguerreotypes and Stereoscopes are taken.
This Establishment occupies four rooms, and is the most complete establishment of the kind on the Pacific.
Private parlor for ladies, furnished in the most magnificent style. Ladies and Gentlemen are respectfully invited to call whether they wish to sit or not. Hamilton & Starr, (late Starr & Johnson,) 163 Clay st., Rabe’s Building, two doors above Montgomery, San Francisco.
Advertisement ran from April 6 to 17, 1854.
1854 April 8. San Francisco Evening Journal. (San Francisco, California.) April 8, 1854, Vol. II, No. 284, P. 2.
Daguerreotypes.—By referring to our advertising columns it will be seen that those magnificent daguerreotype rooms formerly occupied by Starr & Johnson, in Dr. Rabe’s Building, on Clay, near the corner of Montgomery street, have been taken by Messrs. Hamilton & Shew. These gentlemen are so well known as efficient operators in the art daguerrean that to speak of the advantages they possess would be superfluous.
1854 April 8. San Francisco Evening Journal. (San Francisco, California.) April 8, 1854, Vol. II, No. 284, P. 2.
Chas. F. Hamilton. Jacob Shew. Daguerreotypes! Daguerreotypes! The Subscribers respectfully inform the public of San Francisco that they have purchased the Daguerrean Gallery on Clay street, lately occupied by Starr & Johnson, and refitted it in the most complete manner, and where every thing relating to the art will be executed in the most perfect manner.
The only place in California where Shew’s Daguerreotypes and Stereoscopes are taken.
This Establishment occupies four rooms, and is the most complete establishment of the kind on the Pacific.
Private parlor for ladies, furnished in the most magnificent style. Ladies and Gentlemen are respectfully invited to call whether they wish to sit or not. Hamilton & Starr, (late Starr & Johnson,) 163 Clay st., Rabe’s Building, two doors above Montgomery, San Francisco.
Advertisement was recorded five times between April 8 to 22, 1854.
1854 May 5. The Pacific. (San Francisco, California.) May 5, 1854, Vol. III, No. 26, P. 3.
The Citizens Of San Francisco And The Public Generally Are Invited To Call And Examine Specimens of Stereoscopes Thake at our rooms. The superiority of our Daguerreotypes are so well known that it is unnecessary to mention it. We are both practical operators of ten years experience in the art—and the scientific manner in which our rooms and skylights are arranged gives us advantages not possessed by any other establishment non the Pacific Coast. Our Gallery [is] by far the most extensive and best furnished in California. We have a Ladies Parlor furnished in the most splendid manner—besides a Public Reception Room. Ladies and Gentlemen are respectfully invited to call. Hamilton & Shew, Babe’s Building, 163 Clay Street.
Advertisement was recorded thirty one times between May 5, 1854 to February 2, 1855.
1855 February 9. The Pacific. (San Francisco, California.) February 9, 1855, Vol. IV, No. X, P. 3.
The Citizens Of San Francisco And The Public Generally Are Invited To Call And Examine Specimens of Stereoscopes Thake at our rooms. The superiority of our Daguerreotypes are so well known that it is unnecessary to mention it. We are both practical operators of ten years experience in the art—and the scientific manner in which our rooms and skylights are arranged gives us advantages not possessed by any other establishment non the Pacific Coast. Our Gallery [is] by far the most extensive and best furnished in California. We have a Ladies Parlor furnished in the most splendid manner—besides a Public Reception Room. Ladies and Gentlemen are respectfully invited to call. Hamilton & Shew, Babe’s Building, 163 Clay Street.
Advertisement ran from February 9 to November 9, 1855.
1855 November 19. Price Current and Shipping List. (San Francisco, California.) November 19, 1855, Vol. 4, No. 43, P. 3.
Facts For The People! It Is Well Known That Well executed Daguerreotype Likeness taken on silver are far superior In Every Respect to the finest Oil Miniature Painting or Daguerreotypes on glass or paper, and is much cheaper. Call and examine our Daguerreotypes taken on pure Silver, and we guarantee that you will sat that they have All the beauty of a fine miniature painting on ivory, and far more accurate as regards the likeness. We have got a system of coloring and painting Daguerreotypes known only to ourselves, which never fades, and gives the Daguerreotype such a life-like appearance.
Just received by Express a beautiful assortment of every description of Fancy Cases. Hamilton & Shew, 163 Clay street, Rabe’s Building.
Advertisement ran from November 19, 1855 to April 4, 1856.
Mr. Shew, Late Of The Firm Of Hamilton & Shew, Would strongly recommend the attention of his friends and patrons to the new style of Improved Ambrotypes, (not introduced by Mr. Ford,) which he believes the most beautiful production of the Photographic Art. He has so much confidence in their success, that he is now applying his whole attention to the new art at Mr. Ford’s Rooms, where he would be pleased to see his friends.
Advertisement was recorded four times between January 4 to 25, 1856.
1856 January 26. The Wide West. (San Francisco, California.) January 26, 1856, Vo. II, No. 46, Whole No. 98, P. 3.
1857 June 28. The Golden Era. (San Francisco, California.) June 28, 1857, Vol. V, No. 29, P. 4.
Removal—Notice To The Public. Charles F. Hamilton, Daguerrean Artist, respectfully announces that he has taken charge of Mr. Bradley’s Daguerrean Gallery, South East corner of Clay and Kearny streets, where he will be happy to see his old friends and customers.
He would caution the public that the specimens on exhibition at his old stand, (Dr. Rabe’s Building, on Clay street,) were taken by him, and Not by the individual who now seeks to make a reputation under false pretences [sic.]. Charles F. Hamilton relies solely on his own meriss [sic.] for a share of the public patronage, and not upon the handi-work of others.
Advertisement was recorded three times between June 28 to July 19, 1857.
1857 July 26. The Golden Era. (San Francisco, California.) July 26, 1857, Vol. V, No. 33, P. 8.
Who and Where To Fine Them.
Hamilton, Chas. F., Daguerreotypist—Corner Clay and Kearny streets.
Potter & Co., Daguerreotypist—185 Clay street.
Shew, Wm., Daguerreotypist—113 Montgomery street.
Vance, R. H., Daguerreotypist—Cor. Montg’y and Sacramento sts.
1858 October 3. The Golden Era. (San Francisco, California.) October 3, 1858, Vol. VI, No. 43, P. 8.
The Only Gold Medal! Charles F. Hamilton, Daguerrean Artist, 182 Washington Street, (Between Kearny and Montgomery,) Was awarded The Only Gold Medal for The Best Ambrotypes, &c., at the late State Fair at Marysville, California.
1858 December 5. California Home Journal. (San Francisco, California.) December 5, 1858, Vol. 1, No. 10, P. 4.
The Only Gold Medal! Charles F. Hamilton, Daguerrean Artist, 182 Washington Street, between Kearny & Montgomery sts., Was Awarded The Only Gold Medal for the Best Ambrotypes, etc., at the late State Fair at Marysville.
In Addition To The Above, A Committee Of Judges have awarded the First Premium at the late Mechanics Fair to Charles F. Hamilton, for the finest Ambrotypes exhibited.
Collodion, of my own make, superior to any in market. Price, $3.50 per lb. Orders from the country Promptly attended to. Oct16.
1859 February 5. The Pacific. (San Francisco, California.) February 5, 1859, Vol. IX, No. 244, P. 3.
It Smacks of a Failing Business.—A certain old fogy is sore because I was his successful competitor at the late State Fair and the Fair of the Mechanics’ Institute in this city. I have made it a rule never to notice anything emanating from such a source, but as a character of a committee of honorable gentlemen is assailed, I feel called upon to notice the matter. In a few days I shall hear from them. The individual is grieved because we are leading him in every branch of the art—Photographs as well as Ambrotypes. The subscriber flatters himself that neither here nor elsewhere can anything dishonorable be brought to His door. Chas. F. Hamilton, Firm of Hamilton & Co., Daguerrean Artists, 182 Washington street.
Advertisement was recorded five times between February 5 to March 21, 1859.
1859 July 30. The Pacific. (San Francisco, California.) July 30, 1859, Vol. X, No. 53, P. 3.
A Temple of Art is Hamilton & Lovering’s new Photographic Establishment. There are Eight rooms all on the second floor (an advantage possessed by no other extensive establishment in the United States), and built expressly for the practice of the Photographic Art in all its branches. An experience of both Hamilton and Lovering of over sixteen years constant practice enables them to turn out finer work than any other establishment, as they are not compelled, like other establishments, to hire operators, who scarcely know anything about the business. The First Premium was awarded to us at both the last State and City Fairs. Hamilton & Lovering, Second story of Lecount’s Gallery, 111 Montgomery street. jy12.
Advertisement was recorded twice on July 30 & August 5, 1859.
1860 October 23. The Pacific. (San Francisco, California.) October 23, 1860, Vol. XI, No. 123, P. 2.
Four First Premiums at the late State Fair, and the Only First Premium at the Fair of the Mechanics’ Institute, were all awarded to us, over all competitors, for the Best Photographs, plain, re-touched, and life-size. Also, the First Premium for the best Ambrotypes, at both Fairs.
Prices low as ordinary pictures at other establishments. Rooms all on the second floor.
Over seventeen years’ experience of both of us, enables us to excel all our competitors. Hamilton & Lovering, Lecount’s Building. 111 Montgomery street.
Advertisement ran from October 23 to November 16, 1860.
1864 July 10. El Nuevo Mundo. (San Francisco, California.) July 10, 1864, Vol. 1, No.11, P. 3.
Gran Reduccion De Precios. Wise & Prindle, Propietarios De La Galeria Fotofrafica. Conocida antes come Galeria De Hamilton.
Ha Reducido El Precio De Targetas
Como Sigue:
Vinetas, por docena………………..$4.00
Cuerpo Entero………………………$3.00
Segunda docena de Vinetas………..$3.00
Segunda docena Cuerpo Entero……$2.50
Recordaran todos losque esta Galeria, que es la mas elegante del Estado, y que esta ahora produciendo pinturas que no son aventajadas en la costa.
La Galeria ha sido repare la, puesta er completo orden y ilena de nievas pinturas, y tiene todo lo necesario para comodidad y diversión del publico.
Uno de los propietarios, James Wise, es un Artista de profesión, y toda su atención esta consagrada a la toma de pinturas. Tienen también dos de los mas bellos operadores en el Estado, como se vera por sus muestras.
Pinturas Ejecutadas En Lienzo, Potogrgrapias Iluminadas, Y toda otra especie de pinturas serán ejecutadas en esta Galeria, Y no se ahorrara ningún trabajo para una satisfacción general.
Tengase esta toda en un pise, y arriba de unos cuantos escalones, nada mas.
No. 417 calle de Montgomery, entre Sacramento y California.
Advertisement was recorded from July 10 to December 22, 1864.
Pioneer American Photographers, 1839 - 1860 