Tag Archives: Daguerreotypist

George J. Smith

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1855                Opposite Mr. Kophman’s Store, Port Jervis, New York.

1856-1860      147 Congress, corner Whitaker, Savannah, Georgia.[1]

1856                Bryan & St. Julian, Savannah, Georgia.[1]

George J. Smith was recorded in two advertisements in the Tri-State Union (Port Jervis, New York).  The first advertisement ran from November 8 to 22, 1855.  Something new in Port Jervis.  A Daguerrean Gallery open every day, Sunday excepted, from 8½ o’clock, A. M. to 5 P. M.  Gallery opposite Mr. Kophman’s store.  A share of public patronage is most respectfully solicited, and all are invited to call and examine specimens.  Geo. J. Smith.  Oct. 17, 1855.

P. S.—Stock for sale and instruction given in Glass Pictures and Daguerreotypes.          G. J. S.

The second advertisement appeared on December 6, 1855.  Cassedy’s Daguerrean Gallery.  Open every day. Sunday excepted, from 9 a. m., until 5 o’clock p. m.  Gallery opposite Kophman’s Store, Pike Street, Port Jervis, where Pictures are taken in all the improved styles of the art, and warranted to give perfect satisfaction.

N. Cassedy. Dec. 6, 1855. N. B.—Having business South I have sold my interest in the Daguerrean Rooms at Port Jervis to Mr. N. Cassedy.  The Rooms which have been neatly fitted up and newly furnished, are now in nice order.  To those that want a good picture I would say give him a call.  G. J. Smith.  Port Jervis, Dec. 1, 1855.

George J. Smith is recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Georgia. 

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

Andrew Smith

Daguerreotypes, ,

1856                377 North Second, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1]

Andrew Smith 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.

Smith. — A mediocre artist.

Andrew Smith is recorded in other photographic directories but is included here because of the first hand account of his work.

[1] Not all first names or complete addresses were recorded in article.   Directory of Pennsylvania Photographers, 1839-1900 (Linda A. Ries & Jay W. Ruby) and Craig’s Daguerreian Registry was used to assist in identification when possible first name and address were added. 

A. C. Smith

Daguerreotypes, , , , , , ,

1850                Rooms at the second door of Briggs’ Exchange Buildings, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.

1851                Rooms at the Town Hall, Lewistown, Pennsylvania.

1855                Address Unknown, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

A. C. Smith was recorded in two advertisements and two announcements.  The first advertisement ran from April 18 to May 16, 1850 in The Star of the North (Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania).  Daguerreotype Pictures!  A. C. Smith, Respectfully informs the good citizens of Bloomsburg and vicinity, that he will remain a short time to furnish those who wish a fine likeness either in Case, Lockets, Breast-Pins or Rings.

Mr. S., has recommends from celebrated Artist in Baltimore, Washington, D. C., Philadelphia, New York and Boston, that he is capable of furnishing a fine specimen of the art to any favoring him with a sitting.

Rooms at the second door of Briggs’ Exchange Buildings, up stairs. Commence on Monday April 15 th. Instruction will be given in the Art of taking Likenesses. Please call immediately, as I remain but a short time, A. C. Smith, Artist.

The second advertisement ran from October 24 to November 7, 1851 in the Lewistown Gazette  (Lewistown, Pennsylvania).  New Daguerreotype Room, In the Town Hall, Lewistown.  A. C. Smith, daguerreotypist, would call the attention of the citizens of Lewistown and vicinity to his daguerreotypes of Citizens and Others, At Rooms in the Town Hall.

Persons sitting for pictures may rest assured that no pains will be spared to produce them in the highest perfection of art.  His Instrument is of the most powerful kind, enabling him to execute pictures unsurpassed for high finish and truth to nature.

Persons sitting for pictures are neither required nor expected to take them unless perfect satisfaction is given.

N. B. Instruction given in the art, containing the most recent improvements.

The Public are solicited to Call and Examine.  Sept. 19, 1851.

The first announcement appeared on November 14, 1851 in the Lewistown Gazette (Lewistown, Pennsylvania).  List Of Awards By The Mifflin County Agricultural Society, At their Exhibition and Fair in Lewistown, held on Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 4th & 5th….The Committee on Domestic Household Manufactures, Embroidery, &c., Report:…

Daguerreotypes, taken by Mrs. Reed—first class.

Daguerreotypes, taken by J. Smith—first class.

Daguerreotypes, taken by A. C. Smith—first class.

1855 September 25-28.  Third Annual Report Of The Transactions Of The Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society For The Year 1855.  April 15, 1856, Vol. 3, p 75-76.  Information from Richard Jeffries.

Premiums Awarded…No. 35—Miscellaneous Articles And Fine Arts.

To Washington Barr, of Harrisburg, for a collection of daguerreotypes, photographs and stereoscope, a……………………………….Silver Medal.

To. A. C. Smith, of Harrisburg, for a case of daguerreotypes and two frames of Daguerreotypes, a……………………………………………..Diploma.

To W. Barr, of Harrisburg, for a large collection of daguerreotype cases, a……Diploma.

A. C. Smith is not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania in1850 or in Lewistown, Pennsylvania in 1851.  In Directory of Pennsylvania Photographers 1839-1900 an Alexander C. Smith is recorded in Harrisburg from 1852 to 1862. It is possibly that they are the same person.

W. Robert Small

Daguerreotypes, , ,

1847                A few doors from H. S. Cutting’s Store, Green River, Vermont

W. Robert Small was recorded in one advertisement and one announcement in the Vermont Phoenix (Brattleboro, Vermont).  The advertisement ran from October 29 to December 17, 1847. Daguerreotype Miniatures.  The subscriber would respectfully inform the Ladies and Gentlemen of Green River, and vicinity that he will open a room a few doors from the store of H. S. Cutting, on the first of Nov., for the purpose of taking Daguerreotypes.  W. Robert Small.                       

The announcement appeared on November 12, 1847.  Our friend Small, it will be seen by his advertisement, is now at Green River, prepared to daguerreotype “the human face divine.”  He is an excellent artist, and a worthy young man.  We know the latter fact by a pleasant acquaintance with him; and his being instructed by Mr. Cooley is proof of the former.  If personal merit and good pictures can command success, friend S. will have custom enough.

W. Robert Small is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Skinner

Daguerreotypes, ,

1844                57 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, New York.

Skinner was recorded in one announcement that appeared on March 12, 1844 in The Brooklyn Daily Eagle and Kings County Democrat (Brooklyn, New York).  The Ne Plus Ultra.—We have recently been shown some Daguerreotype miniatures, taken by Skinner, 57 Hicks street, which surpass in beauty, distinctness, and life-like expression, the best specimens yet produced in this line of art—so far, at least, as our observation has extended.  The somber aspect of the countenance and dazzling surface of the plate, which have hitherto been considered objections to Daguerreotypes, are obviated in the specimens referred to by tinting and gilding.  The figure is rendered permanent by the same process, and hence not liable to be destroyed by an unlucky slip of the glass, or a trace of the finger.  Indeed it seems as if improvement could no further go; and we can recommend all who wish to procure fac similes of themselves, or friends, at a very moderate price, to call upon Skinner, as above—who, by the way, is a dentist, and practices the art as much from love as for money.

Skinner is not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Brooklyn in 1844.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry does list John Skinner in 1846-1847 in Troy, New York, it is unknown if they are the same person.

L. S. Skiff

Daguerreotypes, ,

1847-1848       Room over the Post Office, Geneva, New York.

L. S. Skiff was recorded in two advertisement and one announcement.  The first advertisement ran from December 4, 1847 to April 1, 1848 in the Geneva Daily Gazette (Geneva, New York).  Price Reduces.  And Pledged not to be Outdone!

“Secure the shadow ‘ere the substance fade.”

Mr. L. S. Skiff, Would inform the ladies and gentlemen of Geneva, that he has taken the room formerly occupied by the Young Men’s Association Over The Post Office, and fitted it up for a Daguerreotype Gallery and intends to make a permanent residence,

Mr. S. has just returned from New-York with a choice lot of stock, of different qualities and sizes, and has secured the Latest Improvements, in the art.

He can take pictures, giving them the most life-like expression, the most perfect fresh color, and showing the variegated eye, with all the perfection and beauty of life itself.  None but those who have lost companions, parents, or children, can appreciate these valuable keepsakes.  When we are in life let us prepare for death—who will die and be forgotten, when they can preserve their memory for ages and generations to come for so mall a sum.

Ladies and Gentlemen are invited to call and examine specimens.  Children that are old enough to keep still 20 or 30 seconds can be taken as well as older persons.

Miniatures put in Lockets and Pins, And warranted perfect and never fade.  Instructions given in the art on reasonable terms.

Rooms open from 8 A. M. to 5 P. M., clear or cloudy.

Don’t forget the place, first door at the head of the stairs, over the Post office—Skiff’s Gallery.

The same advertisement ran from December 8, 1847 to February 9, 1848 in the Geneva Courier (Geneva, New York). 

The announcement appeared on July 26, 1848 in the Geneva Courier (Geneva, New York).  Our friend, Mr. Skiff, informs us that he intends soon to return to Geneva and open a Daguerreotype Room.  During his absence Mr. S. has improved his former method by the Late London Process, and is now available to produce unrivalled specimens of his art.

L. S. Skiff is not listed in other photographic directories.

Sites

Daguerreotypes, ,

1852                Glasgow House, Glasgow, Missouri.

Sites was recorded in one advertisement that ran from January 8 to February 12, 1852 in the Glasgow Weekly Times (Glasgow, Missouri).   

Daguerreotypes. 

In this world of notions each man acts his part,

Sites has chosen the Daguerrean Art,

He has just arrived in the city of Glasgow,

Where he has hung out his shingle to show—

The people of the place—the greatest of places,

To see how well he can counterfeit faces.

He takes fine pictures in all kinds of weather,

With the lights and shades neatly blended together,

Come down to the Glasgow House, and before

You go in you will see his sign at the door,

Walk up, take a chair—lean your arm on the stand,

Sites will then give you a touch of the grand.

He’ll take you a picture which never’ll fade away,

A thousand years hence, will be bright as to-day;

And see some sights (Sites) in the Daguerrean Hall,

If you’ve time you had better give him a call,

He takes all sizes from cases to lockets,

And readily suites the state of your pockets. 

Sites is not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Glasgow.  A. J. Site is recorded in Pioneer Photographers From The Mississippi To The Continental Divide A Biographical Dictionary, 1839-1865  as being active in St. Joseph in 1851. It is unknown if they are the same person.       

C. Wells Simons

Daguerreian Stock and Materials, Daguerreotypes, , ,

1842                155 Broadway, New York, New York.

C. Wells Simons appeared in one advertisement in The New York Herald (New York, New York) on September 15, 1842.  For Sale—Improved Daguerreotype Apparatus, with full instructions, for sale low—Persons, who in consequence of the depressed times have been thrown out of employment, may, with a very limited capital, enter into this elegant profitable business with a certainty of success.—There are many towns, even in this State, that have not yet been visited by any operators; and at the South and West there is a first rate field open for those wishing to travel.

A full knowledge of the Art can be obtained in a few days, by applying to C. Wells Simons, 155 Broadway, N. Y.

N. B.—Persons in the country can be furnished with the Apparatus, and written instructions that will enable them to operate successfully.  C. Wells Simon.         

C. Wells Simons is not recorded in other photographic directories.  C. Wells Simons was not listed in the 1841-1842 or the 1842-1843 New York City directories.  It is unknown if Simons was an amateur or professional daguerreotypist or a retailer of daguerrean equipment.

W. H. Sigourney

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1853-1855       New Exchange Building, corner of Washington Street and the Public Square,                              Watertown, New York.

W. H. Sigourney of the partnership of Woodruff & Sigourney was recorder in two advertisements.  The first advertisement ran from December 21, 1853 to December 13, 1854.

In the Northern New York Journal (Watertown, New York).  Washington Daguerrean Gallery.  The subscribers have opened a New Daguerrean Gallery in the New Exchange Building, corner of Washington street, and the Public Square, where they are now ready to execute work in a Superior Style.

Their Rooms are beautifully fitted up, and no pains or expense has been spared in procuring the Best Operators, and the latest and most approved apparatus.

Ladies and gentlemen are most respectfully invited to call.  Jonah Woodruff.  W. H. Sigourney.

The same advertisement ran from September 14, 1854 to January 4, 1855 in The New York Reformer (Watertown, New York).  Washington Daguerrean Gallery.  The subscribers have opened a New Daguerrean Gallery in the New Exchange Building, corner of Washington street, and the Public Square, where they are now ready to execute work in a Superior Style.

Their Rooms are beautifully fitted up, and no pains or expense has been spared in procuring the Best Operators, and the latest and most approved apparatus.

Ladies and gentlemen are most respectfully invited to call.  Jonah Woodruff.  W. H. Sigourney.

W. H. Sigourney is not listed in other photographic directories.

C. Sibley

Daguerrean Car, Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

1852                On the Common, Barre, Massachusetts.

C. Sibley of the partnership Mason & Sibley was recorded in one advertisement that appeared on  July 30, 1852 in the Barre Gazette (Barre, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotypes.  Messrs. Mason & Sibley Are Now In Town, with their, Mammoth Traveling Daguerreian Saloon.  The largest Ever Built, and on the principle of the Best City Rooms, with one Large Sky, and 2 Large Side Lights, which can be so arranged as to produce any kind of shade desirable.

We would invite the citizens of Barre, and vicinity, to give us a call, whether they wish to sit for a picture or not.  Pictures put up of every size and style.

Pictures of the Sick or Deceased, taken at their Residence at all times, by giving short notice.

We keep posted up in all the Improvements of the Art from Europe and this Country, Let The Cost Be What It May.

Cloudy weather preferable, except for Children.

Any one wishing to learn the Art, are requested to call at the National, and make inquiries.

Stock and Apparatus furnished to Pupils at the Wholesale Prices.

The Daguerreian Saloon is stationed on the Common.  J. L. Mason, C. Sibley, Proprietors and Artists.  Barre, July 16, 1852.

C. Sibley is not recorded in other photographic directories.