1854-1863       55 Main Street, Gaffney’s Block, Rochester, New York.

1854 October 24.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  October 24, 1854, Vol. 10, No. 253, P. 2.

Mr. Douglass Hovey, a daguerrian operator from New York, has lately formed a copartnership with Mr. Kelsey. Of the Daguerrian Palace Gallery.  The accession of photographic talent, secures to the establishment the well earned reputation hitherto enjoyed for the production of excellent pictures and gives the assurance of a continuance of the confidence and patronage which the public has given its former proprietor.  These gentlemen propose to make theirs the continued place of resort for all those who have  an eye for the beautiful, and an appreciation for true gems of Daguerrian art.

1855 May 4.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  May 4, 1855, Vol 11, No. 107, P. 2.

We cannot forbear mentioning, in this connection, the superb photograph of the upper Falls, taken by our enterprising townsmen, Messrs. Kelsey & Hovey.  We have seen the finest water-views taken by Mr. Black, of Boston, undoubtedly the most skilful Photographer in America; but we remember none in which he has been as fortunate as our Rochester artists in catching the spirit of falling water and spray.  Much credit is due these gentlemen for their successful attempt to bring strangers, and not a few of our own citizens, to a better acquaintance with our great cataract.  They should neglect the lower Falls, nor the magnificent scenery of Portage.

1855 August 2.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  August 2, 1855, Vol 11, No. 184, P. 2.

A Card—The undersigned, in some article lately published, have claimed the credit of the first introduction of Life Size Photographic Painting in Rochester, and of being the only successful operators by this process.

A presumptuous attempt has lately been made, by advertisements from another quarter, to subvert this claim and delude the public into a belief foreign from the truth.  We therefore see it appropriate to make a more formidable protest against any further efforts of a cotemporary artist to thus seek unwarrantable honors for superior Photographic ability, and for appropriating unto himself a credit for skill which he does not possess.

We take occasion to repeat, that Life-size, or even Cabinet size Photographic impressions on Canvass, and colored in oil, are taken at no other establishment in Rochester.  We make this statement fearlessly, the truth of which all may easily become satisfied.

We justly expect the credit due to success in this most difficult yet beautiful process, and we hope for no patronage not justified by the actual merit in our productions.  Kelsey & Hovey, 55 Main street.  July 24, 1855.

Advertisement was recorded between August 2 to 10, 1855.

1855 September 1.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  September 1, 1855, Vol 11, No. 210, P. 2.

Photographic Painting.—These are portraits on canvass and colored in oil, like other paintings.  The method by which the portrait is produced differs from that formerly practiced by artists.  The likeness is not first drawn with a pencil by the hand, but taken with an instrument on the canvass.  In effectually placing the portrait upon the prepared canvass, the work of the artist has been greatly abridged,—he has only to color the portrait and it is done.  In a work of art, having to create, requires genius; but a good colorist may save the likeness and expression as given in the Photograph.  For these portraits is claimed greater accuracy than is possible to be obtained by any other method.  Only one sitting of a few seconds is required in their production.  Life and cabinet sizes, on canvass or paper, and colored to life, are taken by Kelsey & Hovey, Gaffney’s block, Main St.

1855 September 24.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  September 24, 1855, Vol 11, No. 228, P. 2.

The County Fair held on Thursday and Friday Sept. 20 and 21.  The County Fair at Spencerport was better attended than hitherto…

Messrs Kelsey & Hovey, 3 Photographic paintings, one of C. J. Hill, of Rochester, attracted great attention.

1855 September 25.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  September 25, 1855, Vol 11, No. 229, P. 3.

Monroe County Fair.  List of Premiums.  Awarded by the Monroe County Agricultural Society at the Annual Fair held at Spencerport, Sept. 20th and 21st, 1855…

Domestic Manufacturers…

Discretionary Premiums in this Department…

Photographs in Oil, Kelsey & Hovey, Rochester, Silver Medal.

1855 November 29.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  November 29, 1855, Vol 11, No. 284, P. 2.

A fine likeness of his Honor Mayor Hayden, by that accomplished portrait painter Mr. Nelson Cook, is on exhibition in the Arcade Hall—also a fine photographic portrait of the same gentleman by Messrs. Kelsey & Hovey.  These pictures attracted no little attention yesterday.

1857 January 2.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  January 2, 1857, Vol 13, No. 1, P. 1.

In Beauty, Perfection, And Artistic Finish, Are The Richly Painted Photographs And Pictures In every style, made by Kelsey & Hovey. 53 Main street, Gaffney’s Block, corner St. Paul street.  Nov. 13, 1856.

Advertisement was recorded from January 2 to February 17, 1857.

1857 September 23.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  September 23, 1857, Vol. XIII, No. 220, P. 2.

Monroe County Fair.  List of Entries…

Class VII;—Fine Arts, General Manufactures &c…

John S. Crocker, Rochester, a collection of ambrotypes, 1 view of Genesee Falls, 6 pictures.

W. H. Faker, Rochester, 1 collection of ambrotypes.

Hovey & Hartman, Rochester, exhibition of daguerreotypes, collection of ambrotypes, collection of stereoscopes.

1857 September 30.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  September 30, 1857, Vol. XIII, No. 226, P. 2.

Monroe County Agricultural Society.  Premiums Awarded At the Annual Fair, held on the Society’s Grounds near Rochester, Sept. 21st, 22d, &23d, 1857…

Class VII—Artist, &C.

Exhibition of Daguerreotypes—best, Hovey & Hartman, Rochester, $4.  Collection of Ambrotypes—best, John S. Crocker, Rochester, $3.  Stereoscopes—best, Hovey & Hartman, Rochester $3.

1857 November 10.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  November 10, 1857, Vol. XIII, No. 260, P. 2.

Grand Combination!  We, the undersigned, Proprietors of the Principal and long established Daguerreotype Galleries In this city, have decided, that, in consequence of the extreme scarcity of Money, and the many difficulties that a large class labor under, that it is No More Than Just, that a Reduction should be made in the Price Of Pictures! 

Therefore, Resolved, That henceforth, and until further notice, we will make Pictures For Twenty-Five, Fifty, and Seventy-Five Cents, For which we have heretofore charged One Dollar.

We Also Propose To Reduce the price of Fancy Cases, Frames, &c., &c., in the same ratio.  (Signed)

R. B. Appleby, Arcade Gallery,

Hovey & Hartman, Gaffney’s Block,

L. V. Griffin, Crystal Palace Block,

J. S. Crocker, Whitney’s Gallery.

Advertisement ran from November 10 to 13, 1857. 

Rochester New York City Directories.

1851.  Not Listed.

1853.  Not Listed.

1855.  (Kelsey & Hovey), daguerrean artist, 55 Main Street, b-Massasoit House.

1857.  (Hovey & Hartman), daguerrean artist, h-24 University Avenue.

1859.  (Hovey & Hartman), daguerrean artist,.

1861.  (Hovey & Hartman), daguerreotypist, 55 Main Street, h-24 University Ave.

1863.  (Hovey & Hartman), 55 Main Street.

1864.  Photographer, h-University Ave. near Union.

1866.  Artist, h-131 University Ave.

1867.  Artist, h-131 University Ave.

1868.  Manufacturer of Albumen Paper, h- 131 University Ave.

1869.  Manufacturer of Albumen Paper, h- 131 University Ave.

1870.  Manufacturer of Albumen Paper, 131 University Ave., h- 131 University Ave.

1871.  Manufacturer of Albumen Paper, 131 University Ave., h- 131 University Ave.

1872.  Manufacturer of Albumen Paper, 131 University Ave., h- 131 University Ave.

1873.  Manufacturer of Albumen Paper, 131 University Ave., h- 131 University Ave.

1874.  Manufacturer of Albumen Paper, 32 North Water., h- 131 University Ave.

1875.  Manufacturer of Albumen Paper, 32 North Water., h- 131 University Ave.

1876.  Manufacturer of Albumen Paper, 32 North Water., h- 131 University Ave.

1877.  Manufacturer of Albumen Paper, 32 North Water., h- 131 University Ave.

1878.  Manufacturer of Albumen Paper, 32 North Water., h- 135 University Ave.

1879.  Manufacturer of Albumen Paper, 32 North Water., h- 131 University Ave.