Tag Archives: Exeter New Hampshire

George B. Sawyer

1856                Address Unknown, Exeter, New Hampshire.

1856                Address Unknown, Salmon Falls, New Hampshire.

George B. Sawyer was recorded in one advertisement that ran from July 4 to August 15, 1856 in The Union and Eastern Journal (Biddeford, Maine).  Daguerreotype Rooms For Sale.  The subscriber has two rooms, one at Exeter, N. H., and the other at Salmon Falls,—each well located, and doing a good business, with no formidable competition.

The Ambrotype patent right is secured for both places.  I will sell one of them very low, (in order to devote my whole attention to the other,) if application be made soon.  Address, Geo. B. Sawyer, Salmon Falls, N. H.

George B. Sawyer is not recorded in other photographic directories.  It is unknown if he was an image maker or in realestate having the ambrotype patent rights for both locations suggest that he may have been an ambrotypist.

E. Punderson

1845                Address Unknown, Factory Island, Saco, Maine.

1846                Address Unknown, Saco, Maine.

1846                Address Unknown, New York, New York.

1846                Rooms Directly Opposite the Post Office, Saco, Maine.

1847                Rooms Over Nathaniel Churchill’s Store, Exeter, New Hampshire.

E. Punderson was recorded in four advertisements.  The first advertisement ran on December 23 & 30, 1845 in the Maine Democrat (Saco, Maine).  Wish you Merry Christmas!  All persons wishing to present their friends with a valuable Christmas or New Year’s Gift-one which will be valued far beyond its cost—one which time instead of impairing will only render more valuable—and one which as often as seen cannot fail to call to mind the giver, can obtain such by calling at Punderson’s Daguerrian Rooms, Factory Island, where by favoring him with the Light Of Their Countenance for a few seconds, he will furnish them with a perfect and well executed Likeness, for the trifling of [$2.50] which will be by far the most beautiful and valuable gift of any which can be obtained for a similar cost.

A very handsome assortment of Gold and Gilt Lockets just received which will be sold at a very small advance from cost.

The second advertisement appeared on April 14, 1846 in the Maine Democrat.  Perfect likenesses, By the Daguerreotype Process, For Only $2.50.  E. Punderson would respectfully announce to the citizens of Saco and vicinity, that he intends remaining in this place For One Week Longer Only.  Those wishing correct and beautifully executed likenesses of themselves or friends, will probably never have a better opportunity than the present.

It would seem wholly unnecessary to urge upon any reflecting mind the importance of securing a likeness of every member of their family.  ‘Tis true that whilst surrounded by the object of our love, a likeness may seem of but little value; but let death enter the family circle and remove from the number a beloved parent, brother or child, ‘tis than that their likeness becomes valuable.—How valuable, those only who possess such a memento of a dearly loved but departed friend can well realize.

Hours of operating from 9 A. M. to 4½ P. M.  Pictures taken without regard to weather.  Rooms open evenings for the exhibition of pictures. 

The third advertisement ran from July 28 to September 22, 1846 in the Maine Democrat.  Punderson’s Daguerrean Rooms Re-Opened.  E. Punderson, having returned from N. York, where he has been for the purpose of perfecting himself in the recent improvements made in the art, again offers his services to the citizens of Saco and vicinity, and pledges himself that his pictures shall not be surpassed by those of any operator in the country.

He would respectfully invite those wishing correct and well-executed likenesses, to call at his rooms, Directly opposite the Post Office, where perfect satisfaction will be given or no charge,  The liberal patronage bestowed upon him during his long stay in this place, is of itself sufficient proof of the high estimation in which his pictures are held, and no pains will be spared to secure a continuance of the same.  It appears to be the general impression that pictures taken in cloudy weather, are not as good as those taken in a clear day.  This is incorrect; the only difference being that in a cloudy day it is necessary to sit a few seconds longer; but the effect is the same.

Pictures set in frames, cases, lockets, pins or rings.  Hours of operating from 9 A. M. to 5 P. M.

The fourth advertisement ran on March 8 & 15, 1847 in the Exeter News-Letter and Rockingham Adviser (Exeter, New Hampshire).  With Or Without Colors.  How often do we hear the wish expressed for the miniature of an absent or a deceased friend?  And indeed who has not at one time or other vainly endeavored (for want of one of these little remembrances) to recall the features that once reflected all our dreams of love and beauty?  The smiling lip and laughing eye—the manly brow and thoughtful gaze of some dear companion, parent or friend, and sighed to think that they were lost to us forever?  Who does not love, whilst pondering o’er the sunshine and shadows of the past to be able to gaze on the countenance of some dear and early loved, but mourned and buried friend?

It would seem hardly necessary to urge upon any reflection mind the importance of securing likenesses of themselves and family.  It is true, that whilst surrounded by the objects of our love, a likeness may seem of but little or no consequence, but let death enter that circle and remove one after another, it is then their likeness becomes valuable—how valuable those only who have been so fortunate as to secure this memento of a departed friend can well realize.

Formerly the time spent in obtaining a likeness and the expense attending it, together with the uncertainty of finally procuring one which would be satisfactory were serious objections and deterred many from sitting for their pictures.  But this wonderful discovery a picture may be obtained in a few seconds which for beauty and accuracy of delineation cannot be surpassed by any painting, it being no fancy sketch of the Artist, but the ‘bona fide’ shadow itself, and that too at an expense so trifling that almost every person can obtain a likeness not only of himself but of every member of his family.

The subscriber having been under the instruction of the first operators in the city of New York, and having been for a long time practically engaged in the business, sparing neither pains nor expense in availing himself of all the recent improvements in the art, flatters himself that his pictures for accuracy and beauty of execution cannot be surpassed by those of any operator; and he would respectfully invite all, whether they contemplate sitting for their pictures or not, to call at his Rooms, over Nathaniel Churchill’s Store, and examine his specimens.  They will thus be enabled to judge for themselves.  As he intends remaining in this place for a short time only, those wishing their pictures will do well to give him an early call.

Portraits and Miniatures copied with perfect accuracy.  Pictures set in Frames, Cases, Lockets, Bracelets, &c.  No person will be expected to take a picture unless perfectly satisfied with the execution.  Likenesses taken without regard to weather.

Hours of operating, from 9 A. M. to 5 P. M.  Rooms open Evenings for the exhibition of Pictures.  E. Punderson.

E. Punderson is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry in Exeter, New Hampshire in 1847.

Davis Brothers

1858-1859       8 Daniel Street, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

1858-1859       40 Water Street, Exeter, New Hampshire.

Davis Brothers (Charles & Lewis G.) were recorded in three advertisements and one announcement.  The first advertisement ran from July 26, 1858 to January 31, 1859 in the Exeter News Letter and Rockingham Advertiser (Exeter, New Hampshire).  Photographs & Ambrotypes The Davis Brothers having opened a first Class Photograph Gallery at No. 8, Daniel Street, are prepared to execute all kinds of Photographic Pictures in a style that cannot be excelled in this country.  Photographs life size colored or plain, made from old Daguerreotypes of any size.  Having also the Patent Ambrotype Right, particular attention will be made to this branch of the business, and every variety of Cases kept for sale.

We have the best Instrument to be procured and facilities for the prosecution of our business such as cannot be enjoyed by travelling or country artists.

Davis Brothers, No. 8 Daniel Street, Portsmouth, N. H.

The second advertisement ran from August 7, 1858 to December 17, 1859 In The Portsmouth Journal Of Literature & Politics (Portsmouth, New Hampshire).  Photographs.  We are now prepared to execute these Pictures in a style rarely equaled and never excelled in this country.

Life size Pictures taken in oil or water colors.—Pictures of any required size copied from old Daguerreotypes or Ambrotypes.

These Pictures are made by an entirely new process and when finished resembles a fine steel engraving.—The muddy and spotted appearance so often noticed in the Photograph is entirely avoided.

Particular attention paid to Ambrotyping , and all work warranted.  Davis Brothers.  No. 3 Daniel Street, Portsmouth.

The third advertisement ran from January 31 to December 26, 1859 in the Exeter News Letter and Rockingham Advertiser (Exeter, New Hampshire).  Photographs.  Mr. Chas. Davis, of the firm of Davis Bro’s, would inform the citizens of Exeter and vicinity that he has taken rooms at No. 40 Water St., over the store of John L. Lovering, where he is prepared to execute all kinds of Photographic Pictures, in a manner which cannot be surpassed.  Photographs taken of any required size, and colored in oil or water colors.  Ambrotypes, Malenatypes and every other invented picture, made and warranted, at fair prices.

Particular attention paid to copying old Daguerreotypes.  And those having pictures of deceased friends, he would say that, you can have a nice large Photograph, suitable for Framing, taken from the smallest Daguerreotype.  Also, Particular attention paid to Photographing Residences, &c

Every variety of Cases and Frames constantly on hand and for sale cheap.

The public are generally invited to call and examine Specimens.  Remember the No. 40 Water Street, Exeter, N. H.

The announcement appeared on October 3, 1859 in the Exeter News Letter and Rockingham Advertiser (Exeter, New Hampshire).  The Rockingham Fair…Entries in Town Hall.  Needle Work And Fancy Articles…T. E. Boutelle, Exeter, display of photographs and ambrotypes….Davis Brothers, ambrotypes and Photographs.  Premiums On Fancy Articles…Photographs  Davis & Brothers, Exeter, Ambrotypes,  1.00.

The Committee on Needle Work and Miscellaneous articles, have attended to the duty assigned them and report that they have awarded all the money allowed them, but have obliged to pass by a part of the contributions worthy on notice.  Among many others, we especially remember the following…T. E. Boutelle, display of Photographs and Ambrotypes…

Davis Brothers are not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Exeter, New Hampshire.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry does record Lewis G. Davis as being active in Portsmouth in 1860-1861.

Thomas E. Boutelle

Thomas E. Boutelle is known, he is listed in both Craig’s Daguerreian Registry  and in A Directory Of Massachusetts Photographers, 1839-1900.  The new information is that The England Business Directory also list him in Exeter, New Hampshire in 1856, 1860, and 1865.  Below is an quote from the book Whittier-Land, by Samuel T. Pickard, 1904. P. 97 & 100.

The likeness of Whittier  is from a daguerreotype taken in October, 1856, and has never before been published in any volume written by or about the poet. Mr. Thomas E. Boutelle, the artist who took this daguerreotype, is now living in Amesbury at the age of eighty-five. He tells me how he happened to get this picture,—a rather difficult feat, as it was hard to induce the poet to sit for his portrait. He had set up a daguerrean saloon in the little square near Whittier’s house, and Whittier often [Pg. 100] came in for a social chat, but persistently refused to give a sitting. One day he came in with his younger brother Franklin, whose picture he wanted. When it was finished, Franklin said, “Now, Greenleaf, I want your picture.” After much persuasion Greenleaf consented, and Mr. Boutelle showed him the plate before it was fully developed, with the remark that he thought he could do better if he might try again. By this bit of strategy he secured the extra daguerreotype here reproduced, but he took care not to show it in Amesbury, for fear Whittier would call it in. He took it to Exeter, N. H., and put it in a show-case at his door. His saloon was burned, and all he saved was this show-case and the daguerreotype, which many of the poet’s old friends think to be his best likeness of that period.