Tag Archives: Frederick Augustus Wenderoth

Frederick Augustus Wenderoth

Photographs, , , , , ,

1855                Address Unknown, St. Louis, Missouri

1855-1856       Rooms over Hicks’ China Hall, North side of public Square, Nashville,                             Tennessee.

Frederick Augustus Wenderoth of the firm Dodge & Wenderoth was recorded on one announcement in The Daily Nashville True Whig and five announcements and one advertisement in the Nashville Union and American.   The announcement in The Daily Nashville True Whig  (Nashville, Tennessee) appeared on September 29, 1855.  Photographic Miniature Portraits.—Art has achieved a signal triumph in the Introduction of crystalotype likenesses.  In the hands of competent artists, Photography is destined to supersede miniature painting on ivory altogether.  The process is simple and sure.  The likeness is first daguerreotyped on glass, and then transferred to a very fine paper, prepared especially for the purpose.  They are then colored to the life.  The likenesses thus taken has all the accuracy of a daguerreotype, and all the beauty and finish of a painting.  They are much larger than the ordinary miniature, and can be furnished at about one-fourth the cost of the latter.  We noticed that our old friend, J. W. Dodge, formerly of this city, and whose skill as a miniature painter is well known here, has been for some taking likenesses upon this plan.  He is associated with Mr. Augustus Wenderoth, one of the finest artist in the Country.  We have before us a highly complimentary notice of their pictures from the St. Louis Republican.

We are pleased to learn that Messrs. Dodge & Wenderoth will be in this city early October, and will open rooms for a short stay.—With the high reputation which Mr. D. enjoys here, and the acknowledge talent of his associate, there can be no doubt that they will find a lucrative patronage ready for them.

The first announcement in the Nashville Union and American (Nashville, Tennessee) appeared on December 23, 1855.  The Fine Arts—Photographic Miniature Portraits.—We take pleasure in calling the attention of our readers to the card of Messrs. Dodge & Wenderoth in this morning’s paper.  Mr. Dodge is well known in this community as an artist who has no superior in this country in his peculiar department—miniatures on Ivory.  Hundreds of his pictures are in the possession of persons in Nashville alone—and whoever has the likeness of a valued friend from his pencil has a “thing of beauty” which will certainly be “a joy forever.”  Mr. D. has associated with him Mr. Wenderoth, an artist of the highest accomplishment, as an examination of some of his specimens will abundantly satisfy anyone.  Together they will not only furnish our citizens with those inimitable miniatures on ivory—celebrated wherever known—but what will prove, we believe, even more acceptable, are to furnish Photographic Miniature Portraits—a style of picture which is destined to a very great extent to supersede all others.  They present at once the faithfulness and accuracy of the daguerreotype, together with the beauty, finish, naturalness and ease of an oil painting—which they in reality are, more than any thing else.  The photographic process transfers to paper the form and feature with unmistakable accuracy in the minutest particulars, while the delicate touch of the artist’s pencil—a pencil already famous even without this aid—brings out in bold and striking relief a counterfeit presentment of the subject, perfect almost beyond credulity.—This photographic process enables the artist to enlarge the size of their pictures, and to prepare them with less labor, as well as more accuracy, and consequently at a reduced cost.  We advise those of our readers who are fond of the beautiful in art, after giving the card of Messrs. Dodge & Wenderoth a reading, to call and examine some of their specimens, of which they have a few.  We can guarantee to the most matter-of-fact individual that he will find something in them to excite emotions of pleasure, and that he will at once resolve to have himself or some friend “done up” in their inimitable style.

The advertisement ran from December 23, 1855 to March 26, 1856.  To The Public.  A Card.  The undersigned would respectfully announce to his friends and the citizens of Nashville and vicinity, that he has returned to the city for the purpose of pursuing his profession, and that he has associated with him the talented Artist, Mr. F. Augustus Wenderoth, and he feels assured, from their success in another State, that their efforts in their profession cannot fail to be received with favor by the lovers of Art in Tennessee.  John W. Dodge.

The Fine Arts—Photographic Miniature Portraits.  Messrs. Dodge & Wenderoth would make known to the citizens generally, that they have taken Rooms over “Hicks’ China Hall,” North side of the Public Square, and are now prepared to execute (in addition to Miniatures on Ivory) the new Photographic Miniature Portraits.  These pictures are from Locket to Cabinet size, forming handsome ornaments for the Palor.  They possess the faithfulness of the mirror with the expression and coloring of life, and are Perfectly Permanent.

Painted Photographic copies of various sizes, taken of Daguerreotypes, when accompanied with a description of the complexion, color of the eyes, hair, dress, &c.  Specimens of the different styles, painted and plain, can be examine at their Studio.              

The second announcement appeared on February 15, 1856.  Photographs Of The Legislature.—Messrs. Dodge & Wenderoth, the distinguished artists, will take a Photographic view of the interior of the House of Representatives, with the members (and we presume their lady friends in the gallery,) this morning at 10 o’clock, if the day proves a favorable one.  If the day should be unfavorable, the picture will be taken on the first bright day following, at the same hour.  The interior of the Senate chamber will be taken on the day after that of the House, at the same hour, if the weather is fair.

The third announcement appeared on February 16, 1856.  Interior View Of The Hall.  Mr. Parks submitted a resolution which had just been put into his hands, inviting Messrs. Dodge & Wenderoth, Photographic Artists, (conformably to their application,) to take a Photographic Miniature of the House of Representatives at any time it may suit their convenience, and requesting the Door-keepers to extend to them the necessary freedom of the Hall and facilities for that object: and he moved that the rule be suspended for its consideration.

And, accordingly, the rule was suspended, and the resolution was adopted….

The Speaker read to the House a communication from Dodge, the Photographic Artists, stating that he would be prepared to take his interior view of the Hall to morrow (Friday) morning at 10 o’clock, if it should be a fair day; and, if not, on the first fair day following, at the same hour….

The fourth announcement appeared on May 16, 1856.  Photographic Miniature Portraits.  The studio of our friends, Messrs. Dodge & Wenderoth, over Hicks’ China Hall, north side of the square, has become the very general resort of that large class of our citizens of both sexes so justly celebrated for their high appreciation and liberal patronage of every thing truly excellent in the fine arts.  The reputation of Nr, Dodge alone as a miniature painter on ivory, in this city, where he has been so long and so favorably known, is of itself sufficient to attract all connoisseurs.  But there are other no less important features connected with his studio.  The introduction of the new style of pictures, known as Photographic Miniature Portraits, proves a most successful card.  These pictures, when painted, possess all the beauty of the ivory miniature, and, in addition, all the accurateness of outline and feature of the daguerreotype.  Besides they have the advantage in point of size, and are less expense in proportion.  Mr. Wenderoth is himself one of the most accomplished miniature painters in the country, as the specimens of his workmanship abundantly prove.  In the art of Photographing he is entirely au fait, and with his superior apparatus can exhibit pictures equal, if not superior, to any ever taken in this or any other country.

Mr. Dodge has recently returned from a visit to his family in the mountains, and is prepared, in connection with Mr. W., to attend to all orders.  Photographic Miniature Portraits can be readily taken from Daguerreotypes or Portraits.  We recommend those who wish to see something really superior to visit the studio of Dodge & Wenderoth.

The fifth announcement appeared on August 2, 1856.  Bank of Tennessee—Counter Notice.—We saw yesterday some specimens, of a new issue of the Bank of Tennessee, of the denomination of ten dollars, issued in lieu of their red brick tens, which have been withdrawn.  These notes are payable at the counter of the Bank here, and are being put in circulation in this city.  As specimens of Bank note engraving, they are equal, if not superior to any thing we have ever seen.  The face of the bill in on a yellow ground, and presents fine miniatures of Jackson, Polk, and Hon. Cave Johnson, President—the first two taken from J. W. Dodge’s Ivory Miniatures, and the latter from a Photographic Miniature by Dodge & Wenderoth….

Frederick Augustus Wenderoth is not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Nashville, Tennessee or in St. Louis, Missouri.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry does list a Frederick A. Wenderoth in Philadelphia in 1858-1860 he also list an August Wenderoth in San Francisco California and Charleston, South Carolina, it is unknow if they are the same person.

Frederick N. Hughes; and the Hughes Brothers. (Frederick N. & C. C.)

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, Photographs, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Activity:

1849-1851       83 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York

1852                Hines Hotel, Fayetteville, Tennessee.

1852                Union Street, Nashville, Tennessee.

1854-1855       59 College Street, Nashville, Tennessee.

1854-1858       26 Union Street, Nashville, Tennessee.

1857                46 Public Square, over Hicks’ China Hall, Nashville, Tennessee.

 

John Craig in his Craig’s Daguerreian Registry list Frederick N. Hughes in New York City from 1849-1851.  To date no articles or advertisements have been found in the New York Daily Tribune or The Evening Post in addition none of the suburban New York papers that have been search have revealed anything. C. C. Hughes reported by Craig was also in New York City from 1851 to 1853. 1851 at 271 Bleecker Street; 1852-1853 at 4 Ames Street; and he speculates that in 1854 that Cyril Hughes is the same person and a daguerreian at 201 east 21st Street.  Like his brother no additional articles or advertisements have been found in the New York papers.

On March 11, 1852 an advertisement places Frederick in Fayetteville, Tennessee taking daguerreotypes at the Hines Hotel, which was on or near the Public Square.  It appears by the number of times that he has advertised that he made at least three visits to Fayetteville in 1852.  The first series of advertisements were on March 11 and on the 18th.  His second visit in which he advertised was on April 29, and his third visit from July 15 through August 5, 1852.  On November 18 he advertises that he has permanently relocated to Union Street in Nashville.

The first advertisement for F. N. Hughes found in the Nashville papers is not until October 31, 1854 in an advertisement for the Hughes Brothers Daguerrean Artists and Daguerreotype Stock Dealers.  It is learned from that advertisement that they purchase the Gallery from Dobyns & Co.  “The subscribers have the honor to inform their numerous friends, that owing to an increase of business they have purchased the Rooms lately occupied by Dobyns & Co.”  C. C. Hughes is listed on Union Street, over Streetch & Orr’s.  F. N. Hughes is listed at 59 College Street with the note (late Dobyns & Co.)  Hughes is not listed in any of the Advertisements for Dobyns, in fact an advertisement appears that list Dobyns’ Galleries and his partnerships.  They go on to say that our galleries are fitted up in a neat style, with powerful Sky-Lights…and in the Union Gallery they have a beautiful Piano for the use of the Ladies.

The Dobyns advertisement appeared on August 17, 1853 and ran until January 15, 1854 in the Nashville Union and American newspaper.

Daguerrean Stock And Picture Establishment.

Dobyns & Yearout, Nashville, Tennessee, College Street

Dobyns & Hall, Louisville, Ky.

Dobyns, Richardson & Morssewet, sic. Moissenet, New York City

Dobyns & Spaulding, St. Louis, Mo.

Dobyns & Yearout, Memphis, Tenn.

Dobyns & Harrington, New Orleans, Louisiana

At any of the above establishments, you can procure as fine Pictures as can be had in any city, of any desired style or finish, as we have every improvement, and expect to keep up with any and all improvements.  We are prepared in either city to furnish artists with every article used in the art.  Our arrangements are such, we can furnish stock on the most reasonable terms.

N.B.—Pictures taken in any kind of Weather. Dobyns & Co.

While we’re talking about Thomas Jefferson Dobyns, the following first names or initials of his partners follows.  Nicholas Hall; William H. Harrington; Felix Moissenet; V. L. Richardson; J. M. Spalding; and John T. Yearout.  Two other advertisements related to Dobyns in Nashville are worth mentioning on October 16, 1853 we learn that Edwin Church has accompanied Dobyns from New York to run the Nashville Gallery.  Then on September 3, 1854 the following notice appears—The Copartnership heretofore existing under the firm of Dobyns & Church and Dobyns & Co., is dissolved.  No one is authorized to collect debts of the concern but Mr. J. T. Yearout.          T. J. Dobyns.

Curious no announcements were located in the Nashville newspapers announcing this partnership.  Yearout was in charge of the Nashville and Memphis galleries prior to Church’s arrival and evidently charged with settling the accounts and disposing of the gallery.

In another advertisement for the Hughes Brothers that appeared on November 1, 1854 and ran until September 8, 1855 they added that they also have a powerful side and sky lights, the only ones in the city…In an advertisement in the Nashville Union and American that ran on September 9 to October 16, 1855 they now list themselves as photographic and daguerrean artists, and dealers in daguerreotype stock and apparatus. The same advertisement ran in the Daily Nashville True Whig from September 10 to November 27, 1855 and is the last time the 59 College Street address was listed.

Reported in the Daily Nashville True Whig on October 11, 1855.  The first annual Mechanics Fair of the Mechanics Institute closed on Saturday night, after having been the center of attraction to citizens and strangers for a week…Of daguerreotypes, specimens were exhibited by Messrs. Hughes Brothers and C. C. Giers, and of photographs by the former gentlemen.  These were highly finished specimens, and such as may be produced at the establishments of the exhibitors… The following day October 12 the list of Premiums appeared.

Class 26—Daguerreotypes, Photographs and Apparatus.

Hughes Brothers, daguerreotypes and photographs…..Diploma.

  1. C. Giers, daguerreotypes……………………………2nd class Diploma.
  2. McLain, daguerreotypes……………………………Honorable Mention.

On January 30, 1856 they start advertising themselves as ambrotype, photographic and daguerrean artists at 26 Union Street, Nashville.  They go on and elaborate ambrotypes, photographs, plain or colored in oil, and warranted as permanent as any other style of painting.  Daguerreotypes, stereoscopic, crayon or vignette, and every other style of pictures taken at this establishment.

They go on to say in the next paragraph that they recently introduced the ambrotype to Nashville and that they have become so popular that they have at great expense secured the services of a celebrated New York artist to attend to this branch of the business exclusively.  No name was ever mentioned in any of the advertisements associated with the Hughes Brothers to determine who this was.

On October 26, 1856 the premiums were announced for the second annual exhibition of the Mechanics’ Institute held on October 13 through 20.

Class No. 6—Marble Work, Paintings, Drawing, Daguerreotypes, Etc.

W. & E. S. Dodge, Nashville, Miniatures on Ivory………………………………5

W. & E. S. Dodge, Nashville, Photographs, plain and colored…………. 5

Larcomb, Nashville, Ambrotypes……………………………………………………….5

Hughes Brothers, Nashville, Daguerreotypes……………………………………5

A side note J. W. Dodge is John Wood Dodge (1807-1893) and E. S. Dodge is possibly Edward Samuel Dodge (1816-1857).  It is not known if there is any relation between the two men.  John Wood Dodge is identified through a website as being in Nashville.  Both are miniaturist John Wood is also described as a dioramist.  In researching both men in The New-York Historical Society’s Dictionary of Artists in America 1564–1860. There is no mention of either one being in Tennessee.  John Craig records in his Craig’s Daguerreian Register Edward Samuel Dodge as a miniature painter in New York City and Poughkeepsie and a Daguerrean in Richmond, Virginia in 1844, and in August, Georgia, between 1850-1853 and possibly earlier.  He sold his gallery in November with the intention to retire.  Craig does not document John Wood Dodge in his Registry.  Advertisements do indicate a partnership of Dodge & Wenderoth in 1855-1856.  On September 29, 1855 an advertisement in The Daily Nashville True Whig announces that they are in St. Louis, Missouri making Photographic Miniature Portraits, (crystalotype likenesses) and that they will be in Nashville in October for a short stay.  August Wenderoth is also a miniature painter.  The last advertisement for the partnership appeared on August 2, 1856.   A little over two months before the second annual exhibition of the Mechanics Institute Fair.

On November 23, 1856 the Hughes Brothers start to advertise that they are making colored ambrotypes and melainotypes for 50 cents.  Put up in first rate style, including case.  Others are charging one dollar, we will take for fifty cents and large ones $1.00. On December 5th they drop their price to forty-five cents.

In the Nashville Union and American on April 14, 1857, J. W. Dodge announces that he has sold his rooms, apparatus, and materials to the Hughes Brothers and plans to reside permanently at his home in Cumberland County.  He takes great pleasure in recommending them as his successors.  He goes on to say that they are gentlemen of skill and experience in their profession and have engaged a corps of artists of superior abilities.

No advertisements appear for J. W. Dodge for his photographic business or for a partnership with E. S. Dodge before or after the 1856 fair, and no death notice was located for E. S. Dodge who died on April 6, 1847.  There are a couple of article and an advertisements for a J. W. Dodge in Cumberland County that are unrelated to photography but are relevant.  On October 18, 1856 at the same fair he is awarded a premium for his display of apples. Pronounced the finest ever seen by all.  On October 22 an announcement that his apples will be sold at auction to-night at 8 P. M.  On November 15th in an article entitled Cumberland Mountain—Fine Fruit And Vegetables.  Which talks about the agricultural resources and access to the Cumberland Mountains and J. W. Dodge.  In this article the possibility that this is the same person changes to probably with the one sentence…Our clever artist friend, J. W. Dodge, Esq.  On December 28, 1856 Dodge advertises that he is selling a tract of land in the Cumberland Mountains.  In this advertisement it is confirms that this is the same person.  A plat of the land can be seen at my painting rooms, over Hick’s China Hall on the square.

The Fourth Annual Fair of the Mechanics’ Institute of Tennessee announced the list of awards on October 22, 1857 where the Hughes Brothers are given a diploma for their photographs, ambrotypes, melainotypes and sphereotypes.  They are the only photographers listed as having an award this year.  (*this should be the third not fourth fair.)

They continue to advertise without mentioning daguerreotypes until January 23, 1858 this advertisement ran until June 3.  A Great Rush!  Hughes Brothers, melainotypes, ambrotypes, photographic and daguerrean artist.  It’s always interesting to see how the daguerreotype is referred to after the introduction of the ambrotype.  Most of the time photographers advertising that they are now taking ambrotypes down play or should I say that they are vehemently opposed to the daguerreotype, they say almost like it’s a caned response in their argument that the daguerreotype is of an inferior quality, they complain about the reflection, and the fact that they are reversed, and that they fade, etc. The argument most photographers give is that the ambrotype is superior, it can be seen in any light, and the tones are richer.  It is refreshing to see that the Hughes Brothers did not use this tactic they continue to offer all processes.

Hughes Brothers, were listed together until 1858.  The last article for the Hughes Brothers was on May 8, 1858 in the Nashville Patriot.  And announce that they have been engaged to execute the likenesses of the delegates and Bishops of the M. E. Church General Conference now in session in Nashville, for the purpose of a steel engraving.

Frederick N. Hughes does not appear in the Nashville newspapers after the June 3d Advertisement.  C. C. Hughes appears through 1859 and continues in business into 1861 in Nashville according to Craig.