Tag Archives: Indianapolis Indiana

Kelsey, Calvin C.

Daguerreotypes, , ,

1846-1847       Rooms in Mr. Norris’s Building, Corner of Washington and Meridian Streets,                             Indianapolis, Indiana.

1849-1850       136 Lake, Chicago, Illinois.[1], [2]

1851-1857       96 Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois.

1846 November 11.  Indiana State Sentinel.  (Indianapolis, Indiana.)  November 11, 1846, Vol. II, No. 47, P. 3.

Daguerreotype Miniatures.  The subscriber has opened Daguerreotype Rooms in Mr. Norris’s Building, Corner of Washington and Meridian streets.  The Ladies and Gentlemen of Indianapolis are invited to call and examine specimens of this beautiful Art in its present high state of perfection.  Persons sitting for Likenesses are not required to take them unless they are perfectly satisfactory in every respect.  Pictures taken equally well in all kinds of weather.  C. C. Kelsey.

Advertisement ran from November 11, 1846 to January 2, 1847.

1846 November 12.  Indiana State Sentinel.  (Indianapolis, Indiana.)  November 12, 1846, Vol. VI, No. 21, P. 3.

Daguerreotype Miniatures.  The subscriber has opened Daguerreotype Rooms in Mr. Norris’s Building, Corner of Washington and Meridian streets.  The Ladies and Gentlemen of Indianapolis are invited to call and examine specimens of this beautiful Art in its present high state of perfection.  Persons sitting for Likenesses are not required to take them unless they are perfectly satisfactory in every respect.  Pictures taken equally well in all kinds of weather.  C. C. Kelsey.

1847 February 11.  Indiana State Sentinel.  (Indianapolis, Indiana.)  February 11, 1847, Vol. VI, No. 21, P. 3.

Daguerreotype Miniatures.—Kelsey, at his room in Norris’s Block, can show photographic likenesses equal to any that we have ever had the pleasure of seeing here or elsewhere.  We advise our friends, and enemies too, if we have any (!) to give him a call if they desire true representations of their phizzes.  If they are naturally handsome. He charges nothing extra; and if they are ugly, he will not grumble if the originals charge the defect upon the process.  Mr. Kelsey will remain in this city but a few days longer. 

1846 November 11.  Indiana State Sentinel.  (Indianapolis, Indiana.)  November 11, 1846, Vol. II, No. 47, P. 3.

Daguerreotype Miniatures.  The subscriber has opened Daguerreotype Rooms in Mr. Norris’s Building, Corner of Washington and Meridian streets.  The Ladies and Gentlemen of Indianapolis are invited to call and examine specimens of this beautiful Art in its present high state of perfection.  Persons sitting for Likenesses are not required to take them unless they are perfectly satisfactory in every respect.  Pictures taken equally well in all kinds of weather.  C. C. Kelsey.

Advertisement ran from November 11, 1846 to January 2, 1847.

1846 November 12.  Indiana State Sentinel.  (Indianapolis, Indiana.)  November 12, 1846, Vol. VI, No. 21, P. 3.

Daguerreotype Miniatures.  The subscriber has opened Daguerreotype Rooms in Mr. Norris’s Building, Corner of Washington and Meridian streets.  The Ladies and Gentlemen of Indianapolis are invited to call and examine specimens of this beautiful Art in its present high state of perfection.  Persons sitting for Likenesses are not required to take them unless they are perfectly satisfactory in every respect.  Pictures taken equally well in all kinds of weather.  C. C. Kelsey.

1847 February 11.  Indiana State Sentinel.  (Indianapolis, Indiana.)  February 11, 1847, Vol. VI, No. 21, P. 3.

Daguerreotype Miniatures.—Kelsey, at his room in Norris’s Block, can show photographic likenesses equal to any that we have ever had the pleasure of seeing here or elsewhere.  We advise our friends, and enemies too, if we have any (!) to give him a call if they desire true representations of their phizzes.  If they are naturally handsome. He charges nothing extra; and if they are ugly, he will not grumble if the originals charge the defect upon the process.  Mr. Kelsey will remain in this city but a few days longer. 

1853 January 8.  The Ottawa Free Trader.  (Ottawa, Illinois.)  January 8, 1853, Vol. XIII, No. 21, P. 3.

C. C. Kelsey’s Daguerreotypes, So long celebrated for their exquisite beauty and artistic finish, continue as heretofore to take the lead, as will be seen by the award of a Gold Medal at the late Fair, (1852) the judges pronouncing them the Finest Daguerreotypes they had ever seen.

Likenesses taken equally well in the darkest of Weather.

Call and examine his extensive and choice collection.

Artists will find in his Stock Department the largest and cheapest assortment of Daguerreotype Goods in the west.  No. 96 Lake st., opposite the Tremont, Chicago.  Chicago.

Advertisement ran from January 8, 1853 to January 21, 1854.

1853 August 19.  Semi-Weekly Tribune.  (New York, New York.)  August 19, 1853. Vol. VIII, No. 859. P. 1.

The Exhibition At The Crystal Palace.  XVI.  American Art—Daguerreotypes.  If there be any one department in the whole building which is peculiarly American, and in which the country shines prominent, it is in that of Daguerreotypes, which are exhibited below stairs; and the collection, which is an extensive one, is made up of contributions from almost every section of the Union where the art is practiced.  In contrasting the specimens of art which are taken herewith those taken in European countries, the excellence of American pictures is evident, which is [to] be accounted for by several reasons.  In the first place, American skies are freer from fogs and clouds—from bituminous coal not being much used, the atmosphere of our cities is free from smoke, at least upon the Atlantic coasts.  Then the chemicals and processes are, generally speaking, of a more sensitive character, and the apparatus is more convenient and suitable than that of Europe.  Our little inventions come into play and aid in saving time and developing a good picture, and last, though perhaps not least our people are readier in picking up processes and acquiring the mastery of the art than our trans-Atlantic rivals.  Not that we understand the science better, but the detail of the work is acquired in a shorter time by us, while the enormous practice which our operators enjoy combines to render the daguerreotype art a necessary adjunct to the comfort of life.  Does a child start on the journey of existence and leave his “father’s hall” forthwith the little image is produced to keep his memory green.  Does the daughter accept the new duties of matron, or does the venerated parent descend into the grave; what means so ready to revive their recollection?  Does the lover or the husband go to Australia or California, and not exchange with the beloved one the image of what afforded so much delight to gaze upon?  The readiness with which a likeness may be obtained, the truthfulness of the image and the smallness of cost, render it the current pledge of friendship, and the immense number of operators who are supported by the art in this country shows how widely the love of sun-pictures is diffused.  Several thousand industrious artists and artisans are occupied in the preparation of very pure chemicals, as bromine, iodine, gold salts, hyperphosphate of soda.  Another class prepare silvered plates, cases, buffs, gilding, cut glass, and a hundred little addenda.  Then the manufacture of cameras and the grinding of good lenses is an important branch of the business; for without a camera having good lenses the best operator would fail to produce an image which would be distinct or saleable; and even with a good Voigtlander or Harrison camera, it requires great skill to focus the image; for, strange as it may appear, the point where a good view of the sitter is obtained is not the point best adapted for bringing out a good picture.  In other words the focus of vision and the focus of chemical action are not the same, and hence when we have the one we lose the other.  This is owing to the fact that it is not the rays of color on the solar spectrum which produce the image, but a different set of rays, viz: those of chemical action; and since this is the case, we submit the opinion that it is not possible to obtain a daguerreotype in its natural colors, as Mr. Hill and others have been trying to delude our operators into believing, and leading themselves and others by the [iguis fatuus] of plates tortured into iridescent colors by chemical oxidation.  But we are getting discursive upon this beautiful art, which was intended to subserve many other useful purposes than that of portrait painting.

Everybody known how difficult it is to keep silver from tarnishing, and that the action of the light is to destroy all preparations of silver.  Some of these are more readily acted on by light than others—are more sensitive, as it is termed.  Such are the iodide, bromide, and chloride of silver.  These salts cannot be kept exposed to the light for any reason, even a very short time, without undergoing some change; and when a plate of silver has a thin layer of iodine and bromine on its surface; and is placed in a camera, as soon as the screen is raised the image of the sitter falls on the plate.  The silver plate is acted on unequally, producing the effects of light and shade when brought out, as it is termed, by exposure to the vapor of quicksilver.  It is then fixed or prevented from undergoing further change, by washing it with a solution of gold.

To produce a daguerreotype picture there are five operations necessary.  The first is cleaning the plate.  This is the stumbling block of most operators.  They are not cleanly enough.  Several views in this Exhibition show that the plates were not well enough cleaned.  Never was a maxim more true than the old one, that “cleanliness is a virtue”—when it has reference to daguerreotyping.  The second the second is the foundation of the sensitive iodide of silver over the surface of the plate.  The third is the adjusting the plate in the camera obscura, for the purpose of receiving the impression.  The fourth is the bringing out the photographic picture, which is invisible when the plate is taken from the camera.  The fifth, and last, is to remove the excess of sensitive coating, and thus prevent that susceptibility to change under luminous influence which would otherwise exist and ultimately effect the picture.  The second operation is that which gives tone and warmth to the picture, and when performed by skillful hands makes a daguerreotype a beautiful piece of art.  The clearness and distinctness of the image is produced by the third process when carefully conducted, and the whole picture should be distinct over the whole plate.  These remarks will serve to illustrate the subjoined notes upon the collections in the Exhibition.

Mr. Lawrence exhibited a case in which softness of tone and distinctness of image are united with artistic arrangement.  The latter quality is specially noticeable in “The Three Ages.”  The mechanical execution of these pictures is unexcelled.  These pictures of Mr. L. were exhibited in London.  Mr. Brady’s collection is not very large, but there are a few very good pictures exhibited by him.  In Gurney’s collection the coloring of the background has a fine effect; there are some very well executed portraits, among which is one of Mr. Forrest, worth notice as a work of art: taken as a Whole there is less softness and more distinctness in this collection than in that of Lawrence.  The picture of Ware and his sister is an instance of a picture well developed when the chemical action extends to the margin of the plate.  D. Clark, New Brunswick, N. J., has four pictures of merit; and Van Schneidan a small collection of well-selected heads.  J. Brown has a collection of portraits of Commodore Perry and the officers of the squadron for the Japan Expedition, in half-size plates: the interest of this collection is much marred by the names of the officers not being attached underneath the plate; it is not too late to rectify this omission.  Haas has a whole-plate allegorical figure of a family man reading the paper at home—an excellent idea and well executed.  Besides this, he has a couple of other pictures, though on the whole his show is mediocre.  In the cases of Harrison & Hill there is displayed excellent artistic arrangement with very indifferent mechanical execution.  In the mammoth plates occupied by allegorical designs, the back-ground is wretchedly brought out—the plates were not properly cleaned, and are full of scratches; there are a few half and whole-sized pictures set in gaudy frames.

Webster, of Louisville, KY., has twenty-three pictures possessing clearness.  They have, however, been exposed a little too much in the camera; they lack warmth, but are otherwise well developed and exhibit good mechanical execution.  Alex Hesler has a collection of whole plates handsomely executed, possessing a nice arrangement of of the drapery, which has the effect of throwing the head out in good relief.  There is artistic arrangement in this collection, especially evinced in the picture “Driving a “Trade,” one of a series illustrating character and passion.  The panoramic view of Galena, Ill. Shows that city to advantage; and the three views of the Falls of St. Anthony possess great merit.  Mr. North, of Cleveland, O., has a case of pretty fail likenesses, perhaps exhibiting the lights too strongly.  Bisbee, of Dayton, O. exhibits a panoramic view of Cincinnati from Newport, upon six large plates.  This view is, without exception, the finest thing in the whole room; we might even go further, and say that it is the finest view by the Daguerreian process ever exhibited.  The mechanical execution is excellent, the perspective good, and the development unsurpassed.  The effect of the smoke over the southern part of the city is very finely given.  the distinctness of the letter signs, three-quarters of a mile distance and across the Ohio river, is well brought out.  The rest of the collection is fair, possessing no peculiar merit.  Williamson exhibits a poor collection.  Dobyn, Richardson & Co. have several whole size well-executed specimens, in which the mechanical part, the artistic arrangement and the chemical effect is good.  The “Cupid Reposing” is a very ungraceful picture of an ill-formed child, and the coloring is bad.  That of the Bateman Children, in character, is a good picture.  There are some exceedingly well executed heads in this collection.

Long, of St. Louis, has four frames of 180 heads of Wyman’s School, in that city, with the edifice and Principal; they possess no merit.  A likeness of Prof. Mitchell, Cincinnati, is well executed.  Some of the pictures in this collection are inverted with papier mache frames inlaid with mother of-pearl and tinsel.  As this style of frame appears in a few other collections we may as well here express dissent to the use of this material as being too gaudy and wholly unsuitable for daguerreotype plates. These latter are difficult to be viewed except in one light, and from the brightness of their surface, are much set off by deadened color on the frames, while the glare and iridescence of the papier mache add to the difficulty of discerning the picture; the use of such implies bad taste in the artist.  We felt this opinion growing upon us as we looked at them and found our view corroborated by a boarding school miss, who whisked alongside of us and caught by the colors, exclaimed, “Oh my! aint those “frames beautiful?”  Fitzgibbon has the richest exposition in the Fair—The most expensive frames with a large and passable collection.  The mammoth plate of Judge Colt is very good—That of Jenny Lind the best in the exhibition—those of McAllister, Julia Dean, Kate Hays, and Kossuth, are good pictures.  His collection of Indian Warriors, is a very fine one, which we understand is to be forwarded to the Ethnological Society of London, to have copies and busts made from them.  Masury & Silsbee, Boston exhibited twelve pretty and tasteful plates, with good arrangement and well finished.  The collections of Kilsey, Beals, and Howe do not require notice.  Whitehurst has a few good pictures in a large and passable collection; he has ten pictures illustrating the Falls of Niagara, which are very well executed.  Some of his large heads have their features out of all proportion.  Whipple of Boston, has a collection of photographic pictures, which he calls Crystallotypes, taken from Hyalotypes; there is a plate of the moon daguerreotyped, and one of the spots on the sun.  McDonnell & Co., Buffalo, have a very poor collection—so poor as not to deserve a place in the exhibition; the views of Niagara are fair.   Hawkins exhibits photographs on paper.  Drummond, eight plates of the order of Free masons in their lodge dress.  Fitzgibbon (already noticed) exhibits a very interesting case, which is a frame of electrotype copies from daguerreotype plates, very beautifully executed.  It should not be over looked upon as a mere curiosity to place a daguerreotype plate in a copper solution and take a copper cast from its surface by means of electricity: the copper cast looks much warmer in tone than the original.  It is to be regretted that Fitzgibbon did not complete this frame by the insertion of a third plate, by taking a second copy from the copper copy.  This would be in relief, like the original silver-plate, and is succeptible of being treated like an engraved plate; yielding, when inked, prints resembling mezzotint.  Besides the above collection of daguerreotypes, there is an assortment of cameras, lenses, stereoscopes and photographic paper, which are of interest to those practicing these beautiful arts.

1853 December 20.  Joliet Signal.  (Joliet, Illinois.)  December 20, 1853, Vol. 11, No. 27, P. 4.

C. C. Kelsey’s Daguerreotypes.  So long celebrated for their exquisite beauty and artistic finish, continue as heretofore to take the lead, as will be seen by the award of a Gold Medal, at the late Fair, (1852) the judges pronounced them the Finest Daguerreotypes they had ever seen.  Likenesses Taken Equally Well In The Darkest Weather.

Call and examine his extensive and choice selection.

Artists will find in his Stock Department the largest and cheapest assortment of Daguerreotype Goods in the west.

No. 96 Lake-st. (opposite Tremont) Chicago.

1854 March 18.  New Covenant.  (Chicago, Illinois.)  March 18, 1854, Vol. VII, No. 111, P. 4.

C. C. Kelsey, Daguerreotypist, No. 96 Lake Street, (Opposite the Tremont House.)  Awarded the Gold Medal for the best Daguerreotype in 1852.

Likenesses taken equally well in the darkest weather.  A full assortment of Daguerreotype Stock constantly on hand and for sale at low prices.  jan. 8

1854.  Illinois And Missouri State Directory for 1854-1855.  (St. Louis, Missouri.)  1854, P. 141-142.

1856 February 1.  The Daily Democratic Press.  (Chicago, Illinois.)  February 1, 1856, Vol. IV, No. 105, P. 2 & 3.

Review of the Manufacturers of Chicago for 1855.  In presenting our readers with the fourth Annual Review of the Manufactures of Chicago, we are happy to say , that this important arm of our prosperity continues to keep pace with the general growth of the city and country…

Daguerreotypes, Photographs, Ambrotypes, &c.  The Daguerrean business is not strickly speaking a manufacturing branch of industry, yet as there is in this city a large amount of capital invested in establishments of this kind, we have thought it  but proper to include them.  During the past two years Daguerrean rooms have increased very rapidly; and we are happy to record the fact, that Chicago has some of the best operators in the United States.

A. Hesler, Daguerrean and Photographer, Metropolitan Block, Lasalle street.

This is the largest Daguerrean establishment in the United States.  It consists of 12 large rooms, most appropriately fitted up.  The show rooms are luxuriously furnished.

Mr. Hesler’s Daguerreotype likenesses have taken the premium at the World’s Fair, New York, and at several of the State Fairs throughout the United States.  He was formerly situated at Galena, in this State, and moved to this city in December, 1854.

The following is a statement of his business during 1855.

Capital Investment…………$22,000

Va. Of Pictures, &c.………..$38,000

Material used……….………$18,000

Wages used………………….$6,500

No. of operators employed….10.

Root, Cook & Fassett, Daguerreotypist and Ambrotypist, 131 Lake street.

This establishment was only commenced las September, since which time they have acquired a good reputation as Daguerreans.  Some of their pictures have taken premiums at State Fairs and Industrial exhibitions.

The Following is a statement of their operation from Sept. 1st to Dec. 31st, 1855.

Capital Invested……….$3,000

600 pictures……………$2,000

Raw material used……..$400

H. W. Williams, Daguerrean Artist, 58 West Randolph street.

The amount of business turned out in this establishment during the past year, is as follows:

Capital Invested……$500.

Value of pictures……$1,500.

No. of operators…….2.

Taylor & Lenox, Ambrotypist and Daguerreans, 75 Lake street.

This firm commenced business in September last.  They are the proprietors of the patent right of Cutting’s process of Ambrotyping, for this State and Wisconsin.  The figures during the few months they have been in business, we did not receive.

C. H. Lillibridge, Photographer, 77 Lake st….No report.

C. C. Kelsey, Daguerrean, 96 Lake st………..Blanks not returned.

G. E. Gordan, Daguerrean, 44 Dearborn st…..No returns.

E. G. Stiles, Daguerrean, 139 Lake st…………Blanks not returned.

P. Von Schneidau, Daguerrean, 142 Lake st….Blanks not returned.

[1] Craig’s Daguerreian Registry used for the following dates, 1849, 1851, 1852,1855, 1857

[2] Dated image inscribed on interior of case May 2m 1850 (Getty Museum.)

S. Rea

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1850                23 4th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio.

1851                Rooms in Sharpe & Yandee’s Building, Indianapolis, Indiana.

1852                Address Unknown, Indianapolis, Indiana.

S. Rea (probably Sampson Rea) was recorded in one advertisement and five announcements.  The advertisement ran from January 15 to February 14, 1850 in the  Cincinnati Commercial Tribune (Cincinnati, Ohio).  Rea’s National Daguerreotype Gallery, No. 23 4th st., between Main and Sycamore.  Mr. Rea respectfully informs his patrons and the public generally, that he has recently at a very heavy expense, remodeled and re-fitted his splendid suit of Daguerreotype rooms; in doing which he has ad an eye specially to the comfort and accommodation of the ladies, and he pledges himself that neither pains nor expense shall be spared on his part to render his gallery one of the most fashionable and genteel resorts in the city.

Those calling on Mr. R. for pictures, either single or in groups, are positively assured that they shall have entire satisfaction in every sense of the word, or no charge.

Pictures taken of all sizes, and at all prices, the price ranging according to size and put up in every variety of style.

Hours for operating from 9 o’clock A. M., to 4 o’clock P. M., without regard to weather.

The five announcements were recorded in the Indiana State Sentinel (Indianapolis, Indiana).  The first appeared on February 6.  Mr. Rae’s Portrait Gallery of members of the convention is rapidly filling up.  Amongst the portraits already taken, we observe those of many of the most prominent members of the convention.  These likenesses are perfect, and we have never seen them equaled as works of art.  When completed, the picture will be a beautiful and enduring specimen of the perfection to which the delicate art of Daguerreotyping has been brought by an Indiana artist, and will be alike creditable to the State and honorable Mr. Rae.

Mr. Rea proposes to get up a similar picture of the members of the Senate, to be deposited with this one in the State Library as the property of the State.  If the Senators will call at his rooms and examine his pictures, we are sure they will all willingly do their part towards getting up the picture.

The second announcement appeared on June 12, 1851.  Mr. Rea, the Daguerrean Artist, has removed to the State Library his portraits of fifty members of the Convention.  Taken altogether they are the best specimens we ever witnessed of the perfection to which the beautiful art, originated by Daguerre, has arrived.  Each portrait is a perfect likeness, and shows the features of the face, the hair on the head and each freckle or mole, which marked the original, with a distinctness and truth to nature which could be attained by no other process, and which we never saw before, even in a Daguerreotype.  The gift is an enduring monument of Mr. Rea’s skill and proficiency as an artist.

The following are the names of the gentlemen whose portraits are embraced in Mr. Rea’s Collection: 

T. W. Gibson, Robert Dale Owen, W. F. Sherrod, A. P. Hovey, Geo. W. Carr, W. H. English, Secretary, Daniel Kelso, H. P. Biddle, H. Allen, W. M. Dunn, W. S. Holman, W. R. Haddon, J. B. Foley, Smith Jones, S. P. Mooney, B. F. Brookbank, J. S. Newman, T. A. Hendricks, Jonathan Harbolt, J. P. Chapman, D. Reed, James Lockhart, J. E. Blythe, H. Prather, James Elliott, Jefferson Helm, H. E. Carter, Allen Hamilton, T. I. Bourne, J. F. Carr, W. March, J. B. Niles, R. H. Milroy, C. W. Barbour, M. G. Bright, H. P. Thornton, J. W. Borden, C. C. Nave, J. L. Spann, J. G. Read, J. Rariden, P. M. Kent, D. Kilgore, E. D. Taylor, N. B. Hawkins, O. P. Badger, S. Hall, M. A. Duzan, J. P. Dunn.  **Only 49 names appeared in the article.

The third announcement appeared on October 9, 1851.  “Here Life Seems Speaking From A Hundred Frames.”—The new and beautiful Daguerreotype Rooms of Mr. S. Rea are completed, and are now open for the reception of visitors.  The quality of Mr. Rea’s pictures has always been greatly admired, but since he has introduced the improvement of his new sky-light, and side-lights, he is enabled to give a much better finish to Daguerreotypes, and to produce a more perfect picture than heretofore.  By his new arrangement of light, the difficulty heretofore experienced in taking the likenesses of children, aged persons, and those with light-colored or weak eyes, has been removed, and an impression is taken on the plate in a very short space of time.  We have seen several of his pictures taken by the new light, and for beautiful gradation of light and shade, clearness in the image, and the softness of tone, we have never seen them equaled.

The Metropolitan Gallery consists of two large rooms, in Sharpe & Yandee’s building.  One is used for operating, and the other as the gallery and reception room.  The latter is tastefully and splendidly furnished, the pictures being arranged on each side of the room, and also in the frame-work of a circular moveable case, placed on a pedestal in the centre of the room.  His beautiful assortment of fine gold lockets and breastpins for miniatures, occupy a portion of this case.

Mr. Rea has secured the services of Mr. Charles W. Purcell, of Baltimore, an experienced operator, and he pledges himself that not a picture shall leave his establishment that does not give entire satisfaction.

The fourth announcement appeared on October 28, 1852.  The State Fair.  It is supposed that fifty thousand persons visited the Fair yesterday….

S. Rea, of this city, exhibited in two large frames, Daguerreotypes of the members of the last Senate and House, of this State.  Also, likenesses of many of the young ladies of this city—beautiful, of course, or they would not have been likenesses.  These Daguerreotypes were executed in Rea’s best style, which is equivalent to saying that they cannot be excelled in the world.

Mr. Weibling, from Connersville, also exhibits some excellent Daguerreotypes.  Many of his pictures very nearly, if not quite, equaled Rea’s, and were highly creditable productions.

The fifth announcement appeared on November 4, 1852.  Premiums Awarded at the First Annual State Fair of Indiana, 1852, as Reported by the Several Committees….Manufactured Articles….

Daguerrean Art, four frames, from the studio of S. Rea, Indianapolis.  The crowd of admiring spectators who constantly surrounded these pictures, attested the approbation of the public.  They were justly regarded as admirable specimens of the art, in style of finish, posture, coloring, and design.  They are worthy the general commendation they received.  Premium $10 and diploma.

Daguerreotypes, a case from W. Weibling, of Connersville, containing several creditable portraits, and exhibiting a good degree of taste and skill in the artist.  $2 and diploma.

Fancy Label, attached to Rea’s Daguerrean collection, from the same.  The committee pronounce them creditable specimens of the art.

S. (Sampson) Rea is recorded in other photographic directories (Ohio Photographers 1839-1900 and Craig’s Daguerreian Registry.)  Further research is needed on Rea, I have only scratched the surface of the Ohio and Indiana newspapers, but preliminary research suggests that they are the same person.  

Several questions remain unanswered, does Rea have a connection with the Plumbe Gallery in Cincinnati?  Recorded in the Cincinnati newspaper the gallery is referred to as “Rea’s National Daguerreotype Gallery”  the similarity to “Plumbe National Daguerreian Gallery” comes to mind.

In the same advertisement dated January 15, 1850 he refers to his patrons and the public generally.  This suggest that he may have been operating earlier than January 15, 1850.

In the third announcement dated October 9, 1851 states that “Mr. Rea has secured the services of Mr. Charles W. Purcell, of Baltimore” to work with/for him.  While in Baltimore he did work for Plumbe.  Is this another connection to Plumbe, or just is it just coincidence?

Dr. Munsell

Daguerreotypes, , ,

1848                Norris’s Building, Indianapolis, Indiana.

1851                [Washington Street], Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dr. Munsell was recorded in one advertisement and one announcement.  The advertisement appeared on December 16, 1848 in the Indiana State Sentinel (Indianapolis, Indiana). 

Daguerreotype Likenesses.—A rare opportunity is now offered to those who desire to obtain correct likenesses by the daguerreotype process.

First in the list of operators at present in this city, are our friends Munsell & McNaught.  As a scientific chemist, Dr. Munsell has few superiors any where, and as a practical operator in photographic miniatures, large and small, McNaught has no superior in this country.  We use this expression deliberately, and trial will prove its truth.  We visited “Plumbe’s Daguerrean Gallery,” and various other similar rooms, on a late journey to the east, and among the hundreds of specimens which we saw, we did not see one superior, if indeed any equal, to those which can be exhibited by Mr. McNaught.  We therefore feel it due to unpretending but real merit, to recommend our friends to call at the rooms of the gentlemen her indicated, and see for themselves; and we urge them to do so immediately, as we understand that one of them (Mr. McN.) will soon leave town.  It is a common error that one man can make these pictures as well as another; but this is a very great mistake.  To make good ones, requires much practical knowledge, and some good taste; and these qualities are united in these gentlemen to an eminent degree.  Let our friends at once call at the office of Dr. Munsell, in Norris’s building, and see for themselves.

Secondly: we have an artist in the person of Mr. Foster, room opposite Temperance Hall, who has been but a few days in the city.  He exhibits some excellent specimens, and promises to give satisfaction to all who may call his services into requisition.  We have no doubt of his ability to redeem all the promises he may make, and we mean to try his skill in a day or two, upon our handsome phiz.

The announcement appeared on January 25, 1851 in The Evansville Daily Journal (Evansville, Indiana).  Indianapolis Correspondence.  Indianapolis, January 18, 1851.  A. H. Sanders—Dear Sir:  While walking up Washington street a day or two since, I was invited by Dr. Munsell to call in at his Daguerreotype office, and “look at the heads of the members of the Convention,” and there I found them, like the “Four and Twenty fiddlers all in a row,”…

Dr. Munsell is not recorded in other photographic directories.   Munsell & McNaught was previously published in the blog on 5-12-20.

C. C. Kelsey

Daguerreotypes, ,

1846-1847       Rooms in Mr. Norris’s Building, Corner of Washington and Meridian Streets,                             Indianapolis, Indiana.

C. C. Kelsey was recorded in one advertisement and two announcements in the Indiana State Sentinel (Indianapolis, Indiana).  The advertisement ran from November 11, 1846 to January 2, 1847.  Daguerreotype Miniatures.  The subscriber has opened Daguerreotype Rooms in Mr. Norris’s Building, Corner of Washington and Meridian streets.  The Ladies and Gentlemen of Indianapolis are invited to call and examine specimens of this beautiful Art in its present high state of perfection.  Persons sitting for Likenesses are not required to take them unless they are perfectly satisfactory in every respect.  Pictures taken equally well in all kinds of weather.  C. C. Kelsey.

The first announcement appeared on November 12, 1846.  Daguerreotype Miniatures.  The subscriber has opened Daguerreotype Rooms in Mr. Norris’s Building, Corner of Washington and Meridian streets.  The Ladies and Gentlemen of Indianapolis are invited to call and examine specimens of this beautiful Art in its present high state of perfection.  Persons sitting for Likenesses are not required to take them unless they are perfectly satisfactory in every respect.  Pictures taken equally well in all kinds of weather.  C. C. Kelsey.

The second announcement appeared on February 11, 1847.  Daguerreotype Miniatures.—Kelsey, at his room in Norris’s Block, can show photographic likenesses equal to any that we have ever had the pleasure of seeing here or elsewhere.  We advise our friends, and enemies too, if we have any (!) to give him a call if they desire true representations of their phizzes.  If they are naturally handsome. He charges nothing extra; and if they are ugly, he will not grumble if the originals charge the defect upon the process.  Mr. Kelsey will remain in this city but a few days longer. 

C. C. Kelsey is not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry does list a Charles C. Kelsey as being active in Chicago, Illinois as a daguerrean and stock dealer in 1849-1857.

T. W. Whitridge

Daguerreotypes, ,

1842                Rooms on Washington Street over J. D. Thorp’s Book Store, Indianapolis,                           Indiana.

T. W. Whitridge was recorded in one announcement and one advertisement in the Indiana State Sentinel (Indianapolis, Indiana).  The announcement appeared on August 16, 1842.  Daguerreotype.  We would call attention to Mr. Whitridge’s advertisement.  The likenesses taken by Mr. W. are really superb.  He appears to be a perfect master of the business; and at the low rate of his charges, every one should procure an exact likeness of himself; bachelors should do so, to see what a disconsolate appearance they make; husbands should have those of their wives and children; lovers of their sweethearts, that they may save shoe and lip leather; young ladies should have theirs by all means; they know the reason why without being told.

It is unnecessary at this time, and we do not just now feel in the mood of going into the examination of the photographic art.  Its merits have been ably discussed, and are known to most of our readers.  We will say, however, that we desire all to call at Mr. W.’s rooms over the “New Book Store,” one square east of the Palmer House, and examine his apparatus and portraits.  Mr. W. is pleased to see company, and our word for it, he knows how to treat them.  Another inducement:  Our likeness is there, and so beautifully done that we think of having it engraved for the Democratic Review.  Governor Thomas Wilson Dorr is there among the Big Bugs, and why not ours!  It must be done.  Don’t forget to call and see them.  Mr. W. remains but a short time.  N. C.

The advertisement ran from August 16 to September 27, 1842.  Daguerreotype Miniatures.  T. W. Whitridge would respectfully inform the citizens of Indianapolis, that he has arrived in town with a splendid improved French apparatus, for taking miniatures.  Having succeeded in taking likenesses in the shade, he feels the assurance to say his pictures are surpassed by none, for a clear, distinct, and beautiful impression; and of course the most perfect likenesses are always warranted.  His room is on Washington Street, where every body is invited to call and see specimens.

N. B.—Prices vary according to the size, and always to suit the times.

T.W. Whitridge is not recorded in other photographic directories.

William S. Unthank

Ambrotypes, , ,

1859                            Address Unknown, Richmond, Indiana.

William S. Unthank was recorded in twice of the same reprinted announcement.  The first appeared on May 17, 1859 in The Evansville Daily Journal (Evansville, Indiana).  The Richmond (Ind.) Battle Axe notices the melancholy fact that Wm. S. Unthank, formerly an ambrotype artist at Richmond, has become insane, and is now an inmate of the State Asylum at Indianapolis, in consequence of the conduct of his son, who is charged with robbery.

The second in the Dayton Daily Empire (Dayton, Ohio) on May 21, 1859.  The Richmond (Ind.) Battle Axe notices the melancholy fact that Wm. S. Unthank, formerly an ambrotype artist at Richmond, has become insane, and is now an inmate of the State Asylum at Indianapolis, in consequence of the conduct of his son, who is charged with robbery.

William S. Unthank is recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Richmond and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mr. Stewart

Daguerreotypes, ,

1842                Room over Mr. Hanna’s Store, opposite Browning’s Hotel, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mr. Stewart was recorded in one advertisement that appeared in the Indiana State Sentinel  (Indianapolis, Indiana) on May 24, 1842.  Daguerreotype Miniatures.—The Daguerreotype is regarded as the most wonderful discovery of the age.  Miniatures taken from life, portraits, bust, &c. by this operation cannot fail to excite the admiration of every one.  The process gives a perfect fac simile, and such a miniature is indeed a treasure.  In the creation of these pictures, light alone is the pencil and nature the artist.

Mr. Stuart has opened a room in this place, over Mr. Hanna’s Store, opposite Browning’s Hotel, and is prepared to exhibit some of the finest specimens of the Photographic Art, and to make miniatures at the shortest notice.  Those who wish a second self, will do well to give him a call.  We intend, having viewed the specimens, to see how handsome we are, and will give the result to our readers pretty soon.

Mr. Stewart is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Charles W. Purcell

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1849-1850       128 Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland.[1]                                                        1851                   Rooms in Sharpe & Yandee’s Building, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Charles W. Purcell was mentioned in an announcement that appeared on October 9, 1851 in the Indiana State Sentinel (Indianapolis, Indiana).  “Here Life Seems Speaking From A Hundred Frames.”—The new and beautiful Daguerreotype Rooms of Mr. S. Rea are completed, and are now open for the reception of visitors.  The quality of Mr. Rea’s pictures has always been greatly admired, but since he has introduced the improvement of his new sky-light, and side-lights, he is enabled to give a much better finish to Daguerreotypes, and to produce a more perfect picture than heretofore.  By his new arrangement of light, the difficulty heretofore experienced in taking the likenesses of children, aged persons, and those with light-colored or weak eyes, has been removed, and an impression is taken on the plate in a very short space of time.  We have seen several of his pictures taken by the new light, and for beautiful gradation of light and shade, clearness in the image, and the softness of tone, we have never seen them equaled.

The Metropolitan Gallery consists of two large rooms, in Sharpe & Yandee’s building.  One is used for operating, and the other as the gallery and reception room.  The latter is tastefully and splendidly furnished, the pictures being arranged on each side of the room, and also in the frame-work of a circular moveable case, placed on a pedestal in the centre of the room.  His beautiful assortment of fine gold lockets and breastpins for miniatures, occupy a portion of this case.

Mr. Rea has secured the services of Mr. Charles W. Purcell, of Baltimore, an experienced operator, and he pledges himself that not a picture shall leave his establishment that does not give entire satisfaction.

Charles W. Purcell is recorded in other photographic directories but the above information helps to clarify his timeline.

[1] Baltimore activity dates and address from Directory of Maryland Photographers 1939-1900, p. 43.  By Ross J. Kelbaugh..

J. F.Parker

Daguerreotypes, ,

1850                Address Unknown, Indianapolis, Indiana.

J. F. Parker was recorded in one advertisement in the Indiana State Sentinel (Indianapolis, Indiana) on July 25, 1850.  Miniatures.—J. F. Parker would most respectfully inform the citizens of Indianapolis, that he has taken and refitted the room formerly occupied by W. T. Goble, for the purpose of taking Daguerreotype Miniatures.  By the aid of new chemical agents, he is enabled to take likenesses to that perfection which, in point of delineation, boldness, and unerring truthfulness the art has attained.  Pictures taken in any weather, rain or shine, and all prices, according to size and quality of cases.  Miniatures of the deceased taken with accuracy.  July 20.

J.  F. Parker is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Munsell & McNaught

Daguerreotypes, ,

1848                Norris’s Building, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Munsell & McNaught were recorded in an announcement that appeared on December 16, 1848 in the Indiana State Sentinel (Indianapolis, Indiana).  Daguerreotype Likenesses.—A rare opportunity is now offered to those who desire to obtain correct likenesses by the daguerreotype process.

First in the list of operators at present in this city, are our friends Munsell & McNaught.  As a scientific chemist, Dr. Munsell has few superiors any where, and as a practical operator in photographic miniatures, large and small, McNaught has no superior in this country.  We use this expression deliberately, and trial will prove its truth.  We visited “Plumbe’s Daguerrean Gallery,” and various other similar rooms, on a late journey to the east, and among the hundreds of specimens which we saw, we did not see one superior, if indeed any equal, to those which can be exhibited by Mr. McNaught.  We therefore feel it due to unpretending but real merit, to recommend our friends to call at the rooms of the gentlemen her indicated, and see for themselves; and we urge them to do so immediately, as we understand that one of them (Mr. McN.) will soon leave town.  It is a common error that one man can make these pictures as well as another; but this is a very great mistake.  To make good ones, requires much practical knowledge, and some good taste; and these qualities are united in these gentlemen to an eminent degree.  Let our friends at once call at the office of Dr. Munsell, in Norris’s building, and see for themselves.

Secondly: we have an artist in the person of Mr. Foster, room opposite Temperance Hall, who has been but a few days in the city.  He exhibits some excellent specimens, and promises to give satisfaction to all who may call his services into requisition.  We have no doubt of his ability to redeem all the promises he may make, and we mean to try his skill in a day or two, upon our handsome phiz.

Munsell & McNaught are not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Indianapolis, Indiana.