Tag Archives: Indianapolis Indiana

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.

Mr. Macey

Daguerreotypes, ,

1845                Rooms over the Dayton Hat and Shoe Store, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mr. Macey was recorded in an announcement in the Indiana State Sentinel (Indianapolis, Indiana) on December 4, 1845.  Daguerrian Miniatures.  There are three persons engaged at present in this city, in taking photographic miniatures; and all of them, we believe, are excellent artists.  We have already spoken of Mr. Kever.  We now desire to commend to the public attention Mr. Macey, whose room is over the Dayton Hat and Shoe Store.  Mr. M. deserves patronage on several accounts.  In the first place, he is a first rate artist, and secondly, he is unfortunate by reason of an accident, which has almost entirely deprived him of the use of an arm.  His gentlemanly demeanor is sure to win the approbation of all with whom he may become acquainted.  We hope the ladies as well as gentlemen, will give him a call.

Mr. Macey is not recorded in other photographic directories.