1846 Address Unknown, Jamestown, New York.
1850 Granite Building, Main Street, over D. M. Cosby & Co., Jamestown, New York.
1852-1859 Main and Second Streets, Allen’s Exchange Building, Jamestown, New York.
1858-1859 Main Street, near the Bridge, Jamestown, New York.
1846 July 10. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) July 10, 1846, Vol. XX, No. 1046, P. 2.
Daguerreotype Gallery.—We lately visited the Daguerreotype Picture Gallery of Mr. J. C. Gray, and was surprised to observe the improvement there has been made in the art. Mr. Gray can have but few equals; his portraits are true to nature. For fineness and strength of outline, beautiful gradations of shade, and life-like color, together with delicate tinting by means of the pencil, they excel in beauty and expression any thing of the kind we have ever seen.
Mr Gray has devoted much time in the acquirement of the art, and has spared no expense in providing himself with apparatus of the best quality. We understand that he intends leaving town in a few days, and would advise all those wishing for a perfect likeness of themselves or friends, to call on him immediately.
1850 February 15. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) February 15, 1850, Vol. XXIV, No. 39, Whole No. 1,235, P. 3.
Last Opportunity. The undersigned have formed a partnership for mutual benefit in traveling, would respectfully announce to the citizens of Jamestown and vicinity that they will remain with them but a short time longer. Meanwhile they will be pleased to wait upon all those who may wish to secure of themselves or friends, that beautiful gem for Memory’s casket, the Daguerreotype.
Having availed themselves of all the late improvements, and applied them with experienced manipulation, they flatter themselves they can produce photographic likenesses in beauty, correctness and durability inferior to none in the country.
They have on hand a large variety of rosewood and gilt frames, passpatout, paper mache book, and other fancy cases, and also a large assortment of gilt and gold lockets.
They may be found in the Granite Building opposite the Post Office, always ready to wait upon customers from 8, A. M. to 5 P. M. J. C. Gray. G. R. Martin.
Advertisement ran from February 15 to March 29, 1850.
1852 February 27. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) February 27, 1852, Vol. XXVII, No. 41, Whole No. 1,341, P. 2.
Mr. John C. Gray, Daguerrean, has established himself in the 2d story of Allen’s Exchange Buildings. By means of a superior sky-light he is now enabled to take likenesses that are not surpassed. John Used to have the reputation of doing his work in this way, but he beats himself now.
1852 February 27. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) February 27, 1852, Vol. XXVII, No. 41, Whole No. 1,341, P. 3.
J. C. Gray, Daguerrean Artists, Corner of Main and Second-sts. Sky-light Operating Rooms.
Advertisement ran from February 27, 1852 to April 21, 1854.
1854 April 28. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) April 28, 1854, Vol. XXVIII, No. 50, Whole No. 1454, P. 1.
John C. Gray, Daguerrean Artists, Corner of Main and Second streets. Sky-light Operating Rooms, Jamestown, N. Y.
Advertisement ran from April 28, August 4, 1854.
1854 August. The Photographic And Fine Art Journal. (New York, New York.) August 1854 Vol. 7, No. 8, P. 256.
Mr. J. C. Gray , of Jamestown, N. Y., gave us the pleasure of a visit within a few days, and we found him the unassuming gentleman we had anticipated from his letters. Such artist honor the art.
1854 August 11. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) August 11, 1854, Vol. XXIX, No. 13, Whole No. 1,469, P. 1.
Gray & Hoard, Daguerrean Artists. Corner of Main and Second streets. Sky-light Operating Rooms. Jamestown, N. Y.
Advertisement ran from August 11, 1854 to June 13, 1856.
1856 January 11. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) January 11, 1856, Vol. XXX, No. 35, Whole No. 1,543, P. 3.
Kast your eye this Way. As many persons enquire for “Dollar Daguerreotypes” we would say to all such, that you can be accommodated at that price until the first of March. Pains will be taken to give satisfaction as usual, and the Daguerreotypes will be put up in neat and durable cases. Likenesses of Children will not be taken for a lesser sum than one Dollar and Fifty Cents. A new stock of rich and beautiful cases just received. Get your likenesses in the best kind we have got and you can have it cheap for ready pay. Gray & Hoard.
N. B. Miss. coax that fine looking gentleman to give you his Daguerreotype. Sir, coax that pretty lady to sit for her likeness, you’ll have to pay for it, you know, so what’s the odds?
Advertisement ran from January 11 to February 8, 1856.
1856 January 25. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) January 25, 1856, Vol. XXX, No. 37, Whole No. 1,545, P. 3.
Division of County! This question has been agitated more or less for several years, and until the present time we have smothered our indignation and kept silent. Good friends don’t you think it would be a good plan for the people of this County to form themselves into parties of from one to as many as they please, and Call On Gray & Hoard for their Daguerreotypes; for a single person it would cost one Dollar, and so on up into the pictures; for a married person, the case, of course would be different, for then the cost would be only just the same. Groups cost a trifle more, and if you want some of our Richest Cases or Lockets, why then, you can have them at your own price, providing always that your price is a leetle more than ours. Come along good folks we’re always accessible. Gray & Hoard, Allen’s Exchange, up stairs.
Advertisement ran from January 25 to February 8, 1856.
1856 January 25. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) January 25, 1856, Vol. XXX, No. 37, Whole No. 1,545, P. 3.
$000,001.00 For a Daguerreotype Likeness that will not Fade half so soon as the man that made it, even if it was taken by Gray & Hoard, at Allen’s Exchange, up stairs.
Advertisement ran from January 25 to March 21, 1856.
1856 March 28. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) March 28, 1856, Vol. XXX, No. 40, Whole No. 1,554, P. 3.
Look at This! Examine it well, and you will perceive that “Mother Earth” is represented in mans’ apparel, supposed it is all right, men wear shawls, and women unmentionables, and Gray & Hoard, has just purchased part of $347, 000 worth of Daguerreotype Stock which they hope to dispose of to such advantage as to enable them to continue making Good Pictures at Low Prices.—We shall prepare in a few days to make Ambrotypes and Photographs in a style not to be surpassed. Gray & Hoard. Jamestown, March 4, 1856.
Advertisement ran from March 28 to May 30, 1856.
1856 June 13. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) June 13, 1856, Vol. XXX, No. 40, Whole No. 1,554, P. 3.
Look at This! Examine it well, and you will perceive that “Mother Earth” is represented in mans’ apparel, supposed it is all right, men wear shawls, and women unmentionables, and Gray & Hoard, has just purchased part of $347, 000 worth of Daguerrotype Stock which they hope to dispose of to such advantage as to enable them to continue making Good Pictures at Low Prices.—We shall prepare in a few days to make Ambrotypes and Photographs in a style not to be surpassed. John C. Gray.
Advertisement ran from June 13 to August 29, 1856.
1856 June 13. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) June 13, 1856, Vol. XXX, No. 40, Whole No. 1,554, P. 3.
$000,001.00 For a Daguerreotype Likeness that will not Fade half so soon as the man that made it, even if it was taken by Gray & Hoard, at Allen’s Exchange, up stairs.
Advertisement ran from June 13, 1856 to May 29, 1857.
1856 June 20. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) June 20, 1856, Vol. XXXI, No. 6, Whole No. 1566, P. 1.
John C. Gray, Daguerrean Artists, Corner of Main and Second streets. Sky-light Operating Rooms, Jamestown, N. Y.
Advertisement ran from June 20, 1856 to December 30, 1859.
1856 November 28. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) November 28, 1856, Vol. XXXI, No. 29, Whole No. 1589, P. 2.
It has been said that Lord Byron used large quantities of vinegar in his food, and likewise drank a great deal for the purpose of preventing corpulency; this was his taste. The old woman who kissed the cow, shewed a taste of a different kind—but the taste you can exhibit, dear reader, will be to go to Gray and get one of his inimitable Daguerreotypes. They cost but a Dollar or Two and are well worth the money. Come to Allen’s Exchange, up-stairs. John C. Gray.
Advertisement ran from November 28, 1856 to May 29, 1857.
1856 December 12. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) December 12, 1856, Vol. XXXI, No. 30, Whole No. 1591, P. 2.
Ho For The Holidays! Christmas is coming! The New Year is not far off! Are you prepared to make your friend a present? Do you wish to treat yourself to one? Of course you do; Then call on Gray and get a good Daguerreotype Likenesses of yourself or your Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, Aunt, or that sweet charming Cousin or Friend!—Don’t be bashful. Gray gets up a fine likeness and at reasonable rates. Rooms corner of Second and Main Sts., over Allen’s Store. The earlier part of the day is preferable, at this season of the year. J. C. Gray.
Advertisement ran from December 12, 1856 to January 2, 1857.
1857 August 14. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) August 14, 1857, Vol. XXXII, No. 9, Whole No. 1626, P. 2.
Ambrographs and Papiertypes, a very convenient kind of Portrait for sending by Mail, cost from 50 cents to One Dollar.
Advertisement ran from August 14 to October 2, 1857.
1857 August 28. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) August 28, 1857, Vol. XXXII, No. 9, Whole No. 1591, P. 2.
The Comet has passed, without annihilating anybody, or even shaking us out of our boots; indeed the only jar we sensibly felt, was a jar of butter for which we paid twenty cents per pound, and now we cannot use it, in making of Daguerreotypes it not being strong enough for the purpose, although it is sufficiently strong for the practical use to which we apply it; still, Butter or no Butter, we can and will make, as good a Daguerreotype, Ambrotype, or Papiertype for as low a sum as will afford us a fair remuneration for so doing. J. C. Gray. Over D. Allen’s Store, corner Main and Second Sts.
Advertisement ran from August 28 to October 2, 1857.
1857 October 2. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) October 2, 1857, Vol. XXXII, No. 16, Whole No. 1633, P. 2.
Curiosity Shop. If you have any curiosity to see the curiosities, gratify your curiosity by going to Gray’s curious Curiosity Shop, where may be seen by the curious, curious things—including may very fine Portraits of notable divines and others. Photographic Views—Photographs of Mrs. Cunningham and Dr. Burdell, &c. &c. above all, you may see a very modest and good looking gentleman, who for a trifling consideration will make you a Daguerreotype or Ambrotype that will be sure to give satisfaction. Don’t forget the place, viz: Corner of Main and Second sts., over D. Allen’s store. J. C. Gray.
Advertisement ran on 2 & 16, 1857.
1857 October 16. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) October 16, 1857, Vol. XXXII, No. 18, Whole No. 1635, P. 3.
Chautauqua Co. Bank & Jamestown Bank. Money wanted at 5 per cent Premium, in exchange for the best kind of Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, &c., &c., at Gray’s Picture Gallery, over D. Allen’s Store corner of Main and Second streets, up stairs.
Advertisement ran from October 16 to November 20, 1857.
1858 May 28. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) May 28, 1858, Vol. XXXII, No. 50, Whole No. 1667, P. 3.
Removal. The Subscriber has removed his Daguerrean and Photographic Gallery a few doors south of its former location, where he has fitted up a very commodious suite of rooms, the operating apartment of which is suited to any complexion, strength of sight or color of the eyes. It is just such an arrangement of light as twelve years experience dictated, which combine with a good theoretical knowledge, and increased facilities for Doing Good Work, sparing no expense in obtaining and putting in practice all valuable improvements, he is enabled to offer a Perfect Picture at the Lowest Prices, That can be reasonably desired. Daguerreotypes Photographs, and every variety of the Ambrotype, made at this establishment, Main Street, near the Bridge.
John C. Gray.
Advertisement ran from May 28 to December 31, 1858.
1858 June 4. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) June 4, 1858, Vol. XXXII, No. 51, Whole No. 1668, P. 2.
Moth can kept from Clothing, simply by giving the clothing two good coats of Paint; so says Gray the Daguerreotypist, whose place of business is in Main street, near the Bridge.
Advertisement ran from June 4 to July 30, 1858.
1858 June 18. Jamestown Journal. (Jamestown, New York.) June 18, 1858, Vol. XXXII, No. 53, Whole No. 1690, P. 2.
A Frenchman told the waiter who was mixing a lemonade for him, not to make it “fortnight.” “Fortnight! What do you mean!’ asked the hero of the lemon squeezer. “Sare, you sall make him strong—not too weak.” The waiter made it strong, and Gray makes capital pictures at his new gallery on Main Street near the Bridge.