1853-1854       Rooms on Main Street, over James Woodhouse Bookstore, Richmond, Virginia.

John Murray was recorded in four announcements and nine advertisements and was mentioned in another in The Daily Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia).  The first announcement appeared on August 1, 1853.  Mr. John Murray, so well known to our citizens as an artist of merit, opened a new daguerreotype establishment on Saturday in Eagle Square, Main street, over the bookstore of Mr. Jas. Woodhouse.  In common with many of his friends, we were present at his first reception of company, and do not hesitate to say that we have never seen in any city a more splendid establishment of the kind.  The rooms are carpeted and furnished in the most elegant style, and the walls adorned with some score of fine pictures from the “Captain’s” own pencil, and from the old masters.  The reception room is in itself a picture gallery of no small merit or extent, and a view of it would well repay a visitor for the time which he might spend in it while waiting for a likeness.  The well known correct taste and practical acquaintance with work of art possessed by Mr. Murray, afford an indisputable guarantee that he will produce pictures at once worthy of his high reputation, and of a generous and extensive patronage.

The second announcement appeared on August 1, 1853.  John Murray has opened a Daguerrean Gallery over the Bookstore of James Woodhouse, on Eagle Square.  He will be happy to receive calls from his friends and the public.     

The third announcement appeared on August 2, 1853.  Don’t forget Murray’s new Daguerreotype Gallery, over the Bookstore of James Woodhouse, Eagle Square.                                                                                                    

The first advertisement ran from August 4 to 31, 1853.  New Daguerrean Gallery.—The undersigned is now prepared to take Daguerreotypes in the most improved and artistic mode, at his new Gallery, over the Bookstore of James Woodhouse, Eagle Square, Richmond.—He has called into requisition every necessary attraction in the decoration of his rooms, and will be pleased to receive calls from his friends and the public generally.                 

John Murray, Sign of the Red Flag, Eagle Square.                           

The second advertisement ran from August 6 to 25, 1853.  Great Discovery In Art!—Something New and Beautiful.—The “Flesh Tint,” applied to the Daguerreotypes taken by Jno. Murray, cannot be produced by any other artist.  It gives the picture a life like appearance that is unrivalled.  Call and get a Picture.

Sign of the Red Flag, Eagle Square.                                                                          

The fourth announcement appeared on August 9, 1853.  Communication.—I know not, Messrs. Editors, whether you have visited the new Daguerrean Gallery of Captain John Murray, over the Bookstore of James Woodhouse; but if you have not, my word for it you would be well repaid for the trouble of a visit.  Not only has he a delightful room for the reception of company, containing many rare and beautiful paintings, but his new mode of coloring Daguerreotypes strikes the beholder with wonder.  I refer to the “Flesh Tint.” Which gives an appearance of a truthfully painted miniature to the likeness.  The Captain acquired his knowledge of colors in Italy—(he has been a great traveler, by the bye, and is a gentleman of the most refined manners)—and has, after long and patient study, produced in the Daguerreotype that which no other artist can produce.  I hope the public will liberally patronize Capt. Murray, for he deserves it.  A Friend of Merit.                                             

The third advertisement ran from August 25 to 31, 1853.  Great Discovery In Art!—Something New and Beautiful.—The “Flesh Tint,” applied to the Daguerreotypes taken by Jno. Murray, cannot be produced by any other artist.  It gives the picture a life-like appearance that is unrivalled.  Call and get a Picture.

Sign of the Red Flag, Eagle Square.                                                                          

N. B.—Capt. Murray has on hand a few boxes of colors, part of an importation received by him direct from Germany, which he will dispose of to Artists on reasonable terms.

The fourth advertisement ran from September 1 to October 3, 1853.  Call At Murray’s New Daguerrean Gallery.  Sign of the Red Flag, Eagle Square, Main Street, if you desire a perfect Picture, taken by the Daguerrean process.—The Flesh Tint is daily becoming more popular, giving as it does, satisfaction to all.

The most beautiful Stereoscopic Likenesses can also be obtained at Murray’s, Over the Store of Jas. Woodhouse, Richmond, Va.

N. B.—John Murray has still on hand a few boxes of colors, part of an importation received by him direct from Germany, which he will dispose of to Artists on reasonable terms.

The fifth advertisement ran from October 4 to 19, 1853.  Immense Success.—Over One Thousand Pictures in Two Months.—The great success that has rewarded the subscriber since the establishment of his Gallery in Richmond, renders it necessary that he should thank the ladies and gentlemen of the city for their kind patronage, and assure them that no effort shall be spared to merit a continuance of it.  He would respectfully inform them that he is prepared to take Pictures by the new Flesh Tint process, or Stereoscopic, or in any style of art desired, at the best arranged Gallery in Virginia, over the store of James Woodhouse, Richmond.

John Murray, Sign of the Red Flag, Eagle Square.                                                   

The sixth advertisement ran from October 20 to November 4, 1853.  Truth.—How beautiful is Truth!  Like the sun smiling out amid the angry storm—like the bright stars shining through the heavy night-cloud—like friends clasping the hand of friends—like heaven upon earth, and God in man—like the Flesh Tint Daguerreotypes, approaching nature in its beauteous bloom—and the Stereoscopes, nature’s prototype—dearer than the smile of friend or love of parent, is Truth.  Call at Murray’s Gallery, the only place in the United States where the Flesh Tint can be obtained.  Truth!  Truth!  Truth!                      

John Murray, Sign of the Red Flag, eagle Square, Main street, Richmond.                 

The seventh advertisement ran from November 4 to 30, 1853.  Murray’s daguerrean Gallery, Eagle Square, Main Street, is the place to obtain a perfect picture at a low price.  The Flesh Tint, the result of long and patient study, applied to Daguerreotypes without extra charge.—Stereoscopes, the most beautiful of all pictures, taken at a very reasonable rates.  Strangers and citizens will find Murray’s Gallery every way worthy of patronage.  Pictures taken in all sorts of weather.                     

John Murray, Sign of the Red Flag, over the Bookstore of James Woodhouse.   

The eighth advertisement ran from December 1, 1853 to January 26, 1854.  Important Decision.—Murray’s Daguerreotypes.—The public has decided that the Flesh Tint daguerreotypes taken by the subscriber, are the most beautiful and correct of any “in the universal world.”—Combining every essential requisite—feature, expression, color—they cannot be otherwise than a perfect fac simile of nature.  The citizens of Richmond and vicinity are respectfully informed that they can obtain pictures at all times at the well arranged and attractive Gallery of John Murray, Eagle Square, main street, sign of the red flag.

N. B.—Prices very reasonable.  Stereoscopic Pictures taken in a style which cannot be exceeded.    

The ninth advertisement ran from March 1 to 4, 1854.  Having been compelled to dispose of my daguerrean Gallery, I have but one satisfaction, that of its being in the hands of my late operator, Mr. E. M. Powers, who obtained the method of using the Flesh Tint, discovered by me, and which defies competition.—As an Operator and perfect master of his profession, Mr. P. has no superior.  I take great pleasure in commending him to the patronage so liberally extended to me by the citizens of Richmond and its vicinity, and trust it may be extended to my successor. 

John Murray, Richmond, March 1, 1854.

The advertisement that he was mentioned in appeared on March 1, 1854.  E. M. Powers, successor to John Murray, begs leave to say to his friends and the public that he has purchased the Gallery over the bookstore of James Woodhouse, for the purpose of carrying on the Daguerrean Business, and solicits a continuance of that patronage hitherto extended to the Gallery.  E. M. P. having been the sole operator for John Murray and being the one in possession of the Flesh Tint, is determined that no pains shall be spared to satisfy those who may favor him with a call.  The public are respectfully invited to call and examine the Flesh Tint Daguerreotypes, which have been admitted by every one to be the Best ever exhibited to the public.

Prices very Reasonable, and satisfaction given or no charge made.

Lockets, Pins, Fancy Cases, &c., at low prices, always on hand.

No. 139 Main st., Eagle Square, Sign of the Red Flag.

John Murray is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as being active in Richmond, Virginia in 1853.