Tag Archives: Keene & Cannon

Cannon, Marsena

1841                178 Essex Street, over J. S. Perkins & Co, Salem, Massachusetts.

1843-1848       Address Unknown, Boston, Massachusetts.[1]           

1846                Old Court House, Augusta, Maine.   

1848                Two doors South of Cheshire House, Keene, New Hampshire.                    

1849-1850       123 Washington, Boston, Massachusetts.1                                                                       

1859                Rooms over A. Taylor & Sons, Great Salt Lake City, Utah.

1841 July 27.  Salem Gazette.  (Salem, Massachusetts.)  July 27, 1841, Vol. LV, No. 60, P. 3.

Miniature Portraits By Daguerreotype, Over J. S. Perkins & Co.’s, entrance 178 Essex Street. Messrs. Keene & Cannon respectfully invite the attention of the citizens of Salem and vicinity, to their new Daguerreotype Establishment.  Having obtained all the improvements in the photographic process, and procured a Camera, manufactured expressly for themselves, directly from the studio of Professor Morse, of New York, they will guarantee Miniature Portraits, unsurpassed incorrectness and beauty by any like establishment in the Union.  And no person will be permitted to take pictures from their room unless perfectly satisfactory.—Their pictures are entirely free from that unnatural and distorted appearance which is so often seen in productions of the kind; nor is the subject detained with long and tedious sittings, but in a few moments after entering the room, he may gaze on a facsimile of himself, of Nature’s own penciling, as perfect as when reflected on a mirror; and far surpassing in precision and minuteness of delineation, the pencil of the most accomplished artist.

In conclusion they would remark, that they esteem the good old proverb, “by their works shall ye know them,” and by it they are willing to be tried.  Call at their room, and at Mr. Whipple’s Bookstore, and examine specimens.

Miniatures set in cases, from $4 to $5.  Groups taken if required.  Instructions $25.  Apparatus and materials furnished to pupils of superior quality

Advertisement ran from July 27 to October 8, 1841.

1841 July 29.  Salem Register.  (Salem, Massachusetts.)  July 29, 1841, Vol. XLI, No. 60, P. 3.

Miniature Portraits By Daguerreotype, Over J. S. Perkins & Co.’s, entrance 178 Essex Street. Messrs. Keene & Cannon respectfully invite the attention of the citizens of Salem and vicinity, to their new Daguerreotype Establishment.  Having obtained all the improvements in the photographic process, and procured a Camera, manufactured expressly for themselves, directly from the studio of Professor Morse, of New York, they will guarantee Miniature Portraits, unsurpassed incorrectness and beauty by any like establishment in the Union.  And no person will be permitted to take pictures from their room unless perfectly satisfactory.—Their pictures are entirely free from that unnatural and distorted appearance which is so often seen in productions of the kind; nor is the subject detained with long and tedious sittings, but in a few moments after entering the room, he may gaze on a facsimile of himself, of Nature’s own penciling, as perfect as when reflected on a mirror; and far surpassing in precision and minuteness of delineation, the pencil of the most accomplished artist.

In conclusion they would remark, that they esteem the good old proverb, “by their works shall ye know them,” and by it they are willing to be tried.  Call at their room, and at Mr. Whipple’s Bookstore, and examine specimens.

Miniatures set in cases, from $4 to $5.  Groups taken if required.  Instructions $25.  Apparatus and materials furnished to pupils of superior quality

Advertisement ran from July 29 to October 7, 1841.

1841 July 30.  Salem Gazette.  (Salem, Massachusetts.)  July 30, 1841, Vol. LV, No. 61, P. 2.

Daguerreotype Portraits.  We invite the attention of our readers to the advertisement of Messrs. Keene & Cannon.  We have seen several of the portraits taken by this process, and they have been the most spirited and striking likenesses imaginable.

1841 August 9.  Salem Register.  (Salem, Massachusetts.)  August 9, 1841, Vol. XLI, No. 63, P. 2.

Daguerreotype Miniatures.  We would call the attention of or readers to the new Daguerreotype Establishment of Messrs. Keene & Cannon, in the chamber over the store of J. S. Perkins & Co., entrance No. 178 Essex street.  Their apparatus, manufactured expressly for themselves, in complete, and embraces all the improvements in the photographic process, recently introduced into this country.—The miniatures executed by them are wonderfully perfect, and surpass in correctness and beauty any that we have ever seen; they as far exceed those that have ever before come under our notice, as an exquisitely finished steel engraving does one coarsely and clumsily executed on wood.  Indeed, we can conceive of nothing which can be added to make these pictures more life-like, unless it be the colors and tints of nature itself.  In this respect only, if at all, can a painted portrait be preferred.  In all others, in accuracy and minuteness of delineation, in the striking correctness of the features, in the delicate alterternations of light and shade, the Daguerreotype Miniature is as much superior to a painting, as the veritable productions of Nature are to the pencilings of the most accomplished artist.—These superiorities, together with the ease with which the likenesses are taken, (requiring a sitting of only a minute or two) and the low price at which they can be obtained, must render them exceedingly popular.  If any one thinks our assertions overwrought, let them call at the studio of Messrs. Keene & Cannon, examine some of their specimens, and satisfy himself of the wonderful results of this process.  A picture comprising more than one individual can be taken, if required, and this fact will afford families a good opportunity to obtain interesting collections.—Several very beautiful representations of children in groups have been executed by the gentlemen of whose artistical efforts we have been speaking.

What new wonders may be in store for us from further improvements, we know not.  Daguerre, the originator of the process, is constantly making important improvements, and the able Paris correspondent of the National Intelligencer writes that he has nearly perfected his invaluable discovery, in obtaining instantaneous impressions by means of electricity.  A slight haze, however, is left on the impression, which he wishes to correct before he exhibits the results of his new process.  Daguerre’s friends boast that he has now rendered it easy to copy the largest assembly of persons, with their momentary countenances and most animated gestures!  

1841 August 24..  Salem Gazette.  (Salem, Massachusetts.)  August 24, 1841, Vol. LV, No. 63, P. 2.

Daguerreotype Portraits.  The operations of Messrs. Keene & Cannon, in taking portraits by the Daguerreotype process, are very successful.  Many of the specimens which we have seen have the effect of the most spirited crayon drawings, combined with an accuracy of delineation which the human hand can rarely equal.  The time occupied in taking a portrait, is but a few seconds, so that it can be taken by the busiest person, without inconvenience.

1841 September 20.  Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association.

Exhibited daguerreotypes at the third exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association Fair.  No award was given.

1841 October 7.  Salem Register.  (Salem, Massachusetts.)  October 7, 1841, Vol. XLI, No. 80, P. 2.

Daguerreotype Miniatures, By M. Cannon, Over J. S. Perkins & Co.’s, entrance 178 Essex Street.

Miniatures taken in any weather, fair or foul, from 9 o’clock A. M. till three P. M.  Instruction given on reasonable terms, and Apparatus and Materials of superior quality furnished and warranted good.

Miniatures from three to five dollars, including a good morocco case, or they will be et in Lockets or Breast Pins.

Groups taken if desired.  Those who have been waiting on Keene & Cannon, for Miniatures, will call on the subscriber, who is authorized to settle all the affairs of the firm.  Marsena Cannon

Advertisement ran from October 7 to October 25, 1841.

1841 October 12.  Salem Gazette.  (Salem, Massachusetts.)  October 12, 1841, Vol. LV, No. 82, P. 2.

Daguerreotype Miniatures.  We feel justified in commending to the notice of our readers the specimens of Daguerreotype Miniatures upon the table of Mr. Cannon, at his room in Essex Place.  Mr. C. has spared no pains in perfecting his knowledge of the art, and the pictures he produces show how admirably he has succeded.  They are the best we have seen.  A perfect likeness is produced by this process.  Mr. C. will give you a complete fac similie of yourself,—whether you are handsome or otherwise,—and all in the short space of forty-five seconds, at most, and at a trifling cost.  Those who imagine themselves sufficiently comely to make a good picture,—and there are very few who do not,—cannot do better than to give Mr. Cannon a call.  His advertisement will be found in another column.

1841 October 12.  Salem Gazette.  (Salem, Massachusetts.)  October 12, 1841, Vol. LV, No. 82, P. 3.

Daguerreotype Miniatures, By M. Cannon, Over J. S. Perkins & Co.’s, entrance 178 Essex Street.

Miniatures taken in any weather, fair or foul, from 9 o’clock A. M. till three P. M.  Instruction given on reasonable terms, and Apparatus and Materials of superior quality furnished and warranted good.

Miniatures from three to five dollars, including a good morocco case, or they will be et in Lockets or Breast Pins.

Groups taken if desired.  Those who have been waiting on Keene & Cannon, for Miniatures, will call on the subscriber, who is authorized to settle all the affairs of the firm.  Marsena Cannon.

Advertisement ran from October 12 to October 26, 1841.

1841 October 29.  Salem Gazette.  (Salem, Massachusetts.)  October 29, 1841, Vol. LV, No. 87, P. 3.

Daguerreotype Miniatures, By M. Cannon, Over J. S. Perkins & Co.’s, entrance 178 Essex Street.

Miniatures taken in any weather, fair or foul, from 9 o’clock A. M. till three P. M.  Instruction given on reasonable terms, and Apparatus and Materials of superior quality furnished and warranted good.

Miniatures from three to five dollars, including a good morocco case, or they will be et in Lockets or Breast Pins.

Groups taken if desired. The above Establishment is offered for sale, with room fitted up, and all the apparatus and chemicals ready for operation, with a good run of [customers].  The establishment will be sold at a bargain, and offers a rare chance for a safe investment of a small capital, upon which a great profit may be derived.  The camera is pronounced first rated by competent judges, and has produced as good miniatures as ever were made.  Letters post paid, directed to M. Cannon, Daguerreotype Studio, 178 Essex street, Salem, will receive prompt attention.

Advertisement ran from October 29 to November 12, 1841.

1846 February 7.  Gospel Banner.  (Augusta, Maine.)  February 7, 1846, Vol. XI, No. 29, P. 3.

Miniatures.  Mr. Cannon who has taken rooms in the old Court House, executes about the best Daguerreotype Miniatures which we have ever seen.  Give him a call.

1848 May 11.  New Hampshire Sentinel.  (Keene, New Hampshire.)  May 11, 1848, Vol. L, No. 19, P. 3.

Daguerreotype Pictures The subscriber would respectfully inform the Ladies and Gentlemen of Keene and the public generally, that he has made arrangements with Mr. Cannon, of Boston, an old and experienced operator, (he having worked at the business from its commencement,) and that they are prepared to execute Miniature Likenesses in the most perfect manner, at the r\Rooms two doors South of the Cheshire House, (up stairs) where all are invited to call and examine Mr. C.’s Pictures and judge for themselves of the execution.  All those patronizing this establishment may be assured of having their work executed in a manner not excelled either in the country or city.  Prices as usual.  V. C. Atwood.

Advertisement ran from May 11 to 25, 1848.

1859 September 3.  The Mountaineer.  (Great Salt Lake City, Utah.)  September 3, 1859, Vol. 1, No. 2, P. 3.

Likenesses As Cheap As The Cheapest, And As Good As The Best, At the old Stand over A. Taylor & Sons, Sign of the Cannon. 

Having purchased a new lot of superior Cases, Lockets, Breastpins, &c., at the now fashionable price of “Cost and Freight.” I can now sell the various Photographic Pictures, such as Ambrotypes, Melainotypes, Leather and Paper Types, at much lower prices than I have during the year past.     Call and examine specimens. M. Cannon.

Advertisement ran from September 3 to 17, 1859.

1859 October 8.  The Mountaineer.  (Great Salt Lake City, Utah.)  October 8, 1859, Vol. 1, No. 7, P. 2.

Desert State Fair.  The fourth annual exhibition in connection with the Desert Agricultural and Manufacturing Society was held in the Social Hal, in this city, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday last…Mr. Cannon, the Daguerrean artist, has at last powerful rivals in Messrs. Sturgess & Taylor.  This last firm took the first prize.  The specimens produced by both houses were excellent, and showed good pictures….

1859 November 26.  The Mountaineer.  (Great Salt Lake City, Utah.)  November 26, 1859, Vol. 1, No. 14, P. 3.

Awarded A First And Second Prize.  Just arrived from California, a large quantity of superior Cases, Chemicals, &c.

I have now Chemicals manufactured by Mr. Shew, justly celebrated for making the Best Ambrotypes in San Francisco; by which I am able to produce Pictures of the best quality, warranted to retain their superior brilliancy without change.

Union Cases, double and single, octagon and quadrangular, Papier Mache, Morocco and Common Cases.  Call and see.  All work warranted.  M. Cannon.  Over Taylor & Sons, Between Perry & Cronyn’s.

Advertisement Ran from November 26 to December3, 1859.


[1] A Directory Of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900.

Keene & Cannon

1841                Over J. S. Perkins & Co.’s, entrance 178 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts.

Keene & Cannon (Peter H. Keene & Marsena Cannon) were recorded in two advertisements and two announcements.  The first advertisement ran from July 29 to October 7, 1841.  In the Salem Register (Salem, Massachusetts).  Miniature Portraits By Daguerreotype, Over J. S. Perkins & Co.’s, entrance 178 Essex Street. Messrs. Keene & Cannon respectfully invite the attention of the citizens of Salem and vicinity, to their new Daguerreotype Establishment.  Having obtained all the improvements in the photographic process, and procured a Camera, manufactured expressly for themselves, directly from the studio of Professor Morse, of New York, they will guarantee Miniature Portraits, unsurpassed incorrectness and beauty by any like establishment in the Union.  And no person will be permitted to take pictures from their room unless perfectly satisfactory.—Their pictures are entirely free from that unnatural and distorted appearance which is so often seen in productions of the kind; nor is the subject detained with long and tedious sittings, but in a few moments after entering the room, he may gaze on a facsimile of himself, of Nature’s own pencilling, as perfect as when reflected on a mirror; and far surpassing in precision and minuteness of delineation, the pencil of the most accomplished artist.

In conclusion they would remark, that they esteem the good old proverb, “by their works shall ye know them,” and by it they are willing to be tried.  Call at their room, and at Mr. Whipple’s Bookstore, and examine specimens.

Miniatures set in cases, from $4 to $5.  Groups taken if required.  Instructions $25.  Apparatus and materials furnished to pupils of superior quality

The first announcement appeared on August 9, 1841 in the Salem Register (Salem, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotype Miniatures.  We would call the attention of or readers to the new Daguerreotype Establishment of Messrs. Keene & Cannon, in the chamber over the store of J. S. Perkins & Co., entrance No. 178 Essex street.  Their apparatus, manufactured expressly for themselves, in complete, and embraces all the improvements in the photographic process, recently introduced into this country.—The miniatures executed by them are wonderfully perfect, and surpass in correctness and beauty any that we have ever seen; they as far exceed those that have ever before come under our notice, as an exquisitely finished steel engraving does one coarsely and clumsily executed on wood.  Indeed, we can conceive of nothing which can be added to make these pictures more life-like, unless it be the colors and tints of nature itself.  In this respect only, if at all, can a painted portrait be preferred.  In all others, in accuracy and minuteness of delineation, in the striking correctness of the features, in the delicate alterternations of light and shade, the Daguerreotype Miniature is as much superior to a painting, as the veritable productions of Nature are to the pencillings of the most accomplished artist.—These superiorities, together with the ease with which the likenesses are taken, (requiring a sitting of only a minute or two) and the low price at which they can be obtained, must render them exceedingly popular.  If any one thinks our assertions overwrought, let them call at the studio of Messrs. Keene & Cannon, examine some of their specimens, and satisfy himself of the wonderful results of this process.  A picture comprising more than one individual can be taken, if required, and this fact will afford families a good opportunity to obtain interesting collections.—Several very beautiful representations of children in groups have been executed by the gentlemen of whose artistical efforts we have been speaking.

What new wonders may be in store for us from further improvements, we know not.  Daguerre, the originator of the process, is constantly making important improvements, and the able Paris correspondent of the National Intelligencer writes that he has nearly perfected his invaluable discovery, in obtaining instantaneous impressions by means of electricity.  A slight haze, however, is left on the impression, which he wishes to correct before he exhibits the results of his new process.  Daguerre’s friends boast that he has now rendered it easy to copy the largest assembly of persons, with their momentary countenances and most animated gestures!

The second announcement was recorded from the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association records, September 20, 1841.  Exhibited daguerreotypes at the third exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association Fair.  No award was given.

The second advertisement ran from October 7 to October 25, 1841 in the Salem Register (Salem, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotype Miniatures, By M. Cannon, Over J. S. Perkins & Co.’s, entrance 178 Essex Street.

Miniatures taken in any weather, fair or foul, from 9 o’clock A. M. till three P. M.  Instruction given on reasonable terms, and Apparatus and Materials of superior quality furnished and warranted good.

Miniatures from three to five dollars, including a good morocco case, or they will be set in Lockets or Breast Pins.  Groups taken if desired.  Those who have been waiting on Keene & Cannon, for Miniatures, will call on the subscriber, who is authorized to settle all the affairs of the firm.  Marsena Cannon.

Keene & Cannon are not recorded in A Directory of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900.  Both Peter H. Keene and Marsena Cannon are recorded in other photographic directories.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry does reference the partnership under Peter H. Keene, but does not identify Marsena Cannon as the partner.