Tag Archives: New York City

Mr. Reynolds

Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

ND                  Address Unknown, Albany, New York.                                                                          ND                  Address Unknown, New York, New York.                                                                            1850               Address Unknown, Penn Yan, New York.

Mr. Reynolds was recorded in one advertisement that ran from September 3 to 17, 1850 in the Penn Yan Democrat (Penn-Yan, New York).  Daguerreotypes!  Mr. Reynolds, of New York who formerly operated for Meade & Bro. of Albany, has taken rooms over Rose’s store,—and having availed himself of the recent improvements in the art, the finish of his Pictures will in no way inferior to Brady and other artists of New York who are working after this late improved process.  Pictures finished by this process have a beauty of tone, roundness of features and distinctness of outline that far surpass those by the old method, and may readily be seen in any light.

Mr. Reynolds has brought with him his full gallery of over 100 specimens, containing portraits from life of some of our eminent men among which is one of the late President Taylor.

He has on hand a supply of Lockets and Fancy cases.  Having one of the best instruments he is enabled to take correct Likenesses in any weather—and children of any age, that can sit still five seconds.

Please call immediately, as he will remain but a short time.  Peen Yan, Aug. 27, 1850.

Mr. Reynolds is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Rees, Blodget & Co.

Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

1855                Main Street, Piper Block, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Rees, Blodget & Co. were recorded in two advertisements in the Worcester Daily Spy  (Worcester, Massachusetts).  The first advertisement appeared on October 18, 1855.  Take Notice!—Opposition to Steam Daguerreotypes, taken by a new American discovery, for only 25 cents, warranted to be of the best quality, and satisfaction given.  Something less than 500 taken daily.  No connection with the steam whistle, next door.  Rees, Blodget, & Co, artists.  Piper Block, Main st.

The second advertisement appeared on October 19, 1855.  Rees, Blodget, & Co. do not take Daguerreotypes by steam, as their noisy competitors boast to do, but at the same time give all who visit them good portraits, and at a quick rate, for 25 cents.  Rees, Blodget & Co. have opened their rooms at Piper’s Block, bent upon blowing up all steam boilers in the vicinity, if they burst themselves in doing so.

Rees and Blodget are both unknown and not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Worcester, Massachusetts.  One could speculate that Rees is Charles R. Rees based on an 1859 advertisement in the Daily Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia) that claimed that he had 17 years experience in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Charleston, New Orleans and Cincinnati.  Rees left New York sometime around September 8, 1854.

Four days later on September 12, 1854 an advertisement appeared in The New York Herald.

Rees & Co., 25 Cent Daguerreotype Company, 385 Broadway.—This company, established under the above name, will be conducted hereafter under the [head] of McClave & Merritt, the original partners from [the commencement.]  The business will be conducted the same as usual, the whole company remaining with the exception of C. Rees, whose interest in this gallery has been purchased by the two remaining partners.  McClave & Merritt.

Where he went is unknown.  No record of his being in Boston is known.  The next advertisements found were from the Worcester, Massachusetts newspaper of October 19 & 20, 1855.  No other advertisements were found in Massachusetts newspaper prior to the above entries.  Over the next twelve day Rees advertised six times by himself.  The last advertisement in the Worcester Newspapers was on November 1, 1855.  At some point after leaving Worcester he probably worked with or for Tyler & Co. in New Orleans, Charleston and in 1858 in Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia.  So far the only mention of Rees being in South Carolina is from Harvey Teal’s Partners with the Sun South Carolina Photographers 1840-1940.  Teal states that Rees’s name appears in George S. Cooks papers in the Library of Congress as having an account with him but no address is attributed to the name.  Likewise there is no mention of in Photography in New Orleans The Early Years, 1840-1865.

Rees is an interesting person his association with Silas A. Holmes in New York and Tyler & Co. in Richmond and possibly other southern states deserves further research and a longer article.

Alexander Ransom

Daguerreotypes, Portrait Painter, , , ,

1853                Mr. Ransom’s Rooms New York University, New York, New York.

Alexander Ransom was recorded in one announcement and one advertisement in The New York Herald (New York, New York).  The announcement appeared on December 13, 1853.  Mr. Freeman Having Purchased of Mr. Alexander Ransom the half of his property in the Drummond Light apparatus for enlarging daguerreotypes, will be prepared every day, between the hours of two and three o’clock P. M., to show any respectable parties, the effects of Daguerreotypes so enlarged, through which a perfect drawing is traced upon the reflection itself, from the cabinet to the size of life, or even larger, with the unerring certainty, in a comparatively short space of time.  Those having daguerreotypes of friends, will please bring them to determine their real value when magnified and thrown upon another surface, thereby avoiding all the disagreeable effects of the reflex of a polished plate, and withal of a hundred per cent increase of resemblance to their originals.  Outline for artists reasonably made.  Rooms No. 1, third floor, N. Y. University, Washington parade ground.

The advertisement ran from December 17 to 19, 1853.  Portraits Painted From Daguerreotypes.—Persons having daguerreotypes of deceased or absent  friends, can see the magnified to the size of life by a powerful Drummond light apparatus free at Mr. Ransom’s rooms, New York University, every day from 2 to 3 o’clock, P. M.

Alexander Ransom does not appear in other photographic directories.  He is recorded as a portrait painter in The New York Historical Society’s Dictionary of Artists in America 1564 – 1860 as being active in Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts, New York City and London, England.

Qusley

Daguerreotypes, ,

1850                311 Broadway, New York, New York.

Qusley was recorded on one advertisement that ran on October 24 to 26, 1850 in the New York Daily Tribune (New York, New York).  Ha!  Ha!!  We Thought So.—The great premium of public approbation (the highest honor out) has been awarded to Qusley’s matchless Daguerreotypes.  The past ten years he has received gold and silver medals, without number, from members of the scientific bodies in all parts of the Union.  There will now be a great rush to his elegant Sky-Light Gallery, 311 Broadway, New York, New York.

Qusley is not listed in other photographic directories, in addition he is not listed in the 1850/1851 or the 1851/1852 New York City Directories.  The 311 Broadway address is the same as Henry E. Insley’s.  It is possibly that this is a typo for Insley, or  was there more than one daguerrean gallery in the building or did he work for or with Insley?

E. Pricemer

Retailer, ,

1841                3 Broad Street, New York, New York.

E. Pricemer was recorded in one advertisement that ran from March 23 to April 13, 1841.  Just Received From France, and for sale by E. Pricemer, 3 Broad street—Large and small Daguerreotype Plates, Hyposulfite of Soda, Cripoli, Daguerreotype Drawings of the Monuments of Paris and Rome.

E.Pricemer is not recorded in other photographic directories as a retailer of daguerreian supplies.

James Prentice

Retailer, Stereotypes, , ,

1859                66 Nassau Street, New York, New York.

James Prentice was listed in two advertisements in The New York Herald (New York, New York) and one entry from the 1859 New York City Directory.  The first advertisement ran on  May 23, 1859.  Spectacles, Stereoscopes and Views.—A New and splendid assortment can be had at 66 Nassau street.

The second advertisement appeared on May 31, 1859.  Spectacles, Stereoscopes and Views in great variety, at J. Prentice’s,  66 Nassau street.

The entry from the 1859 New York City Directory (residence section).  Jas. Prentice.  Math. Insts. 66 Nassau st. h.—33 Delancey.

James Prentice as a retailer is not listed in other photographic directories.

Powelson & Mendham

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1852-1853       177 Broadway, New York, New York.

Powelson & Mendham (Benjamin F. Powelson and Charles Mendham) are listed in two advertisements in The New York Herald (New York, New York).  The first advertisement appeared on April 29, 1852.  To Daguerreotypers.—Wanted, A First class Operator.  Apply to Powelson & Mendham, Daguerreotype Artists, 177 Broadway, from 8 to 12 o’clock in the morning.

The second advertisement ran on March 1 & 2, 1853.  Card.—B. F. Powelson Hereby Gives Notice, that he is no longer interested in the daguerrean gallery known under the firm of Powelson & Mendham.  He can now be found at Harrison’s rooms, No. 123 Broadway, where he will be happy to see his friends and well wishers.  A first rate picture guaranteed.

Both Benjamin F. Powelson and Charles Mendham are recorded in other photographic directories.  The above information helps to clarify information on the partnership recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry.

Benjamin Pike & Sons

Retailer, , , , ,

1856-1857       518 Broadway, New York, New York.

Benjamin Pike & Sons were recorded in three advertisements in The New York Herald (New York, New York).  The first advertisement appeared on March 31, 1856.  Langenheim’s New Series of American stereoscopic views upon glass, and colored to nature by W. Loyd, Philadelphia—Genesee Valley, Niagara Falls in Winter, The Pottsville Coal Region, and other new views.  For sale by Benj. Pike & Sons, 518 Broadway.

The second advertisement appeared on April 7, 1856.  W. Loyd’s Improved Stereoscope, with F. Langenheim’s new series of American views— Niagara Falls, Genesee Valley, The Pottsville Coal Region, and other new views. A large assortment just received, by Benj. Pike & Sons, 518 Broadway.

The third advertisement ran on June 24 & 25, 1857.  Stereoscopes, Stereoscopes.—Paper Views, a new lot just received by Benj. Pike & Sons, 518 Broadway, opposite the St. Nicholas.

Benjamin Pike is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry with a different address 294 Broadway.

George Penabert

Photographs, , , ,

1856-1857       168 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1]                                            1856-1857       585 Broadway, New York, New York.                                                                                1857                   587 Broadway, New York, New York.

George Penabert is recorded in one article and six advertisements.  The article appeared on April 1, 1856 in the Photographic and fine Arts Journal (New York, New York).  In an article entitled the Photographic Galleries of America.  Number Two, Philadelphia. The author visited 57 Galleries in Philadelphia.  Fredericks, Penabert & Germon, Chestnut St.—The distinguishing feature of this gallery is its oil colored photographs, which are only equaled by some I have seen in Brady’s gallery New York. The positive photographs show much artistic skill, and are notable for great depth of tone, softness of contour, and for even balance of light and shade. The rooms are very prettily furnished, and their appearance very effective.

The first advertisement appeared on August 26 1856 in the New York Daily Tribune (New York, New York).   The Copartnership heretofore existing between Messrs. Gurney & Fredericks having been dissolved by mutual consent.  Mr. Charles D. Fredericks would respectfully announce to his former patrons and friends that he has removed the Photographic department, of which he was the introducer in this country, to his new, large and elegant rooms, at No. 585 Broadway, opposite the Metropolitan Hotel.  The several European artists, which Mr. Fredericks introduced from his Parisian establishment, will continue to assist him in the various styles of coloring, viz: Oil, Paste and Water.  Those who have examined their productions acknowledge them to be superior to those of any other artist in this country.  The advantage which the undersigned has by his connection with his Paris establishment, will enable him to introduce immediately upon their discovery in France the various improvements in the Photographic, Daguerreotype, and Ambrotype branches of the art.  The Daguerreian Department will be under the supervision of an accomplished and scientific operator.  The rooms are more spacious, and elegantly arranged than any in New York, and the reception room being situated on the first floor, obviates the necessity of ascending to lofty flights.  In conclusion the proprietor pledges himself to produce pictures which, for clearness delicacy of touch and harmony in coloring shall suit every taste.  These pictures will be of every style and size, and he trusts that those who so long and kindly have extended to him their patronage, will continue to support his endeavors to maintain art in its most refined state.

Charles D. Fredericks, No. 585 Broadway.                                                                                                      Fredericks, Penabert & German, Philadelphia.                                                                                           Fredericks, Penabert & Leblanc, Paris.

The second advertisement appeared on December 11, 1856 in the New York Daily Tribune (New York, New York).  Photographs.—Penabert of Paris, Photographist; finished in oil, aquarelle and pastel, by the talented and inimitable corps of Parisian artists introduced to this country by C. D. Fredericks, No. 585 Broadway, opposite Metropolitan Hotel.

The third advertisement appeared on December 12, 1856 in The New York Herald (New York, New York).  Photographs.—Penabert of Paris, Photographist; finished in oil, aquarelle and pastel, by the talented and inimitable corps of Parisian artists introduced to this country by C. D. Fredericks, No. 585 Broadway, opposite Metropolitan Hotel.

The fourth advertisement ran on December 23 & 26, 1856 in the New York Daily Tribune (New York, New York).  Ambrotypes and Melainotypes.—The most beautiful specimens produced in this city are by E. L. Walker (formerly of Brady’s Gallery), now at the magnificent Gallery of C. D. Fredericks, Photographist, No. 585 Broadway, opposite Metropolitan Hotel.

Photographs.—Penabert of Paris, Photographist.  Finished in oil, aquarelle, and pastel, by the talented and inimitable corps of Parisian artists, introduced to this country by C. D. Fredericks, No. 585 Broadway, opposite Metropolitan Hotel.

Presents For The Holidays.—There is nothing so acceptable for a Holiday present as a beautiful Photograph, Daguerreotype, or Ambrotype, which should be secured as early as possible at Fredericks Magnificent Gallery, No. 585 Broadway, opposite the Metropolitan Hotel.

The fifth advertisement appeared on October 17, 1857 in the New York Daily Tribune (New York, New York) .  Card.—Mr. George Penabert, having returned from Paris would be happy to see his friends at Fredricks’s Photographic Temple of Art, 585 and 587 Broadway.

The sixth advertisement appeared on October 17, 1857 in The New York Herald (New York, New York).  Card.—Mr. George Penabert, having returned from Paris, would be happy to see his friends at Fredricks’s Photographic Temple of Art, 585 and 587 Broadway.

George Penabert is recorded in other photographic directories.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry and Directory Of Pennsylvania Photographers 1839-1900 list him as Penabert.

[1] Not all first names or complete addresses were recorded in article.  Directory Of Pennsylvania Photographers 1839-1900 was used to assist in identification when possible first name and address were added.

 

Sylvester W. & Washington L. Pearsall

Patent, ,

1859                Address Unknown, New York, New York.

Sylvester W. & Washington L. Pearsall were recorded in an announcement on February 5, 1859 in the Evening Star (Washington, D. C.).  Patents week ending February 1, 1859.  Sylvester W. Pearsall and Washington L. Pearsall, Of New York, New York.—For photographic vise. No. 22,822.

Sylvester W. and Washington L. Pearsall are recorded in American Photographic Patents The Daguerreotype & Wet Plate Era 1840-1880.