1856                Rooms at the Post Office, Ouleout, New York.                                                                    1856-1857     Rooms over Elwood’s Store, Delhi, New York.                                                                      1858                Address Unknown, Delhi, New York.

E. C. Riggs  was recorded in four announcements and five advertisements in the Delaware Gazette (Delhi, New York).  The first announcement appeared on September 10, 1856.  Ambrotypes.—We are desired to call attention to the advertisement of Mr. E. C. Riggs, Ambrotype Artists.  The pictures taken by this process are said to be superior to any other.

The first advertisement ran from September 10 to October 15, 1856.  Patent Ambrotypes.  Great Attraction!  E. C. Riggs, Ambrotype Artist, Respectfully informs the inhabitants of Meredith, Delhi and Franklin, that he is the sole proprietor of the Patent Ambrotype in these towns, the genuine Ambrotype can be had of none else in these places.

This new and beautiful process is the invention of Prof. James A. Cutting, of Boston, by whom it is patented in the United States, Great Britain and France.  These pictures are taken on the best plate glass and placed upon a corresponding glass, two being hermetically sealed together with an indestructible cement—the picture being in the center, as durable as glass itself Mr. R. has taken instruction of the best Artist in the State, and is now putting up likenesses that for richness of tone and life like expression, are unsurpassed.

These pictures can be had at no other room in these towns, Mr. R. having purchased the exclusive right.

The public are invited to call and satisfy themselves.  Rooms at the Post Office.

The second advertisement ran from October 29 to December 10, 1856.  Ambrotypes.  Now is the time to get a perfect Likeness E. C. Riggs Would announced to the inhabitants of Delhi and vicinity, that he has taken rooms in the village, and is now prepared to take the likenesses of all who may favor him with a call, and will warrant them not to fade.  Please call and see specimens.

Office hours from 9 A. M. to 8 P. M.                                                                                                                      Rooms over Elwood’s Store, just below Edgerton’s hotel.    Delhi, October 28, 1856.

The second announcement appeared on November 5, 1856.  Ambrotypes.—We are requested to call attention to the advertisement of Mr. E. C. Riggs in another column, who has taken rooms over Mr. Elwood’s store.  We have seen some of Mr. Riggs’ pictures, which, to our unsophisticated eye, look remarkably fine.

The third advertisement ran from December 17, 1856 to March 4, 1857.  Immense Excitement!  Ambrotypes at Reduced Prices!!  The subscriber would say to the public that, notwithstanding the Tremendous Exertions of our “up town” philosopher to the contrary, he is alive and attending to business as usual.  And his “ignorance of common philosophy” does not prevent him from selling the most beautiful pictures taken in this county, and at lower prices than they have ever been sold before.

As to my Ambrotypes fading, it is false; and I defy the gentleman (?) who takes so much pains to injure me and make himself appear ridiculous, to produce one that has faded in the least.  And I would like to have him give satisfaction to his customers, whose pictures I have taken over and finished off after passing through his philosophic hands.  I will warrant my work and am willing it shall stand upon its own merit’s.  I respectfully invite the public to examine both sides—they shall be the judges.

Call in Ladies and gentlemen, and see who takes the cheapest and best pictures.  A poor picture is dear at any price.

My Rooms are over Elwood’s Store.

Office hours from 9 A. M.  to 3½ P. M.  E. C. Riggs.  Delhi, December 11, 1856.

The fourth advertisement ran from December 17, 1856 to February 25, 1857.  Gifts for the Holidays.  If you want to present a lasting memento to a friend call at the Gallery of E. C. Riggs and get a True Likeness.

There is a real value in such gifts, which is more appreciated by all, and now is the time to procure them.

The third announcement appeared on December 24, 1856.  Pictures on Glass.  The subscriber invites the attention of the public to his advertisement in another column, and his assertions therein contained, are in every respect true and correct. But it not his intention to publish here, but to correct misrepresentations which I see in an advertisement signed E. C. Riggs, in which he states as follows: “As to my Ambrotypes fading, it is false, and I defy the gentleman to produce one that has faded in the least.”  If I am the man to whom he eludes as the “up town philosopher,” and the man who took so much pains to injure him, then I say the gentleman has stated a wicked falsehood, and he could no be ignorant of it I never said a word about his Ambrotypes fading, for there is not one to be found, probably, that is more than three or four months old.  And how does he know whether he asserts the truth or not?

I did say they were of short duration, and this I am able to maintain.

He further says:  “I warrant my work and am willing it shall stand upon its own merits.”  With what degree of propriety does he warrant his work, and what assurance can he give the public of its duration?  Will the few months he has been in business be a sufficient time to test their durability!  Let the public judge.—Yet he is willing to warrant his work, but is careful not to say how long; he is then willing it shall stand upon its own merits.  So am I, but it will not upon its own merit or any other.

If the Patented Ambrotype was of such durability, why did Brady and others of New York give them up?  Because they were worthless, and his information is from one of the best men in this town, taken from his own lips.

I now come to the last italicized sentence.  “A poor picture is dear at any price.”  This is my sentiments exactly; and those who have been so unfortunate as to get one of your Patented Ambrotypes, will probably find out in short time the truth of this assertion to their sorrow.

Gentlemen and ladies, call at my office and get you a fifty cent picture, and I will make it as durable as the rock of Gibraltar.

Yes, when your flesh in dust shall lie,                                                                                                                When death’s grey film o’er spread your beaming eye,                                                                           My life pause mocking at decay,                                                                                                                    Will still be fresh and vivid as to-day.

A Splendid Stock just received.  J. Churchill.  Delhi, Dec. 23, 1856.

The fifth advertisement appeared on November 25, 1857.  T. J. Riggs, Musician and Teacher, Delhi, N. Y.  Instruction given on the Violin, Piano and melodeon.  Music furnished for Exhibition, Anniversaries, Festivals, Social Parties, &c.

Pianos and Melodeons tuned to order.

Orders left at E. C. Riggs’ Ambrotype Rooms, over Elwood’s Store, will received prompt attention.

The fourth announcement appeared on December 24, 1858, Vol. XL, No. 3, P. 4.

List Of Premiums Awarded By The Delaware County Agricultural Society, At The Fair Held At Franklin, September 22d and 23d, 1858….No. 3—Discretionary…

Best Ambrotypes,  N. Taylor, Franklin,                $2.00                                                                                     2d        do                    E. C. Riggs, Delhi,                  $1.00

E. C. Riggs is not recorded in other photographic directories.