1850 Water Street, Augusta, Maine.
1850 Rooms over Granite Hall, Augusta, Maine.
1850 Room nearly opposite the Winthrop House, Winthrop, Maine.
1852-1853 21 Angell Street, rear, Providence, Rhode Island.[1]
1852 Over Frederick Baylies store, Main Street, Edgartown, Massachusetts.[2]
1853 Over Frederick Baylies store, Main Street, Edgartown, Massachusetts.2
ND Provincetown, Massachusetts.[3]
ND Yarmouth, Massachusetts.3
ND South Dennis, Massachusetts.3
ND West Harwich, Massachusetts.3
ND Chatham, Massachusetts.3
1855 Over Frederick Baylies store, Main Street, Edgartown, Massachusetts.2
1855 Brewster, Massachusetts.3
1855 Dennis, Massachusetts.3
Francis Hacker was recorded in two articles, two advertisements, and five broadsides. The first article appeared on March 14, 1850 in the Maine Farmer (Augusta, Maine). Destructive Fire in Augusta. The most serious fire that has occurred in this place for several years, broke out about half past nine o’clock, on Saturday evening last, in the tailor’s shop of James Dealy, on Water street four doors south of North’s Block, and nearly opposite the Stanley House…
…Six buildings were entirely consumed; one was torn down, and three others were very much injured. The loss, as near as we can ascertain is as follows…
…The next building was considerably injured, and the stock of goods it contained was removed. It was own by D. Alden, who had an insurance of $600 upon it, and was occupied as a hat store by Jona. Peirce, who had an insurance of $1,500. On the second floor was a daguerreotype room occupied by F. Hacker. His stock was removed and damaged some—not insured…
The first advertisement ran from July 20 to August 3, 1850. Great Excitement! The Patent Magic Background. The discovery of which is due to C. J. Anthony, of Pa. By this process the most beautiful effects are produced, and the pictures set forth in bold relief on a background of every variety of shade and light.
F. Hacker is happy to inform his friends and the public that he has recently made extensive alterations and improvements at his Rooms, over Granite Hall, and has fitted them up expressly for his business. He has secured the right to use the Magic Back Ground. With this improvement, and the late improvements in chemicals, he flatters himself that he can take pictures, of any size, shade, or shape, equal, if not superior to any offered to the public. He invites his friends and the public to call and examine specimens.
Rare Chance for Daguerreotype Artists. Stock of every description, including French and American plates, Frames, Cases, Fancy Cases, Lockets, polishing materials, &c.
Chemicals. Quick Silver, Iodine, Chloride of Iodine, Bromine, Chloride of Gold, and every article used in the business.
Constantly receiving Stock of all descriptions, and of the latest patterns, all of which will be sold at Boston and New York prices.
All orders by Stage or otherwise, attended to with promptness and dispatch. F. Hacker’s Daguerrian Gallery, (over J. Pierce’s Hat Store,) Granite Hall, nearly opposite the Stanley House.
The second advertisement ran from September 12 to 26, 1850. Miniatures. Daguerreotype Pictures for the Million. The subscriber would respectfully inform the Ladies and Gentlemen of Winthrop and vicinity that he has taken the Rooms recently occupied by Mr. Stanley, nearly Opposite The House, Where he is prepared to execute Daguerreotype Pictures in as good style as they can be taken by any Artist in the state of Maine. He has procured all the latest improvements in the Art, such as the “Patent Magic Back-ground,” and the “Electro Magnetic Buff,” by means of which children and weak-eyed persons can be taken in one-fourth the time required by the old process, and in a much superior manner. Pictures Warranted in any weather, and he will color them in a superior style if desired. He will also Set them in Lockets, Pins, Rings ad Cases. He invites all persons to call and examine his specimens, and he flatters himself that they will find them superior to any that have ever before been offered for their inspection. Rooms open from 7 A. M. till 6 P. M. Miniatures taken as cheap as at any other Establishment. F. Hacker.
The second article entitled Providence Photographer in the 1860s by Maureen Taylor.
Maureen states that he was born in Vassalborough, Maine in 1827. And began his career in Augusta, Maine approximately in 1850. In 1852 he was in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1852, 1853 and 1855 he operated a studio in Martha’s Vineyard over the store of Frederick Baylies, Main Street, Edgartown, [Massachusetts]. Between 1857-1862 he may have had studios in Michigan and Superior, Wisconsin. In 1863 he is back in Providence, Rhode Island…
Five broadsides in Harvey Zucker’s collection. He was active in Provincetown, Yarmouth, South Dennis, West Harwich, Chatham, Dennis, Brewster, and Sandwich, Massachusetts.
N.D. [After 1852] F. Hacker, would inform his friends and the public of Provincetown, that he has again returned, and having secured a Room over Enoch Nickerson’s (formerly occupied by Alstram & Holmes’) Store. He has had it fitted up with a large sky-light expressly for his business, and having had from five to six years experience and constant practice with some of the best operators in the N. E. States, he deems it no arrogance to assert, that pictures taken by him, for distinctness of outline, depth and purity of tone, clearness of the eyes and artistical arrangement of position, which is so indispensable to a really valuable Daguerre, contrasts favorably with those hard and flat pictures formerly produced and which are now so often palmed upon an unsuspecting public.
N.D. [After 1852] Rare Chance to Get Good Pictures, F. Hacker, Would, in returning thanks to his friends and the public for their liberal patronage, inform them that he will remain One Week Longer to accomodate those who are desirous of obtaining a good Daguerreotype.
He deems it unnecessary to call the attention of the public to the many recommendations which he has received from different Artist, but would rather invite them to an examination of his work which is the best guarantee of the superiority of his Pictures.
P. S. Remember that he closes his Saloon at South Yarmouth September 29th, and will move to South Dennis, Monday October 1st.
Pictures taken equally well either in clear or cloudy weather.
A good assortment of Stereoscopic and Fancy Cases and Gold Lockets on Hand.
P. S. Rooms open from 8 A. M. until 5 P. M.
A good assortment of Fancy Cases, Gold Lockets, and Stereoscopic Cases
N.D. [After 1852] A Good Chance To Get Pictures Taken equally as well as those taken by the best artist in the city. F. Hacker, The unrivalled Daguerrean Artist, is in town, and will remain One Week to accommode those who are in want of a good Picture.
Having had from five to six years experience and constant practice in some of the best rooms in the principal cities in the New England States, and that with a constant desire to please, will enable him to take portraits, far superior to any ever before offered to the people of the Cape.
The best guarantee of the superiority of his work, is an examination of his work.
P. S.—Please call and compare his Daguerreotypes with those taken by other operators.
Saloon open from 8 A. M. until 5 P. M. Pictures taken equally well either in clear or cloudy weather.
N. B.—A good assortment of Stereoscopic and Fancy Cases and Gold Lockets on hand.
His Saloon is located near Uncle Peter Baker’s Hotel, South Dennis. Remember he moves to West Harwich, Monday October 8th.
N.D. [After 1852] Last Chance F. Hacker Would, in returning thanks to his friends and the public for their liberal patronage, inform them that he will remain One Week Longer, to accommodate those who are in want of pictures, taken by him.
He feels confident that a close examination of his pictures will satisfy the most incredulous, of the superiority of his work. Call soon, as he positively leaves for Chatham, Monday, 29th.
P. S.—Saloon open from 8, A. M. until 5 P. M. Pictures taken equally well either in clear or cloudy weather.
A good assortment of Fancy Cases, Gold Lockets and Stereoscopic Cases.
N. B.—His Saloon is located opposite the new hall.
1855 April 14. Hacker’s Saloon Will remain in town until the 30th, when he will move to Dennis. Those in want of Pictures by him should call soon.
Rooms open from 8 A. M. until 5 P. M.
A good assortment of stereoscopic Fancy cases and Gold Lockets, on hand.
The Painters of old, as we all of us know,
When Portraits they took worked uncommonly slow,
And long ere they’d finished the picture required,
The unfortunate Sitters were angry or tired.
Even when they had finished the figure and face,
There often was wanting expression or grace;
So that friends said—”the Picture does not at all strike,
And there’s something about it that’s not very like.”
Now we know of a Painter,—his name is Sun,
Who but asks you to sit and your Likenesses is done!
So correct are his Portraits, that nought can surpass
Their fidelity, not e’en your dressing room glass!
And where does he take off these Likenesses rare?
You’ll see if to Hacker’s Saloon you repair,
Where quickly, at prices exceedingly low,
You Pictures may get of a belle or a beau.
Have your father or mother, child, sister or wife,
Whose features you’d see when no longer in life?
Go to Hacker’s Saloon, where, though others have tried
In vain, you’ll without the least doubt be supplied.
Be it cloudy or clear, morning, evening and noon,
F. Hacker you’ll find in his splendid Saloon.
Brewster, April 14, 1855.
Francis Hacker is recorded in Craig’s Daguerrian Registry as being active in 1852-1853. Maureen Taylor’s article verified that he was active in Augusta Maine in 1850. Still more work is needed, the activity dates in Edgartown, Massachusetts might be during the summers only or was it a permanent location? Since I don’t have access to the Vineyard Gazette, I can only go on the citation date used in the article, 1852 June 4; 1853 June 10 and 1855 July 20. The same is true for the broadsides more work is needed…
[1] Craig’s Daguerreian Registry.
[2] Maureen Taylor in an online article entitled Francis Hacker, Providence Photographer in the 1860s.
[3] Broadside from Harvey Zucker’s collection
Pioneer American Photographers, 1839 - 1860 