1852-1853       55 Main Street, Emporium Block, Rochester, New York.

1858                89 Merrimack Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.

1858-1859       50 Merrimack Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.[1]

1852 June 18.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  June 18, 1852, Vol 8, No. 145, P. 2.

New Daguerrian Rooms.—Those handsome daguerreotypes that hang on the outer wall of the Emporium Block and attract the attention of the passers by are the handiwork of Mr. James Heath, the proprietor of the “Daguerrian Palace” in the 3d story.  No better assurance could be given of his skill and competency.  But if it needed, a walk up stairs to his rooms will settle the question.  Mr. Heath has here as convenient and well arranged rooms as we have ever seen, admirably adapted to his business and so contrived as to give the least possible trouble to those sitting for pictures.  The walls are hung with handsome paintings and engravings, and numerous exhibitions of the Daguerrian art, among which are pictures of many of our well known citizens.  Mr. Heath’s stock of cases and frames for pictures is very large and embraces some very exquisite articles.

But a feature in Mr. Heath’s enterprise that must not be overlooked, is the fact that it is the only room on the East side of the River, and therefore is chiefly to be held in repute by the citizens thereabout.  Those wishing pictures will do well to call at No. 55 Main Street, Emporium Block, and try Heath.

1852 June 19.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  June 19, 1852, Vol 8, No. 146, P. 2.

Mr. James Heath, the artist whom we mentioned yesterday, as having opened new and elegant rooms at 55 Main St., Emporium Block, has very appropriately styled his place the “Daguerrian Palace.”  The numerous frequenters of his rooms certainly deem it such.  He has a magnificent show case on the “outer wall.”

1852 June 21.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  June 21, 1852, Vol 8, No. 147, P. 2.

Mr. J. Heath, of the Daguerrian Palace, No. 55 Main St., has executed a large and extremely vivid daguerreotype of the American Building as seen from the sidewalk near the Arcade.—We have seen nothing better of the kind.

1852 June 24.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  June 24, 1852, Vol 8, No. 150, P. 2.

We noticed hanging in the Arcade a half dozen or so local daguerreotypes by James Heath, of No. 55 Main St.  They attract a good deal of attention, and most certainly they deserve it.  Heath’s rooms are visited by a vast number of admires of the art.  He is doing a great business.  The East side of the river may well be proud of him.

1852 October 1.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  October 1, 1852, Vol 8, No. 235, P. 2.

The County Fair yesterday…Then came frames of daguerreotypes, the work of that skillful artist Heath.  These drew around them a large and interested body of spectators… 

1852 October 2.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  October 2, 1852, Vol 8, No. 236, P. 3.

Monroe County Agricultural Society.  Premiums Awarded, 1852…

Non-Enumerated Articles…Best Daguerreotypes by E. T. Whitney, Rochester, Dip.  Second best do,—Heath, Rochester, Vol. Trans  

1852 December 1.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  December 1, 1852, Vol 8, No. 287, P. 2.

Heath at his Daguerrian palace in the Emporium Block, takes pictures that possesses every quality of excellence.  His arrangements are perfect, and his rooms are fitted up in the best style—He can catch the changeful features of children before they have time to make a movement that wou’d interfere with the symmetry and accuracy of the picture.  His great run of patronage is a good guaranty of his success.

1852 December 11.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  December 11, 1852, Vol 8, No. 296, P. 2.

We have seen some rare specimens of cases &c., for daguerreotypes at Heath’s room, in the Emporium Block.  His show frame is full of the most elegant and costly settings, for the lifelike and beautiful pictures that he takes.  Heath moreover has a giant Camera, with which he can take faces as large as life.  Nothing of the kind has ever been seen in this city.  This Camera is worth a special visit.  The portraits will be well worth the money. 

1852 December 23.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  December 23, 1852, Vol 8, No. 306, P. 2.

Heath, Proprietor of the Daguerrean Palace in the Emporium Block, corner Main and North St. Paul Streets, is now taking portraits of the full size of life with his new magnificent Mammoth Camera.  Daguerreotypes of this size, are a novelty and a curiosity.  Those who pass Mr. H’s. establishment will be gratified to look at his specimens.  And now that the holidays are at hand, our readers will find many things “adapted to the season” in the “Daguerrean Palace.”

1853 February 17.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  February 17, 1853, Vol 9, No. 41, P. 2.

The attention of the passers by for a day or two has been centered in a magnificent daguerreotype, hanging in the Arcade Hall.  It is the most beautiful thing ever seen in this city.  The portrait is of a lady—a young lady of Syracuse—and is one of the noblest faces ever painted by the sun.—It is much larger than the pictures usually seen, and we were not surprised to learn that it was from the big instrument, engineered by Heath, at his suite of rooms, in the Emporium Block.  We learn that Mr. Heath is determined to offer a prize to the best subject for a daguerreotype that can be found in the State.  The subject to be a lady, and to be taken at his rooms.  It seems to us that he can find a claimant here for the prize.

It is not a single “extra fine” picture that establishes the fame of a daguerreotypist, for a thousand circumstances may concur to give excellence to a specific picture.  An examination, however, of Heath’s rooms will satisfy any one, that he has marked success in getting meritorious pictures. 

1853 February 18.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  February 18, 1853, Vol 9, No. 42, P. 2.

We briefly noticed, yesterday, that Mr. Heath had started the novel idea of offering a prize for the best subject for a daguerreotype,—the subject to be a lady, and the picture to be taken at his rooms.  He now informs us that he will take this prize picture upon his mammoth plate, with his mammoth  instrument,—the only thing of the kind in the city, and that he will give to the subject another likeness on a full size plate, and put up in the most elegant style.  Competitors, please apply immediately.  Heath has the best part of the entire 3d story of the Emporium Block, and there is no danger of missing him.

1853 March 25.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  March 25, 1853, Vol 9, No. 72, P. 2.

The entire third story of the Emporium Block, corner of Main and St. Paul streets, is occupied by the Daguerrian establishment of Messrs. Heath & Kelsey.  The first named gentleman came here a stranger last May, and commenced business.  His partner has been here two or three months.  Their success and progress for the year is quite remarkable.  The rooms rented by this firm are finely situated for their business.  The first is a room .  The first is a room 45 by 20 feet, whose walls are hung with pictures, engravings, and frames of beautiful daguerreotypes, the handiwork of the establishment.  This room is carpeted and well lighted, and is one of the best reception rooms of which we know.  At the right of the room is a room 75 by 20 feet, running from front to rear of the Block.  This room is about being brought into use.  The ceiling is frescoed in Glessing’s best style.  The floor will be covered with a handsome carpeting, and on the walls are to be suspended, within a few days now, the 52 portraits of the Pioneers taken by Kimball, and also a large number of other paintings.  This Pio [damaged line] in the city and the enterprise of Heath & Kelsey is much to be commended in providing for it.  At the extreme left, and opposite the Gallery room, is another large space, divided into rooms for various purposes, viz: a dressing room for ladies, about 15 feet square—a parlor, 35 by 20 feet, which is furnished with superb carpeting, with a piano, a chandelier, &c. &c.  Next is a dressing room for ladies, 16 feet square, in which is Kimball’s large painting of the “Judgement of Solomon;”  next in order is the work room, 35 by 20, supplied with all the accessories of the art—and finally the operating room, 25 by 25 feet, lighted and furnished with a full assortment of Cameras from smallest to the “mammoth.”  A second room is about being constructed, with a large skylight, to meet the claims of the business.

The great advantage of these rooms, aside from the acknowledged excellence of the pictures taken is the fact that the entire suite is on the same floor—a great convenience where ladies and children are concerned.  They are fast getting into shape to manage all the business that offers.

1853 March 28.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  March 28, 1853, Vol 9, No. 74, P. 2.

We learn that Messrs. Heath & Kelsey, who are forming a Gallery of Pioneer Portraits,” at their Daguerreotype Rooms, Emporium Block, recently procured a painting of the late Jared Newell, Esq.

1853 March 29.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  March 29, 1853, Vol 9, No. 75, P. 2.

Invitations, No. 1.  We have such nice rooms, and everything so convenient for the accommodation of our friends, and for taking Daguerreotype likenesses that we cannot hesitate any longer to extend a cordial invitation to everybody to come and see us.—It is worth the while of any person to spend an hour in our rooms simply to look at the fine pictures that adorn the walls, and examine the superior daguerreotypes, that prove the excellence of the art, and the genuineness of the skill that is exercised there.  The determination to possess as fine a miniature for one’s self, or one’s friend, is irresistible.  Come to the Emporium Block, corner of Main and St. Paul streets, third story.

Advertisement ran from March 29 to 31, 1853.

1853 April 1.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  April 1, 1853, Vol 9, No. 78, P. 2.

Invitations, No. 2.  Notwithstanding our first invitation has brought in upon us a rush of company, we take it is opportunity of inviting others, that we may enlarge the circle of our already extensive acquaintance.  Ladies flock in crowds tour rooms to see those noble Daguerreotypes, and to insist upon having one of the same sort for themselves.  Such pictures and such rare accommodations for the Ladies, are unknown here.—Come to the Emporium Block, corner Main and St. Paul streets.  Heath & Kelsey.

Advertisement was recorded on April 1 & 2, 1853.

1853 April 5.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  April 5, 1853, Vol 9, No. 81, P. 2.

Invitations, No. 3.  Come and see our prize pictures—they are the greatest attractions in the city.  We have any quantity of them and lots of beautiful engravings and paintings, and then such nice operators, such choice instruments, and the very best operating sky-light ever built.  There is no mistake about it.  You have only to ascend two pairs of stairs, and then you on the level of our rooms, sky-light and all.  It is in the Emporium Block, corner Main and St. Paul sts.  Heath & Kelsey.

Advertisement Ran from April 5 to 7, 1853.

1853 April 8.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  April 8, 1853, Vol 9, No. 84, P. 2.

Invitations, No. 4.  And still they come.  Our visitors who, by the way, are reckoned by thousands, still insist that there are no such rooms as those occupied by us.  A general expression of astonishment that anything so elegant is to be found here prevails.  Every day the skill of our experienced operator is put in requisition, to take pictures for persons who are disgusted with the work turned out at the shops in town—where they profess to take Daguerreotypes.  All conclude that the only place is in the Emporium Block.  Heath & Kelsey.

Advertisement ran from April 8 to 11, 1853.

1853 April 12.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  April 12, 1853, Vol 9, No. 86, P. 2.

Invitations, No. 5.  This glorious spring weather is the best time of all the year for taking Daguerreotypes, and for visiting our splendidly furnished rooms, and examining the beautiful pictures and engravings that adorn our walls.  The clear sunlight only renders more shining and brings out the brighter coloring the excellences of our pictures, which it gives us such a magnificent operating light that we cannot fail to take the most faithful and life-like likenesses.  Indeed all confess that there is no such word as fail, with.  Heath & Kelsey.

Advertisement was recorded on April 12 & 13, 1853.

1853 April 15.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  April 15, 1853, Vol 9, No. 89, P. 2.

Invitations, No. 6.  Of course there is a crowd here today.  Walk in—our rooms are on the third floor of the Emporium Block, corner of Main and St. Paul streets.  Once here, you have no further flight of stairs to climb to reach a cold and cheerless attic, or a low and poorly lighted back stairs garret.  But right in here—hardly 10 feet distance, and close by these sofas, this piano, and these beautiful dressing rooms, is our operator and his instruments.  You can have a picture in five minutes, and when you get it, it is a picture worth the money, and not a  poor caricature.  Heath & Kelsey.

Advertisement ran from April 15 to 18, 1853.

1853 April 19.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  April 19, 1853, Vol 9, No. 92, P. 2.

Invitations, No. 7.  Of course there is a crowd here today.  Walk in our rooms are on the third floor of the Emporium Block, corner Main and St Paul streets.  Once here, you have no further flight of stairs to climb to reach a cold and cheerless attic, or a low and poorly lighted back stairs garret.  But right in here—hardly 10 feet distance, and close by these sofas, this piano, and these beautiful dressing rooms, is our operator and his instruments.  You can have a picture in five minutes, and when you get it, it is a picture worth the money, and not a  poor caricature.  Heath & Kelsey.

Advertisement ran from April 19 to 21, 1853.

1853 April 22.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  April 22, 1853, Vol 9, No. 95, P. 2.

Invitations, No. 8.  Of course there is a crowd here today.  Walk in our rooms are on the third floor of the Emporium Block, corner Main and St Paul streets.  Once here, you have no further flight of stairs to climb to reach a cold and cheerless attic, or a low and poorly lighted back stairs garret.  But right in here—hardly 10 feet distance, and close by these sofas, this piano, and these beautiful dressing rooms, is our operator and his instruments.  You can have a picture in five minutes, and when you get it, it is a picture worth the money, and not a  poor caricature.  Heath & Kelsey.

Advertisement ran from April 22 to 25, 1853.

1853 April 27.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  April 27, 1853, Vol 9, No. 99, P. 2.

Invitations, No. 9.  The reputation acquired by our uniform habit of making the best Daguerreotypes taken in Rochester, or indeed in any place, large or small, has given us an extensive patronage from the liberal admirers of really fine pictures.  The invitations extended by us to the public, have been cordially responded to, and our books show an increased number of visitors and customers.  Come one, come all—look at our show cases—our splendid casings in morocco , papier-mâché, pearl and gold—our beautiful array of specimen pictures, our fine gallery of paintings, our noble suite of rooms, and our glorious light shed down upon us from the blue heavens.  These things, combined with our acknowledged skill and experience, make our rooms attractive and our customers enthusiastic.

Advertisement was recorded on April 27 & 28, 1853.  

1853 April 29.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  April 29, 1853, Vol 9, No. 101, P. 2.

Invitations, No. 10.  The reputation acquired by our uniform habit of making the best Daguerreotypes taken in Rochester, or indeed in any place, large or small, has given us an extensive patronage from the liberal admirers of really fine pictures.  The invitations extended by us to the public, have been cordially responded to, and our books show an increased number of visitors and customers.  Come one, come all—look at our show cases—our splendid casings in morocco , papier-mâché, pearl and gold—our beautiful array of specimen pictures, our fine gallery of paintings, our noble suite of rooms, and our glorious light shed down upon us from the blue heavens.  These things, combined with our acknowledged skill and experience, make our rooms attractive and our customers enthusiastic.

Advertisement ran from April 29 to May 6, 1853. 

1853 May 2.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  May 2, 1853, Vol 9, No. 103, P. 2.

The other day a couple of girls came to Heath & Kelsey’s Rooms to have their pictures taken, and brought with them a daguerreotype case which they said had contained a picture of their brother.  They wished their picture to be set in this case, in order to save expense.  Suspicion being aroused.  Messrs. H. & K. sent word to Mr. Appleby who at once identified the case as having been on his table the day before, when he had missed it and the picture it contained.  He also recognized the girls as visitors the day before at his rooms.  This was promptly denied.  But the affair resulted in a visit to the Post Office and an exposure of the girls.  These Petty Larceny offenders seem not to know that detection of such thefts is often very simple.  Perhaps this paragraph may be a warning to those who make gain by robbing the show cases of Daguerrians.

1853 May 7.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  May 7, 1853, Vol 9, No. 108, P. 2.

The World Challenged.  The reputation acquired by our uniform habit of making the best Daguerreotypes taken in Rochester, or indeed in any place, large or small, has given us an extensive patronage from the liberal admirers of really fine pictures.  The invitations extended by us to the public, have been cordially responded to, and our books show an increased number of visitors and customers.  Come one, come all—look at our show cases—our splendid casings in morocco , papier-mâché, pearl and gold—our beautiful array of specimen pictures, our fine gallery of paintings, our noble suite of rooms, and our glorious light shed down upon us from the blue heavens.  These things, combined with our acknowledged skill and experience, make our rooms attractive and our customers enthusiastic.

Advertisement ran from May 7 to June 15, 1853. 

1853 May 23.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  May 23, 1853, Vol 9, No. 1121, P. 2.

A Card in another column, advertises the dissolution of partnership in the Daguerrean business of Messrs. Heath & Kelsey.  Mr. Kelsey will continue the business, and Mr. Heath will remain with him for a time.  These gentlemen have been very successful in their business, and have built up a great reputation for enterprise and skill.  Mr. K. as also rooms at No. 22 State st., which will be put under good management, and at once made popular.  The arrangements for the Gallery of Pioneer Portraits, are fast concluding, and in a few days the portraits will be put up and the rooms opened.

1853 May 23.  Rochester Daily American.  (Rochester, New York.)  May 23, 1853, Vol 9, No. 1121, P. 2.

Notice Of Dissolution.  Notice is hereby given, that the Co-partnership heretofore existing between the undersigned, under the firm name of Heath & Kelsey, in the Daguerrian business, has been dissolved by mutual consent.  James Heath, John Kelsey.

The business will be continued at the well-known rooms in the Emporium Block, by the undersigned.  John Kelsey.

1858 August 17.  Lowell Daily Citizen and News.  (Lowell, Massachusetts.)  August 17, 1858, Vol. VIII, No. 707, P. 2.

Notice.  Notice is hereby given that the copartnership heretofore existing between James Heath & George E. Mitchell, in the Daguerreotype business, is this day dissolved by mutual consent.  Mitchell will continue the business at the old stand, and Heath at No. 50 Merrimack street.  James Heath.  Geo. E. Mitchell.

Advertisement ran from August 17 to 19, 1858.

[1] 1859, A Directory Of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900.