Tag Archives: Rochester New York

Eugene Sintzenich

Daguerreotypes, ,

1841-1842       Address Unknown, Rochester, New York.[1]

Eugene Sintzenich was recorded in one entry in The New York Historical Society’s Dictionary of Artists In America 1564-1860 and five random entries in the Rochester Daily American.  I have included Eugene Sintzenich to help clarify the entry in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry, even though I don’t have any original research concerning his activity as a daguerreotypist. 

The first entry is from The New York Historical Society’s Dictionary of Artists In America 1564-1860.  Sintzenich, Eugene.  Landscape and portrait painter.  He was living in England in 1833 when several of his views of Niagara Falls, Upper Canada, and New York State, painted during a visit to America in 1831, were shown in London.  By 1841nhe had returned to America and was painting portraits and more Niagara views in Rochester (N. Y.).  From 1844 to 1848 he was at Albay and NYC and in 1849 he exhibited a watercolor at the America Institute.  He also painted a view of NYC after the great fire of December 1845 he was once again in Rochester, listed as a professor of drawing.  He may have been dead by 1857.  When Mrs. Esther Sintzenich was listed in the Rochester directory, along with Eugene M. Sintzenich, daguerreotypist…

The first item appeared on June 14, 1850 in the Rochester Daily American (Rochester, New York).  Prof. Sintzenich, Formerly of London, and lately of New York, begs to inform his former friends and the lovers of the Fine Arts generally, that he has returned to Rochester, where he will be happy to give to those who are desirous of acquiring them.  Instructions in the various departments of Painting.

His method of Teaching is founded on the principles of the most eminent Professors of London—and aided by a long practice, he flatters himself his lessons will be found as much simplified as the subjects will admit of and the advancement of the pupil justify.

His system embraces the practice of Drawing and Painting, either in water or oil colors—the theory of light, shade, color, effect, composition, perspective and sketching from nature. 

Views of houses ad grounds taken, and drawings, made for the patent office.  His view of the Church of the “Holy Communion,” N. Y., for sale.

Terms, which are moderate, made known at his residence.  No. 12 Elm street, where specimens can be seen.

The second item appeared on August 19, 1851.  Grand Panorama.  Painted By Eugene Sintzenich And Smith M. Brown.  Exhibition of the Holy Land.  Comprising Views of Cairo, Mount Sinai, Bethlehem, Nazareth, The River Jordan, Dead Sea, several of the pool mentioned in Holy Writ, &c., &c, &c.

Among the views is a splendid representation of the departure of the Israelites from Egypt—a general view of The City Of Jerusalem, And the valley of Jehosaphat (sic.)!  Besides a great number of other equally interesting and Picturesque Views.

It has been the object of the getters up of this exhibition to give to the public a representation of these scenes as they now exist, and for this purpose have been to great expense to obtain Drawings Taken On The Spot.  So that the public may see the Holy Land as it is now presented to the traveller.

The Painting have been executed in the highest style of Art, and without regard to expense, and the artists confidently put them before the public fully believing they will meet the approval and reward they merit.

Time and place of opening will be announced in a few days.

The third item appeared on May 4, 1852.  Mr. Eugene Sintzenich at his rooms, No. 66 State St., third story, has some fine specimens of his skill in drawing and painting.  He is prepared to give lessons in the two arts and is capable of giving unbound satisfaction.  Many of the efforts of his pupils indicate a thorough training and a rapid progress on their part.

The fourth item appeared on September 24, 1852.  Death Of Prof. Sintzenich.—we regret to announce the death of Prof. Eugene Sintzenich.—He fell a victim to Cholera on Wednesday night, having been ill only 24 hours.  His age was 60 years. 

Prof. S. was English by birth, though we believe of Polish descent, and had lived long in our city at different times, winning the warm regard of the community by his courteous manners and kindness of heart.  He was an Artist of rare talent and qualifications, especially excelling as a landscape painter.  His death will be generally regretted.

The fifth item appeared on September 27, 1852.  The State Register contains the following appreciative notice of our late townsman, Prof, Sintzenich:

“The news of the death of this accomplished gentleman and fine artist will be received with the deepest regret by the very many friends whom he left behind him in this city.  He resided here several years, and won the sincerest esteem of all who were fortunate enough to become acquainted with him.  He was a man of through education, and imbued with the best qualities of nature.  As an Artist, he stood very high.  He painted chiefly in water colors and in this branch of his art he excelled.  He produced the best view of Albany we have ever seen.  It was lithographed, and many copies were disposed of.  He produced several other local works which were greatly admired, and all of which bore marked evidence of his fine taste and great skill.

Mr. Sintzenich was a man whose society was much coveted.  He was one of the most sociable men we ever knew, being always in excellent tune, and full of wit, humor and anecdote, which seem to pour forth from an inexhaustible store.

Eugene Sintzenich was an accomplished artist, an early daguerreotypist who like some artist of the day tried their hand using the daguerreotype process.  It is unknown at this time if he was only making daguerreotypes or if he was using the daguerreotypes as a tool for his paintings.  Eugene M. Sintzenich is probably his son, but this is only speculation on my part.  I have not spent a lot of time researching him.

[1] Craig’s Daguerreian Register

S. Wood

Daguerreotypes, , ,

1851-1852       Address Unknown, Rochester, New York.

1852                Rooms in the Court House, Penn-Yan, New York

S. Wood was mentioned in one advertisement that ran from August 24 to September 14, 1852 in the Penn Yan Democrat (Penn-Yan, New York).  Important to the Citizens of Penn-Yan and Vicinity!  R. B. Appleby, the Proprietor of the Rochester National Daguerrean Gallery, Who stands so deservedly at the head in that City, where, perhaps, there is more rivalry in this new and beautiful Art than in any other place West of the City of New York, and S. Wood, who has been so eminent in the above named establishment for the past year, and who brings to the aid of the Art a very comprehensive mechanical genius; have formed a collation for the purpose of an itinerant Picture Business, for a short time, during the dull season in the city.

We now offer to the citizens of this place and vicinity, advantages, for getting Pictures of a quality decidedly superior.  We have with us our Best Instruments, which were brought without regard to cost, and are entirely above [ ? ] with the instrument, generally used in small towns.  That those who do not know us by reputation may have some proof that we understand our business, we have with us some of our specimens, among which are several full size—Pictures of Jenny Lind and Husband, President Fillmore and Cabinet, &c., &c.

We now extend an invitation to all to call and see us—see our Specimens—see our Instruments—see our [manner] of doing business—and if you find us to be what we claim to be, then our advice to you is, have your Daguerreotypes taken!  Have a good one—(for a poor one [cannot] be copied if your friend dies,)—we say, have a good one of each member of the family, while you have them with you.  Life and health are uncertain.  The instances are [too numerous] in which we have been called out of our Rooms to take Corpse Pictures; which besides being [attention] with great expense to friends, are very unsatisfactory at best.  But the fact shows how much all think of retaining in their memory the features of departed friends.  It is not necessary that you set apart a whole day for this business with us.  We will not detain you more than 30 or 40 minutes, and we warrant every picture to give perfect satisfaction, or it will be taken over, free of charge.

Being largely engaged in the Daguerrian Stock business, we have been with us the Largest Assortment of Frames and Cases and find Gold Lockets ever exhibited in this place.  We offer to you rare opportunities, but remember, they are only for a short time.  When business revives in the City, we shall leave at some unexpected moment.  Rooms in the Court House.  R. B. Appleby. S. Wood.

S. Wood is not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in Rochester or Penn Yan, New York.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry does record a Sidney A. Wood who was active in Auburn, New York in 1859.  It is unknown if they are the same person. 

Daniel J. Kellogg

Patent, , ,

1856-1857       Address Unknown, Rochester, New York.

Daniel J. Kellogg was recorded three times for two photographic patents.  The first patent appeared on October 1, 1856 in the Evening Star (Washington, D. C.).  Patents for the week ending September 30, 1856.  Daniel J. Kellogg, of Rochester, N. Y.—For photographic instrument, No. 15,809.

The same patent announcement appeared on October 7, 1856 in The New York Herald (New York, New York).  New Patents Issued for the week ending September 30, 1856.  Daniel J. Kellogg, of Rochester, N. Y.—For photographic instrument. [No. 15,809.]

The second patent announcement appeared on April 8, 1857 in the Evening Star (Washington, D. C.).   Patents for the week ending April 7, 1857.  Daniel J. Kellogg, of Rochester, N. Y.—For improvement in photographic trays.  No. 16,979.

Daniel J. Kellogg is not recorded in other photographic directories.  He is listed in American Photographic Patents The Daguerreotype & Wet Plate Era 1840-1880.  It is unknown if D. J. Kellogg (posted yesterday) and Daniel J. Kellogg are the same person.

W. L. Burtiss

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1845                Address Unknown, Rochester, New York.                                                                    1845                At Prescott’s, Geneva, New York.

W. L. Burtiss was recorded in an advertisement in the Geneva Courier (Geneva, New York) on July 29, 1845.  Photographic Images.  Wives, Children, Husbands, Lovers and Young Maids, “Secure your shadows e’re your shadow fades.”

W. L Burtiss, Proprietor of the Rochester Daguerrian Gallery and Photographic Institute, has the honor to announce to the citizens of Geneva and vicinity, that, having by unremitting attention to business measurably injured his health, he intends for a week or two courting the invigorating breezes of the Lake and healthful atmosphere of Geneva.

Circumstances favoring, he purposes taking a few prospects of the Lake; and without violating his physiologic interests, will attend to a few calls in the way of his profession; for which purposes he has taken his apparatus, (a very, superior Camera,) along with him.

Ladies and gentlemen are requested to call, if for no other purpose but to examine his specimens, which in Rochester gained for him golden opinions.

W. L. B. has a very fine assortment of embossed Morocco Cases; Japanned, Rose Wood, Mahogany and Black Walnut Frames; Gold and Plated Lockets; Miniatures of all sizes, taken suitable for Breast Pins, Bracelets, &c.

Persons desirous of acquainting themselves with the modus operandi, can have instructions given, and supplied with apparatus on reasonable terms.

The color and material of the dress, and a great deal to the beauty of the impression, and therefore for Ladies, silk dresses of any color (except whit, or light blue, or red,) either plain, striped, or figured, are the best for the purpose.

A striped or figured vest, and a cravat or scarf which covers part of the triangular form of the bosom, would be most suitable for gentlemen.  Mr. B. can be found at Prescott’s.  W. L. Burtiss, P. P.  Geneva, July 31, 1845.

In Craig’s Daguerreian Registry he list a Warren L. Burtis in Rochester NY without a business address. He also suggest that he is probably in St. Louis, Missouri from 1845-1846.

Appleby & Wood

Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

Reported in the Penn Yan Democrat¸ published in Penn-Yan, New York on August 24, 1852.   The partnership of Richard B. Appleby & S. Wood from Rochester, New York are in Penn Yan making daguerreotypes and selling frames, cases, and gold lockets.

R. B. Appleby, the Proprietor of the Rochester National Daguerrean Gallery, Who stands so deservedly at the head in that city, where, perhaps, there is more rivalry in this new and beautiful art than in any other place west of the city of New York, and S. Wood, who has been so eminent in the above named establishment for the past year, and who brings to the aid of the art a very comprehensive mechanical genius; have formed a collation for the purpose of an itinerant picture business, for a short time, during the dull season in the city.

They have brought from their Rochester some specimens, among which are several full size—pictures of Jenny Lind and Husband, President Fillmore and Cabinet, etc.

They go on to discuss that it’s better to have a good daguerreotype taken by them, because a poor one cannot be copied if your friend dies. Post mortem photographs are expensive and are very unsatisfactory.  This is a common argument in photographic advertisements life is short and death can happen to anyone.

The advertisement ran for four weeks from August 24 to September 14, 1852.  While Richard B. Appleby is known in Rochester, S. Wood is possibly a new name Craig list three S Wood’s in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry, an  S. J. Wood in 1851 location unknown; Sydney A. Wood in Auburn, New York 1859 and another Sydney A. Wood 1858-1859  in Madison Wisconsin.