Tag Archives: Salem Massachusetts

George P. Taylor

Ca. 1855-1856          10 Federal Street, Salem, Massachusetts.

1857                            Address Unknown, Haverhill, Massachusetts.[1]

1861                            Address Unknown, Salem, Massachusetts.[2]

ND                              Address Unknown, Alexandria, Virginia.

1866-1899                  188 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts.[2]

George P. Taylor was recorded from an entry in 200 Years Of Masonry In Essex Lodge 1779-1979 By Worshipful Harold Pierce Hadley.

George P. Taylor—born June 9, 1836, at 51 Broad Street, Salem.  Educated in Salem schools and at the age of 17 shipped on the White Swallow, to the Pacific.  Upon his return he was employed at D. W. Bowdoin’s.  From 1857-1859 had a traveling studio and practiced through Massachusetts.  During the Civil War he had a studio in Alexandria, Va.  Ca. 1867 with Charles F. Preston bought out the studio of William Snell the firm was Taylor and Preston he retired in 1906 and died on October 17, 1911.

George P. Taylor is recorded in other photographic directories, but is recorded here because of the additional information.


[1] Craig’s Daguerreian Registry

[2] A Directory Of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900.

Henry G. Spaulding

1847                Lynde Place, Salem, Massachusetts.

Henry G. Spaulding appeared in one announcement in the Salem Register  (Salem, Massachusetts) on July 22, 1847. Robbery.  The daguerreotype rooms of Henry G. Spaulding, in Lynde Place, was entered on Sunday night, and money to the amount of $425, and jewelry to the probable value of $250, stolen therefrom.  Mr. Spaulding left his room about 10 o’clock in the evening, and in the morning the door and window were found open, his daguerreotype instrument and specimens packed up in boxes, one inside and one outside the door, and the money and jewelry, which were in a small box or trunk, gone.  A bill of the Dover (N.H.) Bank, for $100, was among the money taken.

Henry G. Spaulding is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Joseph Ropes

1841                Exchange Building, Portland, Maine.                                                                                1843                5½ Tremont Row, Boston, Massachusetts.                                                                      1843                Manning’s Building, Salem, Massachusetts.

Joseph Ropes was recorded in one notice, one advertisement and one biographical entry.  The announcement appeared in the Portland Transcript (Portland, Maine)[1] on August 14, 1841.

Daguerreotypes.   We have not before called the attention of our readers to the opportunity now afforded of obtaining a Portrait from life by means of the Daguerreotype.  Mr. Ropes has taken rooms for a brief period in the Exchange, where he attends to Photographic Miniature painting.  A sitting of from two to four minutes will give one a perfect likeness—a portrait of wonderful beauty and delicacy.  Our readers generally have doubtless heard of this surprising art, by which a faithful transcript of one’s features may be obtained, drawn by Nature’s own finger, and it is well worth their while to visit Rope’s Room and look over the different portraits taken in this way.  When Nature paints, she paints correctly and minutely.  One cannot help being astonished at the exquisite finish to be observed in these drawings.  Every minute figure of the dress—every thread even may be detected‑‑and so with the features—every line is completely shadowed forth.  Mr. R. is always happy to see his friends at his room—who have but to speak the word to obtain from him their counterparts.

The advertisement ran from July 3 to August 17, 1843 in the Salem Register (Salem, Massachusetts).  Beautiful Specimens of Photographic Miniatures.  May be seen at the room of the subscriber in Manning’s Building, 3d story.  He has been connected several months with the establishment of Southworth & Co., Prize Photographers, and is familiar with their process of taking and coloring pictures.  Those who wish for a Daguerreotype likeness in the most pleasing and popular style will do well to call.

Room open to visitors at all hours of the day.  J. Ropes.

The biographical entry is from The New-York Historical Society’s Directory of Artists in America 1564-1860.  Ropes, Joseph (1812-1885).  Landscape,. Miniature, and crayon artist and drawing teacher.  Born at Salem (Mass.)  In 1812, he did not seriously study painting until in his mid-thirties when he took lessons from John R. Smith and at the National Academy.  He exhibited at the academy in 1848.  From 1851-1865 he had a studio in Hartford (Conn.).  In 1865 he went abroad for eleven years; on his return he settled in Philadelphia.  He died in NYC in 1885.  Ropes was the author of Linear Prespective (1850) and Progressive Steps in Landscape Drawing (1853) [ ] French, Art and Artists in Connecticut, 79; Bolton, Miniature Painters; Cowdrey, NAD; Swan, BA; Hartford CD 1855; Tuckerman, Book of the Artists.

Joseph Ropes is recorded in A Directory of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900.

[1] Transcribed from DagNews.

Thomas B. Masury

1844                Mechanic Hall Building, Salem, Massachusetts.

Thomas B. Masury was recorded in one advertisement that ran from February 29 to April 22, 1844 in the Salem Register (Salem, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotype Miniatures, At Greatly Reduced Prices!  Room in the Mechanic Hall Building, directly over J. Marks & Son’s Fruit Store, (formerly occupied by Snell & Bowdoin.)

A Perfect Likeness warranted in all cases, at a cheaper rate and in as beautiful style as elsewhere.

The public are invited to call and examine specimens.  Rooms open at all hours of the day for visitors.  Miniatures, neatly set in Cases or Lockets from $2 to $6.  Groups taken.  Also, Miniatures from Portraits or other paintings.  Daguerreotype Apparatus for sale, and Instruction given as above by. Thomas B. Masury.

Thomas B. Masury is not recorded in other photographic directories.

Keene & Cannon

1841                Over J. S. Perkins & Co.’s, entrance 178 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts.

Keene & Cannon (Peter H. Keene & Marsena Cannon) were recorded in two advertisements and two announcements.  The first advertisement ran from July 29 to October 7, 1841.  In the Salem Register (Salem, Massachusetts).  Miniature Portraits By Daguerreotype, Over J. S. Perkins & Co.’s, entrance 178 Essex Street. Messrs. Keene & Cannon respectfully invite the attention of the citizens of Salem and vicinity, to their new Daguerreotype Establishment.  Having obtained all the improvements in the photographic process, and procured a Camera, manufactured expressly for themselves, directly from the studio of Professor Morse, of New York, they will guarantee Miniature Portraits, unsurpassed incorrectness and beauty by any like establishment in the Union.  And no person will be permitted to take pictures from their room unless perfectly satisfactory.—Their pictures are entirely free from that unnatural and distorted appearance which is so often seen in productions of the kind; nor is the subject detained with long and tedious sittings, but in a few moments after entering the room, he may gaze on a facsimile of himself, of Nature’s own pencilling, as perfect as when reflected on a mirror; and far surpassing in precision and minuteness of delineation, the pencil of the most accomplished artist.

In conclusion they would remark, that they esteem the good old proverb, “by their works shall ye know them,” and by it they are willing to be tried.  Call at their room, and at Mr. Whipple’s Bookstore, and examine specimens.

Miniatures set in cases, from $4 to $5.  Groups taken if required.  Instructions $25.  Apparatus and materials furnished to pupils of superior quality

The first announcement appeared on August 9, 1841 in the Salem Register (Salem, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotype Miniatures.  We would call the attention of or readers to the new Daguerreotype Establishment of Messrs. Keene & Cannon, in the chamber over the store of J. S. Perkins & Co., entrance No. 178 Essex street.  Their apparatus, manufactured expressly for themselves, in complete, and embraces all the improvements in the photographic process, recently introduced into this country.—The miniatures executed by them are wonderfully perfect, and surpass in correctness and beauty any that we have ever seen; they as far exceed those that have ever before come under our notice, as an exquisitely finished steel engraving does one coarsely and clumsily executed on wood.  Indeed, we can conceive of nothing which can be added to make these pictures more life-like, unless it be the colors and tints of nature itself.  In this respect only, if at all, can a painted portrait be preferred.  In all others, in accuracy and minuteness of delineation, in the striking correctness of the features, in the delicate alterternations of light and shade, the Daguerreotype Miniature is as much superior to a painting, as the veritable productions of Nature are to the pencillings of the most accomplished artist.—These superiorities, together with the ease with which the likenesses are taken, (requiring a sitting of only a minute or two) and the low price at which they can be obtained, must render them exceedingly popular.  If any one thinks our assertions overwrought, let them call at the studio of Messrs. Keene & Cannon, examine some of their specimens, and satisfy himself of the wonderful results of this process.  A picture comprising more than one individual can be taken, if required, and this fact will afford families a good opportunity to obtain interesting collections.—Several very beautiful representations of children in groups have been executed by the gentlemen of whose artistical efforts we have been speaking.

What new wonders may be in store for us from further improvements, we know not.  Daguerre, the originator of the process, is constantly making important improvements, and the able Paris correspondent of the National Intelligencer writes that he has nearly perfected his invaluable discovery, in obtaining instantaneous impressions by means of electricity.  A slight haze, however, is left on the impression, which he wishes to correct before he exhibits the results of his new process.  Daguerre’s friends boast that he has now rendered it easy to copy the largest assembly of persons, with their momentary countenances and most animated gestures!

The second announcement was recorded from the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association records, September 20, 1841.  Exhibited daguerreotypes at the third exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association Fair.  No award was given.

The second advertisement ran from October 7 to October 25, 1841 in the Salem Register (Salem, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotype Miniatures, By M. Cannon, Over J. S. Perkins & Co.’s, entrance 178 Essex Street.

Miniatures taken in any weather, fair or foul, from 9 o’clock A. M. till three P. M.  Instruction given on reasonable terms, and Apparatus and Materials of superior quality furnished and warranted good.

Miniatures from three to five dollars, including a good morocco case, or they will be set in Lockets or Breast Pins.  Groups taken if desired.  Those who have been waiting on Keene & Cannon, for Miniatures, will call on the subscriber, who is authorized to settle all the affairs of the firm.  Marsena Cannon.

Keene & Cannon are not recorded in A Directory of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900.  Both Peter H. Keene and Marsena Cannon are recorded in other photographic directories.  Craig’s Daguerreian Registry does reference the partnership under Peter H. Keene, but does not identify Marsena Cannon as the partner.

George W. Felton, Jr.

1848-1851       208 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts.                                                                      1852-1853       197 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts.                                                                              1853                   1 Central Street, Salem, Massachusetts.

George W. Felton, Jr. was recorded in one advertisement and three announcements.  The first  advertisement that ran from September 9, 1852 to November 21, 1853 in the Salem Register (Salem, Massachusetts).  Felton’s Daguerrean Establishment.  Over J. C. & H. Cogswell’s Store, 179 Essex Street.  Entrance on Central Street.

The subscriber, for the last four years an assistant to Mr. D. W. Bowdoin, respectfully notifies his friends and the public that he has taken the above named spacious and convenient rooms for Daguerreotype purposes, and he invites the attention of all who wish for beautiful and life-like pictures of themselves or their friends.

Having availed himself of all the latest improvements in the art, and being favored with a light which enables him to take likenesses in any weather, the subscriber hopes to receive that share of encouragement which it will be his earnest aim to merit by an assiduous attention to his business, and by his constant endeavors to give satisfaction.

Likenesses taken at the residences of those who cannot conveniently visit the room.  Daguerreotypes and pictures copied at short notice.  The public are invited to call an examine specimens.  G. W. Felton, Jr.

The first announce appeared on May 5, 1853 in the Salem Register (Salem, Massachusetts).  Notice.  Felton’s Salem Brass Band, G. W. Felton, Jr., Leader, A. Jenkins, Director, …

The second announcement appeared on November 10, 1853 in the Salem Register (Salem, Massachusetts).  Felton’s Quadrille Band… George W. Felton, Jr., Bugle and Cornet…

The third announcement appeared on July 3, 1854 in the Salem Register (Salem, Massachusetts).  Felton’s Brass Band will parade with the City Guards to-morrow morning, on which occasion they will play a new Quick Step, composed by G. W. Felton, Jr., the leader, and dedicated to the Guards.

George W. Felton, Jr. is listed in A Directory of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900 and in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry For 1851 and 1853.

E. S. L. Dolliver

1844                Essex Place, Salem, Massachusetts.

E. S. L. Dolliver was recorded in an advertisement that ran from March 14 to April 11, 1844 in the Salem Register (Salem, Massachusetts). Dolliver’s Daguerreotype Room, Corner of Essex Place, up stairs.  Having imported direct from France, an apparatus of the greatest perfection, and using none but the best of materials, the subscriber is enabled to take miniatures with a degree of clearness and beauty heretofore unknown.

Ladies and Gentlemen desiring a correct likeness are respectfully invited to call and sit, without their being under any obligation to purchase, unless perfectly satisfied.  E. S. L. Dolliver.

E. S. L. Dolliver is not recorded in other photographic directories.