Tag Archives: South Boston Massachusetts

Cathan, Lucius H.

Ambrotypes, Daguerreotypes, , , , , , ,

1843                Elm Street, Byers Building, upstairs, Springfield, Massachusetts.

1848                113 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts. 

1849-1850       20 Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts.

1850                Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

1853                Broadway, South Boston, Massachusetts.

1857                Address Unknown, Townshend, Vermont.

1843 August 30.  Springfield Gazette.  (Springfield, Massachusetts.)  August 30, 1843, Vol. 12, No. 35, P. 2.

The Daguerreotype.—The act of transferring the exact features of the human face and form by means of the daguerreotype is one of the most wonderful and beautiful achievements of science; and to such perfection has it been carried, that the most perfect portraits in form and coloring are now produced by a simple process.  Having examined several specimens recently executed by Mr. Cathan, whose card may be found in another column, we take pleasure in commending him to the patronage of the public.  His pictures are correct and life-like, and but for their diminutive size would give one the impression of looking in a mirror.

1843 August 30.  Springfield Gazette.  (Springfield, Massachusetts.)  August 30, 1843, Vol. 12, No. 35, P. 3. 

A Card.  The subscriber respectfully informs the gentlemen and Ladies of Springfield and vicinity that he is prepared to furnish Colored Daguerreotype Portraits, in a style superior to any thing of the kind ever taken in this place.  By this process of coloring, the correctness and beauty of the picture is greatly increased, and it gives the exact complexion, as if done by painting, and much more perfect.

He will also furnish apparatus of the best kind upon reasonable terms, if applied for soon.  Persons wishing for a good portrait are invited to call at his room in Byers’ building, next door to Harnden & Co.’s Express Office, Elm St: (up stairs;) also to examine specimens.  L. H. Cathan

Advertisement ran from August 30 to September 27, 1843.

1848 March 16.  Daily Republican.  (Springfield, Massachusetts.)  March 16, 1848, Vol. 5, No. 64, P. 3.

Daguerreotypes Taken single, or in groups of two to twenty, or more, in style and finish equal to any taken in the city, at No. 113 Washington st., by Pettee & Cathan

Advertisement ran March 16 and April 10, 1848.

1848 March 17.  Semi Weekly Eagle.  (Brattleboro, Vermont.)  March 17, 1848, Vol, 1, Mo. 63, P. 3.

Daguerreotypes Taken single, or in groups of two to twenty, or more, in style and finish equal to any taken in the city, at No. 113 Washington st., by Pettee & Cathan

Advertisement ran March 17 and April 14, 1848.

1848 March 23.  Green-Mountain Freeman.  (Montpelier, Vermont.)  March 23, 1848, Vol. V, No. 12, P. 3.

Boston Business Cards…Daguerreotypes.  Taken single, or in groups of two to twenty, or more, in style and finish equal to any taken in the city, at No. 113 Washington street, by Pettee and Cathan.

1848 March 24.  New Hampshire Statesman.  (Concord, New Hampshire.)  March 24, 1848, Vol. XXVII, No. 1400, P. 3.

Daguerreotypes.  Taken single, or in groups of two to twenty, or more, in style and finish equal to any taken in the city, at No. 113 Washington street, by Pettee and Cathan.

Advertisement ran four times between March 24 to April 21, 1848.

1848 March 24.  Vermont Journal.  (Windsor, Vermont.)  March 24, 1848, Vol. IV, No. 40, Whole No. 197, P. 3.

Daguerreotypes Taken single, or in groups of two to twenty, or more, in style and finish equal to any taken in the city at No. 113 Washington St., [Boston.] by Pettee & Cathan.

Advertisement ran from March 24 to April 21, 1848.

1848 March 27.  Exeter News-Letter And Rockingham Advertiser.  (Exeter, New Hampshire.)  March 27, 1848, Vol. XVII, No. 50, P. 3.

Daguerreotypes.  Taken single, or in groups of two to twenty, or more, in style and finish equal to any taken in the city, at No. 113 Washington street, by Pettee and Cathan.

Advertisement ran four times between March 27 to April 24, 1848.

1848 March 28.  The Middlebury Galaxy.  (Middlebury, Vermont.)  March 28, 1848, Vol. XII, No. 48, P. 3.

Daguerreotypes Taken single, or in groups of two to twenty, or more, in style and finish equal to any taken in the city at No. 113 Washington St., [Boston.] by Pettee & Cathan.

Advertisement ran from March 28 to April 25, 1848.

1848 September 21.  Liberty Bugle.  (Boston, Massachusetts.)  September 21, 1848, Vol. 1, No. 6, P. 4.

 Daguerreotype, Large Groups, as well as single Likenesses, taken upon favorable terms, and to the entire satisfaction of the parties, At 113 Washington Street, Boston.  Pettee & Cathan.

1849-1850.  Boston City Directory, Published by George Adams, 1849 (Boston, Massachusetts) P. 323. 

Daguerreotype Miniatures.  Cathan, L. H. daguerreotype miniature rooms, 20 Washington Street (Up only 2 flights of stairs.)  Perfect and satisfactory likenesses, with the case, for $1.50, and warranted.  The number of sittings is not limited.

1850 May 16.  Cambridge Chronicle.  (Cambridge, Massachusetts.)  May 16, 1850, Vol. V, No. 20, P. 2.

Daguerreotypes!—We advise all who wish to secure good likenesses of themselves, their friends or children, to give Mr. Cathan an early call at his new and splendid saloon on Main street.  His light is so well arranged that the operation of taking single figures or groups is very quickly performed, and from personal inspection we can attest the excellence of the pictures.  The engagements of Mr. C. are such that his stay will necessarily be short.

1850 June 6.  Cambridge Chronicle.  (Cambridge, Massachusetts.)  June 6, 1850, Vol. V, No. 23, P. 2.

Mr. L. H. Cathan, will remove his daguerreotype Saloon from its present location, main St., near the Universalist Church, in a few days.  He takes excellent pictures, and is well deserving of public patronage.  We advise all who wish to see a splendid miniature to call and examine his specimens.  Now is the time!

1850 September.  Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association.  (Boston, Massachusetts.)  September 1850, N. P.

Exhibited daguerreotypes at the sixth exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association Fair in Boston

1852 October.  The Photographic Art Journal.  (New York, New York.)  October 1852, P. 258.

Cathan’s Reflectors.—These reflectors are the most convenient, and the cheapest article of the kind we have yet seen got up for daguerreotype purposes, and they are equal in merit so far as their working in concerned to any others.  We shall speak further of them in our next.

Ca.1852.  Unknown source p. 213.

Speculum.—A mirror employed in optical instruments, in which the reflecting surface is formed of a metallic alloy, instead of glass coated with quicksilver.  The speculum is attached to the photographic camera, either upon the end of the tube, or within the box, to enable the operator to reverse the image upon the ground glass, or spectrum and bring it in its natural position…. Fig. 106 a convenient and excellent article made by Mr. Cathan, of Cambridge, Mass.  This can be used with a single or double lens of a Harrison camera.

1853 November 19.  South Boston Gazette and Dorchester Chronicle.  (Boston, Massachusetts.) November 19, 1853, Vol. VIII, No. 8, P. 2.

Daguerreotypes.  We understand the Daguerreotype Saloon on Broadway, is to be removed soon.  Those wanting a good likeness, without the trouble of going to the City, will be sure to get it, and at a fair price if they call before Mr. Cathan leaves.

1857 May 16.  Vermont Phoenix.  (Brattleboro, Vermont.)  May 16, 1857, New Series —Vol. 3, No. 20, P. 2.

Pictures.—The good people of Townshend are having fine Ambrotypes by Mr. Cathan, who has just returned home, where he will remain until the first day of June, and no longer, so if you want your picture you must “hurry up.”

Elbridge G. McElroy

Daguerreotypes, , , ,

1847                Near Lower Mills, Dorchester, Massachusetts.[1]

1850                Brattle Square, over Whitney, Brackett & Co.’s. Store, Cambridge,                           Massachusetts.

1850-1851       Barker’s Building, Turnpike and Fourth Street, South Boston, Massachusetts.

1853                Park Street, near Harrison Square Depot, [Dorchester], Massachusetts.

1853                Near the Methodist Church, [Dorchester], Massachusetts.

1854                Near the Town Hall, [Dorchester], Massachusetts.

1856-1860       Address Unknown, Dorchester, Massachusetts.1

1865                Address Unknown, Cambridge, Massachusetts.1

Elbridge G. McElroy was recorded in A Directory Of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900, three advertisements and five announcements.  The first advertisement ran from February 1 to April 19, 1850 in the South Boston Gazette (Boston, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotypes!  If you want a good likeness of yourself or friends, please call at Barker’s Building, Turnpike street, where E. G. McElroy will be pleased to wait on you, and warrants a good likeness or no charge; having had long experience in the art, he is confident that he can execute pictures in as good style as can be obtained elsewhere,—cloudy weather no objection.

The second advertisement ran from May 9, 1850 to May 23, 1850 in the Cambridge Chronicle  (Cambridge, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotypes!!  E. G. McElroy.  Has taken rooms for a short time over Whitney, Brackett & Co’s. store, Brattle Square, Old Cambridge, for the purpose of taking Miniatures, having had long experience in the art, he is prepared to execute Likenesses in as good style as can be obtained elsewhere, all pictures taken in his rooms are warranted not to fade, to give good satisfaction, and taken equally in cloudy weather.

The first announcement appeared on February 22, 1851 in the South Boston Gazette.   McElroy, at his rooms corner of Turnpike and Fourth streets, is taking splendid miniatures.  Give him a call if you wish to be well served.

The second announcement appeared on April 26, 1851 in the South Boston Gazette.  We would call the attention of our readers to the advertisement of Mr. McElroy the Daguerreotype-man.  Just give him a call, and if you are not satisfied drop in at our sanctum and we’ll give you a quit-deed on our hat.  He informs us that he intends to remove before long, so if you want to get a picture, just walk up in double quick time.

The third advertisement ran from April 26 to May 3, 1851 in the South Boston Gazette. Daguerreotypes! At barker’s Building, Corner Turnpike and Fourth street, Only for a short time longer.

E. G. McElroy would respectfully inform the citizens of South Boston, that he is prepared, (having had long experience in the business,) to execute Pictures in every variety of style, warranted not to fade, to give good satisfaction, and taken equally well in cloudy weather.

Prices reasonable.

The third announcement appeared on April 2, 1853 in the South Boston Gazette & Dorchester Chronicle.  Daguerreotypes.  Those of our readers who would secure perfect pictures of themselves and friends, would do well to step in the saloon, of Mr. McElroy, located on Park street, near Harrison Square Depot.

The fourth announcement appeared on April 30, 1853 in the South Boston Gazette & Dorchester Chronicle.  Daguerreotype Saloon.  Now is your time, friends, of Port Norfolk, Neponset, Squantum, &c., for you to get perfect pictures of yourself and friends.  Mr. E. G. McElroy’s Saloon is stationed near the Methodist Church, and himself at home ready to greet you.

Mr. M. is one of the best artists in his profession out, and all may depend upon prompt and faithful attentions.

Go soon or you lose him.  All pictures warranted no to fade and to give entire satisfaction.  Price—one Dollar and upwards, according to the style.

The fifth announcement appeared on July 22, 1854 in the South Boston Gazette & Dorchester Chronicle.  Daguerreotypes.—Go, friends, to Mr. E. G. McElroy’s Saloon, near the Town Hall, and secure a perfect life-like picture of yourselves and friends.  There is a striking peculiarity about Mr. McElroy’s pictures—they are all very handsome.  Go quick or lose him.

Elbridge G. McElroy is recorded in other photographic directories, the newspapers help to fill in some of the gaps from the city, county,  regional  and state directories.

[1] A Directory of Massachusetts Photographers 1839-1900.  1847 identified as E. G. McEllery.

Mr. Talbot

Daguerreotypes, ,

1853                Washington Village, South Boston, Massachusetts.

Mr. Talbot was recorded in one announcement that appeared on April 9, 1853in the South Boston Gazette & Dorchester Chronicle (Boston, Massachusetts).  Daguerreotypes.  Those of our readers who would secure perfect pictures of themselves and friends, would do well to step in the saloon, of Mr. Talbot, located in Washington Village.

Mr. Talbot is not recorded in other photographic directories as being active in South Boston, Massachusetts in 1853. 

O. G. Barrett

Daguerreotypes, , ,

O. G. Barrett has been recorded in two locations in Massachusetts South Boston and in Groton.

He was recorded in two advertisements in the South Boston Gazette (Boston, Massachusetts.)  The first dated September 7 and ran until the 28th and the second which ran from October 5 through the 26th.  Both advertisements start the same way.   Daguerreotypes Secure the Shadow ere the Substance fades.  The only difference is in the third paragraph where he list prices charged.

Daguerreotypes Secure the Shadow ere the Substance fades. The undersigned desires to inform his friends, and the people of South Boston and vicinity, that he has taken the large and commodious Hall, No. 100 Broadway, near B street; formerly occupied by George F. Taylor, where he has superior advantages for taking first rate pictures, as he operates by a pure north light, which always insures by far the best Daguerreotypes.

They are taken in any weather, and neatly put up in cases, frames, lockets &c, colored or uncolored, single, or in groups.

Prices low, varying according to the size and style of the case, frame, &c. From 75 cents to $3.50 for a single one on a plate; and in groups 50 cents for every one that is added.

A third advertisement appears in the Groton Mercury (Groton, Massachusetts.) in July 1851.

Daguerreotypes. Secure the Shadow ere the Substance fades. The undersigned desires to inform the people of Groton and vicinity, that he has taken Rooms at the house of George P. Bennett, near the Post Office, for the purpose of taking Daguerreotypes, where he will remain only for a few weeks.

They are taken in any weather, and put up in various ways to suit customers. Those who are wishing a good personal likeness of themselves or friends, and the public generally are invited to call and examine specimens.

Also old pictures re-taken, and Daguerreotype likenesses of deceased friends copied in the best manner. Crayon Pictures taken to order at short notice.  O. G. Barrett.  July 4th, 1851.

Barrett was not recorded in A Directory of Massachusetts Photographers, 1839-1900.