Tag Archives: Sumterville South Carolina

Lafar, Theo A.

N. D.               235 King Street, Charleston, South Carolina.

1853                Court House, second story, Chester, South Carolina.

1853-1854       Corner of King & Liberty Streets, Charleston, South Carolina.

1854                Rooms at the Banner Office, Sumterville, South Carolina.

1854                McBee’s Hall, Greenville, South Carolina.

1855                Address Unknown, Darlington, South Carolina.[1]

1856                Address Unknown, Marion, South Carolina.1

1853 June 23.  Palmetto Standard.  (Chester, South Carolina.)  June 23, 1853, Vol. IV, No. 25, P. 3.

Daguerreotypes!  Mr. LaFar, From Cook’s Gallery, Charleston, would respectfully inform the citizens of this place and its vicinity, that having had experience for some years in the above Gallery, well known as the best in the Southern States, he is prepared to furnish specimens of Daguerrean Likenesses.

Mr. L. has on hand a splendid assortment of Cases of all sizes, Medallions, Brooches &c. he is prepared with all the Instruments for securing accurate copies of Portraits and for taking Children and Groups.  He will remain for a short time.

Please call and examine Specimens at his room in the Court House—second story.

Advertisement ran from June 23 to July 21, 1853.

1853 November 16.  The Charleston Courier.  (Charleston, South Carolina.)  November 16, 1853, Vol. LI, No 16575, P. 2.

Cohen & LaFar, New Daguerreotype Gallery, Corner Of King And Liberty-Streets.  The largest Sky Light in the city, with all the latest improvements, and being on the second floor, the most easy of access.  Stock for sale.

Advertisement ran from November 16 to December 10, 1853.

1853 December 12.  The Charleston Courier.  (Charleston, South Carolina.)  December 12, 1853, Vol. LI, No 16596, P. 2.

Cohen & LaFar, New Daguerreotype Gallery, Corner Of King And Liberty-Streets.  The largest Sky Light in the city, with all the latest improvements, and being on the second floor, the most easy of access.  Stock for sale. 

Advertisement was recorded twenty-six times between December 12, 1853 to February 6, 1854.

1854 February 8.  The Charleston Courier.  (Charleston, South Carolina.)  February 8, 1854, Vol. LII, No 16664, P. 2.

Notice.  The firm of Cohen & LaFar Daguerrian Artists, is mutually dissolved.  Mr. Cohen is authorized to collect all money due the firm, and pay the debts of the same.  Mr. Cohen will carry on the business, and thankful for pass favors, solicits the continuance of the public patronage, corner of King and Liberty streets.  A. D. Cohen. T. A. LaFar. 

Advertisement ran from February 8 to 17, 1854.

1854 February 22.  The Sumter Banner.  (Sumterville, South Carolina.)  February 22, 1854, Vol. VIII, No. 17, P. 2.

Worth Attending to.  We call the attention of the reading public to our advertising columns.—And to commence near home, Mr. LaFar, just next door, announces his readiness to furnish, at the shortest notice, the best of likenesses, at the lowest possible price.  No sun necessary to insure a good picture.  Mr. L., has favored us with a sight at his fine collection of Cases, Lockets, Brooches, Pins, &c., &c., we feel that we risk nothing in recommending them as the best assortment of the kind we have had in our village.  We have not had an opportunity of judging ourselves as to Mr. LaFar’s skill in Daguerreotyping, he having just arrived, but we have been informed that he is an excellent hand at his business.  Call and give him a trial.

1854 February 22.  The Sumter Banner.  (Sumterville, South Carolina.)  February 22, 1854, Vol. VIII, No. 17, P. 3.

Daguerreotypes, Mr. LaFar, From Charleston, Having taken Rooms at the Banner Office, would respectfully inform the citizens of Sumterville and its vicinity, that, having had an experience of some years in the business, he is prepared to furnish specimens of Daguerrean Likenesses, Mr. L. has on hand a splendid assortment of Cases of all Sizes, Medallions, Brooches, etc.

He is prepared with all the Instruments for securing accurate copies of Portraits, and for taking Children and Groups.  He will remain for a short time.

Please call and examine Specimens.—Instruction given in the Art.                       

Advertisement ran from February 22 to March 15, 1854.

1854 March 29.  The Sumter Banner.  (Sumterville, South Carolina.)  March 29, 1854, Vol. VIII, No. 22, P. 3.

Daguerreotypes.  Mr. LaFar has just received from Charleston a new and beautiful collection of Fancy Cases, Medallions, Broaches, etc., which he would offer to the people of Sumterville and vicinity, and respectfully requests them to call and examine for themselves.  He is thankful for the kind favors which have already been conferred, and would earnestly solicit a continuation of the same.  Rooms up stairs—next to the Sumter Banner Office.  March 22th, 1851.

Advertisement ran from March 29 to May 24, 1854

1854 April 5.  The Sumter Banner.  (Sumterville, South Carolina.)  April 5, 1854, Vol. VIII, No. 23, P. 2.

LaFar’s Daguerreotypes.  Mr. LaFar, whose arrival we announced in the Banner, some time ago, has been pleasing many persons in our community with the finest specimens of daguerrean art.  We have frequently visited his room and examined his specimens, among which, we found many of our acquaintances and friends and recognized them instantly.  We have been favored with the opportunity of visiting many daguerrean galleries, and from the work we have seen come from Mr. LaFar’s hands, we have no hesitancy in recommending him as one of the very best operators in his line, we have ever seen.—All who have tried him are pleased with his success, and we understand he never allows an indifferent picture to go out of his room.  If not the inventor, he is acquainted with and exercises a new method, which by giving a different and better back-ground, enables the operator to take persons with light hair and eyes much more successfully than by the old method, the hair being taken with its natural shade and the eyes having all that sharpness and liveliness which it has in life and which heretofore was so difficult to be obtained in daguerreotypes.  Many persons, from the country, will be visiting our village during court, and we call attention to Mr. LaFar’s presence among us, that those, who have not often so good a chance to gratify their families and friends with a fac-simile picture of themselves, may avail themselves of the present one.  We must all one day leave our friends, and the dear ones, we now so much love, may one day leave us, but a picture will exist almost forever and may always be with us to enliven memory, when the grave has shut out from our view, the objects of our love and gratitude.  Mr. Lafar may be found at his room, the first door to the right, upstairs, and next to the Banner Office.

1854 May 31.  The Sumter Banner.  (Sumterville, South Carolina.)  May 31, 1854, Vol. VIII, No. 31, P. 3.

Daguerreotypes.  Mr. LaFar would respectfully inform the citizens of Sumterville and the vicinity, that he will remain here but a few days longer, he would be pleased to wait upon any who desire excellent likenesses of themselves or their friends.  His stay will be short, so call early.     May 31, 1854.

Advertisement ran from May 31 to June 7, 1854.

1854 July 7.  The Southern Enterprise.  (Greenville, South Carolina.)  Vol. 1, No. 8, P. 2.

Daguerreotypes.  Attention is directed to the advertisement of Mr. LaFar, to be found in our advertising columns to-day.  We have visited his rooms, and were much pleased with the specimens shown us, and can safely recommend all who wish a daguerreotype of themselves to Mr. LaFar.  He mat be found at McBee’s Hall.

1854 July 7.  The Southern Enterprise.  (Greenville, South Carolina.)  Vol. 1, No. 8, P. 3.

Daguerreotypes.  Mr. LaFar From Charlestown, Having taken Rooms at McBee’s Hall, would respectfully inform the citizens of this place and its vicinity, that, having had an experience of some years in the above line, he is prepared to furnish specimens of Daguerrean Likenesses.  Mr. L. has on hand a splendid assortment of Cases of all sizes, Medallions, Brooches, &c.

He is prepared with all the instruments for securing accurate copies of Portraits, and for taking Children and Groups.  He will remain for a short time. 

Please call and examine Specimens.

Instructions given in the Art.

Advertisement ran on July 7 & 14, 1854.

1854 November 8.  The Sumter Banner.  (Sumterville, South Carolina.)  November 8, 1854, Vol. IX, No. 2, P. 2.

Mr. Lafar.  It will be seen by our advertising columns that this young gentleman has returned to his former rooms, next door to the Banner office, where he is ready to give entire satisfaction to all who feel like perpetuating the image of themselves or friends.

1854 November 8.  The Sumter Banner.  (Sumterville, South Carolina.)  November 8, 1854, Vol. IX, No. 2, P. 3.

Daguerreotypes.  Mr. LaFar is pleased to inform the citizens of Sumterville and vicinity, that he has returned to Sumterville, and has opened his Daguerrean Rooms at the place formerly occupied by him near the Sumter Banner Office.

Thankful for the liberal patronage heretofore bestowed, he invites all who desire Capital Pictures to give him a call.  Nov. 8, 1854.

Advertisement ran from November 8 to December 13, 1854.


[1] Partners with the Sun South Carolina Photographers 1840-1940. P. 43, 53-54.

Gale, A. D.

1850                Room at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, Camden, South Carolina.

1850                Rooms in Moses’ New Building, Sumterville, South Carolina.

1851                235 King Street, Charleston, South Carolina.[1]

1851                Rooms formerly occupied by Dr. J. E. Muse, Darlington, South Carolina.

1851                rooms over Freeman & Roberts’ Carriage Repository, Macon, Georgia.

1850 March 15.  The Camden Journal.  (Camden, South Carolina.)  March 15, 1850, Vol. 11, No. 21, P. 3.

Photographic Likenesses, By A. D. Gale, Taken at the Odd Fellows’ Hall in from two to five seconds.  All those desirous of preserving an accurate likeness for the future reference would do well to embrace the opportunity.  Parents would, especially, do well to have their children taken, as even a day may deprive them of so valuable a memento in after life. March 15.

Advertisement ran from March 15 to April 16, 1850.

1850 March 26.  The Camden Journal.  (Camden, South Carolina.)  March 26, 1850, Vol. 11, No. 24, P. 2.

Photographic Likenesses.  Those of our citizens who desire a likeness “as is” a likeness, would do well to give Mr. Gale a call at his Daguerrean Gallery, Odd Fellows’ Hall.  His pictures will bear inscription, and “speak for themselves.”

1850 May 3.  The Camden Journal.  (Camden, South Carolina.)  May 3, 1850, Vol. 11, No. 35, P. 3.

The Last Week.  The Subscriber respectfully announces to the ladies and gentlemen of Camden and vicinity, that he will not remain longer than next week.—Those wishing pictures will please call as early as practicable.  A. D. Gale.

Advertisement ran on May 3 & 7, 1851.

1850 June 26.  The Sumter Banner.  (Sumterville, South Carolina.)  June 26, 1849, Vol. IV, No. 35, P. 3.

Photographic Likenesses!  Gallery in Moses’ New Building.  The Subscriber would respectfully inform the citizens of Sumterville and vicinity, that he has opened a Daguerrean Gallery at the above place.

Having had a practical experience of about six years in some of the best rooms in the Eastern cities, and having during that time enjoyed a professional intimacy with some of the most celebrated and successful operators in the country, and having been thereby enabled to avail himself of the new discoveries and improvements in the art that have from time to time been made, he feels that he thus presents no ordinary claim to the confidence of the public.

He does not, however, rely upon these circumstances merely (advantages though they be) to secure patronage, but respectfully invites attention to his specimens as the best evidence of his skill.  His pictures will speak for themselves.  He holds it to be but a low qualification of the artist, to be able to produce good likenesses only.  The perfection of the art consists in imparting to the likeness the color and expression of life.

Pictures of all sizes taken, from those suitable for rings and lockets up to large family groups.  Having a large Camera, he is enabled to copy full-size picture, paintings, and statuary, as well as residences and landscapes.  Children taken almost instantaneously.  A clear day should be selected.  As the impression depends much on the color of the dress, black or dark dresses are recommended to ladies as preferable, though not essential.  All pictures from his Gallery warranted not to fade.  A good assortment of lockets on hand.

Ladies and gentlemen, please call and examine for yourselves.

Rooms open from 8 a. m. to 6 p.m.  Instructions given in the art, and superior Apparatus furnished.  A. D. Gale, Artist. 

1851 March 5.  The Darlington Flag.  (Darlington, South Carolina.)  March 5, 1851, Vol. 1, No. 1, P. 3.

Daguerrean Gallery.  The subscriber respectfully announces to the citizens of Darlington District, that he has opened a Daguerrean Gallery in the office formerly occupied by Dr. J. E. Muse, where he is prepared to accommodate all persons who may desire accurate likenesses of themselves and friends.  He has had nine years experience in the business and warrants perfect satisfaction.  He has been especially successful in taking the pictures of small children.  He will remain in Darlington only for a short time.  A. D. Gale.

Advertisement ran from March 5 to April 9, 1851.

1851 April 23.  The Darlington Flag.  (Darlington, South Carolina.)  April 23, 1851, Vol. 1, No. 8, P. 2.

“Pictures.”  We are requested by Mr. Gale to state that he will leave Darlington in a few days; those who have not had themselves “put in a frame,” had better be in a hurry.  Mr. G. has had great success in Darington, and given, we believe, general satisfaction.

1851 June 7.  The Georgia Citizen.  (Macon, Georgis.)  June 7, 1851, Vol. 2, No. 10, P. 3.

Gale’s New Daguerrean Gallery.  The undersigned, who has been engaged for nearly ten years, and who has recently been operating for Mr. Cook, in Charleston, has taken the rooms over Freeman & Roberts’ Carriage Repository, fitted them up with Sky Lights and every other convenience for his business.

He is prepared to take correct and faithful Likenesses of single persons, families or groups, at the shortest notice, and in the very best style.

Children of any age taken in from two to five seconds.  Likenesses warranted, and complexion perfectly natural.  A. D. Gale. 

Advertisement ran from June 7 to October 4, 1851.


[1] Partners with the Sun South Carolina Photographers 1840-1940.  At George Smith Cook’s (early 1851).

Crygier, J. J.

1848                190 King Street, Charleston, South Carolina.

1849                Rooms at the Court House, Sumterville, South Carolina.

1846 October 7.  The Charleston Courier.  (Charleston, South Carolina.)  October 7, 1846, Vol. XLIV, No. 13,403, P. 2.

Passengers.  Per line ship H. Allen, from New-York—…J. J. Crygier.

1848 October 7.  The Charleston Courier.  (Charleston, South Carolina.)  October 7, 1848, Vol. XLVI, No. 13,877, P. 3.

Notice.—Mr. McIntyre respectfully informs his friends and the public, that having disposed of his Daguerreotype Establishment to Mr. J. J. Crygier, he will remain only long enough to fulfill the engagements he has on hand. 

Those who may wish Likenesses taken by him, would do well to call soon.  He has still a number of specimens to dispose of.

1849 May 16.  The Sumter Banner.  (Sumterville, South Carolina.)  May 16, 1849, Vol. III, No. 29, P. 3.

Likenesses.  The subscriber respectfully informs the citizens of Sumterville and vicinity that he is prepared to take the likenesses of those who may favor him with a sitting.  From long experience, having been connected with Mr. McIntyre of Charleston for the past three years, he has no doubt, but he shall be able to give the most perfect satisfaction to those who may favor him with a call.

Ladies and gentlemen are respectfully invited to call and examine his specimens.  He has taken rooms at the Court House, where he will remain about three weeks.         J. J. Crygier.  May 16.

1849 May 23.  The Sumter Banner.  (Sumterville, South Carolina.)  May 23, 1849, Vol. III, No. 30, P. 3.

Daguerreotype Likenesses.  The subscriber will remain but one week longer; those wishing pictures of themselves or family will do well to call soon.—The best hours from 8 A. M. until 2 P. M.—Room in the Court House.  J. J. Crygier.  May 23.

Advertisement ran from May 23 to 30, 1849.

John A Talmadge

1850-1851       Rooms at the China’s Hotel, Sumterville, South Carolina.

John A Talmadge of the partnership of Alvord & Talmadge was recorded in one advertisement that ran from December 11, 1850 to January 8, 1851 in The Sumter Banner (Sumterville, South Carolina).  Daguerreotype Likenesses.  The undersigned having taken rooms at China’s Hotel, would respectfully announce to the citizens of Sumterville and vicinity, that they are prepared to take Daguerreotype Pictures in the best style of the art.

Being in the possession of the latest improvements, and using a newly discovered Chemical, we are enabled to produce a picture, which for durability, mellowness, of tone, and beauty of finish cannot be surpassed.

Our Pictures are neatly put up in all varieties of Cases, from the common to the delicate Papier Mache.

For Miniatures we have a good assortment of Lockets, to which the attention of the ladies is invited.  Alvord & Talmadge.                    

John A Talmadge is recorded in other photographic directories as being active in South Carolina and Georgia.

J. S. Clarke

N. D.                 Address Unknown, New York, New York.                                                                            N. D.                 Address Unknown, New Orleans, Louisiana.                                                            1847                Rooms in Mr. China’s Hotel, Sumterville, South Carolina.                                  1850                Address Unknown, Sumterville, South Carolina.                                                1850                Rooms in Mr. China’s Hotel, Sumterville, South Carolina.

J. S. Clarke was listed in an advertisement that ran from February 10 to 17, 1847 in The Sumter Banner (Sumterville, South Carolina). Color Daguerreotype Likenesses. The subscriber would respectfully inform the ladies and Gentlemen of Sumterville and vicinity, that he has taken rooms in Mr. China’s Hotel for a few days and will be happy to have all call and examine specimens whether they intend sitting or not.  After having experience in New York and New Orleans he does not hesitate to warrant his Likenesses equal to any taken in the Union.

No person will be required to take a picture after sitting if it does not give satisfaction.  Portraits copied correctly; Likenesses taken in clear, cloudy, or rainy weather.  Instructions in the Art given and apparatus furnished.  J. C. Clarke.

On February 27, 1850 Clarke was recorded in an announcement in The Sumter Banner (Sumterville, South Carolina).  Daguerreotypist.  Mr. J. S. Clarke is now in this place taking Daguerreotype Miniatures; and his presence affords an opportunity to those who are desirous of obtaining miniatures of themselves or friends of so doing.  Mr. Clarke’s miniatures, which we have seen him take, as well as those which he has on hand, are well executed.

Mr. Clarke has removed his rooms to Mr. China’s Hotel as his former location was found too damp for the purpose of his art.

J. S. Clark does not appear in any photographic directories.

C. D. Boyden

1850                Address Unknown, Charleston, South Carolina.                                                1850                Rooms in the Sumter Court House, Sumterville, South Carolina.

C. D. Boyden was recorded in a notice and advertisement which ran from February 27 to March 6, 1850 in The Sumter Banner (Sumterville, South Carolina.)  The notice.              By the arrival of Mr. C. D. Boyden, from the Daguerrean Gallery of Messrs. Bostwick & Fuller, the citizens of Sumter are enabled to have correct likenesses of themselves and family taken, at a very moderate charge and in a style unequaled for durability and life-like expression.  Mr. B. is certainly master of his profession, and we recommend to all, have their Likenesses taken by him immediately—such an opportunity rarely occurs and advantages should be taken of it.

The Advertisement.  Daguerreotypes, C. D. Boyden, from the Daguerrean Gallery of Bostwick & Fuller, has taken rooms in the Sumter Court House, and is now prepared to take perfect and imperishable likenesses of all who will favor him with a call; and at prices to suit the times.  Come and see.  Sumterville, Feb. 20, 1850.

In the book Partners with the Sun South Carolina Photographers, 1840-1940. By Harvey S. Teal.  Page 48.  Bostwick & Squires…Bostwick “states in a May 1850 Georgetown newspaper that he was “recently from New York & directly from the City of Charleston.”  The same information is also recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry.