Tag Archives: Woodstock Vermont

Varney & Blair

Daguerreotypes, ,

1848                Rooms in Hayden’s Building, next door to the Bank, Woodstock, Vermont.

Varney & Blair were recorded in one advertisement that ran from June 1 to 8, 1848 in the Spirit of the Age (Woodstock, Vermont).  Daguerreotype Miniatures.  Messrs. Varney & Blair would inform their friends and the public, that they have established themselves in the pleasant Village of Woodstock, in Hayden’s Building, next door to the Bank where they are prepared to execute all kinds of Daguerreotype likenesses in the latest and most approved style.  Persons desirous of procuring Daguerreotype likeness of themselves or friends, or copies from portraits, Miniatures, paintings, Engravings or Statuary, are particularly invited to give us a call.  Instructions given in the art to take Likenesses in one fifth part of the time required by other operators.  Furnishing materials kept constantly on hand, All orders for stock will be promptly attended to, and sent, when money is enclosed, to any part of the country at our risk.  Varney & Blair.

Varney & Blair are not recorded in other photographic directories.

Charles H. Gay

Daguerreotypes, , , , , ,

1845                Rooms in Whitney’s Hotel, Woodstock, Vermont.                                            1845                Rooms In Spalding Building, Montpelier, Vermont.                                              1845                Room, over Bancroft & Riker’s Store, Montpelier, Vermont.                                          1845-1846     Rooms in the Masonic Hall, Rutland, Vermont.                                                                  ND                    192 Broadway, New York, New York.                                                                  1847                Younglove’s Hall, Union Village, New York.                                                    1849                No’s. 10 & 12 Washington Place, Union Village, New York.

Charles H. Gay was recorded in one announcement and five advertisement.  The first advertisement ran from September 11 to October 9, 1845 in the Spirit of the Age (Woodstock, Vermont).  Daguerreotype.  Cha’s H. Gay, Of New York; Would respectfully inform the citizens of Woodstock and vicinity that he has opened his Gallery of Daguerreotype Portraits, at Whitney’s Hotel, where he will remain, for a short time, and is prepared to execute Portraits and Miniatures in a style not surpassed by any ever taken.  He is prepared to execute portraits and miniatures from the smallest to the largest size ever taken either in this country or in Europe.

Groups of from 2 to 15 taken on a single plate. The citizens are invited to call and examine specimens of the art brought to its highest state of perfection.  Rooms open from 8 a. m. 6 p. m.

The second advertisement ran from October 16 to November 6, 1845 in the Green-Mountain Freeman (Montpelier, Vermont).  Daguerreotype!  Charles H. Gay, of New York, Would respectfully inform the citizens of Montpelier, that that he has opened his Daguerreian Rooms in Spalding Building, over the store of Bancroft & Riker, where he would invite the attention of the citizens, and members of the Legislature, to his splendid specimens of Daguerreotype Portraits and Miniatures.  He is prepared to execute the various sizes from the smallest to the largest ever taken in this country or in Europe, and in a style which cannot fail to please.  Groups of from 2 to 15 taken on a single plate.  Landscape views taken in superior style.  The public generally are invited to call.  Rooms open from 8 A. M. to 6 P. M.

The announcement appeared on October 23, 1845 in the Green-Mountain Freeman (Montpelier, Vermont).  Something Worth Seeing.—All who are friends of the fine arts, and would like to see Daguerreotype likenesses, superior to any ever taken in the State, will do well to call at Charles H. Gay’s room, over Bancroft & Riker’s store.  His apparatus is of a superior kind and none can look upon his likenesses without being disposed to patronize him.  Here is a rare chance for those who may wish to procure a beautiful and perfect likeness.

The third advertisement ran from December 4, 1845 to February 12, 1846 in the Rutland Herald  (Rutland, Vermont).  Daguerreotype.  Charles H. Gay, of New York, Daguerrean Artist, would respectfully inform the citizens of Rutland, that he has opened his Room in the Masonic Hall, opposite A. Dyer’s, where he will remain for a short time and will be prepared to execute the various sizes from the smallest to the largest ever taken either in this country or in Europe, and in a style which cannot be surpassed.

Groups of from 2 to 15 taken on a single plate.  Rooms open from 8 A. M. to ½ past 4 P. M.  Operations without regard to weather from 9 A. M. to 4 P. M.  The citizens are invited to call and examine specimens of the art brought to its highest state of perfection.

The fourth advertisement ran from May 27 to August 26, 1847 in the Washington County Journal  (Union Village, New York).  Daguerreotypes.  Chas. H. Gay, formerly from 192 Broadway, N. Y., would respectfully announce to the citizens of Union Village and vicinity, that his Daguerrian Gallery is now open at Younglove’s Hall, where it will remain for a short time, and would invite the attention of the citizens to his unrivalled specimens of the Photographic Art.

He is prepared to execute all the various sizes, from the smallest locket size to the largest Cabinet size ever taken either in this country or in Europe.  Groups of from 2 to 20 taken on a single plate.  Landscape Views, Views of Private Residences, Copies of Paintings, Statuary, &c., executed in an unrivalled manner.  These Pictures are taken with a Speculum, and will not be reversed.  The style and finish of these Pictures shall excel in beauty and faithfulness, and possess all the colors of life.

The citizens are respectfully invited to call and examine specimens of the Art brought to its highest state of perfection.  Operations from 8 A. M., to 5 P. M., without regard to weather.  Rooms open from 8 A. M., to 7 P. M.

The fifth advertisement ran from May 10 to 31, 1849 in the Washington County Journal (Union Village, New York).  Daguerreotype Atelier.  Charles H. Gay would respectfully inform the citizens of Union Village and vicinity, that he has returned, and has opened his Daguerrian Gallery at Rooms No. 10 & 12, Washington Place, where he will remain a short time, and is prepared to execute Daguerreotypes Portraits & Miniatures in a style that cannot be surpassed.  He is prepared to execute all the various sizes (embracing [unreadable]           ) from the largest to smallest ever taken, either in this country or in Europe.  Groups of from two to twenty taken on a single plate.

From the long experience of the proprietor in the business, the superiority of his instruments having both German and American, he flatters himself he will be able to give the most perfect satisfaction.

Pictures taken equally well in cloudy as clear weather.  N. B.—Those having pictures taken by the old process, can have them retaken at a small expense.             The public are respectfully invited to call and examine specimens of the art brought to its highest state of perfection.  Rooms open from 8 A. M. to 5 P. M.

There is a Charles H. Gay recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry who was active in 1845 in Providence, Rhode Island; Troy, New York in 1847-48; in New London, Connecticut in 1850, and 1853-56.  The question is are the all the same person?

Bixby & Doane

Daguerreotypes, , , , ,

Bixby & Doane were recorded twice in the Burlington Free Press (Burlington, Vermont.) The first notice was on November 22, 1844. Daguerreotype Miniatures.  Messrs. Bixby and Doane, having received instructions and purchased an apparatus from Mead brothers who have spent some time in this place, and are now taking capital Daguerreotypes.  They have all the latest improvements in the art, and have been eminently successful in taking a great number of likenesses.  Nothing can exceed the delicate and faithful portraiture of this wonderful invention.  It transfers the features and expression with the exactness of a mirror, and by the new process of gilding as it is called, fastens the impression ineffaceably upon the plate.  We advise all who desire to preserve valuable mementoes of themselves or their friends, to call on Messrs. Bixby & Doane, over Cole & Robinson’s, where they can see the likenesses of their neighbors, and satisfy themselves as to their correctness.

The second notice was on January 31, 1845 in the same newspaper.  Daguerreotypes.  Our young friends Bixby & Doane, have taken almost every body’s likeness here, are about, we learn, to go elsewhere in quest of faces.  We can only say of them as we have before, they are not only very estimable young townsmen of ours, but they take Daguerreotypes as neatly and faithfully as we have ever seen them taken.  Our friends elsewhere are advised that they cannot get their faces taken better than by these young men, as they have the latest improvements in their art.

The third advertisement appeared on June 5, 1845 in the Spirit of the Age newspaper Woodstock, Vermont.)  Premium Colored Daguerreotypes.  Messrs. Bixby & Doane, Would respectfully inform the inhabitants of Woodstock and vicinity that they have taken Rooms at the Temperance House, where they are now ready to execute these pictures in any variety of style, either in Pins, Bracelets, Lockets, Cases or Frames.  By aid of new chemical agents, most splendid results are obtained; and multitudes are being delighted daily, at the astonishing perfection,, to which, in point of delineation, boldness, and unerring truthfulness this art has so suddenly attained.  Ladies and Gentlemen are respectfully invited to call and examine the specimens.

Instruction in the art given on reasonable terms.  Stock and apparatus constantly on hand, which will be furnished as low as can be purchased in any city.  All orders promptly executed.    Woodstock, June 4, 1845.  The advertisement ran from June 5 to 19, 1845.

Both Bixby and Doane are not recorded in other photographic directories.  A possible identification of Doane…One could speculate that it might be Thomas Coffin Doane, it has been reported that he learned the daguerreotype business in 1843, and that he opened a studio in 1846 in Montreal, Canada.  In 1859-1865 he was a photographer in Boston.  What is new information is that the Meade Brothers were in Burlington, Vermont.