I didn't have anything dated for today (November 30,) but I did have this
text that had been sitting around on my hard drive; I thought it might be
of interest.
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The following promotional text appeared in the "Massachusetts Register
for the Year 1853, containing a Business Directory of the State, with a
Variety of Useful Information." Serial Number, LXXXVII. By George Adams
(Boston: Office, No. 91 Washington Street, page 326-7)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ARTISTS' DAGUERREOTYPE ROOMS,
NO. 5 1/2 TREMONT ROW, BOSTON.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
S O U T H W O R T H & H A W E S.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This establishment offers to the admirers of perfect Daguerreotypes
the highest inducements for patronage. From the earliest introduction of
the Photographic Art to America, the exertions of the partners of this
firm have been unequalled to perfect it in its application to every
agreeable or useful purpose. We were the first in New England to apply
it to likenesses from life; now more than twelve years since. One of the
partners is a practical Artist, and as we never employ Operators,
customers receive our personal attention. By constant industry and
perseverance, we have so far distanced competition, that our services
have commanded as much higher prices, as our ingenuity and taste have
furnished better pictures. Since the use of Chlorine, and Bromine
combined with Iodine, by Dr. Goddard, of Philadelphia, there has not
been a process or an idea made known in this country or Europe, which
would improve our productions. We have been the originators of every
variety of style which is exhibited in our rooms, and practised the
same, in many instances, for years before any one else. We are able to
show work made six years since, which cannot be procured elsewhere at
all, whatever may be the price offered for it.
Our plates are the largest, most highly polished, and have a more
perfect surface; our pictures have a surpassing delicacy in their
finish; there is no sameness in our positions and use of the light, it
being adapted to the design of showing every face in its best view. As
far as possible we imitate nature in her most beautiful forms, by a
mellow blending of lights and shades, an artistic effect of drapery and
figure, a pleasing air, forcible expression, and startling animation;
representing thought, action, and feeling or soul.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PAINTING OR COLORING DAGUERREOTYPES.--All persons, without exception,
pronounce our Coloring unequalled. Artists themselves say it is as true
to nature as it can possibly be.
THE NATURAL COLORS.--We have many pictures which, in certain lights,
reflect the colors of the prism partially blended, and many of different
tints; but we assure our friends that the colors of nature were never,
in a single instance transferred by Daguerreotype, and that the
pretended discoveries of taking the colors are an imposition upon the
public. a trick unworthy of any one claiming the appellation of artist.
TO OUR FRIENDS AND PATRONS.--We are proud to acknowledge the
compliments and patronage of the best artists, amateurs, and judges of
Art in Boston and vicinity. We thank them for their many encouraging and
useful suggestions. Our past conduct and experience we offer to them, to
the public, and to all, as a pledge that we will excel. Our customers
shall have the best of work. We will deserve and claim by right the name
of our establishment, "The Artists' Daguerreotype Rooms." As no cheap
work is done, we shall spend no time in bantering about prices, and wish
to have all understand that ours is a one-price concern. Whenever our
friends introduce individuals on whom the public have a claim, on
account of station or talent, and wish for their likenesses for the
public, we will do our duty and bear our share in the expense.
We again respectfully invite all to examine our work at our
exhibition room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE STEREOSCOPE.
This is a name very properly affixed to a new invention or discovery
by which pictures, upon plain surfaces, have all the appearance of
solidity and weight, and the perspective of the objects themselves. The
word is a compound term from the Greek, which literally means "to see
solids," and thus becomes suggestive of its peculiar property and
design. Let the word Stereoscope be considered as legitimately and
inseparably adopted into the English language.
By this simple apparatus, two shadows become, to appearance, so real
and so beautiful as to startle with surprise, and charm the beholder
beyond all previous conception. A description of the Stereoscope has
been repeatedly given in the public prints, still few know what it is.
An opportunity is now offered to inspect and examine, and thoroughly
understand its optical principles, a far more satisfactory and perfect
manner than from description alone.
About eight months since, Messrs. Southworth & Hawes, in their first
application of Professor Wheaton's Stereoscope to Daguerreotypes, were
sensible of imperfections which it was necessary to remedy before its
application to the fine arts could please the artistic eye, though its
effects might truly excite surprise and wonder. These imperfections had
been observed by Sir David Brewster and others, and attributed to a
wrong cause. Nor is it strange that in a discovery so recent, a few (for
it was not known to many) should have overlooked an important principle,
or mistaken the path for a time, whilst seeking for truth. Messrs.
Southworth & Hawes were so fortunate as to arrive in their experiments
to a result which developed the use of all the difficulty, and pointed
at once to a perfect and philosophical remedy, and enabled them to
produce the first perfect Stereoscopic pictures ever made. But there was
still a difficulty. The pictures shown were very diminutive in size, and
there was great inconvenience in varying or changing the views.
Messrs. Southworth & Hawes undertook, in earnest, to invent an
apparatus which should be susceptible of an indefinite increase in the
size of the pictures, and in the number to be contained in the
instrument; and vary or change the views readily at the option of the
beholder. After six months' constant labor, without allowing themselves
a day's recreation, they most successfully accomplished their purpose.
The work is complete, and far more perfect than their most sanguine
hopes anticipated.
They have affixed the name of "The Parlor or Gallery Stereoscope" to
their new apparatus. It may be made as ornamental as a piano-forte,
(perhaps more so,) and in its general form somewhat resembles it. It may
contain may number of different Daguerreotypes perfectly arranged----
requiring only the turning of a wheel to change places, which can easily
be done by a child. The whole thing is compact and elegant, being a
complete Picture Gallery in itself. The light of any window is
sufficient, and a good lamp or gas light serves equally well. Its
simplicity renders it not likely to get out of repair. This apparatus is
surely destined to become the ornament of the Parlor, of the Picture
Gallery, and Exhibition Room. The public can at once appreciate, on
examination, both its use and its value. It is applicable to everything
that can be daguerreotyped. The Single Likeness--the Family Group--the
Daguerreotype of the Street--or Landscape--or Dwelling--Interior Views--
Copies of Statuary--Models--Machinery--Shipping,--indeed, almost
everything that can be thought of for a picture.
The Parlor and Gallery Stereoscope (the only one yet made) is now on
exhibition at the "ARTISTS' DAGUERREOTYPE Rooms," 5 1/2 Tremont Row,
opposite Brattle street. A spacious Room has been purposely fitted up,
making in addition to the usual exhibition, the largest and finest
display of Daguerreotypes ever shown. Visitors will be sure of a rich
treat.
A large list of names, interesting to the public, might be mentioned,
whose likenesses are on exhibition; but as it is not so much our design
to exhibit faces as specimens of all the various pictures of which the
art is capable, we think it unnecessary to advertise every "official" or
distinguished character who visits us,
Messrs. Southworth & Hawes would gratefully acknowledge the many
favors of their friends and of the artists and lovers of art in Boston
and vicinity. It is with great satisfaction and perfect confidence, that
we are again able to invite them to an examination of the last most
wonderful and most beautiful improvement in Daguerreotypes; the
transformation of shadows into substance--the change of pictures upon a
plain surface into statuary and solidity.
The Proprietors of these Rooms also take great pleasure in offering,
for exhibition, an apparatus so elegant in its form and proportions, so
compact and durable in its machinery, and so appropriate for the Family
Parlor or Picture Gallery. It is new in every respect--newly invented
machinery by ourselves--our own design in form, and our own new
application to an entirely new discovery, and we know that it will give
to all lovers of mechanical ingenuity--to all lovers of beauty and art--
new and exquisite pleasure to examine it. Measures have been taken to
secure a patent.
SOUTHWORTH & HAWES,
ARTISTS' DAGUERREOTYPE ROOMS, 5 1/2 TREMONT ROW,
OPPOSITE BRATTLE STREET.
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Posted for your enjoyment. Gary W. Ewer
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11-30-96 |
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