[Broadside, Photography] SPLENDID DAGUERREOTYPE MINIATURES, TAKEN IN EVERY STYLE, BY E.S. HAYDEN [caption title and text]

Waterbury, CT: American Office - Print[ers], 1860. First Edition. Broadside. Fine. First Edition. Broadside. 12 x 10 inches. 25.3 x 30.5 cm. Decorative borders. Imprint is "American Office - Print - Waterbury CT." Circa 1860. A strong impression with a nice decorative border. Minor browning and offsetting to verso. An excellent example. Broadside. Louis Daguerre (A French artist and photographer) discovered his eponymous photographic process in 1848. It created considerable excitement as the plethora of news reports quickly showed, and photographers who could master the new art form were in high demand. Some became traveling photographers, going town (truncated) to town in search of new customers and spreading the excitement as they went. These itinerant photographers left few records behind other than local advertisements, and the occasional broadside. Most are quite rare and survive in only a handful of examples. Traveling daguerrist E. S. Hayden was an exception, as a stash of this period broadside was found several decades ago. Normally Daguerreian broadsides from this period sell at many multiples of the price on this example. But because of the relative availability of this broadside, it is a bargain for anyone interested in collecting material from this time period.

E. S. Hayden may be one Edward Simeon Hayden (son of Hiram Washington Hayden). Edward Simeon was born in Waterbury CT in 1851 and died in 1899. His father Hiram was successful as a businessman and inventor, and founded the firm Holmes, Booth and Haydens in 1853 which specialized in brass manufacturing. Hiram is known to have an active interest in early photographic processes and is credited by some sources for the discovery of an early paper based photographic printing process. Hiram's firm specialized in brass polishing and a key aspect of preparing plates for daguerreotypes is proper polishing and preparation of the surface. An advertisement in the 1880 Waterbury directory includes shows the firm were "MANUFACTURERS OF HIGH BRASS, LOff BRASS, GILDING METAL, German Silver and Copper in the Roll, SHEET WIRE, TUBINGS, CASTINGS, And all Varieties of Plain and Figured Designs. SEAMLESS DRAWN BRASS AND COPPER TUBING. BRASS AND GERMAN SILVER READINGS AND FANCY WIRES. SILVER-PLATED METAL, WROUGHT BRASS BUTT HINGES, PATENT DROP HANDLES OR DRAWER PULLS, IN WOOD AND GILT. New and Elegant Designs in Gilt, Antique Patterns..." It also lists one Hayden Edward S. Hayden as Sec and Treas Holmes, Booth & Haydens, living at bds 90 Grove. While not conclusive, the preponderence of evidence points to E.S. Hayden being Edward Simeon. American silver smiths online also records "He worked circa 1871-1886 as a silverplater in Waterbury CT as a member of HOLMES, BOOTH & HAYDENS."

Our only reservation about the attribution is to note that if this Edward Simeon was a traveling photographer either he started very young or this broadside dates to a later period than the graphical elements suggest (perhaps suggesting a desire to connect with earlier times in photographic history?). A single source (see Literature below) also notes an advertisement for a itinerant daguerreian in the 1840s - a source we have been unable so far to contact.

The broadside reads "SPLENDID DAGUERREOTYPE MINIATURES, TAKEN IN EVERY STYLE, BY E.S. HAYDEN, Who would respectfully inform the inhabitants of _________ that he has taken Rooms in ________ and is now prepared to take LIKENESSES of all who may favor him with a call. His Miniatures are warranted not to be surpassed by any, for their richness of tone and life-like appearance; standing out in such bold relief, that they can be seen equally well in any light. All those wishing a perfect likeness of themselves, or their friends, would do well to call soon ; confident that neither the Pictures nor the Price will fail to suit. Paintings and Engravings ACCURATELY COPIED. Persons are invited to call and examine Specimens."

The locations would have been filled out by the photographer and posted in advance of the studio being set up in a given town. An excellent chance to obtain an early daguerreian broadside at a reasonable price.

Literature:
Brown, Robert O., "Collector's Guide top 19th Century Traveling Photographers" (p 110 noting a brochure from the 1840s advertising an itinerant daguerreian gallery). (Inventory #: 28939)