Abraham Bogardus
Encyclopedia
Abraham Bogardus was an American Daguerreotypist
and photographer who made some 200,000 daguerreotypes during his career.
He was trained in the Daguerreotype process by New Yorker George W. Prosch, who in 1839 had made a camera for Samuel F.B. Morse. Bogardus opened a studio and gallery at 363 Broadway in New York in 1846, becoming very successful. In 1868 he helped in the founding of the National Photographic Association
of which he was President for five years. He worked as a clerk in a dry goods store in the late 1830s, and exhibited a painting at the American Institute in 1845.
From 1847 to 1852, he was listed as a Daguerreotypist at 217 Greenwich Street. His residence was in Newark, N.J. from 1849 to 1851, returning to Grove Street, New York City between 1851 and 1852. His success enabled a branch gallery at 126 Washington Street, Newark, N.J. in 1849, which moved to 8 Clinton Street, Newark, N.J. in 1850. His New York City gallery was moved to 229 Greenwich Street in 1851 and the old Root Gallery at 363 Broadway refitted in 1862. He opened a new studio at 1153 Broadway in 1869, maintaining the 363 Broadway address.
That same year he became an important witness at the trial of William H. Mumler
, a spirit photographer
who had been accused of fraud
by, among others, P.T. Barnum. Barnum hired Bogardus to fabricate a photograph of him with the supposed "ghost" of Abraham Lincoln
; this photograph was then tendered in evidence at Mumler's trial to demonstrate to the court how easy it was to conjure fake images of ghosts.
In 1871 to 1873 he was in partnership with Daniel and David Bendann, brothers from Baltimore
, Md. at 1153 Broadway in New York. In 1873 Bogardus produced daguerreotypes of bank note designs for the American Bank Note Co.
Wanting to retire in 1884, Bogardus advertised in the Philadelphia Photographer: "Wishing to retire from the photographic business, I now offer my well-known establishment for sale, after thirty-eight years' continuous existence in this city. The reputation of the gallery is too well known to require one word of comment. The stock of registered negatives is very valuable, containing a large line of regular customers, and also very many of our prominent men, Presidents, Senators, etc., and for which orders are constantly received. They include Blaine and Logan. Entire apparatus first-class; Dallmeyer lens, etc. For further information, address Abraham Bogardus & Co., 872 Broadway cor. 18th St., New York."
Daguerreotype
The daguerreotype was the first commercially successful photographic process. The image is a direct positive made in the camera on a silvered copper plate....
and photographer who made some 200,000 daguerreotypes during his career.
He was trained in the Daguerreotype process by New Yorker George W. Prosch, who in 1839 had made a camera for Samuel F.B. Morse. Bogardus opened a studio and gallery at 363 Broadway in New York in 1846, becoming very successful. In 1868 he helped in the founding of the National Photographic Association
National Photographic Association of the United States
The National Photographic Association of the United States formed "for the purpose of elevating and advancing the art of photography, and for the protection and furthering the interests of those who make their living by it." In particular, the group organized initially to prevent "the reissue of...
of which he was President for five years. He worked as a clerk in a dry goods store in the late 1830s, and exhibited a painting at the American Institute in 1845.
That same year he became an important witness at the trial of William H. Mumler
William H. Mumler
William H. Mumler was an American spirit photographer who worked in New York and Boston. His first spirit photograph was a self-portrait which developed to apparently show his deceased cousin...
, a spirit photographer
Spirit photography
Spirit photography is a type of photography whose primary attempt is to capture images of ghosts and other spiritual entities, especially in ghost hunting. It was first used by William H. Mumler in the 1860s. Mumler discovered the technique by accident, after he discovered a second person in a...
who had been accused of fraud
Fraud
In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
by, among others, P.T. Barnum. Barnum hired Bogardus to fabricate a photograph of him with the supposed "ghost" of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
; this photograph was then tendered in evidence at Mumler's trial to demonstrate to the court how easy it was to conjure fake images of ghosts.
In 1871 to 1873 he was in partnership with Daniel and David Bendann, brothers from Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Md. at 1153 Broadway in New York. In 1873 Bogardus produced daguerreotypes of bank note designs for the American Bank Note Co.
Wanting to retire in 1884, Bogardus advertised in the Philadelphia Photographer: "Wishing to retire from the photographic business, I now offer my well-known establishment for sale, after thirty-eight years' continuous existence in this city. The reputation of the gallery is too well known to require one word of comment. The stock of registered negatives is very valuable, containing a large line of regular customers, and also very many of our prominent men, Presidents, Senators, etc., and for which orders are constantly received. They include Blaine and Logan. Entire apparatus first-class; Dallmeyer lens, etc. For further information, address Abraham Bogardus & Co., 872 Broadway cor. 18th St., New York."