John Plumbe
Encyclopedia
John Plumbe, Jr. was an entrepreneurial photographer, gallerist, publisher, and an early advocate of an American transcontinental railroad
in the mid-19th century. He established a franchise of photography studios in the 1840s in the U.S., with additional branches in Paris and Liverpool. He created a lithographic
process for reproducing photographic images, called the "plumbeotype."
, Wales
in 1809, to John Plumbe and Frances Margaretta Atherton. The family moved to Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
in 1821, and later to Dubuque, Iowa
.
, where he became and advocate for a trans-contintental railroad." Plumbe reasoned that a transcontintental railroad "would hasten the formation of dense settlements throughout the whole extent of the road, advance the sales of the public lands, afford increased facilities to the agricultural, commercial and mining interests of the country...and enable the government to transport troops and munitions of war."
Throughout his life Plumbe would continue to press for the railroad, petitioning Congress and presenting his ideas in various newspapers and other publications.
in Washington, D.C." -- probably the work of John G. Stevenson.
In a short period of time, Plumbe established a string of daguerreotype studios and galleries, all bearing his name. Visitors to the galleries could view photographic works, receive training, or pay to have their portrait taken. Images produced in the Plumbe studios were credited to "Plumbe," although the work was made by others, including his brother Richard Plumbe. "Each of his galleries was staffed by a host of operators, colorists, and artisans, and many notable daguerreotypists received their training or honed their skills in Plumbe's galleries, including Richard Carr, Marsena Cannon, Charles E. Johnson, Jacob Shew, Myron Shew, and William Shew." Others who learnt photographic arts through the Plumbe franchise included Ezra Chase, Samuel Masury
, C.S. Middlebrook, and Gabriel Harrison.
In the 1840s in the United States there were Plumbe franchises in:
Abroad, he opened branches in:
By 1847-1848 Plumbe sold his part of the galleries he'd established. "He sold his New York gallery to William H. Butler, his head man there, in 1847, and the other galleries soon changed ownership, though the name "Plumbe's Daguerrean Gallery" was retained as late as 1852 in Boston (John P. Nichols, proprietor), and 1850 in Washington (Blanchard P. Paige, proprietor)."
In 1854 returned to Dubuque, Iowa. He may have worked for photographer Mathew Brady
, ca.1855-1857. He died in Iowa in 1857, at age 48.
Transcontinental railroad
A transcontinental railroad is a contiguous network of railroad trackage that crosses a continental land mass with terminals at different oceans or continental borders. Such networks can be via the tracks of either a single railroad, or over those owned or controlled by multiple railway companies...
in the mid-19th century. He established a franchise of photography studios in the 1840s in the U.S., with additional branches in Paris and Liverpool. He created a lithographic
Lithography
Lithography is a method for printing using a stone or a metal plate with a completely smooth surface...
process for reproducing photographic images, called the "plumbeotype."
Biography
Plumbe was born in Castle Caereinion, PowysPowys
Powys is a local-government county and preserved county in Wales.-Geography:Powys covers the historic counties of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, most of Brecknockshire , and a small part of Denbighshire — an area of 5,179 km², making it the largest county in Wales by land area.It is...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
in 1809, to John Plumbe and Frances Margaretta Atherton. The family moved to Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
There are three places named Philipsburg in the state of Pennsylvania:*Philipsburg, Centre County, Pennsylvania*Philipsburg, Fayette County, Pennsylvania*Philipsburg, Washington County, PennsylvaniaAlso, Phillipsburg in the state of Pennsylvania:...
in 1821, and later to Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
.
Vision for a transcontinental railroad
He began his career as a civil engineer. "He studied civil engineering while still in his late teens and by 1829 was surveying sites for future railroad routes in the southern and eastern portions of the country. About 1836 he relocated to the Wisconsin territoryWisconsin Territory
The Territory of Wisconsin was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 3, 1836, until May 29, 1848, when an eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Wisconsin...
, where he became and advocate for a trans-contintental railroad." Plumbe reasoned that a transcontintental railroad "would hasten the formation of dense settlements throughout the whole extent of the road, advance the sales of the public lands, afford increased facilities to the agricultural, commercial and mining interests of the country...and enable the government to transport troops and munitions of war."
Throughout his life Plumbe would continue to press for the railroad, petitioning Congress and presenting his ideas in various newspapers and other publications.
Daguerreotype galleries, 1840-1847
Plumbe "took up photography in 1840 after seeing the work of an itinerant daguerreotypistDaguerreotype
The daguerreotype was the first commercially successful photographic process. The image is a direct positive made in the camera on a silvered copper plate....
in Washington, D.C." -- probably the work of John G. Stevenson.
In a short period of time, Plumbe established a string of daguerreotype studios and galleries, all bearing his name. Visitors to the galleries could view photographic works, receive training, or pay to have their portrait taken. Images produced in the Plumbe studios were credited to "Plumbe," although the work was made by others, including his brother Richard Plumbe. "Each of his galleries was staffed by a host of operators, colorists, and artisans, and many notable daguerreotypists received their training or honed their skills in Plumbe's galleries, including Richard Carr, Marsena Cannon, Charles E. Johnson, Jacob Shew, Myron Shew, and William Shew." Others who learnt photographic arts through the Plumbe franchise included Ezra Chase, Samuel Masury
Samuel Masury
Samuel Masury was a photographer in 19th-century Boston, Massachusetts.-Biography:Masury trained with photographer John Plumbe in Boston, ca.1842.In 1853-1855 he and G.M...
, C.S. Middlebrook, and Gabriel Harrison.
In the 1840s in the United States there were Plumbe franchises in:
- Arkansas—Plumbe's Daguerrian Gallery
- Galena, Illinois
- Dubuque, Iowa
- Kentucky:
- Harrodsburg Springs, Kentucky
- Louisville, Kentucky
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Portland, Maine
- Maryland:
- Baltimore, Maryland—Plumbe Daguerrian Gallery, North St.; Plumbe National Daguerrian Gallery, Baltimore St.
- Frederick, Maryland
- Massachusetts:
- Boston, Mass. -- United States Photographic Institute (1841); Plumbe Daguerrian Gallery, Court St.Court Street (Boston, Massachusetts)Court Street is located in the Financial District of Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to 1788, it was called Prison Lane and then Queen Street . In the 19th century it extended beyond its current length, to Bowdoin Square. In the 1960s most of Court Street was demolished to make way for the...
; Plumbe National Daguerrian Gallery, Hanover St.; Plumbe's Daguerrean Rooms, Court Street (1849–1850); Plumbe's Daguerrian Gallery, Washington Street (1850–1851). - Salem, Massachusetts
- Boston, Mass. -- United States Photographic Institute (1841); Plumbe Daguerrian Gallery, Court St.
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Exeter, New Hampshire
- New York:
- Albany, New York—Plumbe Daguerrian Gallery
- New York, New York—Plumbe Daguerrian Gallery, Broadway; Plumbe National Daguerrian Gallery, Broadway
- Saratoga Springs, New York—Plumbe National Daguerrian Gallery, Broadway
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Pennsylvania:
- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, PA—Plumbe Daguerrian Gallery, Chestnut St.; Plumbe National Daguerrian Gallery, Chestnut St.
- Newport, Rhode Island—Plumbe Daguerrian Gallery, Thames St.
- Virginia:
- Alexandria, Virginia
- Petersburg, Virginia
- Washington, DC—Plumbe National Daguerrian Gallery, Pennsylvania Ave., Main St., Walnut St.
Abroad, he opened branches in:
- Liverpool, England—Plumbe National Daguerrian Gallery, Church St.
- St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
- Paris, France—Plumbe National Daguerrian Gallery, Vieille Rue du Temple
By 1847-1848 Plumbe sold his part of the galleries he'd established. "He sold his New York gallery to William H. Butler, his head man there, in 1847, and the other galleries soon changed ownership, though the name "Plumbe's Daguerrean Gallery" was retained as late as 1852 in Boston (John P. Nichols, proprietor), and 1850 in Washington (Blanchard P. Paige, proprietor)."
Exhibitions
Plumbe entered his photographic work in several exhibitions, including:- Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic AssociationMassachusetts Charitable Mechanic AssociationThe Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association of Boston, Massachusetts, was "formed for the sole purposes of promoting the mechanic arts and extending the practice of benevolence." Founding members included Paul Revere, Benjamin Russell, and others...
, Quincy Hall, Boston, 1844. Plumbe exhibited "35 daguerreotypes, in frames. Peculiarly pleasing, and natural in expression. Silver medal." - Fair of the American Institute, NY (1845)
Publishing
In 1846 he founded a press, the National Publishing Company, which published the weekly Popular Magazine (Augustine J.H. Duganne, editor) and other works.California and Iowa, 1849-1857
Plumbe lived in California from 1849 to 1854.In 1854 returned to Dubuque, Iowa. He may have worked for photographer Mathew Brady
Mathew Brady
Mathew B. Brady was one of the most celebrated 19th century American photographers, best known for his portraits of celebrities and his documentation of the American Civil War...
, ca.1855-1857. He died in Iowa in 1857, at age 48.
Further reading
Publications by Plumbe
- Sketches of Iowa and Wisconsin : embodying the experience of a residence of three years in those territories. St. Louis : Chambers, Harris & Knapp, 1839.
- Instructions for ... Plumbe's patent improved Daguerreotype apparatus. Boston. 1841.
- Popular Magazine. National Publishing Co., 1846-1847.
- The National Plumbeotype Gallery, ca.1846-1847.
- Plumbe's Project of a Railroad to the Pacific. The Emancipator (Boston). 09-01-1847.
- The Plumbeian. 1847.
- A faithful translation of the papers respecting the grant made by Governor Alvarado to Mr. J.A. Sutter. Sacramento, CA: 1850.
- Plumbe's Memorial Pacific Railroad. 1850.
- Memorial Against Mr. Asa WhitneyAsa WhitneyAsa Whitney was an American merchant and great railroad promoter. Whitney lived in New Rochelle, New York, just to the north of New York City where he was a highly successful dry-goods merchant....
's Railroad Scheme. 1851.
Works about Plumbe
- Robert Taft. John Plumbe, America's First Nationally Known Photographer. American Photography 30. January 1936.
- Beaumont Newhall. "Boston Pioneers." The daguerreotype in America, 3rd ed. 1976.
- Alan Fern, "John Plumbe and the 'Plumbeotype,'" Philadelphia Printmaking. American Prints Before 1860, Robert F. Looney, ed. (West Chester, Penn.: Tinicum Press, 1976).
- Library Company of Philadelphia. Annual Report. 1992.
- Clifford Krainik. National Vision, Local Enterprise: John Plumbe, Jr., and the Advent of Photography in Washington DC. Washington History, v.9, no.2, Fall/Winter 1997/1998.
- John Plumbe. Artists in Ohio, 1787-1900: a biographical dictionary, 3rd ed. Kent State University Press, 2000.
- Peter E. Palmquist, Thomas R. Kailbourn, eds. "John Plumbe, Jr." Pioneer photographers of the far west: a biographical dictionary, 1840-1865. Stanford University Press, 2000.
External links
- WorldCat. Plumbe, John 1809-1857
- George Eastman House. Plumbe daguerreotype camera, ca.1845.
- Flickr. Col. W.W. Seaton, Mayor of Washington : plumbeotype from life
- Flickr. Boy with Toy Horn by Plumbe
- Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/daghtml/dagplumb.html