Alfred Jervis

“DAGUERREOTYPE. The undersigned requests particular attention to the following: 1^st. It is almost an hourly occurrence that persons after having lost a Parent, Child or friend, express deep regret at not having availed themselves the opportunity to obtain their likeness while yet the vital spark was bright. The importance of “securing the shadow before the substance fades,” must be evident to any one who takes a second thought and is desirous to obtain a correct facsimile of a departed relative. 2d.How very often we hear persons say, after having lost a near and dear relative, they would willingly pay ten times the price if they could obtain a Daguerreotype Likeness of him or her. The undersigned has known instances where parents and husbands would have paid thousands of dollars for Daguerreotypes of their wives and children before they were dead; but unfortunately owing to neglect to have it done while they were living, the desire could not be gratified. 3^rd. Some of the most correctly painted Portraits the undersigned has ever seen, were painted from Daguerreotypes, which is an evidence of their importance, should a portrait painting be desired. 4^th. Daguerreotypes may be copied, so as to appear fully as good as the from which it is to be taken. In this way, aged persons for whom setting for Daguerreotypes is apt, generally, to be laborious, can by getting one good picture, have any number taking from it, either enlarged or diminished, without taking the trouble of preparing to sit again. 5^th. The undersigned invites particular attention to the excellent specimens he has taken in West Chester, of persons well known to the place. And as his stay in West Chester will be short, having made arrangements to go to the South, – those who desire an excellent Daguerreotype are requested to call immediately. The undersigned takes daguerreotype portraits equally as well in cloudy as in clear weather, in from two to thirty seconds, at prices from $1.50 to $5, using the very best material. He can insure a picture to be in no ways inferior to that of the best of Philadelphia. Family Groups taken of any number of persons on the same plate, when desired. Satisfaction will be given or no charge made. ALFRED JERVIS, West Chester. N. B. – A black dress is the best color to be dressed for a daguerreotype; any dark dress will do. If the dress be figured there should be considerable contrast in colors, and of a firm texture. White, light blue or light red dresses should always be avoided, as they invariably come out white in the picture, and have a disagreeable appearance. A. J.”^[1]