George W. Johnson and H.E. Pierce
( – )
Unlucky Daguerreotypists
Johnson & Pierce were among the many itinerant photographers who rented the third-floor studio in Townsend’s Building on Gay Street in West Chester, Pennsylvania. They were in the borough from about December of 1854 until April of 1855. A fire may have cut short their stay.
Their advertisement ran in the Jeffersonian newspaper on December 30, 1854:
“The most desirable presents for the season are the Daguerreotypes taken by Pierce and Johnson, at their rooms in Gay St., one door west of Townsend’s corner. Their northern skylight is the best we have ever seen. They have also refitted and refurbished their Gallery, and their pictures are unsurpassed. We would advise all in want of a superior daguerreotype to give them a call. Pictures taken in cloudy as well as clear weather. Also Instructions given in the art. H.E. Pierce & George W. Johnson, Daguerreotypists”[1]
From the sounds of the advertisement, Pierce and Johnson were going into business with the intention of staying in the borough and not just passing through. Right above their ad in the column was the advertisement for daguerreotypists Woodward and Cheyney who had just gone into business in the Hemphill Building in November of that year[2]. Competition is building in the county seat.
A fire was reported in their studio in the January 23, 1855 edition of the American Republican:
“FIRE – A fire was discovered on Sunday night, at about half past ten, in the third story of Townsend’s building, adjoining the store of Mrs. McMichael, in Gay Street. The room was occupied by Messrs. Johnson & Pierce, Daguerreotypists, and some of their property was destroyed. The fire did not get beyond the room. We have heard no suggestion as to whether the fire occurred from accident or design.”[3]
The last sentence has an ominous ring to it, but no follow-up stories were reported, putting an end to the issue. There is not enough description in the article above to know how extensive the damage may have been to their necessary equipment. But this event must have certainly shortened their stay.
Johnson and Pierce left West Chester by April, 1855, as can be ascertained by an advertisement for daguerreotypist Edwin M. Valentine who succeeded them. In the April 14, 1855 edition of The Village Record Valentine reports he has “taken the Daguerreotype Establishment…lately occupied by Peirce & Johnson.”[4] Valentine advertised the opening of his gallery in the April 10, 1855 edition of the American Republican.
The next mention of George W. Johnson can be found in Wilmington, Delaware dissolving his partnership with William P. Larkin in August of 1857. He sold his interest in the business to Samuel Rumford. By 1859, Johnson is advertising his own Ambrotype Gallery at 82 Market Street, Wilmington[5].
© Pamela C. Powell, 2019.
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The Jeffersonian, (West Chester, PA), 30 December 1854. ↑
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The Village Record, (West Chester, PA), 7 November 1854. ↑
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American Republican, (West Chester, PA) 23 January 1855. ↑
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The Village Record, (West Chester, PA), 14 April 1855. ↑
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William McKay, A Directory of Delaware Photographers, 1839-1900 and Beyond. (New Castle, Delaware: Oaknoll Press, 2018), page 147. ↑
