Dear readers, I've been very silent with DagNews for much too long. Rather than taking time today to organize my January files, I'll give something today that carries no specific date but is from a wonderful and obscure little guidebook for New York City. The following paragraphs are from "A Picture of New-York in 1846; with a short account of Places in its Vicinity; designed as a Guide to Citizens and Strangers: with numerous engravings and a Map of the City" (New-York: C. S. Francis & Co., 1846) page 112: - - - - - - - DAGUERRIAN GALLERIES. The most extensive establishment of the kind is Plumbe's at 251 Broadway. The free gallery attached to it is much frequented by persons interested in Daguer- rian pictures, as it contains a very extensive collection of choice specimens of the art. Several rooms are attach- ed to the establishment for the various purposes connected with the making of pictures. Mr. Plumbe is esteemed one of the very best Daguerreotypists in the world. Anthony, Edwards & Co., have also an extensive gal- lery, possessing portraits of most of the distinguished men of the country. These productions are equally as good as Plumbe's. Chilton's gallery is also worthy of attention, as his miniatures are very excellent. Parkinson, an able Daguerreotypist, is celebrated for the beauty and perfection of out-door scenes, buildings, &c. A very splendid view of Niagara Falls, and views of most of the public buildings in New-York, may be seen at his rooms. In this department of the business he is unequalled --his miniatures are very perfect. The prices for miniatures in the various Daguerreotype establishments, vary from one dollar to five dollars, but none that are really good can be obtained for less than three or four dollars. -------------------------------------------------------------- 01-06-00