During the month of January in the year 1852, the following advertisement was placed in the "St. Louis Directory for 1852": - - - - - - - - FITZBIGGON'S CELEBRATED GALLERY OF Daguerreotype Miniatures, No. 1 Fourth street, CORNER OF MARKET, ST. LOUIS, MO. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Secure the shadow ere the substance fade, let nature copy that which nature made. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The subscriber returns thanks to his numerous patrons for the liberal patronage that has been extended to him during the last five years in St. Louis, during his practice in the Daguerreotype Art, and being determined to let no Establishment in the West surpass him, either in fine Pictures, fine Gallery or polite attention. The Ladies and Gentlemen of St. Louis, and Strangers visiting the City, will find at this Gallery the LARGEST and FINEST PICTURES to be seen in the West, among them will be found likenesses of all the distinguished persons that have visited St. Louis lately. Also, specimens of the Largest Size Pictures now taken in the United States, this being the only Gallery in St. Louis that takes those large Pictures. This extensive Establishment has over a Thousand Pictures on exhibition, and is fitted up regardless of expense, in the most chaste and becoming manner, with all the Improvements of Sky and Side Lights, and other conveniences for the patrons of this Gallery. Pictures taken by the most Improved Method, and Colored true to Nature, from the finger ring to the double whole size plate, and put up either in cases or frames, to suit tastes. No inferior Pictures will ever go out of this Gallery, if it is left to the judgment of the Artist. Gallery open from sun rise to sun set. Pictures taken in rainy, clowdy, as well as fair weather. Daguerreotype Portraits, Miniatures, and Copied Views of Buildings taken. Invalids waited on at their residences; also, Likenesses of Deceased Persons taken. Best hours for Children, from 11, A. M., to 2 o'clock, P. M. The most suitable dress is always dark or figured, avoiding white or light blue. I wish it distinctly understood, that I take no Pictures less than Three Dollars, or higher than Forty. St. Louis, January, 1852 J. H. FITZGIBBON. The advertisement is seen in Bonnie Wright, "This Perpetual Shadow- Taking: The Lively Art of John Fitzgibbon" in the "Missouri Historical Review" Vol. 76 (October 1981) pp. 22-30. -------------------------------------------------------------- 01-22-99