John Falconer, British Library
A Biographical Dictionary of 19th Century Photographers in South and South-East Asia |
Commercial, Singapore
Daguerreotypist, opened American Photographic Rooms, Church Street, Campong Bencoolen, Singapore, 23 December 1856:
FOR A SHORT TIME ONLY.
Mr J. Newman begs to inform the public that he will remain a short time at Singapore, and recommends all those who wish to have their portraits taken to avail themselves of the present opportunity. By his new process Mr N. can take likenesses, which for style of execution and finish cannot be surpassed by any taken in England, France, or America.
Mr newman begs to state, that by his process of taking portraits the image is fixed upon the plate by means of chloride of gold, at a very high temperature, and judging from past experience he has every reason to believe that his portraits are imperishable. Likenesses daily taken in all weathers, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays excepted.
N.B. Daguerreotypes, paintings, drawings, etc., copied. A cloudy day is quite as favourable as clear weather. In dress, avoid white, light blue and light pink – Mr N. would recommend a dark dress.
Specimens can be seen at the stores of Messrs. Cursetjee and Co., S.M. Puckeridge, and Mr Newman’s Photographic Rooms.
Mr Newman, in soliciting the inspection of the public, begs to draw attention to the fact, that his scale of charges places it within the reach of all.
Likenesses taken for Drs. 3.25 and upwards, including morocco case.[1]
Newman’s advertisements for the remainder of the year advise first that ‘he will not close his rooms before Saturday 15th November’[2] and then omitting this notice of departure. In December 1856 he was able to reduce his prices, ‘by nearly 25% so as to come within the reach of all’, [3] expressing gratitude for the encouragement his efforts had so far received:
Mr Newman in returning his sincere thanks to those ladies and gentlemen, who have so libersally patronised him, begs to inform the public thatno pains or exertions will be wanted on his part to merit a continuation of those favours which since his arrival have been so liberally extended to him. [4]
Left Singapore on 13 January 1857 on the steamer Hooghly for a short visit to Malacca, ‘by request of a few gentlemen of Singapore’,[5] returning at the end of the month with news of his travels:
PORTRAITS
Mr Newman begs to inform the public of Singapore and the vicinity, that he has returned from his tour of the Straits, where he met with unbounded success. He can now afford to take portraits superior to those yet taken, having just received from England a superior camera of a description which has not yet been seen in the east. Mr N. begs to inform the public that he has been to great expense to provide the same, and he will be ready to take portraits on Friday next, the 30th instant, between the hours from 9 till 4 o’clock. No. 51 Church Street, Campong Bencoolen, next door to Mr Woodford. Jan 29th.[6]
PHOTOGRAPHIC LIKENESS ROOMS.
Mr Newman begs to inform the public, that he is about to leave Singapore, and recommends all those who have not had their portraits taken, to avail themselves of the present opportunity.
Mr. N. in soliciting the inspection of the public to his portraits, begs to draw attention to the fact, that his scale of charges places them within the reach of all. Portraits taken in all weathers, from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M., at No. 52 Church Street, Campong Bencoolen, next door to Mr Woodford.
Singapore, 6th April 1857.[7]
NOTICE
American Photographic Portrait Rooms, will remain open only a few days longer.
By his new process Mr Newman can take likenesses which for style and tone of execution and finish cannot be surpassed by any taken in England, France or America.
Prices arranged to come within the reach of all.
Portraits taken in all weathers from 9 A.M. till 3 P.M. at No. 62 Church Street, Campong Bencoolen, nest door to Mr Woodford’s.[8]
The same advertisement, but omitting ‘will remain open only a few days longer’, appeared from 23 June-27 October 1857.
Footnotes
- Λ Straits Times, 23 September 1856.
- Λ Straits Times, 30 September 1856.
- Λ Straits Times, 2 and 16 December 1856.
- Λ Straits Times, 12 December 1856.
- Λ Straits Times, 13 January 1857.
- Λ Straits Times, 3 February 1857.
- Λ Straits Times, 7 April-12 May 1857.
- Λ Straits Times, 19 May-16 June 1857.
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