Elijah Hart - 1860s
In another shift of business focus, at least part of Hart’s photographic gallery becomes a drapery saleroom in April 1860, with ‘bargains that will astonish everybody’!! [14]
Portraits continue to be taken as well.
In June 1862, Hart’s premises are enlarged , but a few months’ later, he informs the public that his portrait gallery is finally closed. [5]
Newcastle appears to have been Hart’s location until about April of 1863, then he reopens the Maitland gallery with entirely new stock and the services of first-class assistants.[16]
It’s back to business with Hart’s snappy little multiple advertisements, including a favourite phrase:
All portraits taken at Hart’s gallery are warranted not to fade, spot, or turn brown. [17]
Hart modernizes his equipment withthe new invention of a diamond cameo portrait camera, for taking four positions on one card.[7]
The portrait gallery is enlarged at the end of 1866, calling for tenders in October and announcing closure for a week while making ‘extensive renovations.’ [19]
In 1868 the Mercury admires Hart’s latest efforts:
ENLARGED PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS.-Many of our readers have, no doubt, experienced the startling sensation produced by looking through a magnifying glass at a really good carte de visite. The likeness seems to start from the paper with life-like vividness. Mr. Hart is now exhibiting two portraits which have a similar effect. They are photographs on paper or card approaching life-size, and have been produced by throwing on the sensitive paper the reflected images of ordinary cartes de visite, magnified by passing through a lens... striking specimens of successful portraiture, in a style rarely attempted. [20]
[14] Maitland Mercury, 28 April 1860
[15] Maitland Mercury, 6 September 1862
[16] Maitland Mercury, 18 April 1863
[17] Maitland Mercury, 20 June 1863
[18] Maitland Mercury, 15 July 1865
[19] Maitland Mercury, 24 November 1866
[20] Maitland Mercury,17 December 1868