Marcus A. Root
(American, 1808 - 1888)
In 1844 Marcus Root was no more registered in Philadelphia but as a daguerreian photographer in Mobile, Ala., where he sold out John A. Bennett at 59 Royal Street. In the same year he was noticed as a daguerreian in St. Louis, Mo. at the corner of 4th en Chestnut Street, with S.P.Miller as his partner.
In 1845-1846 Marcus Root was registered as a daguerreian photographer in a partnership as Root en Collins (D.C.) at 140 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. In 1846 he was mentioned as a teacher of literature and photographer at the same address. He lived at Eighth Street.From 1848 till 1856 he was registered at the same address as a photographer. In 1849 Marcus Root started a second gallery at the corner of Franklin Street and Broadway, New York City. His brother Samuel was the manager of the gallery.
From 1851 to 1853 Marcus Aurelius and Samuel Root were registered as daguerreian photographers on 363 Broadway, New York City. In December 1851 Marcus sold his share to his brother Samuel. In 1853 Marcus was registered back in Philadelphia als daguerreian photographer at 140 Chestnut Street. In 1853 Marcus Root opened a new gallery in Washington, DC. He gave the management of this gallery to John Clark. John Clark moved later to New Orleans.
One source mentioned the opening of a daguerreian gallery by Marcus Root in march 1854 at the corner of Broadway and Houston Street in New York City. Another source places this event in 1856, at the same time when the gallery in Philadelphia was sold. Shortly before the gallery in New York City was to open, Marcus Root was involved in a train accident which left him permanent crippled. He didn't leave his house in Philadelphia any more for the next four years.
There were several notices in 1856 where the Root brothers were mentioned. There was a notice of a daguerreian gallery in Washington, D.C., which
Root brother was involved is not specified. Marcus Root stayed registered in Philadelphia as “M.A. Root & Co., Heliographic Portrait Gallery” at
140 Chestnut Street. Also in 1856 Marcus Root developed in cooperation with Giles Langdell a new and improved method of coloring photographs,
daguerreotypes, etc. In 1857 Marcus Root wa no more registered in Philadelphia and George S. Cook advertised the “Root Gallery” at the corner
of the Fifth Street en Chestnut Street. In 1858 the Root Gallery was no more registered, but in 1859 Cook advertised again at 822 Chestnut Street.
In 1861 Marcus Root established a new gallery in New York City, following recuperation from his train accident. Marcus Aurelius Root died in 1888.
Marcus Root signed his daguerreotypes on the velvet: “ Root/140 Chestnut St/Philada.”
Source: The American Daguerreian Society at http://users.skynet.be/vitalspirit/e-root1.html
Person TypeArtist/Maker
(American, born Japan ca. 1894 - 1938)
(Italian, active 1860 - 1865)
