The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1881-05-27
The San Francisco gallery.
lFrom the sunaax We,come.1


Within the last few years, and particu-
larly within the United States, the
science and art of photography have
been developed to wonderful degree of
perfection. Appealing at once to the
practical and poetical sides of human ma
ture, borrowing the latest ray Of chemis-
try and universal physics, and engaging
the inventive and artistic faculties of the
most progressive people on the globe, it
has grown up to prominence among the
beaux xarts-bourgeoning with beautiful
creations and bearing fruits of perma
nent usefulness.
In Portland photography has long
been represented by professional work
of the most artistic finish, keeping pace
with the progress of the science in the
metropolitan cities of the world. The
extensive gallery on First street, long
conducted by Mr.. Buchtel, and which,
under his management, attained repu-
tation all over the Northwest Coast for
the perfection of its productions, is now
conducted by Mr.. w. III. Towne and
wife, assisted by brilliant corps of
artists. Daily a crowd of delighted
spectators may be observed at the foot
of the stairway leading up to the photo
graphic parlors, attracted by the display
of pictures in every style known, which in
handsomely mounted cases ,adorn the hall.
These triumphs of art display the mo-
bility and animation of life looking
down upon MS with all the subtitle CLEANS
and elusive shadows of expression
which characterize the ''human face di-
vine"
Is composed of ten rooms each of which
is completely and expensively furnished
for the purpose it is intenned to SUBJ
serve. The reception parlors are
richly and handsomely furnished with q
piano, pictures. chairs, etc., after the
manner of the most elegant drawing
rooms. There are separate dressing rooms
for ladies and gentlemen, literally and
tastefully upholstered, with pier glasses
and all the luxuries of the toilet. Every
thing in these apartments is sumptu-
ously comfortable and affords striking
proof of the popularity and prosperity of
the establishment. The operating room
is excellently lighted and furnished with
every appliance that science and taste
have suggested for beautiful and perfect
work. The backgrounds are of ORR
ginal and striking designs, and the ca
nleras the best in use, including large
one for pictures 11x14 inches. The dark
room is presided over by Mr.. Towne
himself, than whom no one is better
versed in the chemical mysteries per-
tanning to his art, or more conscientious
and efficient as a practical photographer
in all its branches.
The retouching department is in
charge of Benz W. Talliaferro, an artist,
in his line, of national repute. The
printing is supervised by Mr.. A Owen
Gregory. with J.. T. Ryder, of Cleve
land, Ohio, the president Of the photo
graph association of America. From
thirty to fifty photographs are contin-
ually in his charge undergoing the
process of completion. From his hands
the pictures pass into another apart
ment, where they are glazed and
mounted.
In connection with his gallery Mr..
Towne has been fortunate to secure the
services of the only colorisS in the city,
Miss Flora Haskell, beautiful and ac-
complished young lady, whose life-like
portraitures are the admiration of all.
The illustrious Oliver P. Morton while
in Portland few years ago had his pho
tographs taken in this gallery, and he
pronounced it the best work he had ever
had done for him. We noticed also mag
Chapman, Gen. Spragne, Gen. Green,
and the Earl of Airle. Handsome men
all and splendidly photographed. In
fact the elite of the city patronize the
San Francisco gallery and the business
transacted is immense, as an indication
of which we may mention that Mr..
Towne has now on hand 30, 900 negatives
preserved for future use. To conclude,
this gallery is scredit to the city and
richly deserves the universal recognition
it has received And nowhere else are
patrons received with more courtesy or
more dilioenflv 1uaifad 1non than horo