Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-07-25
ARTISTIC PHOTOGRAPHS.
The Distinguished Ability of Wheeling
Gentleman.

The Distinguished Ability of Wheeling
Gentleman.
The citizens of Wheeling have long
shown by their liberal patronage their high
appreciation of the artistic ability OF Mr..
J. A. Parsons, whose well known studioat
the corner of Market streets has for years
been the rendezvous of those in search OF
high class work, but the outside world has
been in comparative Ignorance Of the fact
that here in Wheeling-the city of SMOKE
and dirt, a nd nails and glass and pretty
women-there existed photographer
whose work was fully the equll of the
most celebrated artists in the country, and
eminently superior to many who, though
favorable location in the great cities,
have been enabled to build up 4 most
envable record upon second class work.
Mr. Parsons ability, however, has OF
late years become known to few OF the
leading actors and actresses of the Amerl-
can stage and these, on coming to Wheel
ing in the fulfilmcnt of professional en-
gagements, have improved the opportunity
to call at his studio and sit for choice cabl-
nets, to be displayed thereafter to the gem
uine satisfaction of the person whose coun-
terftit prescntment they bore.
About the first of June Mr.. Parsons
became possessed of the idea that he ought
to send selection of his pictures to the
exhibition of the Photographic Association
= II, 30, Ia. halI nt ~
and rs this idea resolved itself into de-
termination, he gathered together few of
his large photographs, mostly OF we'll
known Wheeling people, and adding thereto
about one hundred pictures of cabinet size,
sent them to the Mound city and
placed them among the gems sent by the
best photographers of America, and not a
few from other countries. The result of
his exhibit is well known. Mr.. Parsons
won and had forwarded to Wheeling the
first-class gold medal of the Association
massive and ornate disc, which can be seen
by the passer-by at the entrance to his gal
lery-and with il came the consciousness
that his fame rs an artist would no longer
be confined to the pent-up limits Of his
native city.
Yesterday, in furtherance of his plan, he
shipped to New York portion of the col
lection which won the prize at st. Louis,
whence in the care of Mr.. NJ. Gunncrt,
they will be shipped to Europe, to be
placed on exhibition at the German Asso-
citation Convention, at Brunswick.
These pictures vary in size from 2!x21
inches down to the familiar cabinet, and
show all the varying lights known to the
trade including the greatly priced Rem
brandt effect. The 22x27 pictures include
photographs of Mrs. Andrew Patterson, Mr..
S. F. Faris, VIM. Leighton, Jr., and Miss
Storey; the 20x24, MayorJ,W Grubh, Mr..
l.. J. Bayha, Anna Louis Ames, Governor
Wilson'S little daughter, two views of Miss
Heftley, and Mr.. De WintOn, the we'll
known theatrical manager; in the l6X2O
size are George h McMechen, Miss KrauS,
Mrs. Zane, Mr.. Brash, and Miss Helwig,
while the collection of cabinets includes
scores of we'll known ladies and gentlemen
whose correct appreciation of Mr.. Parsons
ability have led them to bestOw their pat
rOnage upon him.
The artistic finish of these photographs
cannot be adequately expressed in type,
and they must be seen to be fully appre-
ciated, 1t is sufficient here to say that nc
one In this portion of the country eau ap-
proach the fine effects produced by him.
Mr.. Parsons can use plate 30x3O inches
in dimensions, thing attempted by but
about dozen photographers in the United
States. 1t is, perhaps, proper to state, be
fore closing this article, that the collection
sent by Mr.. Parsons to st. Louis was moi
made up of carefully prepared exhibition
pictures; on the contrary, ali but On'
picture in the collection was his Ordin
airy, everyday work, and the picture'
thus represent his average efforts,