- D. B. Cooke & Co.’s City Directory for the Year 1859
Battersby Joseph, ambrotypist, 62 N. Clark.
Halpin & Bailey’s City Directory for the Year 1863
Battersby Joseph, photographer, 62 N. Clark.
Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1866
Battersby Joseph, proprietor Universal Photographic Institution, 62 N. Clark
Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1870
Battersby Joseph, photographer, 221 W. Madison, r. same
Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1873
Battersby Joseph, photographer, 357 W. Madison
Effects of the Great Fire in Chicago, Oct. 8 and 9, 1871 Exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center, 2023
When Joseph Battersby arrived in Chicago from his native England in 1857, he came with experience in the rapidly evolving field of photography. He set-up a studio near the corner of North Clark Street at Hubbard, where he became well-known for his portraits.
Battersby’s studio was more than just a place where photographic portraits were created. It also became a popular place for journalists, actors, and people in the arts to gather and converse. He was known as Joe to his many friends, and a lively participant in joining the conversations.
In 1868, Joe Battersby moved his studio to the West Side, securing a place near Madison and Green Streets where his family could live upstairs. It was a fortuitous move. Had he remained in his former location, he would have been burned out in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The new location was spared.
In the aftermath of the fire when the streets had been cleared, Battersby gained access to the roof of a rare building that escaped the fire—the Lind Block, a five-story warehouse located at what’s now the northwest corner of Randolph Street and Wacker Drive.
Setting up his camera, Battersby took five photographs looking east towards the lake—precisely pivoting his camera with each shot. His work was so precise, it was possible to join the images together to create a highly detailed panorama of the ruined downtown district looking slightly southeast towards Lake Michigan.
Using modern digital technology, Battersby’s original glass plate negatives have been enlarged here to an unprecedented size.
Chicago Tribune, September 15, 1858
Battersby, corner of Clark and Madison streets, also makes a handsome display of photographs, most of them miniatures.
Chicago Tribune, March 16, 1865
The Old Man’s Portrait.—J. Battersby, No. 62 North Clark street, has taken a very fine portrait of Joseph Creley—the Museum post-diluvian—and is taking copies for those who may wish to secure a likeness of this genuine curiosity. Mr. Battersby has just refitted his rooms for the season, and associated with him that other prince of photographers—Ray Nias. Together they will make a strong team, able to draw, not only pictures in every style, but a still more liberal share of public patronage than that hitherto bountiful supply which has rendered necessary the extension of room and other facilities. Battersby’s pictures may be relied on. He has harnessed the run to his chariot with new traces, and has got an extra hand at the ribbons.
Chicago Tribune, October 19, 1865
THE ECLIPSE.
(By J. Battersby’s Boy.)
Since first Daguerre began to teach,
And manifest the way to reach
The magic power the Sun possessed,
Our ” fleeting shadows” to arrest:
Old Sol has ne’er refused his aid.
But shadows for the World has made.
To-day the Moon has ta’en a whim
To get between the World and him:
What is her object, who can tell us?
Is she of his attentions jealous?
Or is it but an artful plan of hers,
To get a likeness of that man of her’s.
By men of science we’re assured,
The sun will not be long obscured.
As soon as with the Moon he’s through,
He’ll shine again at Sixty-two.*
If you want pictures, bear in mind.
J. Battersby you’ll always find prepared to
take superior Photographs of every description.
*North Clark street.
Chicago Evening Post, March 2, 1867
NOT FOUNDED ON FACT.-An article appeared ine The Post of the 1st ultimo, stating that a child had been abandoned at the door of Mr. Joseph Battersby, a well known photographer in the North Division. It seems that the person who gave the information on which the article was based, did it mischievously, not to say malisciously; for it seems that nothing of the kina occurred. The only babies taken to Mr. Battersby have been taken openly by their parents, and have been taken away again as soon as their pictures were taken.
- Joseph Battersby’s Northside Studio at 62 N Clark Street
1869 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
- Location of the Lind Block (X), where Joseph Battersby set his camera. Same location as George Barnard took his panorama. 1869 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
The Interior, November 9, 1871
A Poem on the Fire by Bret Harte … from a souvenir stereograph by Chicago photographer Joseph Battersby.
- Chicago, October 10, 1871
Blackened and bleeding, helpless, panting, prone,
On the charred fragments of her shattered throne
Lies she who stood but yesterday alone.
Queen of the West! by some enchanter taught
To lift the glory of Aladdin’s court,
Then lose the spell that all that wonder wrought,
Like her own prairies by some chance seed sown,
Like her own prairies in one brief day grown,
Like her own prairoes in one fierce night mown,
She lifts her voice, and in her pleading call
We hear te cry of Macedon to Paul—
The cry for help makes her kin to all.
But haply with wan fingers may she feel
The silver cup hid in the proffered meal—
The gifts her kinship and our loves reveal.
Bret Harte
Chicago Tribune, February 20, 1875
BATTERSBY.
There is no name among our local photographic artists of culture and repute that is the subject of a wider personal popularity, or that has been more intimately and constantly associated in the households of our city with the art and business of photography, for a long period of years, than that of Mr. J. Battersby, 357 West Madisou street. Mr. Battersby achieved a special and rare distinction at the outset, eighteen years ago, as our champion “baby-picture” artist,—a matter that forever settled the question of successful photography among the ladies.—and it would require an ox-team to haul the negatives of the little innocents that in two generations have graciously sat for their pictures at the old and well-remembered gallery 62 North Clark street, and the present modern-style establishment on West Madison street. In point of artistic merit Mr. Battersby’s work in plain photography and finished portraits ranks with the best and latest productions of the photographic art.
Inter Ocean, March 27, 1875
Battersby, the well-known photographer, whose West Madison street have long been the natural resort of the theatrical profession, has executed a superb picture of Raymond (Colonel Sellers). The pose is exceedingly imposing, thanks, perhaps, to Raymond. The work is in other respects artistically perfect, thanks, of course, to the photographer. Battersby has also finished a very excellent large-sized picture of Mr. Toole, of equal beauty at a specimen of the best photographic art.
Inter Ocean, April 29, 1876
A FAREWELL REUNION.
Last Wednesday a very pleasant and highly enjoyable reunion and farewell-social was given at the residence of Mr. Joseph Battersby, No. 387 West Madison street. The occasion was the gathering together of a select company of the members of the Chicago press, friends of a score of years of Mr. and Mrs. Battersby The host of the evening has been identified with photographic art in this city for years, and during his long residence in Chicago has had a large circle of friends among the journalists artists, and actors. who have ever looked upon Mr. Battersby with high respect and warm regard. He leaves Chicago and the photographic business to remove to Oswego, a beautiful village in York State, where will be his future home. The entertainment consisted of an ample collation prepared by the esteemed host and hostess, social converse, and music, vocal and instrumental. His many friends here regret his departure, and he and his worthy lady carry with them to their new home the best wishes and best hopes for long life and happiness.
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