Samuel M. & Adele C. Fassett

Samuel M. Fassett,
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D. B. Cooke & Co.’s City Directory for the Year 1859

Fassett & Cook

(See advt back of cover)

Halpin & Bailey’s City Directory for the Year 1863
Fassett Samuel M., photographer, 122 and 124 Clark. h. Hyde Park

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1866
Fassett Samuel M. photographer, 114 and 116 S. Clark. r. Hyde Park

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1870
Fassett S. M. art gallery, Van Buren, sw. cor. Wabash av., r. 281 Wabash

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1871
Fassett S. M., photographer, 282 Wabash av.
Fassett’s Free Art Gallery and Photographic Studio, Wabash av. cor. Vam Buren

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1873
Fassett S. M. photographer, 501 Wabash av. r. Hyde Park

Chicago Tribune, April 4, 1859

ART MATTERS.– Messrs. Fassett & Cook, Daguerrean and Photographists, will open on the first of May, their new rooms in Larmon’s Block, Nos. 122 and 124 Clark street, West Side, where all the lovers of art will delight to linger. Mr. Fassett will leave for New York this week, to procure the most elegant furniture and adornments that con be found to fit up his rooms in the most superb style. They have been arranged to order for Mr. Fassett, and nothing will be wanting to make them one of the most attractive resorts in the city. The reputation of the city. The reputation of Messrs. Fassett & Cook, as artists ot the highest character, is too well established to need commendation at our hands. Specimens of their superior taste and artistic skill adorn the homes of hundreds of our citizens.

Their present rooms on Lake street, will be continued as usual. Due notice will be giren when their new hall will be opened on Clark street. Their friends will wait impatiently the aunouncement of their first announcement.

Chicago Tribune, November 3, 1859

To Be Closed For The Winter.—Our citizens will learn with regret that Fassett & Cook’s Art Gallery, on Clark street, will be closed for the winter after the first of December. Mr. Fassett has made arrangements to spend the winter at Savannah, Georgia. We need scarcely speak of the splendid daguerreotypes, and the elegant photographs, for which this establishment has become so justly distinguished. For delicacy and beauty of coloring, for accuracy and life-like resemblance, the pictures of Mr. Fassett have, in our humble judgment, no superiors. Many of our citizens will remember the exquisite picture of our fellow citizen, D. B. Cooke, Esq., which was on exhibition at the U.S. Fair. Doubtless many of our citizens then determined to have a family picture, but have since been deferring the matter from week to week. We hope that such and all others who wish to have photographs of themselves and friends will call immediately. Only four weeks remain before Mr. Fassett’s rooms will be closed, and let each one who wants a picture call the first pleasant day. We have no doubt that Mr. Fassett and bis accomplished lady; to whose pencil he is indebted for much of his success, will have a most successful winter at Savannah. Their eminent ability as artists entitles them to it.

Fassett & Cook Photographers

Chicago Tribune, February 6, 1860

Fassett In Savannah.—The friends of Messrs. Fassett & Cook, daguerrean artists, are aware that they are spending the winter in Savannah, Georgia. They will probably return to this city about the last of May. We learn that they are meeting with great success, and are spending a very pleasant, and we hope profitable winter.—Their superior merit as artists could scarcely fail to secure for them a fine business.

The following notice is from the Savannah Republican;

Arrival of the Hon. S. A. Douglas.

Chicago Tribune, May 18, 1860

Now Open.—Fasset & Cook’s Photographic Palace—the largest and most complete establishment of the kind in America—is now open to the public. Citizens and strangers are invited to call. Rooms Nos. 122 & 124 Clark street

Western Railroad Gazette, December 29, 1860

Photographs.—No more beautiful or acceptable present to a friend, at home or abroad can be made, than a “speaking likeness” of your features—one that will last forever and can be transmitted from one generation to another. Whether you are as homely as “Old Abe” or magnificent as Apollo, your true friends will prize such a gift beyond all others. For taking a correct picture and clothing it with natural, flesh tints as beautiful and far more perfect than a painting by the best artist that ever handled brush and pallette, Messrs. Fassett & Cook, No.’s 122 and 124 Clark street, are unequalled. A painting of the size of their imperial photographs would cost you hundreds of dollars, whereas they can furnish you a better, more lasting and finely finished picture all along from 80 to 75 dollars. A cursory or critical inspection of their gallery of specimens which is open at all hours of day, will convince you that our praise of their handiwork is no exaggeration, and that their pictures are bargains—always.

Chicago Tribune, February 7, 1865

S. M. FASSETT’S PHOTOGRAPHIC OPENING.
An Unprecedented Throng—Description of the Rooms—Music, Pictures, Art and Beauty.
The opening of S. M. Fassett’s new Photographic Gallery in Smith & Nixon’s Block yesterday, was one of the events of the season, and was made the occasion of an immense attendance both for the sake of seeing the new rooms and the artistic pleasure derived from viewing the choice pictures with which the walls are adorned. The numerous and large apartments were fairly thronged from noon until midnight with ladies and gentlemen in spite of the threatening and unpleasant character of the weather, and it is safe to say there was but one expression of opinion from all present, and that an expression of unqualified admiration and delight.

In the evening the jam was almost suffocating. Few occasions, not excepting the opera even, have have called out more of the elite of the city. From seven o’clock until ten it was a constant stream of visitors, end although the evening is not as favorable as the day for the exhibition of the real beauty of the rooms, the beautiful blending and the severe simplicity which is one of the best attributes of art. Music added its charms to the pleasures of the occasion. The Great Western Band, in orchestra, played a choice programme, and among the pieces a pretty little inauguration march, dedicated to Mr. Fassett by the well known composer, Adolph Baumbach, whose songs and instrumental compositions are as familiar as household words. It is estimated that not less than 15,000 persons attended during the day and evening.

The opening of these rooms marks not alone an era in the history of the photographic art in Chicago, but in the country: We may now challenge any city at the East, not even excepting New York and Philadelphia, which boast the finest galleries, to produce a superior or even an equal to this, either in size or equipment. It is only another instance where instances are multiplying rapidly that Chicago is making gigantic strides ahead in all that pertains to the stable business growth of a city, as well as to the artistic appliances and adornments, that mark the maturity of a city, and while we congratulate Mr. Fassett upon that remarkable success in business which has warranted his outlay, we none the less congratulate our citizens that a gallery has been established here which may bear comparison with any, and one to which they may point with pleasure and pride. Mr. Fassett has achieved many and notable success in his old gallery, but we now look for a production of pictures that will at once give a tone and enviable name to Chicago efforts in this beautiful science of sun painting.

We have heretofore described from the original drawings the plan and character or the various rooms and it is only necessary now to glance at them. The business office is on the ground floor where orders may be given, proofs seen and purchase of albums, stereoscopic views, and articles of vertu connected with the business transacted. The second floor is devoted to a splendid reception and exhibition room, the walls of which are beautifully decorated with every description of picture—plain and colored photographs, cartes, single figures and groups in India ink, oil and water colors. Ivory types and exquisite miniatures in paper and porcelain. There are also on this floor a sitters’ room, and ladies’ and gentlemen’s dressing rooms. On the third floor Is another sitters’ room, laboratory and extensive baths, besides suites of rooms for the artists’ studios. On the fourth, is a large sky-light room which is fairly flooded with light softened by the wall tints and yet sufficiently powerful to allow of the taking of pictures even in the darkest days. The excellence of these lights is one of the charms of the new gallery, giving to pictures soft transparent shadows and finely rounded and well developed outlines.

All the equipments of the room are in the most perfect taste and keeping. The painting was done by Mr. Milligan and confers credit upon him. The furniture is of the antique pattern in walnut and ebony, and were made by A. Vredin, of this city, from Mr. Faseett’s own designe. All of the desks, cases, lounges, chairs and ottomans are in the same style, and give to the rooms a unity of style and harmony of coloring which are absolutely charming. Add to this the matched tints of walls and carpets, the rich but artistic hangings, the elaborate brackets, the omission of sharp angles or lines, niches filled with choice statuary, the hanging of the pictures, complete unity of design, and that design based upon a correct and artistic taste, and you have a picture, both in general and detail which we do not believe can be surpassed in any photograph gallery.

Smith & Nixon Building, Southwest Corner of Clark and Washington Streets

Of the workmanship which will be displayed in these rooms it is almost unnecessary for us to speak. The beautiful gems which hang upon the walls, and which are in every drawing room in Chicago, are the best witnesses. Mrs. Fassett will still continue to give her time and taste to the productions of Mr. F.’s cameras. Her reputation and skill as a colorist are too well known to need endorsement at our hands. Mr. Rawson, an excellent colorist, both in water colors and in oils, and a man of versatile talents, has also been employed. Long travel, constant, patient toil at his art, a quick eye for beauty, and an artistic hand to execute, are the rare requisites he brings to his profession. Both as an artist and an author we welcome him to the city, and are glad that bis skillful pencil will find employment among us. He has already illustrated many groups which were heartily admired yesterday. Skillful operators from abroad, who are masters of their profession, have been secured, and every department has been filled conscientiously, so that an unsatisfactory proof or an unfinished or poor picture will never leave his rooms. In the matter of photographic albums, cartes de viste, stereoscopes, views and frames of every description, his stock is immense and well assorted.

Mr. Fassett commences his business today in a patriotic and generous manner, by donating the full proceeds of the day’s business to the Sanitary Fair. Every man, woman and child should feel it their duty to give a fitting for the Fair. You can not make a better use of your face, ugly or handsome. While you will have the satisfaction of a truthful and natural picture for yourself and your friends, you will have the better and higher satisfaction of having aided the best of causes. We wish Mr. F. all success in the new rooms so pleasantly opened and in the business recommenced so suspiciously.

Abraham Lincoln Photographed by S. M. Fassett on October 4, 1859.

Photograph of City Hall in Chicago taken in 1865 when the body of Abraham Lincoln was lying in state. Photograohed by S. M. Fassett.

Lincoln’s Hearse in Springfield, Illinois, 1865. Photographed by S. M. Fassett.

Chicago Evening Post, March 19, 1869

Mrs. S. M. Fassett’s studio, connected with Mr. Fassett’S photograph establishment, will be open to the publie this afternoon, and every Friday henceforward. It is a delightfal resort.

Chicago Evening Post, December 22, 1869

Art at Home.
The name of Mrs. S. M. Fassett has been so long identified with the exquisite specimens of photography upon paper and porcelain, retouched in India ink and water colors, which have emanated from her husband’s extensive establishment, that many are unaware of the fact that the lady’s ability is not limited to this department of art. Since her recent return from Europe, where for several years she assiduously devoted herself to the study of painting under efficient masters, she has exhibited in numerous efforts very decided talent in the higher province of portrait painting. Penetrating the spacious suite of rooms constituting Fassett’s Gallery, which are occupied with pictures wrought by the mighty artist in the heavens, whose pencils, impalpable to mortal touch, execute with miraculous, but mechanical swiftness and precision, one is pleasantly surprised to be ushered into an inner ample apartment, where the work is entirely the product of human thought, and slow, patient manipulations with brush and oils. The series of paintings hung on its walls illustrate the steady, rapid progress which Mrs. Fassett has made from the earliest sketches in charcoal after masterpieces of antique art, and of models who sat to her in Rome, to the finished portraits that latest left her easel. From the first through to the last, there is marked improvement manifested in each upon the one which preceded it. Such growth admits noble possibilities, and is surest prophesy of future success.

Several pictures in process of completion display notable points of excellence. Among them is a fall length, half-sized portrait of a lady, who stands in an unstudied attitude, with the left hand lightly resting on the back of any esasy chair. The right hand dropped by her side, with a frill of delicate lace about the wrist, in drawing, and color and finish is a beautiful study. The texture of the drapery is exceedingly well rendered. The folds of the rich lavender silk robe fall to the door in graceful lines end undulations, while a lustrous sheen plays over its surface in alternate shimmer and shadow.

The artist has been especially happy in transferring to canvas the face and form of one well known to many of the older residents of Chicago, the Rev. Dr. Curtis, formerly of the First Presbyterian Church, and late President of Galesburg College. With no guide beyond a small and indifferent photograph, she has reproduced the features and expression of the original with surprising fidelity.

But the friends of Mrs. Fassett will probably prononace her portrait of Mr. Henry Waller the most promising work she has yet undertaken. It is a noble, well-set head, venerable with gray hair and beard, with strongly marked lineaments, and look full of life and character. It would do credit to many an artist of long practice and established reputation. Let Mrs. Fassett bat continue in he course the has begun, faithful, painstaking and studious, and she will not fail to secure a recognition that will be grateful and honorable to herself and her art.

Chicago Evening Post, November 16, 1871

Fassett will soon re-establish his photography at 453 Michigan avenue—or somewhere else.

Chicago Evening Post, November 18, 1871

Mrs Fassett’s painting, “Saying Grace,” had happily been shipped abroad before the fire, to be chromoed. It is now in London. Mrs. Fassett saved her family pictures and one or two others of value; with these exceptions, everything in that rich and elegant establishment was destroyed. “But,” say both Mr. Fassett and his courageous artist-wife, “we have hands and heads left, and can begin life again.” They have secured an eligible site on Wabash avenue, near their former location, and will soon readjust the easel and the camera.

Chicago Tribune, June 13, 1875

MRS. FASSETT’& WORK.
Mrs. S. M. Fassett has recently completed. and has under way, several portraits in crayons and water-colors. including likenesses of Geo. Logan’s family, Mr. Richardson, of the Bank of Montreal, and wife, and several Washington people. Mrs. Fassett has also outlined a sketch of a children’s sewing-party, which promises to be a very charming character-picture. Her indefatigable industry has been towarded with decided improvement and a rare facility in the use of the pencil and brush Her likenesses are almost invariably satisfactory.

Mr. and Mrs. Fassett will remain in Chicago during the summer months, but remove to Washington in October, there to take up their permanent residence. They have already located a gallery and studio there, and their Chicago friends may only hope henceforth to have them here during the summer-seasons.

Chicago Tribune, July 16, 1879

ALWAYS IN DEBT.
The Fassetts are in Pecuniary Trouble Again-What Has Become of the Pictorial “Electoral Commission?”
A special dispatch from Washington says: The immense oil painting of the Electoral Commission has mysteriously disappeared. It was the work of the wife of a Washington photographer and she wished to sell it to Congress for $10,000; but the Democracy being in no mood for such a reminder of their Presidential defeat, the proposition for an appropriation was rejected without cards. It seems that the lady in question. Mrs. Adele C. Fassett, formerly of Chicago, joined with her, husband in giving a chattel mortgage to secure the unpaid back rent of his photograph establishment the building being owned by Mrs, Hitz, wife of the President of the defunct German American Bank. The chattels covered by the mortgage were many of them the products of the artistic skill of Mrs. Fassett. In September, 1878, according to the statement of Mr. and Mrs. Fassett, the rights of the Hitzs were satisfied, and on May 14, 1878, they executed to Mr. and Mrs. Hitz, and Messrs. Prentiss and Haistead jointly a deed of trust or chattel mortgage fir $10,000. At this time it is claimed that Mr. Hitz was in Europe, and Mr. Halstead represented him here. The Fassetts not meeting the payment with the promptness that was desired, the chattels were advertised for sale, but the Fassetts made application for an injunction to prevent the sale, which the Court temporarily granted. Mrs. Hitz came into court this afternoon and filed her answer, in which she says that the building belongs to her, and that among the chattels the most important namely, the painting of “the Electoral Count,” is missing, and when search was made for it that no traces of it could be found. The matter awaits a decision.

Chicago Tribune, October 20, 1880

THE FASSETT PICTURES.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Oct. 19.—A decree has been made by Judge Cox, in the Equity Court here, for the sale of the stock of pictures, ete., belonging to Mrs. Fassett, the artist, including her celebrated painting of the Electoral Commission and of Chief-Justice Waite. Several years ago the Fassetts, being indebted to John Hitz in the sum of $5,000, gave him a deed of trust on their personal property to secure it for $10,000. The Fassetts brought in equity a suit to restrain the sales under this, on the ground of usurious interest, etc. The case was referred to an auditor, who reported $5,700 due besides interest. The present order is in default of the payment. The Electoral Commission picture has been removed and secreted by Mrs. Fassett, while the picture of Judge Waite is understood to be on exhibition at Cincinnati. The rest of the collection is to be sold next Tuesday, and the above-mentioned also if the trustee can lay his hands on them. It has been asserted, in the course of the case, that the first-named picture yielded Mrs. Fassett a handsome sum by the payment of $50 and $75 for the insertion in prominent places of people who were there, and larger sums from those who were not present at all.

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