Boozer
1868 (or later)
[Guidelines for sitters]

Carte de visite, back
Private collection of Dan Barber
This picture was made at the Excelsior Photographic Art Place, Phoenix Hall, corner of Kent and Lyon Streets, Grand Rapids, Mich., opposite the county offices, and next to the Post-Office. Duplicates can be had at any time. - The aim of this establishment is to produce first class work, that is really such, at reasonable rates. Our design is to connect art with photographic manipulation, so that each picture, when finished, shall be a gem of artistic excellence: and, therefore, appeal to those who have a love of the beautiful in art rather than to those who care only to sustain commercial photography. Please remember that the object of this establishment is to assist you to realize your idea of beauty and excellence in a portrait: and that counsel, patience, and pains-taking effort and care, shall not be wanting to attain that end, assisted by every convenience and modern improvement. If you have failed in time past in obtaining a likeness, here is a place where you can accomplish it. The Photographic character of the atelier can be adapted and changed to every kind and class of the "human face divine:" and it is a fact known to all skillful photographers, that every new countenance requires a different treatment and rendering. These conditions have been attained by great effort and care, and form a photographic arrangement of a rare and peculiar character. No kind of picture wanting in durability made here; every thing is warranted permanent. - While we cannot satisfy those who expect the best quality of Photographic work for the same price as that of the poorest quality, yet, if the character of the same is considered, here is the cheapest work to be found. Cartes de visite of that quality which will cost you elsewhere from six to twelve dollars per dozen, will be furnished at a less price, and other work in like proportion. Good pictures cannot be made without great cost to the operator, and we therefore do not advertise work "cheaper," which in photography always means poorer, than everybody else. Prices are fixed. No deductions made, nor extra pictures thrown in. - A great peculiarity of the Excelsior Photographic Art Place is, that we take all kinds of pictures in all kinds of weather. Please remember that if you have a restive child or babe, a large group, a nervous person, or any job that requires a short sitting, and the day is dark, or even stormy, that here is the only place where you can be sure of a great result without waiting for a brighter day. This establishment is independent of weather. Groups of any size made. An unusually fine arrangement for large classes and schools. One of our chief specialties is the large work finished in India Ink, water colors, and oil. Such is the character of the artistic talent employed in finishing this class of work, being the best painters to be found in the eastern homes of art, that the results are unrivalled. Even if you have an old picture of a deceased friend, it can be enlarged in copying to life size, if you wish, and painted finely at a cost of a few dollars to hundreds of dollars, according to the amount of work. This combines real art with photography's most perfect efforts, and produces a result which is unsurpassed in excellence. No better legacy can be left with the family in the event of death, as the value of such souvenirs of art cannot be estimated in money. No costly furniture can so combine the useful and ornamental. This is fully evinced in their appreciation by the cultured and refined in the comfortable and luxurious homes of the older settled sections of the United States, and in the Old World. Please remember that this class of work is guaranteed as second to none of its kind, to say the least that can be said in its favor. To get a good picture, describe plainly just what you want before commencing, and don't be otherwise than in a good, pleasant, jovial mood, from the time you come in till you leave. Your likeness will be just what you make it when our plate receives the impression. Don't hurry the operator; he always works as fast as the process itself will admit of, so as to be ready for the next sitter. It is absolutely necessary that the person to be suited shall be present when the impression is taken: we cannot in any case guarantee satisfaction to an absent person or persons. Dress in plain goods, generally, and avoid stripes, bars, and figures. Avoid white in large masses: and if you wish pictures in white, dress in blue, pink, lilac, or light drab. Buff is the only light color that takes dark. Purple takes lighter than it is. Yellow, wine, red, tan, snuff, brown, green, black, and very dark drab, slate and stone, take well. Linens are harsh, pale, and worthless. Cotton will do. Delaines are better. Woolens are best. Silks and satins are rich, but have greater contrasts in light and shade. Blue, pink, and drab velvets are good. Dark velvets are worthless, except for trimmings, and take an inky black. If you wish to be dressed in goods of a lighter grade of color, we have every facility for rendering them as well as though they were darker. We can give you indoor or outdoor representation in almost every possible variety: and you will oblige the operator by giving some thought and study to the kind and style of picture wanted before entering the establishment. Visitors will please observe that all business is transacted through a regular system, and that we can on no occasion depart from our regular programme to gratify the ideas or wants of any one. Working faithfully as we do for the best interests of the general public, we choose our own course, and walk steadily in it, doing justice to all. Under these conditions we are grateful for your patronage, and are always glad to receive visitors, whether wanting work or not, always designing to have such a display on exhibition as will well repay such for their visit. - We keep to sell all kinds of oval and square frames, and furnish to order any thing that can be called for. Also, cords and tassels, albums, and every kind of article connected with Photographic representation. - Don't forget the place: Excelsior Photographic Art Place, Phoenix Hall, corner of Kent and Lyon Streets, next to the Post-Office, and opposite the county offices, Grand Rapids, Mich. H. W. Boozer, proprietor. Instituted 1868.
 
LL/86322