Davies, George W. (1855-1929)
Davies, Philip
Davies Studio
Chronology
1879-1918 Portland
The 1908 Sanborn insurance map of Portland, on pg. 67, shows the photo studio with a iron clad photo printing cage on the roof.
Artifacts
He produced a series of flood pictures on imprinted mounts “Views of the Flood, Portland Oregon June 1894” negatives and prints unnumbered.
Davies also issued promotional CDV photographs with interesting or comical subjects, surrounded by advertising text.
Employee Listings
Claxton, Inez G, retoucher 1905
Pfluger, Lillian M. clk Davies Studio 1910
Messegee, Achillies printer Davies Studio 1910
Davidson, John S., photographer for G W Davies 1891, retoucher 1893-1894
Evans, D. Perry photogr for G W Davies 1905-1906
Kraeft, John B. retoucher and photogr for G W Davies 1898-1900
Directory Listings
1874 SD pg. 171 “Davis (sic), Geo W., bootmaker, res 4th bet Clay and Columbia”
1875 PD pg. 74 “Davis (sic), George W., shoemaker, res e s Fourth bet Columbia and Clay”
1875 SD pg. 177 “Davies, George W., bootmaker for Smith, Champlin, & Co., res e s Fourth bet Columbia and Clay”
1876 WD pg. 74 “Davis (sic), George W., res e s Fourth bet Columbia and Clay”
1877 PD pg. 84 “Davis (sic) Geo., printer, res 4th bet Clay and Columbia”
1878 PD not listed
1879 PD pg. 92 “Davis, G. W. with F. G. Abell, res Fourth bet Columbia and Clay”
1880 PD pg. 108 “Davis, Geo, photo printer, with Abell, res Fourth bet Columbia and Clay”
1881 Ore pg. 20 Abell advertisement “House on the roof, in charge of Mr. G. W. Davis (sic) where the printing is done” pg. 296 Portland “Davies, Geo. W., photo printer, 4th st. bet Clay and Columbia”
1881 PD pg. 116 “Davies, Geo. W., photographer, res Fourth near Columbia”
1882 PD pg. 155 “Davis (sic) Geo., photographer with F. G. Abell, res 306 Fourth e s bet Clay and Columbia”
1883 PD pg. 117 “Davis, Geo. W., photographer, 94 s e cor Clay and Fifth”
1884 POWI pg. 266 Portland “Davies, George W., photographer, SW cor 1st and Taylor”
1884 GD pg. 120 “Davies, Geo. W., photographer, 17 S Fourth.”, “Davies, Philip, operator Davies’ Gallery, res 306 Fourth”; “Davies Gallery, cor First and Taylor”
1885 PCD pg. 166 “Davies, George W, photographer 201 1st, res 17 S 4th.”
1886 PCD pg. 180 “Davies, George W, photographer cor 1st and Taylor, res 17 S 4th”
1887 PCD pg. 187 “Davies, George W, photographer cor 1st and Taylor, res 190 Jefferson”; pg. 65 additions and removals supplement “Davies Geo W, Photographer cor 1st and Taylor, res 190 Jefferson.”
1888 POWI pg. 383 Portland “Davies, George W., photographer, SW cor 1st and Taylor”
1888 PCD pg. 214 “Davies, George W, photographer cor 1st and Taylor, res 190 Jefferson”
1889 PCD pg. 217 “Davies, George W, photographer cor 1st and Taylor, res 190 Jefferson”
1890 PCD pg. 208 “Davies, George W, photographer 203 1/2 1st, res 190 Jefferson”
1891 POWI pg. 443 Portland “Davies, George W., photographer, 203 1/2 1st”
1891 PCD pg. 253 “Davies, George W, photogr 203 1/2 1st, res 190 Jefferson”
1892 PCD pg. 367 “Davies, George W, photographer 203 1/2 1st, res 390 Jefferson”
1893 PCD pg. 345 “Davies, George W, photographer 265 Morrison, res 390 Jefferson”
1894 PCD pg. 283 “Davies, George W, photographer 265 Morrison, res 390 Jefferson”
1895 PCD pg. 255 “Davies, George W, photographer 265 Morrison, res 390 Jefferson”
1896 PCD pg. 240 “Davies, George W, photographer Golden Rule Bazaar Bldg, res 390 Jefferson”
1897 PCD pg. 235 “Davies, George W, photographer 265 Morrison, res 367 10th”
1898 PCD pg. 241 “Davies, George W, propr Davies Photograph Gallery, res 367 10th”; pg. 242 “Davies Photograph Gallery, George W Davies Prop. Alisky Bldg 3d and Morrison” plus display ad quoted below.
1899 EO & P pg. 44, Portland Photographers “Davies, George 265 Morrison”
1899 PCD pg. 249 “Davies, George W, photgr Alisky Bldg res 367 10th”
1900 PCD pg. 257 “Davies, George W, photgr Alisky Bldg res 367 10th”
1901 PCD pg. 237 “Davies, George W, photog, 320 Alisky bldg, res 367 10th”
1901 POWA pg. 294 Portland “Davies, George W photographer 320 Alisky bldg”
1903 PCD pg. 287 “Davies, George W, photog 320 Alisky Bldg, res 535 Johnson”
1904 PCD pg. 321 “Davies, George W, photog 320 Alisky Bldg, res 535 Johnson”
1905 PCD pg. 344 “Davies, George W, photog 320 Alisky Bldg, res 535 Johnson”
1906 PCD pg. 348 “Davies, George W, photog 320 Alisky Bldg, res 535 Johnson”
1907 PCD pg. 440 “Davies, George W, photog 320 Alisky Bldg, res 728 Overton”
1909 PCD pg. 400 “Davies, George W, photog 320 Alisky Bldg, res 728 Overton”
1910 Or. pg. 160 Portland Photographers “Davis (sic) Studio, 320 Alisky Bldg”
1910 PCD pg. 334 “Davies, Geo W opr Davies Studio h 728 Overton”, “Davies Studio, Clarence A Defries mngr 320 Alisky bldg”
1911 PCD pg. 420 “Davies Studio C A Defries mngr 320 Alisky Bldg, Tel Main 9394, No Branches on Washington St”; “Davies, Geo W opr Davies Studio h 728 Overton”
1912 PCD pg. 432″Davies Studio C A Defries mngr 320 Alisky Bldg, Tel Main 9394″, “Davies, Geo W propr Davies Studio h 728 Overton”
1913 PCD pg. 364″Davies Studio C A Defries mngr 320 Alisky Bldg, Tel Main 9394″, “Davies, Geo W propr Davies Studio h 728 Overton”
1914 PCBD Photographers “Davies Studio, Alisky Bldg, Main 9394”
1914 PCD pg. 469 “Davies Studio C A Defries mngr 320 Alisky Bldg, Tel Main 9394”, “Davies, Geo W (Annie) propr Davies Studio h 728 Overton”
1916 PCD pg. 372 “Davies Studio, C A Defries Mgr, 107 Broadway S bet Washington and Stark, Tel Main 9394”; “Davies, Geo W (Annie) prop Davies Studio h 728 Overton”
1917 PCD pg. 322 “Davies Studio, C A Defries mgr, 107 Broadway S bet Washington and Stark, Tel Main 9394”; “Davies, Geo W (Annie) h 728 Overton”
1917 PJD pg. 76 Photographers “Davies Studio, C. A. Defries, Mgr. 107 Broadway, Broadway Theater Bldg. Main 9394”
1918 PCD pg. 345 “Davies Studio, C A Defries mgr, 107 Broadway S bet Washington and Stark, Tel Main 9394”; “Davies, Geo W (Annie) h 728 Overton”
1925 PCD pg. 505 “Davies Studio, C A Defries mgr, 107 Broadway S bet Washington and Stark, Tel BRoadway 7384”
listing through 1928
1948 Portland Phone Directory pg. 293 “Davies Studio, 737 SW Broadway, AT-5834”
Mautz Oregon “Davies, 1890, Portland”, “Davies’ Photograph Gallery, 1886, Portland”
Photographer’s Imprints
“Davies, Third & Morrison St., Portland Ore.” printed mount with 8 x 10 print.
“Davies, Art Photographer, Cor. First and Taylor Streets, Portland Oregon.” rubber stamp on boudoir mount, school group portrait, ms date “June 15, 1891” (Robert Brown)
“Davies Studio, Art Studio, First & Taylor Sts., Portland Ore.” printed front cabinet with ms. date Jan. 1892
“Davies, Cor. First and Taylor Streets., Portland Oregon” printed front cabinet, “Grand Medal awarded Portland Mechanics Fair, 1887…”
“When Others Fail, Try Davies. Art Photography. We Defy All Competition. Davies, Cor. First and Taylor sts. Portland, Or.” CDV printed front (Toedtemeier)
“Davies. Forest Grove, Oregon” (Ken Bump, Forest Grove)
News Items and Advertisements
1878: “PHOTOGRAPHIC A new man in the field for glory! Mr. FRANK G. ABELL, of San Francisco, has opened in the Gallery originally fitted up by Bosco & Megler. …Mr. George W. Davis (sic), late with Buchtel & Stolte, is employed as printer, by Mr. Abell…” Oregonian, 7 Feb 1878 pg. 3 col. 4.
1882: “Geo. W. Davies, The Photographer, will open on or about the 15th inst. First and Taylor” Oregonian, 4 – 15 November 1882.
1883: “Davies The Photographer. Children’s Pictures a Specialty. Cor. First and Taylor, Portland, Or.” The Northwest News (Portland) 1 January 1883 (first issue of the newspaper’s publication) – 1 February 1883.
1882: “Davies, The Photographer, in a few days will be prepared to execute work in the Most Artistic style. First and Taylor” Oregonian, 15 November 1882.
1887: “THE DAVIES PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY, Cor. First and Taylor Sts., Portland, Or. All work guaranteed. The Finest Work in the Pacific Coast. Give us a trial and be convinced. We also do work in Ink, Crayon and Water Colors, at the most reasonable rates.” Polk’s Portland City Directory 1887, Portland; R. L. Polk & o., 1887 pg. 490.
1887: “THE MECHANICS FAIR…DIVISION 8 ART GALLERY…In class No. 44, crayon work and photography, we would make the following mention. There is but one general display of photographs, that of George Davis (sic), to whom the grand silver medal should be awarded.” Oregonian, 22 October 1887, pg. 8, col. 4.
1887: “Davies. In the awards made at the Mechanics’ Fair, we see that Davies was awarded the grand silver medal, and not that he should be, as was stated by mistake in Saturday’s edition.” Oregonian, 23 October 1887, pg. 2, col. 3.
1888: “DAVIES’ PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY S. W. Corner First and Taylor Streets, Portland, Oregon. Artistic Work A Specialty. Ink, Crayon and Water Colors at the most reasonable rates.” Washington Independent, (Hillsboro) 19 January 1888. (courtesy Eric Stewart)
1889: “Davies, The photographer, would call your attention to his new exhibit of photographs at the gallery, corner First and Taylor; having improved his facilities, and engaged a new retoucher, he is prepared to turn out the finest work ever seen on the Pacific coast.” Sunday Oregonian, 31 March 1889, pg. 8, col. 2
1891: “Davies’ Acknowledged to be the Best Photographer. Cor. First and Taylor. Special Rates to Clubs and Families.” Oregonian, 5 December 1890 – 10 April 1891.
1892: “I. O. O. F. — Views of Monday’s parade for sale at Davies’ gallery, First and Taylor” Oregonian 23 September 1892.
1894: “Flooded with Views- 75, different, at Davies’ Gallery, Third and Morrison” Oregonian, 1 June 1894 pg. 5, col. 2 (Portland’s great flood of 1894)
1898: “Established 1880, Telephone Red 1903. DAVIES, ART PHOTOGRAPHER. N. W. cor Third and Morrison sts. Entrance on Morrison St. Take Elevator. Our Carbon Photos Excel all Others. Crayon and Water Colors to Order. Marine Views a Specialty. Awards- Medal- Portland Exposition. Medal and Diploma- St. Louis Convention of Photographers 1894” 1898 Polk’s Portland City Directory, Portland; R. L. Polk & Co. pg. 241
1899: “Davies Gallery, Alisky Building, take elevator, Morrison St. near Third. Special Prices. Limited Time. reg. price spec. price
Paris Panels, Carbon Finish $7. $4.75
Extra Large Cabinets $5. $3.50
Large Cabinets $4. $2.75
Regular Cabinets $3.50 $1.95
The Cardinal, (Portland High School, Vol. 2 no. 10, June 1899)
1904: Account of suicide of actor George A. Yielding. “Yielding went to the photograph gallery of George W. Davies, Third and Morrison streets, and had his photograph taken.” Photograph reproduced. Morning Oregonian, February 12, 1904, Image 10, cols. 2-5.
1914: “Opera Singer Returns to Portland After 6-Year Absence.” Louis G. Davies visits his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Davies of 728 Overton St. He is a member of the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York. Portrait reproduced. The Sunday Oregonian, June 21, 1914, Section One, pg. 5, col. 2-3.
1929: “George W. Davies, 73, Founder of the Davies photograph studio, died yesterday at his home, 879 Hamblet avenue…Mr. Davies was born in San Francisco November 10 1855, and came to Portland 62 years ago. He became known as one of Portland’s finest photographers. He is survived by… stepson Clarence Defries, Portland …” Oregonian, 4 Feb 1929, pg. 13
Bibliography
Davies, George W.: “Burnishing Gelatine and Collodion Prints. By George W. Davies, Portland, Oregon.
“That the end crowns the work is nowhere more true than in photography and burnishing. The last act in turning out a photograph, ought, if done properly, to put the finishing touch to the good work that has preceded it.
In order to obtain the best results from gelatine papers, the prints should be burnished when yet slightly damp. An even dampness is best obtained by drying prints on lines placed one above the other, thus allowing the air to circulate freely through them. As the prints dry, they should be stacked in piles, in which way they can be left until the next day without burnishing, if so desired. It is easy to ascertain whether a print is dry enough by passing the hand over its surface, and in the same way any wet spot can be detected.
Before running the prints through the burnisher, hard Castile soap of the finest quality should first be applied to the print with a canton flannel covered pad, and then rubbed gently but thoroughly off with a piece of canton flannel.
The burnishing should be fairly hot. If it is too hot the prints will blister or change color from the original tone. It is only necessary to run them through three of four times, and the result will be a beautiful and high polish. If the prints are allowed to become bone-dry before burnishing they will look dull when finished.
Collodion prints, on the other hand, need not be watched when drying, as a fine polish can be obtained on prints that are perfectly dry. If, however, they are burnished when slightly damp, an enamel-like polish will be obtained. Collodion prints should not be stacked when damp, as it often causes white spots to appear on their surface.” Photographic Mosaics (annual of Wilson’s Photographic Magazine) New York; Edward Wilson, 1895, pg. 233-234. illustrated is one portrait “Modesty. Geo. W. Davies, Portland, Oregon” on pg. 234. (Ed note- the effect described by Davies is similar to what we now refer to as ferrotyping.)
Photographer’s Association of the Pacific Northwest, Programme of Seventh Annual Convention, September 3rd – 6th, 1907, Seattle; n.p. 1907. (unpaginated) “Members Photographic Association of the Pacific Northwest 1907…Davis (sic), G. W.—Portland, Ore…”
Brown, Robert O., Nineteenth Century Portland, Oregon Photographers: A Collector’s Handbook (author; Portland, 1991) pg. 48, 59.