Elmer Chickering

Born in Vermont in 1857, Chickering moved to Boston and set up a photography studio around the 1880s. His photographic work appeared in numerous publications, including Good Housekeeping. In 1905 Chickering renamed his business as "Elmer Chickering Co." In 1895 Chickering "took some pictures of A. M. Palmer's company in the play of Trilby. They naturally came into great demand at once. But here the difficulty ensued. Rushing over the wires came a message from Harper & Bros., saying that, as the characters were made up after Du Maurier's drawings, they should regard the sale of any such pictures as an infringement of their copyright. To this Mr. Chickering disagreed, on the ground that the photographs were not copies of any drawings, but of actual scenes on the stage, which any man might sketch. Telegrams flew back and forth, but Harper & Bros, would not yield. Meanwhile, the papers sought for the photographs.... Inasmuch as he has 160 negatives, the question is of some moment." • Illustration — Booth of E. Chickering Co., New England Industrial and Educational exposition, Mechanics Hall, Boston, 1911 After Chickering's death in 1915, "the well-known Chickering Studios, West Street, Boston... is now owned and operated by George H. Hastings and Orrin Champlain.... Mr. Hastings, personally, manages the Chickering Studio, which is now enjoying a large and profitable patronage." Examples of Chickering's work are in the New York Public Library.

• Illustration — Portrait of Sarah Winnemucca, c. 1884 • Illustration — Chickering's "Royal Studio", West St., Boston, ca.1893 • Illustration — Portrait of James J. Corbett, 1897 • Illustration — Portrait of Robert Allen of the Boston Beaneaters, 1897 • Illustration — Poster of Mildred Holland, from photo by Chickering, 1899 • Illustration — Portrait of "famous Boston infield of 1900" (clockwise from left) second baseman Bobby Lowe, first baseman Fred Tenney, shortstop Herman Long and third baseman Jimmy Collins • Illustration — Portrait of Kyrle Bellew • Illustration — Portrait of Mabel Amber • Illustration — Portrait of Princess Kiulani of Hawaii

* •. Photos of John L. Bates and his family. * *

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