WThe New York Public Library  /  Photographers’ Identities Catalog
PIC ID: 8216

Augustus Ephriam Alden

American, 1837-1914

Male

View raw data

Augustus Ephriam Alden was a "photographist" in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts by the time of his marriage in 1859. He remained there into 1863, when his draft registration identified him as an artist. The following year he was in Providence, Rhode Island. His brother Adoniram Judson Alden worked for him beginning in 1865. Their careers are entwined throughout their lives, but Augustus, being older by 14 years, was usually the senior partner. In May of that year he advertised a "new style miniature photograph" with two images mounted on an embossed card. He offered a series of patriotic portraits: Lincoln and Washington, Lincoln and wife, Lincoln and Seward, etc. In July he advertised a series of the Lincoln conspirators, members of the Military Commission and other images related to the assassination. In December he secured an exclusive license in Providence for a camera patented by A. E. Southworth which could make "144 pictures, having 16 different positions" in one minute. During the next few years, he successfully sought injunctions against George A. Sweet, Edgar G. Windsor and Gorham Manufacturing Co. for their use of the camera. In July, 1868 Alden's hands were badly burned when a jar of chemicals ignited. The fire was distinguished before it damaged the studio. The same year, the brothers partnered as A. E. & A. J. Alden, and advertised an exclusive license for Sarony's patented Crayon Photos. The studio was prominent, and the Aldens seemed to enjoy success. They had opened branch studios in the Rocky Point amusement park in Providence, in New York at Troy (1865-1871), Saratoga Springs (1868-1870), and New York City (1869-1871), and in Springfield, Massachusetts (1870-1874). Perhaps he had expanded too much, as he declared bankruptcy in September, 1873. He evidently continued in Providence until 1877, when he partnered with Edward D. Alden and John A. Alden as the Alden Photograph Co. (or Alden Photo Co.) in Boston. That studio continued until 1880. He continued to live in Providence until 1881, when he moved to Stoneham, Massachusetts. A. J. continued the studio in the Providence Arcade, assuming the name of Alden Photo Co. in 1880 and 1881. Augustus Alden reused the name in Boston from 1894-1899. In 1896 he was also Secretary and Manager of the Vishnu Springs and Land Co. in Stoneham, of which Edward D. was president. Both men were also listed as photographers. In 1905, his brother was living with him at 98 Spring Street in Wakefield. Both are listed as photographers working in Boston, though in the 1905 and 1906 Boston directory he is listed as "medicines", with his son, Edward. In 1906 they also ran the Alden Colonial Publishing Co. From 1907 to 1914, the year of his death, he was again listed as a photographer, though without a studio address.

Roles performed

Processes used

Found in collections

Data from

Locations

Augustus Ephriam Alden has 13 locations.

Birth (1837)

Chicopee Falls, MA
USA

Active in (1859-1863)

Chicopee Falls, MA
USA

Studio or Business (1864-1876)

58-65 Arcade Street
Providence, RI
USA

Studio or Business (1865-1871)

Fourth Street and Grand Division
Troy, NY
USA

Studio or Business (1868-1870)

54 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY
USA

Studio or Business (1869-1871)

954 & 956 Broadway
New York, NY
USA

Studio or Business (1870-1874)

310 Main Street
Springfield, MA
USA

Studio or Business (1877-1879)

503 Washington Street
Boston, MA
USA

Studio or Business (1880-1889)

63 Court Street
Boston, MA
USA

Studio or Business (1890-1891)

170 Tremont Street
Boston, MA
USA

Studio or Business (1892-1900)

169 Tremont Street
Boston, MA
USA

Studio or Business (1901-1904)

100 Boylston Street
Boston, MA
USA

Death (November 2, 1914)

Medford, MA
USA