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The Stanley Twins, F.E. and F.O., engaged in the photography business prior to making the Stanley Steam Car.
F. E. Stanley opened a photographicbusiness and sold portraits door to door in Auburn and Lewiston, ME, before opening a studio in Lewiston in 1876 or 1877.
They closed the studio when their dry plate business grew and they needed access to the amenities of a major city. The Stanleys moved to Newton, MA in 1890.[1]
This page documents the style of printing on the Stanley's Auburn and Lewiston, ME images and the variations of Stanley Dry Plate boxes.
These two images carry F. E. Stanley's name as well as his address, Phoenix Block, in Auburn, ME.
This image carries a different type style than the script seen above. It was produced in Auburn, ME.
This image carries both the Lewiston and Auburn locations.
This image is dated 1881 and is identified as Jennie Ambrose.
Carte de Visite examples of the Stanley's Studio, Lewiston, ME.
These two photos were identified by the dealer who sold them as a husband and wife. There is no documentation to support this assertion.
This unidentified cabinet card and the card below measure 4.25" x 6.50" and is adorned on the reverse with a magnificent bit of Victorian advertising. They were acquired separately.
This Stanley Dry Plate box holds 5" x 7" negatives. Three survive in their original paper sleeves.
This Stanley Dry Plate box carries the Newton, Mass. location. Its glass plate negatives were 3 1/2" x 3 1/2".
This Stanley Dry Plate box carries the Newton, Mass. location. Its glass plate negatives were 3 9/16" x 4 3/4".
This Stanley Dry Plate box is filled with 4" x 5" galss negatives.
These two Stanley Dry Plate boxes were produced very shortly after Kodak acquired the Stanley business. Note the inscription: Successors to the Stanley Dry Plate Co.
This Stanley Dry Plate box was filled with 4" x 5" negatives. Note the inscription: Successors to the Stanley Dry Plate Co.
This Stanley Dry Plate box carries tne note REMOVED TO ROCHESTER, N.Y.. It is filled with 4" x 5" glass negatives.
This Stanley Dry Plate box was never opened and still contains its unexposed 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" dry plates.
This Stanley Dry Plate box was made by Kodak for the Defender Photo Supply Company of Rochester, NY. Size: 5" x 7" dry plates.
Developing photographs in the late 19th century was a complicated process. The Stanley's provided their customers with instructions. This brochure may have been included in every box of glass plate negatives. This brochure measures 3 1/2" wide x 5" high. It lists both the Newton, MA and Montreal, CAN factories as well as a sales office in Chicago, ILL.
This letter originated in the Stanley's Montreal office on February 26, 1887.
This advertising cover carries a Columbian Exposition stamp, Columbus In Sight of Land. The postmark is poorly struck, but is probably 1894.
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