The advertisements William Bache placed in regional newspapers as he traveled from town to town provide important information about his artistic practice.
The Telegraph and Daily Advertiser
(Baltimore, MD)
August 18, 22, 1803
Phisiognotrace.
BACHE and TODD,
INTENDING to remain a short time in this
city, with their Patent PHISIOGNOTRACE, upon
a construction entirely new, respectfully inform
the ladies and gentlemen, that they have
commenced taking likenesses in profile, at the
house of Mr. Sower, printer, No. 191,
Market-street, opposite the Golden Swan, where
any person honoring them with their attention,
may have four correct profiles for 25 cents,
without being incommoded by any part of the
machine passing over the face.
To accommodate those who have their
profiles taken, they have an assortment of
elegant gilt and black frames.
August 16.
Federal Gazette & Baltimore Daily Advertiser
(Baltimore, MD)
September 6, 1803
Physiognotrace.
Messrs. BACHE & TODD return to their grateful acknowledgements to the ladies and gentlemen of Baltimore, for the liberal encouragement they have received; and beg leave to inform those who may yet wish to avail themselves of this opportunity of obtaining correct likenesses in profile, that they intend leaving this city at the end of the present week.
N.B. Mr. Todd will attend for a few days at Fell’s-Point, Bond-street, No. 70, with a physiognotrace.
September 6.
The Petersburg Republican (Petersburg, VA)
November 11, 1803
Profile Likenesses.
W. BACHE,
Respectfully informs the ladies and gentlemen of Petersburg and its vicinity, that he will continue a short time in this town with his
Patent Physiognotrace,
He resides at Powell’s tavern, formerly Armistead’s, where those who honor him with their attention, may have four correct Likenesses in Profile, for 25 Cents.
N.B. He has an elegant assortment of gilt and black frames with glasses suitable for the profiles.
The Virginia Gazette and General Advertiser
(Richmond, VA)
January 28, 1804
The Virginia Argus (Richmond, VA)
January 28, 1804
Profile Frames.
W. BACHE,
RESPECTFULLY informs the public, that he has
returned to this city with his Patent
Phisiognotrace, and a supply of handsome
Frames. His room is over Mrs. Smith’s millinery
room, opposite the Union Tavern, where he solicits
the attendance of those who wish to have striking
and correct likenesses in profile—Four for 25 cents.
January 28.
The Virginia Argus (Richmond, VA)
March 14, 1804
The last week the Physiognotrace will remain in Richmond.
W. BACHE
RETURNS his grateful acknowledgments to the public, for the encouragement he has received in this place, and has the pleasure to inform them that he has just received a handsome assortment of GILT and BLACK FRAMES—with which they may be supplied during the remainder of this week, either with or without profiles, as may be most suitable to themselves.
The Virginia Herald (Fredericksburg, VA)
May 28, 1804
Phyfiognotrace.
WILLIAM BACHE,
Having returned to this place, again solicits the public patronage in his
professional line. From the greater experience
he has now had in his business he flatters
himself his likenesses will be found to possess
to a superior degree of excellence, to an taken
here before, as to ensure the approbation of
those Ladies and Gentlemen who may honor
him with their attention.
Four striking Likenesses in PROFILE for
25 cents. Application to be made at Mr.
Ridley’s, on the hill back of the
Market-
House. Fred’g, May 28, 1804
The Virginia Herald (Fredericksburg, VA)
June 12, 1804
August 18, 22, 1803
Profile Likenesses.
W. BACHE,
Takes the Liberty of informing those who yet wish to have Profile Like-nesses, that he intends leaving this place on Wednesday next, ‘till when he may be found as usual at his room, at Mr. Ridley’s, on the hill back of the Market-House. Four Likenesses for 25 Cents.
June 11, 1804
The Telegraph and Daily Advertiser
(Baltimore, MD)
July 4, 7, 10, 1804
HE WHO LIVES IN A POWDER-HOUSE,
SHOULD NOT THROW FIREBRANDS.
“ Parents—Relations—Friends!"
“THE Facietrace which I employ," says Mr.
Peale, "is the invention of the ingenious Hawkins, of Philadelphia. The success of this was
the occasion of several others to adopt as much of
the principle as they could, in evading the patent
right, yet in fact they were obliged to omit the
principal part, and upon which the whole merit
of the invention rests." This last assertion entirely
exonerates and acquits "several others" of
having infringed Mr. Hawkins's patent; for they
have omitted that part "upon which the whole
merit of the invention rests." It is therefore unnecessary
to mention, that the pentagraph, the principal mathematical instrument used by Mr. Hawkins
and "others," was invented probably a century
before the birth of Mr. Hawkins: That
the said pentagraph has for many years been
employed in different ways, for taking profile
likenesses in Europe and America; one method,
with a description and plate, may be seen in the
Ladies' Museum, vol. 3d, published in London
in the year 1799: That there are several profiles
in the United States, nay, in the city of Baltimore, taken in Europe by some of those methods.
Mr. Hawkins applied the pentagraph in a
manner different from any before him, viz. by
passing a part of it over, and in contact with the
face. Myself and "several others“ conceived
this method very objectionable; first, on account
of the indelicacy of passing part of the instrument between the lips of a delicate lady, after
its having passed in contact with the hair and
nose, and between the lips of thousands probably
some of them, and possibly the very last, infected
with a communicable disease; and secondly, the
derangement of the features, occasioned by the
touch of the instrument passing over the face—
We, therefore, devised a method, for which we
have a patent, at least free from those objections,
by which we can trace the human face with
"mathematical correctness" without touching it.
I TODD, in behalf
of Day, Bache and Todd, the patentees.
Although I have never taken the 80th part of
345,000 profiles of different people; yet it requires no extraordinary degree of vanity to submit the comparative correctness, neatness and
elegance of the profiles I have now (and I have
many) or may hereafter have in my possession, to
the decision of those who may, with or without
prejudice, visit my room over the post office.
July 4IT
Louisiana Gazette (New Orleans, LA)
November 16, 1804
August 18, 22, 1803
PHYSIOGNOTRACE, FOR TAKING Profile Likenesses. Bache & Todd, The Patentees,
JUST arrived form the United States, where they have been liberally encouraged, cut and framed many thousands profiles; among which were the President and many other principal characters: respectfully solicit the patronage of the Ladies and Gentlemen of New-Orleans and its vicinity; they with confidence, assure those who may honor them with their attention, that they shall have Four correct likenesses, neatly cut in Vellum paper for one dollar. For the accommodation of company, they have taken a spacious upper room in Royal-street, one door from the corner of Saint Anne-street, opposite Mr. Ursin Durel’s, where they have elegant profile frames from Fifty cents to Three dollars each, gilt and black. They have likewise an assortment of neatly finished—
Looking Glasses
White Demity
Parasoles ebony tops silver mounted
Billiard balls
Portable writing desks
A copying press
A pair of beautiful prints framed.
A Store to Let.
November 16th
Louisiana Gazette,(New Orleans, LA)
November 16, 1804
PHYSIONOTRACE,
Pour pendre le Profil des Portraits.
BACHE & TODD,
Brevetés, arrivant des Etats-Unis, où ils ont eu
les plus grands succès, ayant fait et encadrés
plusieurs Profils, parmi lesquels sont le President
et plusieurs autres grands personnages, ont
l’honneur offrir leurs services aux Messieurs et
Dames de la Nouvelle Orléans, et de ses
environs. C’est avec confiance qu’ils assurent les
personnes qui voudront bien les honorer de leur
visite qu’elles auront quatre portraits
parfaitement ressemblans, et bien peints sur
papier velin, pour une piastre.
Pour la commoditée des Sociétés, ils ont
pris une grande Salle, située rue Royal, la porte
après le coin de la rue Ste.-Anne, vis-à-vis chez
M. Ursin Durel, où ils ont des cadres à Tableaux,
tant dorés qu’en noir, pour les profils, depuis
une demi piastre jusqu’à trois.
Ils ont aussi un bel Assortiment de
Trumeaux, Miroirs,
Basin blanc,
Parasols à manche d’èbéne, montés en
argent,
Bureaux portatifs,
Une Presse à Copier &
Deux belles Estampes encadrées
The Democrat (Boston, MA)
July 16, 23, 1808
Profile Likenesses,
Correctly Drawn and elegantly finished by
Bache’s Patent Physiognotrace,
No. 4, DORSET’S LANE—
Opposite the COURT HOUSE,
W. BACHE respectfully solicits the public encouragement, which, from the
superiority of his Physiognotrace and long
practice in the Art of Drawing Profiles, he flatters
himself he will be found to merit.
Those who may wish to avail themselves of
this opportunity of obtaining striking Likenesses,
but to whom it may be inconvenient to attend at
the Profile Room, are informed that he will at the
shortest notice, wait upon them at their own
Dwellings without any additional expense.
W. Bache not intending to stay in Boston more
than one month, hopes the Public will loose no
time in honouring him with their commands.
Four Likenesses for 25 Cents. –An eleegant
variety of Frames, at various Prices.
July 16.
Essex Register (Salem, MA)
September 14, 21, 23, 24, 27, 1808
Salem Gazette (Salem, MA)
September 16, 23, 1808
W. BACHE,
RETURNS his grateful acknowledgements to the Ladies and Gentlemen of Salem for the liberal encouragement he has received, & begs leave to inform those who yet intend having PROFILES drawn, that he proposes leaving this place the ensuing week. Sept. 14
Connecticut Herald (New Haven, CT)
October 17; November 7, 1809
Connecticut Journal (New Haven, CT)
October 19, 1809
Profile Cutting, Painting and Shading.
THE subscribers respectively inform the ladies and gentlemen of New Haven, that they have taken a room for a short time at Mr. JARMAN’s, South East corner of the Green, for the purpose of doing business in the above line. From their long experience, and great success, the subscribers feel confident of rendering general satisfaction to those who may favor them with their patronage.
W. BACHE
T. NIXON
N.B. Specimens of their performance may be seen at the Profile Room.
October 17.
Connecticut Journal (New Haven, CT)
October 24, 1809
Profiles
THE subscribers respectfully inform the ladies and gentlemen of New Haven, that they have taken a room for a short time at Mr. ELD’s near the Church, in Church-Street; where they propose cutting, shading and painting PROFILE LIKENESSES in a new and elegant style. From their long experience, and great success in business, and aided by an improved patent Physiognotrace, the subscribers feel confident in rendering general satisfaction to those who may favor them with their patronage.
W. BACHE,
T. NIXON.
October 24.
Connecticut Mirror (Hartford, CT)
November 20, 27, 1809
Profiles
The subscribers respectfully inform the
ladies and gentlemen of Hartford, that
they have taken a room next door to Perkins
& Seymour’s store, a few rods south of the
new brick meeting-house, main-street, where
they propose to cut, shade and paint
PROFILE LIKENESSES, in a new and
elegant style, far superior to any thing of the
kind ever executed in this place—Prices from
25 cents to 3 dollars. From their long
experience, and being aided by an improved
patent Physiognotrace, the subscribers feel
confident of rendering satisfaction, to all who
may favour them with their patronage.
Ladies who desire it, may be attended at
their respective houses. Persons wishing to
have their Likenesses taken, are respectfully
requested to make early application, as the
subscribers will make but a short stay in
Hartford
N.B. Likenesses warranted.
An elegant variety of Profile Frames.
W. BACHE,
T. NIXON
November 18.
American Mercury (New Haven, CT)
November 30, 1809
Profiles
The subscribers respectfully inform the
ladies and gentlemen of Hartford, that
they have taken a room next door to PERKINS
& SEYMOUR’S store, a few rods south of the
new brick meeting-house, main-street, where
they propose to cut, shade and paint
PRO-FILE LIKENESSES, in a new and
elegant style, far superior to any thing of the
kind ever executed in this place—Prices from
25 cents to 3 dollars. From their long
experience, and being aided by an improved
patent Physiognotrace, the subscribers feel
confident of rendering satisfaction, to all who
may favor them with their patronage. Ladies
who desire it, may be attended at their
respective houses. Persons wishing to have
their Likenesses taken, are respectfully
requested to make early application, as the
subscribers will make but a short stay in
Hartford
N.B. Likenesses warranted.
An elegant variety of Profile Frames.
W. BACHE,
Nov. 30. T.NIXON
The Rhode-Island American, and General
Advertiser (Providence, RI)
December 22, 26, 29, 1809;
January 2, 5, 1810
STRIKING and cheap LIKENESSES, by W. BACHE, and T.
NIXON; who engage to furnish any
person that will favour them with half
an hour’s sitting, an elegant painting and
speaking Likeness for the small sum of
Two Dollars and Twenty-five Cents.–
Also, Profiles in a new and superiour
style, elegantly shaded, for Fifty Cents.
The publick are assured that this is
something entirely different from any thing
heretofore attempted in this place. It is
therefore hoped they will not deem it
beneath their attention, but call and see
specimens of the work, at Major McCLELLAN’S, next-door to Col.
Macomber’s Tavern, near the Bridge,
Main-Street.
December 22, 1809.
The Rhode-Island American, and General
Advertiser (Providence, RI)
January 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30, 1810
T. NIXON & W. BACHE,
PAINTERS AND PROFILEISTS,
GRATEFULLY acknowledge the numerous favours they have received in this
town, and beg leave to inform the publick
that they stay here will be but a short time
longer.
W. BACHE informs those who wish to
have shaded profiles, that he intends
staying but two weeks longer in
Providence.
Their Painting and Profile-Room is at Major McCLELLAN’s.
January 12, 1810.
The Rhode-Island American, and General
Advertiser (Providence, RI)
February 23, 27; March 2, 1810
W. BACHE & T. NIXON
RETURN their grateful acknowledgements for the liberal encouragement
they have experienced in this town, and
flatter themselves with the hope that their
Profile Likenesses have given general satisfaction. Having been requested to give
timely notice of their departure from
Providence, they beg leave to inform those
who yet intend sitting for Likenesses that
they do not purpose staying longer than
during the approaching session of the Legislature. Their prices are as formerly,
25 Cents for cutting the set of Profiles;
25 Cents for shading each; or
2 Dollars in Colours.
Their Room is at Major McCLELLAN’s,
opposite the Market-House.
February 23, 1810
The Newport Mercury (Newport, RI)
April 28; May 5, 1810
Striking Likensses
W. Bache & T. Nixon,
HAVE the honor to inform the Ladies
and Gentlemen of Newport, of their arrival
in Town, and respectfully offer their services in the
line of their profession— They engage to give a
speaking likeness and handsome painting to any
person that will favour them with an half-hours’
sitting, for the small sum of Two Dollars.— They
also cut profiles and execute likenesses in a new
and handsome style of black on a fine vellum
paper, for fifty cents.
Having painted during the winter in Providence
and Bristol, with great success, they flatter themselves they are already known as artists in Newport, and deem it unnecessary to say that they can
warrant to give universal satisfaction to those who
may favour them with their patronage. As their
stay in town will be short, persons wishing to employ them are invited to call soon at Mrs. COTTRELL’s, No. 128, Thames-Street.
Newport, April 27, 1810
The Rhode Island Republican (Newport, RI)
May 16, 23, 1810
Miniature Painting,
AND SHADING IN PROFILE.
MESSRS. T. Nixon & W. Bache,
Painters and Profileists, at Mrs. Cottrell’s, No.
128, Thames street, return their grateful thanks to
the Ladies and Gentlemen of Newport, for the liberal patronage they have already experienced; which
together with a view to the accommodation of those
who have been prevented by engagements or indisposition from sitting for their Likenesses, induces them
to prolong their stay in town for two or three weeks.
By unexampled and highly flattering success that had attended them, they are emboldened to
say that their performances, both in point of likeness and elegance of extinction, surpasses any thing
of the kind that has hitherto been attempted in
Rhode-Island,—and respectfully invite the Ladies
and Gentlemen of Newport, to avail themselves of the
opportunity now offered, to get a speaking
Likenes-ses for the small sum of two dollars, in
colours, twenty-five cents shaded, or twenty-five
cent a set cut in paper.May 16.
New-Bedford Mercury (New Bedford, MA)
June 15, 22, 1810
Miniature Painting
AND SHADING IN PROFILE
T. NIXON & W. BACHE, Painters and
Profilists, respectfully inform the Ladies
and Gentlemen of New-Bedford, that
they have taken the old Hall, entrance
at the east door, at Nelson’s Hotel, where
they offer their services, for a short time,
in the line of their profession.—They
engage to give a speaking Likeness, in
Miniature style, for the small sum of two
dollars and twenty-five cents, and
require but half an hour’s sitting. They
also cut Profiles, and shade them in a
new and elegant style, on a fine vellum
paper, for fifty cents.
T.N. & W.B. bind themselves to give
good Likenesses to all who may favour
them with their patronage.—Ladies,
objecting to call at the Room, may be
waited on at their houses.
Essex Register (Salem MA)
July 10, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28; August 1, 4, 1810
Salem Gazette (Salem MA)
July 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 1810
Profile Likenesses.
WM. BACHE has the honor to inform the ladies and gentlemen of Salem of his return to town, and respectfully offers to them his services in the line of his profession, at his room over Dr. Daniel Jenks’s store. He invites their attention to a much improved style of
SHADED PROFILES,
on fine vellum paper; and begs leave to
introduce his friend Mr. NIXON, who colours
profiles in miniature style, and warrants as good a
likeness for two dollars as can be obtained for
twenty.
Salem, July 10.
Essex Register (Salem MA)
August 11, 15, 18, 25, 29, 1810
Salem Gazette (Salem MA)
August 15, 29, 1810
Profile Notice.
W. BACHE respectfully informs the public
that he intends leaving Salem, at the close of
the ensuing week, and particularly requests
those to make immediate application for their
PROFILES, who intend having them painted
by Mr. NIXON, who will remain for a short
time longer in town for that purpose.
The Profile and Painting Room is over the
store of Mr Daniel Jenks.
aug. 11
Newburyport Herald (Newburyport, MA)
October 26; November 2, 6, 9, 16, 1810
Painted Profiles.
W. BACHE returns his grateful acknowledgements for the liberal encouragement
he has received in the place, and has the
pleasure to inform those who wish to have their
Profiles painted, agreeable to the specimens
that have been exhibited at the Profile Room,
that Mr. NIXON has arrived in town, and offers
to ensure to those who may employ him, an
elegant and striking Likeness in miniature style
for the small sum of Two Dollars.
W. BACHE, begs leave to inform the public,
that his stay in town in intended only two weeks
longer. Newburyport, Oct. 26.
Newburyport Herald (Newburyport, MA)
December 4, 7, 14, 21, 1810
PROFILE LIKENESSES..
MR. NIXON —Profile Painter,
RETURNS his grateful thanks to the Ladies
and Gentlemen of Newburyport for the
liberal patronage he has experienced at their
hands, and solicits a continuance of it for the
short time he purposes remaining in town.
Mr. N. respectfully requests those who wish
to have their Likenesses Painted by him, to avail
themselves of an early opportunity to sit to him,
as he intends leaving town in the course of two
or three weeks—as Mr. BACHE, who cuts Profiles, will leave this place in two or three days,
they will perceive the expediency of coming
forward immediately to get their Profiles CUT;
as it greatly facilitates the Painting, and saves expense—they can afterwards be Painted at leisure.—Price as usual—Two Dollars for Painting a Likeness, at the Room over Mr. DUDLEY
PORTER’s Store, Cornhill. Nov. 29.
Portsmouth Oracle,(Portsmouth, NH)
January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 1811
Miniature PAINTING in PROFILE.
THE attention of the Public is respectfully requested to a new and elegant
style of finishing profile likenesses by
Messrs. W. Bache and T. Nixon,
Physiognotrists and Painters, who flatter
themselves (from the great encouragement
they have received at Newburyport and the
adjacent towns) that as artists, they are not
wholly unknown to the inhabitants of Portsmouth, and feeling confident their work will be
found to merit public patronage they respectfully solicit it, at their Painting and
Profile Room, over Mr. NATHANIEL DEANS
Store, No. 4, Market street.
Price for cutting a set of Profiles 25
cents.
Shading in black additional 25 cts. each,
or painting in colors in miniature style, 2 dollars.January 12
Weekly Eastern Argus (Portland, ME)
February 21, 1811
Profiles
W. BACHE, Profileist,
RESPECTFULLY solicits the attention of the Ladies
and Gentlemen of Portland to a new and elegant
manner of executing Profile Likenesses shaded in the
natural dress. W.B. having devoted the last 7 years to
delineating the human countenance and having invented
a Machine upon principles less liable to error than those
commonly used for drawing Profiles, he flatters himself
able to give general satisfaction to those who may honor
him with their attendance at his Profile Room over the
store of Mr. Storer in Middle-Street.
N.B. His stay in Portland will be for a short time only.Feb. 21
Weekly Eastern Argus (Portland, ME)
March 21, 28; April 4, 11, 25
W. BACHE, Profilist,
HAS removed from the Room he formerly occupied at the store of Mr. S. Storer, to the front chamber, over the Store of Mr. John Dean, in Hay-market Row.
Weekly Eastern Argus (Portland, ME)
May 2, 9, 16; June 6, 1811
PROFILE NOTICE.
W. BACHE,
RESPECTFULLTY informs those who have politely deferred sitting for their Profiles during his great press of Business, that he has now leisure to pay particular attention to them and that he intends stay-ing in Portland, But about two weeks longer. May 2.
United States Gazette (Philadelphia, PA)
January 24, 30; February 4, 7, 11, 18, 20, 24, 25, 28;
March 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,
23, 24, 1812
W. BACHE
RESPECTFULLY INFORMS THE
PUBLICK,
THAT he executes PROFILE LIKENESSES; shaded in a manner entirely new, which
for correctness of delineation and elegrance of
workmanship, he flatters himself have not been
equaled in Philadelphia; specimens of which
may be seen in the windows of most of the Print
stores in town, and at the Profile Room, No. 133
south Second street.
W. Bache also reduces large profiles to
miniture and shades of Old Profiles to look
entirely New.
N.B. A variety of Elegant Profile Frames,
and largest size best Gold Leaf for sale.
Jan. 24.
