With a keen interest in American history, especially U.S. Civil War history, Dr. Ownby began collecting 19th century photographs in the early 1990s after viewing Civil War photo collections of friends that were Confederate re-enactors. After attending the Wheaton Civil War Show in Chicago, Dr. Ownby was completely hooked on 19th century photographs, especially daguerreotypes and cartes de visite (CDV). By 1995, he established Antiquarian Images, Ltd., as a means for researching, collecting, and dealing in antique photographs, as an adjunct activity to his professional photography career in advertising and photojournalism.
Antiquarian Images, Ltd., was placed on hiatus at the turn of the 20th century when Dr. Ownby decided to leave corporate professional life for a full-time career in higher-education as a photography professor. After several years of teaching at the Art Institute of Colorado, in Denver, he decided to pursue an interdisciplinary studies PhD at Colorado State University. Dr. Ownby’s concentration was in visual studies and education and his dissertation research focused on personal/social identity construction through photographs. Currently he is a photography professor at the University of Central Missouri, which is near Kansas City, where he teaches studio photography, business management for photographers, and photography’s history.
Antiquarian Images, Ltd., has now been brought out of its hiatus, and serves as a means for conducting research in 19th century photographic images and as a consulting service in this period genre. Additionally, Dr. Ownby applies his genealogical research skills (he was professionally trained at the Wisconsin State Historical Society) in order to determine an image’s provenance and to write biographical sketches about the photograph’s personage or its photographer. Specialty areas include: daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, CDVs, and cabinet cards.
Dr. Ownby, I read with interest your story regarding the photograph of Archelaus Madison Hughes. You referenced a “cousin” that ran for congress against Davy Crockett. This is incorrect. He ran against John Crockett, Davy’s son in 1837. (Davy Crocket was killed at the Alamo in 1836). The “cousin” is my greatgreatgreatgrandfather and was also named Archelaus Madison Hughes (III) and was the grandson of Col Archelaus Hughes. Likewise he was an attorney. He died in 1837 of Typhoid fever. I would like your permission to add this photo to my Ancestry.com file.
Thanks,
Ken Ford
Dr. Ownby, I am the family historian and wondered if you would consider selling the photo of the Rev. Orange Vandivere Lemon, as I am related and would like to add it to my collection. I have found several on the internet of different family members ie… Ward Hill Lamon, Capt. James Lemen on The New York site, etc… All of these came out of the Berkeley Co. Jefferson Co., Virginia /West Virginia area.
Nice site. I was surprised to see OV LEMON’s picture staring at me. His mother was the sister of my great great great grandfather Robinson. I’ve got one of those, I’m curious where you happened onto that one. I’ve got a typed copy of recollections he wrote around 1880? that would have been a great help….or perhaps you might have had access to that already? Also have copies of some old letters he wrote. I’ve also checked your Photography blog, again, nice work. Feel free to email me rqrphoto@comcast.net seems we have a lot of common interests.
Quentin Robinson, Lafayette, IN
Archelaus Madison Hughes was my grandfather’s grandfather. My grandfather was a national historian and the head librarian in the legislative branch of the library of congress for 40 years. He left many old photos and documentation of our family. We have 2 four generation photos (one, my father is a baby and the other, my grandfather is a baby.) I also have a photo of A.M. Hughes in front of a tent and campfire, in uniform… Spanish American War. -And a copy of the Lincoln letter (my dad’s sister has the original).
My Father is Brandau Chappelle Hughes (1926 -2010) 84 years old
His father was Brandau Falls Hughes (1896-1978)
His father was William Neil Hughes (1867-1956) (Chief Purchasing Agent For D.C.’s Police Department)
His Father was Judge Archelaus Madison Hughes Jr. (1847-1932) (Judge & Lt. Governor of Tennessee)
His Father was Colonel Archelaus Madison Hughes Sr. (1811-1898) Colonel in Civil War Commissioned By Lincoln
His Father was William Hughes (1785-1871) Born in Partick Co VA. and Married & Died in Columbia TN
His Father was Colonel Archelaus Madison Hughes (1743-1796) Colonel in Revolutionary War Commissioned By Washington
His Father was Leander Hughes (1710-1775)
He and his two brothers, Orlando and Alexander came from Wales
I would be interested in talking to you about this.
Jane Hughes Warren
Daughter of American Revolution