Platt D. Babbitt
Platt D. Babbitt (May 22, 1822 – August 21, 1879) was an American photographer best known for his photographs in the area of Niagara Falls. His photographs captured people standing near the edge overlooking the falls. He also photographed wintery scenery in the area.
Life and work
Babbitt was born in Lanesborough, Massachusetts.
He opened a gallery on Ridout Street in London, Ontario in November 1850.[1] He advertised as an itinerant in Niagara Falls. By 1853 he was established at Niagara Falls, NY,[1] in a pavilion overlooking the falls from where he sold daguerreotypes and ambrotypes to visitors. His photographs captured people standing near the edge overlooking the falls.[2] He also photographed wintery scenery in the area.
Babbitt photographed Joseph Avery on July 17, 1853 holding onto a log in the rapids above the falls. Avery was one of three men who lost their boat in the current. As the boat capsized, two of the men went over the falls and died, but Avery was able to hold on to a log pinned amongst rocks for 18 hours before succumbing after a series of failed rescue attempts.[3]
Babbitt continued in business until his death in 1879. His work includes glass stereo view images. Newspaper accounts report that he also made diapositive "window hanger" images. At least one of his stereo negatives is credited on an Anthony paper stereo view. He corresponded with Southworth & Hawes and purchased one or two of their parlor stereoscopes.[1] Photographer George Barker worked for Babbitt in Niagara Falls, New York.[4]
The
Gallery
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Grove scenery, winter
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Scenes below Table Rock
References
- ^ a b c Platt D. Babbitt Luminous Lint
- ^ Niagara Falls Metropolitan Museum of Art
- ^ The Blue and Gray in Black and White: A History of Civil War Photography by Bob Zeller pages 11, 12
- ^ a b The Niagara Falls Gazette August 27, 1879