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Savage, C. R. (Charles Roscoe), 1832-1909

 Person

Biographical History

C. R. Savage (1832-1909) was a photographer of the American West in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Charles Roscoe Savage, born August 16, 1832, in England, became one of the foremost 19th century landscape photographers of the western United States, as well as a renowned studio portrait photographer, with his studio in Salt Lake City, Utah. The idea to emigrate from England to Utah undoubtedly began shortly after his 1848 baptism and membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Savage's immigration in 1856 to New York marked the beginning of his known interest in establishing a photography business. On assignment from the Church he traveled to Florence, Nebraska. His family subsequently joined him in 1860 and Savage established a primitive studio in Council Bluffs, Nebraska. Finally, the family made their way across the country arriving in Salt Lake City on August 29, 1860. The next day he made business arrangements with Marsena Cannon, a daguerreotype photographer and owner of a studio on East Temple. In 1862, with Cannon's departure to St. George, Utah, Savage formed a partnership with George Martin Ottinger. Savage & Ottinger legally dissolved their firm in 1870, and that same year Savage formed the Pioneer Art Gallery, and in 1875, needing more space, he replaced it with the Art Bazaar.

On June 26, 1883, his Art Bazaar burned to the ground, with all of his negatives. After his death on February 3, 1909, another fire in 1911 destroyed all of the negatives from the last twenty-five years of his career. Although his sons continued to operate the business, the Art Bazaar closed its doors permanently on December 31, 1926.

Citation:
Harold B. Lee Library Website, website viewed Oct. 14, 2010: C.R. Savage Biography (born Aug. 16, 1832 in England; studio in Salt Lake City, Utah; baptized LDS Church 1848; immigrated to USA 1856; studio in Council Bluffs, Neb.; arrived in Salt Lake Aug. 29, 1860; worked with Marsena Cannon, 1860-1862; worked with Ottinger until 1870; replaced Pioneer Art Gallery with Art Bazaar, 1875; gallery burned June 26, 1883; died Feb. 3, 1909; fire in the workshop in 1911; Art Bazaar closed Dec. 31, 1926)

Bradley W. Richards, His The Savage view, 1995.

Found in 50 Collections and/or Records:

C. R. Savage landscape and family photographs

 Collection — Box 1: Series 1; Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 31197233281812]
Identifier: MSS 7896
Scope and Contents

Collection includes photographs taken by Savage of scenic landscapes in national parks in the western United States, photographs of the Savage family, and manuscript items related to Savage. Materials date from between 1830 and 1949.

Dates: 1830-1949

C. R. Savage painting of Brigham Young homes

 Item — Item 1: [Barcode: 31197233645420]
Identifier: MSS 8427
Scope and Contents

Contains a painting of Brigham Young's home in Salt Lake City, Utah and some of the surrounding landscape painted in 1861.

Dates: 1861

C. R. Savage photograph collection

 Collection — Oversize-folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233276721]
Identifier: MSS P 24
Scope and Contents

Contains primarily original prints of photographs by Savage, covering all periods of his career. Of the 839 items, over 750 are clearly Savage photographs. Eighteen other photographers are also named, including Alfred A. Hart, Edw. J. Muybridge, and possibly Carleton E. Watkins photograph. Includes landscapes in Utah and the West, with many in Salt Lake City. Also includes portraits, many of leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with many of Brigham Young.

Dates: approximately 1860-1900

C. R. Savage photograph of Garfield Beach

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233646550]
Identifier: MSS 8328
Scope and Contents

Materials include one albumen photograph by C. R. Savage taken in approximately the 1870s. It is a photograph of the Garfield Beach Resort on the Great Salt Lake, with people swimming in the lake.

Dates: approximately 1870-1879

C. R. Savage photograph of the St. George Temple

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197225554523]
Identifier: MSS 3858
Scope and Contents

Collection contains one photograph of the St. George Temple taken by C.R. Savage.

Dates: approximately 1877

C. R. Savage photographs

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197227623193]
Identifier: MSS 3343
Scope and Contents

Collection includes six black and white photographs from the 1900s. Includes images of Leo D. and Gertrude Stein, Maynard Dixon and his wife, and a photograph of Brigham Young's residence taken by Charles R. Savage.

Dates: approximately 1900-1909

C. R. Savage photograph of Joseph and Lottie Bird Booth

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197218623848]
Identifier: MSS 3805
Scope and Contents

Cabinet card containing the portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Lottie Bird Booth probably taken at the time of their wedding. Card contains the name Ann Liza B. on verso.

Dates: approximately 1891

C. R. Savage photographs of Temple Square buildings

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233627352]
Identifier: MSS 7674
Scope and Contents

Two albumen boudoir photographs. One of the exterior of the Assembly Hall on Temple Square and the other of the interior of the Mormon Tabernacle.

Dates: approximately 1885-1889

C. R. Savage portraits

 File — Oversize 1: [Barcode: 31197233629549]
Identifier: MSS 7743
Scope and Contents

Collection includes two portraits (34 x 27 cm.) of a man and a woman thought to be the Thomas family, taken by C. R. Savage in the mid to late 1800's.

Dates: approximately 1890

C. R. Savage scrapbook

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 824
Scope and Contents

This collection is the scrapbook of Savage. It includes newspaper clippings, copied poems and songs, a brief autobiography, correspondence, memorabilia, and other miscellaneous items including the newspaper notices of his death. It also has some press releases relating to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Dates: 1883-1909