Savage, C. R. (Charles Roscoe), 1832-1909
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 and R.E. Savage papers
Contains materials relating to C.R. Savage and his son Rock Savage. Collection includes pages from an account book, photographs, and letters mainly pertaining to Rock Savage and his dealings with the Indians. Materials are dated approximately 1882-1936.
B. W. Kilburn and C. R. Savage stereographs
Collection contains six stereographs and one postcard. Three of the stereographs were taken and produced by B.W. Kilburn. One is of three Japanese Geishas walking in a park in Yokohama. Another is of the home of Brigham Young in Nauvoo, Illinois. The last stereograph is of Donner Lake, taken by C.R. Savage. The postcard is of Logan City, Cache Valley, Utah. The photograph is copyrighted in 1887 by C.R. Savage.
Stereographs of Western scenes
This collection contains three stereo views. One is of the Pacific Rail Road in Humboldt Canyon published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co.; one is of the east side of Salt Lake City taken by C. R. Savage; and one is of Salt Lake City taken by C. L. Pond.
James E. Talmage photographs
Contains images of foreign countries, geological sites and samples, family members and friends, and subjects pertaining to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Includes 47 glass negatives, 19 film negatives, 227 stereographs, 727 slides, and 226 photographs.
Frederick Whitaker Taylor photograph album
Temple block / C. R. Savage
Materials include one photograph of Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. The assembly hall, the Tabernacle, and the Salt Lake City Temple are all visibile, but the Temple is unfinished. The photograph was taken by C. R. Savage. Materials dated approximately 1890.
Utah territorial penitentiary photographs
One folder containing thirty-seven photographic prints from the Utah territorial penitentiary from the 1880s and 1890s, including prisoners incarcerated for practicing polygamy.
A view from Cape Horn, Sierra Nevada Mountains / C. R. Savage
Materials include one photograph of a mountain landscape. Photograph was taken by C. R. Savage. Materials dated approximately 1880.
Nelson B. Wadsworth collection of frontier photographs
Collection consists of exhibit photographs assembled by Nelson Wadsworth about the American frontier. Items include the work of various photographers.
Photographs of the Young family
This collection contains 32 photographs relating to the Naahmah K. J. Carter Twiss Young family. Also in the collection is a photo album of the Young/Carter family containing several portraits taken by C. R. Savage.