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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 8 Collections and/or Records:

George Alley papers

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197231217040]
Identifier: MSS SC 727
Abstract Account and receipt books, family correspondence, diary of Stephen Webb Alley, genealogy, family history materials, and memorabilia of the George Alley family. Photographs include studio portraits of Lydia Ann Alley and Susan Hannah Alley Wells, polygamist wives of Mormon Church leader, Daniel H. Wells, and a portrait of George Alley's wife, Mary Symond Alley. A majority of the photos were taken by Salt Lake City photographer Charles R. Savage. The photographs are albumen and matte collodion...
Dates: 1834-1891
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / George Alley papers

John F. Bennett photograph album of Church history

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197225540480]
Identifier: MSS P 801
Scope and Contents This collection contains one small black photo album. The album was made by John F. Bennett for Mr. and Mrs. George Albert Smith in the 1930s. It is similar to other albums put together by Bennett but is uniquely arranged with the Smiths in mind. Bennett used images created by several notable pioneer photographers such as William H. Jackson, C. R. Savage, George E. Anderson, C. W. Carter etc. The photographs selected should be considered some of the most notable images depicting the pioneer...
Dates: 1847-1930
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / John F. Bennett photograph album of Church history

Stuart and Carita Kadison collection of C. R. Savage photographs

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2943
Scope and Contents Contains 105 photographs, taken mainly by C.R. Savage, of scenes around Utah, especially Salt Lake City. There are also a few photographs in the collection of nature scenes in Colorado, Wyoming, and California. Several photographs of Brigham Young and his residences are in the collection, as well as important buildings pertaining to the history of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including the Salt Lake Temple and Tabernacle, the Assembly Hall, and the Lion, Beehive, and Gardo...
Dates: approximately 1860-1900
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Stuart and Carita Kadison collection of C. R. Savage photographs

Photograph of Heber J. Grant

 Item — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197239236281]
Identifier: MSS 8600
Scope and Contents

Framed, bust portrait photograph of Heber J. Grant. The photograph is a reproduction of an original. It is attributed to C. R. Savage. The original photograph is dated approximately 1890-1910. The reproduction is dated approximately 1920-1940.

Dates: between 1920 and 1940
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Photograph of Heber J. Grant

Photographs of Church officers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS P 112
Scope and Contents

Collection includes photographs of officers in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the 1860s to the 1980s.

Dates: approximately 1960-1989
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Photographs of Church officers

C. R. Savage diaries

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1424
Scope and Contents

The diaries contain notes and comments on business, descriptions of many journeys around the West and commentaries on the religious and social life of the period.

Dates: 1855-1909
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / C. R. Savage diaries

C.R. Savage and R.E. Savage papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8287
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1882-1936
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / C.R. Savage and R.E. Savage papers

James E. Talmage photographs

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS P 21
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1890-1933
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / James E. Talmage photographs

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