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 6 Collections and/or Records:
C. R. Savage photographs of the Savage family, 1868-1938
Includes sixty photographs of members of the Savage family, mostly of portraits.
Collection of portraits of early Provo residents
Materials include 19 photographs of early residents of Provo, Utah, dating from between approximately 1850 and 1900. The photographs are individual portraits from a variety of photographic studios, including those of George Edward Anderson, C. R. Savage, Fox & Symons, and T. E. Daniels.
Photograph of Heber J. Grant
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.
C. R. Savage landscape and family photographs
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.
C. R. Savage photograph of Joseph and Lottie Bird Booth
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.
C. R. Savage portraits
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.