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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 44 Collections and/or Records:

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

B. W. Kilburn and C. R. Savage stereographs

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197225540498]
Identifier: MSS 3307
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: approximately 1887-1900

Stereographs of Western scenes

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197218623954]
Identifier: MSS 3259
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: approximately 1900

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

Frederick Whitaker Taylor photograph album

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2709
Scope and Contents Photo album containing 37 portraits of: Wm. Wood, Jr., 1887; Lizzie Sharp Eldredge; Grace Berry Orr; James Eldredge; Florence Crismon Rich; Emma Lucy Gates; F. W. T. (Fred's brother); Mr. Lavagnino; Charly Cannon, 1890; Henry Charles Barrell; Nellie Colbrook; Hortense Lang; and others (unidentified) taken by: Fox & Symons, Salt Lake City, Utah; C. R. Savage, Salt Lake City, Utah; D. W. Dowe, died April 17, 1927; Gardner & Frey, Utica, New York; Skelton Publishing Company, Provo,...
Dates: 1860-1910

Temple block / C. R. Savage

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232573649]
Identifier: MSS 8634
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: approximately 1890