ca. 1860-1890, [tintype portrait of a gentleman earnestly holding hands with two  listless individuals]
via Ebay

ca. 1860-1890, [tintype portrait of a gentleman earnestly holding hands with two  listless individuals]

via Ebay

ca. 1870’s, [double self portrait with Ignác Šechtl as both a laboratory worker and a retoucher], Ignác Šechtl
via the Šechtl & Voseček Museum of Photography

ca. 1870’s, [double self portrait with Ignác Šechtl as both a laboratory worker and a retoucher], Ignác Šechtl

via the Šechtl & Voseček Museum of Photography

ca. 1850’s, [daguerreotype portrait of a butcher proudly sharpening his knife]
via Be-Hold, Fine Photographs

ca. 1850’s, [daguerreotype portrait of a butcher proudly sharpening his knife]

via Be-Hold, Fine Photographs

ca. 1850’s [post mortem daguerreotype of a woman with a book]
via Live Auctioneers, Be-Hold

ca. 1850’s [post mortem daguerreotype of a woman with a book]

via Live Auctioneers, Be-Hold

ca. 1847, [Reenactment of the First Public Demonstration of the Surgical Use of Ether], Southworth and Hawes
via Harvard University, Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Department of Photographs

ca. 1847, [Reenactment of the First Public Demonstration of the Surgical Use of Ether], Southworth and Hawes

via Harvard University, Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Department of Photographs

ca. 1860’s, [Tintype portrait of a barefoot boy holding a revolver]
via Heritage Auctions

ca. 1860’s, [Tintype portrait of a barefoot boy holding a revolver]

via Heritage Auctions

ca. 1858, [portrait of mother and dead child]
via Harvard University, Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Department of Photographs
ca. 1850’s, [portrait of a gentleman with photographic equipment]
via the Nederlands Fotomuseum, Daguerreobase

ca. 1850’s, [portrait of a gentleman with photographic equipment]

via the Nederlands Fotomuseum, Daguerreobase

ca. 1860-80, [portrait of an unidentified buffalo soldier with buffalo hide and gun]
via Yale University, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Photographs of Afro-American Soldiers Collection

ca. 1860-80, [portrait of an unidentified buffalo soldier with buffalo hide and gun]

via Yale University, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Photographs of Afro-American Soldiers Collection

ca. 1875, [portrait of two gentlemen staging a robbery]
via the International Center of Photography

ca. 1875, [portrait of two gentlemen staging a robbery]

via the International Center of Photography

ca. 1850’s-60’s, [portrait of a gentleman with his instrument]
via the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photographic Collections

ca. 1850’s-60’s, [portrait of a gentleman with his instrument]

via the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photographic Collections

ca. 1842, “Eduard Biewend and his Bride, Feodore” F. Oehme
via the National Gallery of Canada, Photographs Collection

ca. 1842, “Eduard Biewend and his Bride, Feodore” F. Oehme

via the National Gallery of Canada, Photographs Collection

ca. 1860’s, [portrait of a well-armed gentleman with a pepper box pistol, Kentucky rifle and a top hat]
via Live Auctioneers, Be-hold

ca. 1860’s, [portrait of a well-armed gentleman with a pepper box pistol, Kentucky rifle and a top hat]

via Live Auctioneers, Be-hold

ca. 1880, [portrait of a woman with binoculars, showing off her luscious locks at the “beach”]
via the International Center of Photography
Happy New Year, everyone!

ca. 1880, [portrait of a woman with binoculars, showing off her luscious locks at the “beach”]

via the International Center of Photography

Happy New Year, everyone!

ca. 1892, [Portrait of W.S. Penley as “Dona Lucia from Brazil” in “Charley’s Aunt”],  Norman and Burnide 
via Luminous Lint, Paul Frecker

ca. 1892, [Portrait of W.S. Penley as “Dona Lucia from Brazil” in “Charley’s Aunt”],  Norman and Burnide

via Luminous Lint, Paul Frecker

"Until the handkerchief of history covers us with its Times New Roman black and white post script..."

This blog is a collection of vernacular photography and ephemera focused mainly within the curious and often misunderstood realm of 19th century America. I have a soft spot for all things silly, antiquated, macabre, and grotesque. The content is from a variety of collections; public, academic, and private. In addition, there's an occasional emphasis on Ulysses S Grant and the Civil War, as well.

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Browse by Photograph Type: Tintypes, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Carte de visites, Albumen prints, Cabinet cards, Silver prints

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My Other Blogs & Websites: Heck Yes, Americana - Fuck Yeah, American Art - Decorative Indulgences - Frowzy Indulgences - Etsy