ca. 1896, [portrait of a gentleman posed in lady’s costume], Richard von Krafft-Ebing via the Wellcome Library, Archives & Manuscripts Collection

ca. 1896, [portrait of a gentleman posed in lady’s costume], Richard von Krafft-Ebing

via the Wellcome Library, Archives & Manuscripts Collection

ca. 1870’s, [carte de visite portrait of a horned lizard], Barr & Wright via the Southern Methodist University Library, Lawrence T. Jones III Texas Photography Collection

ca. 1870’s, [carte de visite portrait of a horned lizard], Barr & Wright

via the Southern Methodist University Library, Lawrence T. Jones III Texas Photography Collection

ca. 1870, [carte de visite portrait of conjoined twins, Mille and Christine], J. Wood via the Syracuse University Library, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1870, [carte de visite portrait of conjoined twins, Mille and Christine], J. Wood

via the Syracuse University Library, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1898, [Albumen print of an older man wearing advertising signboards for Dr. Hiltons Corn Exterminator] via Christopher Wahren Fine Photographs

ca. 1898, [Albumen print of an older man wearing advertising signboards for Dr. Hiltons Corn Exterminator]

via Christopher Wahren Fine Photographs

ca. 1896, [portrait of a gentleman posed in lady’s costume], Richard von Krafft-Ebing via the Wellcome Library, Archives & Manuscripts Collection

ca. 1896, [portrait of a gentleman posed in lady’s costume], Richard von Krafft-Ebing

via the Wellcome Library, Archives & Manuscripts Collection

ca. 1864-65, [carte de visite of mourners at grave of Gen. T.J. (Stonewall) Jackson. Lexington, VA] via the Missouri History Museum

ca. 1864-65, [carte de visite of mourners at grave of Gen. T.J. (Stonewall) Jackson. Lexington, VA]

via the Missouri History Museum

ca. 1864, [carte de visite portrait of Nellie Grant, daughter of Ulysses S. Grant, as “The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe”, at St. Louis Sanitary Fair], Nichols and Bros. via the Missouri History Museum

ca. 1864, [carte de visite portrait of Nellie Grant, daughter of Ulysses S. Grant, as “The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe”, at St. Louis Sanitary Fair], Nichols and Bros.

via the Missouri History Museum

ca. 1896, [portrait of a gentleman posed in lady’s costume], Richard von Krafft-Ebing via the Wellcome Library, Archives & Manuscripts Collection

ca. 1896, [portrait of a gentleman posed in lady’s costume], Richard von Krafft-Ebing

via the Wellcome Library, Archives & Manuscripts Collection

ca. 1880-1890’s, [carte de visite portrait of Annie Jones, “Bearded Lady”], Charles Eisenmann via the Syracuse University Library, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photography

ca. 1880-1890’s, [carte de visite portrait of Annie Jones, “Bearded Lady”], Charles Eisenmann

via the Syracuse University Library, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photography

ca. 1863, [carte de visite portrait of a light-eyed gentleman] via Image Tree, Carte de Visite Collection

ca. 1863, [carte de visite portrait of a light-eyed gentleman]

via Image Tree, Carte de Visite Collection

foto-jennic: Woman with unique fashion taste  via KingKongPhoto, Flickr (Winner of the Historical Indulgence’s anniversary giveaway!)

foto-jennic:

Woman with unique fashion taste 

via KingKongPhoto, Flickr

(Winner of the Historical Indulgence’s anniversary giveaway!)

ca. 1864, [post mortem portrait of two children], Squyer Studio via Looking at Death, Barbara Norfleet

ca. 1864, [post mortem portrait of two children], Squyer Studio

via Looking at Death, Barbara Norfleet

ca. 1860’s, [carte de visite spirit portrait with Harry Gordon, first American medium credited with levitation], William Mumler via Photo_History, Flickr

ca. 1860’s, [carte de visite spirit portrait with Harry Gordon, first American medium credited with levitation], William Mumler

via Photo_History, Flickr

ca. 1882-86, [carte de visite portrait of sideshow performer Ella Harper, “The Camel Girl”], Charles Eisenmann Handwritten on verso: “Ella Harper Age 13. Born in Hendersonville, Tenn. I am called the Camel Girl because as you see that my knees turn backwards. I can walk the best on my hands & feet as you see me in this picture. I have traveled considerably in the Show business for the last 4 years. And now as this is 1886, I now intend to quit the Show business and go to school and fit my self for some other occupation.” via Syracuse University Library, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1882-86, [carte de visite portrait of sideshow performer Ella Harper, “The Camel Girl”], Charles Eisenmann

Handwritten on verso:

“Ella Harper Age 13. Born in Hendersonville, Tenn. I am called the Camel Girl because as you see that my knees turn backwards. I can walk the best on my hands & feet as you see me in this picture. I have traveled considerably in the Show business for the last 4 years. And now as this is 1886, I now intend to quit the Show business and go to school and fit my self for some other occupation.”

via Syracuse University Library, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

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

This blog is a collection of photographs 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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Tags: Civil War, Emotive, Medicine, Post Mortem, Spirit photography, Erotic, Photo-manipulation, Cross-dressing, Hidden mother, Children, Pets, Dogs, Circus, Sideshow, Guns, Weapons, Beer, Wine, Instruments, Lookout Mountain, Ulysses S. Grant, Sad-looking Ulysses S. Grant, Posts About Me

Tintypes, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Carte de visites, Albumen prints, Cabinet cards, Silver prints

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Heck Yes, Americana Blog
Decorative Indulgences Blog
Fuck Yeah, American Art Blog
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