ca. 1858, [ambrotype portrait of a smiling young girl with a book]
via Christopher Wahren Fine Photographs, Skylight Gallery

ca. 1858, [ambrotype portrait of a smiling young girl with a book]

via Christopher Wahren Fine Photographs, Skylight Gallery

ca. 1850’s, [daguerreotype portrait of two instrument repairmen and a child]
via Cowan’s Auctions

ca. 1850’s, [daguerreotype portrait of two instrument repairmen and a child]

via Cowan’s Auctions

ca. 1855-95, [carte de visite portrait of a young girl with a steroscope], Edward Abraham Kusel
via the Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Carl Mautz Collection

ca. 1855-95, [carte de visite portrait of a young girl with a steroscope], Edward Abraham Kusel

via the Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Carl Mautz Collection

ca. 1875, [outdoor tintype portrait of newsboys waiting in front of a hotel]

via the International Center of Photography

ca. 1875, [outdoor tintype portrait of newsboys waiting in front of a hotel]

via the International Center of Photography

ca. 1880-1900’s, [cabinet card, portrait of a child with a knife and a chocolate bunny], Wilke
via Capitol Gallery, 19th Century Paper Photography

ca. 1880-1900’s, [cabinet card, portrait of a child with a knife and a chocolate bunny], Wilke

via Capitol Gallery, 19th Century Paper Photography

ca. 1880-1890’s, [cabinet card studio portrait of a gentleman accompanying a girl riding a pony], Witter
via the Wisconsin Historical Society, Grignon, Lawe and Porlier Papers Collection

ca. 1880-1890’s, [cabinet card studio portrait of a gentleman accompanying a girl riding a pony], Witter

via the Wisconsin Historical Society, Grignon, Lawe and Porlier Papers Collection

ca. 1860-90’s, [carte de visite portrait of Eli Bowen,”The Legless Acrobat”, with his wife and child], A. Newman
via Jeffrey Kraus, Antique Photographics

ca. 1860-90’s, [carte de visite portrait of Eli Bowen,”The Legless Acrobat”, with his wife and child], A. Newman

via Jeffrey Kraus, Antique Photographics

ca. 1860-1900’s, [tintype portrait of two shy young girls, clutching their dolls and hiding their faces]
via Ebay

ca. 1860-1900’s, [tintype portrait of two shy young girls, clutching their dolls and hiding their faces]

via Ebay

ca. 1855, [daguerreotype portrait of a elderly woman holding spectacles with a young girl who appears to be cross-eyed]
via the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Cased Photographs Collection

ca. 1855, [daguerreotype portrait of a elderly woman holding spectacles with a young girl who appears to be cross-eyed]

via the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Cased Photographs Collection

ca. 1860’s, [hand tinted “hidden mother” tintype portrait of a child]
via Cowan’s Auctions

ca. 1860’s, [hand tinted “hidden mother” tintype portrait of a child]

via Cowan’s Auctions

ca. 1870’s, [tintype portrait of of three seated young girls holding their dolls]
via Charles Schwartz Photography

ca. 1870’s, [tintype portrait of of three seated young girls holding their dolls]

via Charles Schwartz Photography

ca. 1860-80’s, [hand tinted, hidden-mother tintype portrait of a baby]
via Ebay

ca. 1860-80’s, [hand tinted, hidden-mother tintype portrait of a baby]

via Ebay

ca. 1860’s-90’s, [tintype portrait of a young boy, likely the photographer’s son, playing in the studio among head clamps, paint, and photographic supplies]
via Cowan’s Auctions

ca. 1860’s-90’s, [tintype portrait of a young boy, likely the photographer’s son, playing in the studio among head clamps, paint, and photographic supplies]

via Cowan’s Auctions

ca. 1890’s, [cabinet card, portrait of a child, likely a circus performer, standing on two ponies], Frank Wendt
via  Syracuse University Library, Special Collections Research Center, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1890’s, [cabinet card, portrait of a child, likely a circus performer, standing on two ponies], Frank Wendt

via Syracuse University Library, Special Collections Research Center, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1850’s, [daguerreotype portrait of four nonplussed boys posed behind science and lab equipment; photo backed with a printed entrance ticket for “Severn Street British School Christmas Tea Meeting”]
via the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photography Collection

ca. 1850’s, [daguerreotype portrait of four nonplussed boys posed behind science and lab equipment; photo backed with a printed entrance ticket for “Severn Street British School Christmas Tea Meeting”]

via the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photography Collection

"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

Popular Tags: Black history, Medicine, Emotive, Post Mortem, Occupational, Civil War, The Original Hipsters, Spirit photography, Circus, Sideshow

Additional Tags: Children, Pets, Dogs, Painted backdrop, Photo-manipulation, Cross-dressing, Hidden mother, Couples, Women, Advertising, Hand-tinted, Erotic, Studio, Firemen, Science, Facial hair, Eyes, Religion, Beard, Fashion, Music, Trick photography, Photographic History, Guns, Weapons, Beer, Wine, Instruments, Lookout Mountain, Ulysses S. Grant

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