ca. 1875, “The Sutherland sisters with their brother Charles”, [cabinet card portrait of sever long-haired women with a gentleman] The seven Sutherland sisters included Sarah, Victoria, Isabella, Grace, Naomi, Dora and Mary. Starting in upstate New York where their father owned a farm, the girls became famous for their long hair and singing ability. via the American Antiquarian Society, Group Photographs Collection

ca. 1875, “The Sutherland sisters with their brother Charles”, [cabinet card portrait of sever long-haired women with a gentleman]

The seven Sutherland sisters included Sarah, Victoria, Isabella, Grace, Naomi, Dora and Mary. Starting in upstate New York where their father owned a farm, the girls became famous for their long hair and singing ability.

via the American Antiquarian Society, Group Photographs Collection

ca. 1870, [tintype portrait of a performer], William Andrew Bigelow via the International Center of Photography

ca. 1870, [tintype portrait of a performer], William Andrew Bigelow

via the International Center of Photography

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. 1880-90’s, [cabinet card, portrait of “Siamese twins”, Adolph and Rudolph, wearing capes and top hats], Frank Wednt via the Syracuse University Library, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1880-90’s, [cabinet card, portrait of “Siamese twins”, Adolph and Rudolph, wearing capes and top hats], Frank Wednt

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

ca. 1880-90’s, [cabinet card portrait of Miss Martin of the “Albino Sisters”], Charles Eisenmann via the Syracuse University Library, the Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1880-90’s, [cabinet card portrait of Miss Martin of the “Albino Sisters”], Charles Eisenmann

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

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. 1880-90’s, [cabinet card portrait of circus giant C. Urek with his wife], Charles Eisenmann via The Syracuse University Library, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1880-90’s, [cabinet card portrait of circus giant C. Urek with his wife], Charles Eisenmann

via The 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

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. 1860-1890, [portrait of Millie and Christine McKoy, conjoined twins, billed as “Millie-Christine, the Two-Headed Nightingale”] via the British Museum, Africa, Oceania & the Americas Department

ca. 1860-1890, [portrait of Millie and Christine McKoy, conjoined twins, billed as “Millie-Christine, the Two-Headed Nightingale”]

via the British Museum, Africa, Oceania & the Americas Department

ca. 1853, [daguerreotype portrait of Josephine Clofullia, P.T. Barnum’s “The Bearded Lady of Geneva”], Thomas M. Easterly via the Missouri History Museum

ca. 1853, [daguerreotype portrait of Josephine Clofullia, P.T. Barnum’s “The Bearded Lady of Geneva”], Thomas M. Easterly

via the Missouri History Museum

ca. 1880-90’s, [cabinet card portrait of snake charmer Lulu Lataska], Charles Eisenmann via the Syracuse University Library, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1880-90’s, [cabinet card portrait of snake charmer Lulu Lataska], Charles Eisenmann

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

ca. 1880’s, [portrait of two young circus performers in the artist’s studio], M. W. Newcomb via the KaufmaNelson Vintage Photography Gallery

ca. 1880’s, [portrait of two young circus performers in the artist’s studio], M. W. Newcomb

via the KaufmaNelson Vintage Photography Gallery

ca. 1870, [carte de visite portrait of “Armless Wonder” Charles Tripp holding a tea cup], Chapman via the Syracuse University Library, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1870, [carte de visite portrait of “Armless Wonder” Charles Tripp holding a tea cup], Chapman

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

ca. 1880-90’s, [cabinet card portrait of an unidentified tattooed lady], Charles Eisenmann via the Syracuse University Library, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1880-90’s, [cabinet card portrait of an unidentified tattooed lady], Charles Eisenmann

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

ca. 1860’s, [carte de visite portrait of a bearded lady], Wenderoth & Co. via Cornell University, “Dawn’s Early Light: The First 50 Years of American Photography” Exhibition

ca. 1860’s, [carte de visite portrait of a bearded lady], Wenderoth & Co.

via Cornell University, “Dawn’s Early Light: The First 50 Years of American Photography” Exhibition

"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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