ca. 1888, [cabinet card, portrait of sideshow performer “Barney Baldwin—Broken Neck Wonder—The only living man in the history of the world with a broken neck”] via Syracuse University Library, Special Collections Research Center, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1888, [cabinet card, portrait of sideshow performer “Barney Baldwin—Broken Neck Wonder—The only living man in the history of the world with a broken neck”]

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

ca. 1892, [cabinet card, portrait of Miss Olof Krarer, “The Little Esquimaux Lady, Age 34 years; Height, 40 inches; Weight, 120 lbs.”], W.E. Bowman via Jeffrey Kraus, Antique Photographics

ca. 1892, [cabinet card, portrait of Miss Olof Krarer, “The Little Esquimaux Lady, Age 34 years; Height, 40 inches; Weight, 120 lbs.”], W.E. Bowman

via Jeffrey Kraus, Antique Photographics

ca. 1880-90’s, [tintype portrait of three friends, perhaps playing dead] via Ebay

ca. 1880-90’s, [tintype portrait of three friends, perhaps playing dead]

via Ebay

ca. 1870-90’s, [tintype portrait of two gentlemen atop a fake mule, posed in front of a painted San Francisco Cliff House backdrop] via Christopher Wahren Fine Photographs, Skylight Gallery

ca. 1870-90’s, [tintype portrait of two gentlemen atop a fake mule, posed in front of a painted San Francisco Cliff House backdrop]

via Christopher Wahren Fine Photographs, Skylight Gallery

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

"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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