ca. 1850, [daguerreotype portrait of George Lippard, social activist and writer] via the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

ca. 1850, [daguerreotype portrait of George Lippard, social activist and writer]

via the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

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. 1880-1910, [cabinet card, portrait of two young girls photographing a dance between two others], Donnell via Be-Hold Fine Photographs

ca. 1880-1910, [cabinet card, portrait of two young girls photographing a dance between two others], Donnell

via Be-Hold Fine Photographs

ca. 1850’s, [ambrotype portrait of a younger boy and a gentleman engaged in a game of chess] via the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photographs Collection

ca. 1850’s, [ambrotype portrait of a younger boy and a gentleman engaged in a game of chess]

via the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photographs Collection

ca. 1870, [tintype portrait of two clowns in costume] via the International Center of Photography

ca. 1870, [tintype portrait of two clowns in costume]

via the International Center of Photography

ca. 1890, [portrait of a mustachioed city letter carrier posed in uniform] via the Smithsonian Institute, Arago National Postal Museum, Curatorial Photographic Collection

ca. 1890, [portrait of a mustachioed city letter carrier posed in uniform]

via the Smithsonian Institute, Arago National Postal Museum, Curatorial Photographic Collection

ca. 1860’s, [ambrotype portrait of Union colonel Benjamin Franklin Watson with his servant and a table with an assortment of objects] via Heritage Auctions

ca. 1860’s, [ambrotype portrait of Union colonel Benjamin Franklin Watson with his servant and a table with an assortment of objects]

via Heritage Auctions

ca. 1860-80’s, [tintype portrait of a blind gentlemen with his son] via Be-Hold Fine Photographs

ca. 1860-80’s, [tintype portrait of a blind gentlemen with his son]

via Be-Hold Fine Photographs

ca. 1863, [ambrotype portrait of a Civil War induction officer with a lottery box] via the Library of Congress, Civil War Collection The National Conscription Act of 1863 created a lottery system where men, between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five, could have been drafted into military service during the Civil War. In New York, outrage over compulsory military service caused riots to break out in the summer of 1863. Both the Union and Confederacy had their own respective conscription acts.

ca. 1863, [ambrotype portrait of a Civil War induction officer with a lottery box]

via the Library of Congress, Civil War Collection

The National Conscription Act of 1863 created a lottery system where men, between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five, could have been drafted into military service during the Civil War. In New York, outrage over compulsory military service caused riots to break out in the summer of 1863. Both the Union and Confederacy had their own respective conscription acts.

ca. 1870-79, [tintype portrait of a pantomimist] via the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photographs Collection

ca. 1870-79, [tintype portrait of a pantomimist]

via the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photographs Collection

ca. 1860’s, [ambrotype portrait of a Confederate soldier wearing a plaid shirt and a holstered pistol. He carries a large bedroll, a percussion rifle and a kepi with the letters “4 SLG” for the 4th Sumter Light Guards] via Heritage Auctions

ca. 1860’s, [ambrotype portrait of a Confederate soldier wearing a plaid shirt and a holstered pistol. He carries a large bedroll, a percussion rifle and a kepi with the letters “4 SLG” for the 4th Sumter Light Guards]

via Heritage Auctions

ca. 1860-1880’s, [tintype portrait of group of gentlemen, one in a sling] via Goldminer Vintage, Etsy

ca. 1860-1880’s, [tintype portrait of group of gentlemen, one in a sling]

via Goldminer Vintage, Etsy

ca. 1850’s, [Daguerreotype portrait of an elderly woman smoking a clay pipe] via the Daguerreian Society, Matthew R. Isenburg Collection

ca. 1850’s, [Daguerreotype portrait of an elderly woman smoking a clay pipe]

via the Daguerreian Society, Matthew R. Isenburg Collection

ca. 1860-70’s, [tintype portrait of several gentlemen; two with canes, one with a trumpet, and one seductively laying across a fur rug] via the KaufmaNelson Vintage Photograph Gallery

ca. 1860-70’s, [tintype portrait of several gentlemen; two with canes, one with a trumpet, and one seductively laying across a fur rug]

via the KaufmaNelson Vintage Photograph Gallery

ca. 1860-90, [tintype portrait of a pharmacist with his large mortar and pestle] via Jeffrey Kraus Antique Photographica, Tintype Collection

ca. 1860-90, [tintype portrait of a pharmacist with his large mortar and pestle]

via Jeffrey Kraus Antique Photographica, Tintype Collection

"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
Personal Blog
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