ca. 1843, [Self-portrait daguerreotype of Robert Cornelius with laboratory instruments], Robert Cornelius via the George Eastman House Collection, Still Image Archive

ca. 1843, [Self-portrait daguerreotype of Robert Cornelius with laboratory instruments], Robert Cornelius

via the George Eastman House Collection, Still Image Archive

ca. 1870-1900’s, [cabinet card, “a teacher with students” at a blackboard], The English Studio, Baku via Luminous Lint, from the private collection of John Toohey, LL/44895

ca. 1870-1900’s, [cabinet card, “a teacher with students” at a blackboard], The English Studio, Baku

via Luminous Lint, from the private collection of John Toohey, LL/44895

ca. 1860-90’s, [cabinet card of two women sitting at a table examining a starfish and other specimens using magnifiers], J.R. Thomas via the Wisconsin Historical Society

ca. 1860-90’s, [cabinet card of two women sitting at a table examining a starfish and other specimens using magnifiers], J.R. Thomas

via the Wisconsin Historical Society

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

ca. 1888, “The Moon, August 21st, 1888—From negatives made with the great telescope of the Lick Observatory”, Isaiah West Taber via the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

ca. 1888, “The Moon, August 21st, 1888—From negatives made with the great telescope of the Lick Observatory”, Isaiah West Taber

via the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

ca. 1860’s, [ambrotype portrait of a young English student with his microscope] via Stereographica, Antique Photographica

ca. 1860’s, [ambrotype portrait of a young English student with his microscope]

via Stereographica, Antique Photographica

ca. 1860-90, [tintype portrait of of either a young photographer, pharmacist, or chemist with a scale, various bottles and chemicals. Another person in the foreground is turned away from the camera, admiring photos displayed in the case] via Jeffrey Kraus Antique Photographica, Tintype Collection

ca. 1860-90, [tintype portrait of of either a young photographer, pharmacist, or chemist with a scale, various bottles and chemicals. Another person in the foreground is turned away from the camera, admiring photos displayed in the case]

via Jeffrey Kraus Antique Photographica, Tintype Collection

ca. 1892, [albumen print of the telescope at Columbia Observatory, Vermont], H.J. Cook via Charles Schwartz Photography

ca. 1892, [albumen print of the telescope at Columbia Observatory, Vermont], H.J. Cook

via Charles Schwartz Photography

ca. 1851, [daguerreotype stereograph of a scientist in his laboratory], John Benjamin Dancer via the Victoria & Albert Museum, Prints Drawing and Paintings Collection

ca. 1851, [daguerreotype stereograph of a scientist in his laboratory], John Benjamin Dancer

via the Victoria & Albert Museum, Prints Drawing and Paintings Collection

ca. 1855, [skeleton specimen salt print of Dinornis Elephantopus, for the British Museum], Roger Fenton via the J. Paul Getty Museum, Prints, Photographic Collections

ca. 1855, [skeleton specimen salt print of Dinornis Elephantopus, for the British Museum], Roger Fenton

via the J. Paul Getty Museum, Prints, Photographic Collections

ca. 1850’s, [portrait of several boys behind a science experiment] via the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photographic Collections

ca. 1850’s, [portrait of several boys behind a science experiment]

via the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photographic Collections

ca. 1880, [portrait of a chemist] via the International Center of Photography

ca. 1880, [portrait of a chemist]

via the International Center of Photography

ca. 1890’s, [portrait of a French scientist with specimens], N. Charmantray via Luminous Lint, Paul Frecker

ca. 1890’s, [portrait of a French scientist with specimens], N. Charmantray

via Luminous Lint, Paul Frecker

ca. 1894, “Oxford University: the Junior Science Club” via the Wellcome Library, Iconographic Collection

ca. 1894, “Oxford University: the Junior Science Club”

via the Wellcome Library, Iconographic 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

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