ca. 1855-95, [carte de visite portrait of two circus performers], Bradley & Rulofson via the Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Carl Mautz Collection

ca. 1855-95, [carte de visite portrait of two circus performers], Bradley & Rulofson

via the Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Carl Mautz 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. 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. 1866, [cabinet card, portrait of the Rigl sisters, posed in a supported pas de deux position], Otto Sarony via the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Jerome Robbins Dance Division

ca. 1866, [cabinet card, portrait of the Rigl sisters, posed in a supported pas de deux position], Otto Sarony

via the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Jerome Robbins Dance Division

ca. 1866, [cabinet card portrait of the Rigl Sisters in lift position], Otto Sarony via the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Jerome Robbins Dance Division

ca. 1866, [cabinet card portrait of the Rigl Sisters in lift position], Otto Sarony

via the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Jerome Robbins Dance Division

"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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