ca. 1870’s, [double exposure, tintype portrait of a woman accompanied by a spirit] via Luminous Lint, from the Andrew Daneman Collection of American Tintypes

ca. 1870’s, [double exposure, tintype portrait of a woman accompanied by a spirit]

via Luminous Lint, from the Andrew Daneman Collection of American Tintypes

ca. 1880, [tintype portrait of a gentleman with a spectral apparition] via the Northern Light Gallery, Andrew Daneman Collection of American Tintypes

ca. 1880, [tintype portrait of a gentleman with a spectral apparition]

via the Northern Light Gallery, Andrew Daneman Collection of American Tintypes

ca. 1860-70’s, [carte de visite portrait John Nesbit being attended to by the apparition of his dead wife], William Mumler via Heritage Auctions Happy Halloween, everyone! Today, Historical Indulgences will feature a few tags from the blog in spirit of the season: spirit, post mortem, emotive or otherwise photo-manipulated antique images.

ca. 1860-70’s, [carte de visite portrait John Nesbit being attended to by the apparition of his dead wife], William Mumler

via Heritage Auctions

Happy Halloween, everyone! Today, Historical Indulgences will feature a few tags from the blog in spirit of the season: spirit, post mortem, emotive or otherwise photo-manipulated antique images.

ca. 1850-60, [portrait of a lady with a spirit and daisies] via A Diamond Fell From the Sky, Flickr

ca. 1850-60, [portrait of a lady with a spirit and daisies]

via A Diamond Fell From the Sky, Flickr

ca. 1860-90, [spirit tintype, portrait of a woman reading a letter with a ghostly figure looming behind] via Be-Hold Fine Photographs

ca. 1860-90, [spirit tintype, portrait of a woman reading a letter with a ghostly figure looming behind]

via Be-Hold Fine Photographs

ca. 1860-70’s. [carte de visite portrait of John Nisbit being attended to by the apparition of his dead wife], William H. Mumler via Heritage Auctions

ca. 1860-70’s. [carte de visite portrait of John Nisbit being attended to by the apparition of his dead wife], William H. Mumler

via Heritage Auctions

ca. 1902, [Cabinet Card of Cabinet Card Surrounded by Spirits], Robert Boursnell via Photo_History, Flickr

ca. 1902, [Cabinet Card of Cabinet Card Surrounded by Spirits], Robert Boursnell

via Photo_History, Flickr

ca. 1902, [Self-portrait of Robert Boursnell surrounded by spirits], Robert Boursnell via Photo_History, Flickr

ca. 1902, [Self-portrait of Robert Boursnell surrounded by spirits], Robert Boursnell

via Photo_History, Flickr

ca. 1860’s, [carte de visite spirit portrait with Harry Gordon, first American medium credited with levitation], William Mumler via Photo_History, Flickr

ca. 1860’s, [carte de visite spirit portrait with Harry Gordon, first American medium credited with levitation], William Mumler

via Photo_History, Flickr

ca. 1861, “John J. Glover”, William Mumler via the J. Paul Getty Museum

ca. 1861, “John J. Glover”, William Mumler

via the J. Paul Getty Museum

ca. 1861, “Mrs. Tinkman”, William Mumler via the J. Paul Getty Museum

ca. 1861, “Mrs. Tinkman”, William Mumler

via the J. Paul Getty Museum

ca. 1873, [portrait of Pierre-Gattan Leymarie, editor of La Revue Spirite, with a friend & the spirit of Edouard Poiret], Edouard Buguet via Gargantuan Sound, Flickr

ca. 1873, [portrait of Pierre-Gattan Leymarie, editor of La Revue Spirite, with a friend & the spirit of Edouard Poiret], Edouard Buguet

via Gargantuan Sound, Flickr

ca. 1860’s, [tintype portrait of a gentleman and a child spirit] via Jack and Beverly’s Spirit Photographs

ca. 1860’s, [tintype portrait of a gentleman and a child spirit]

via Jack and Beverly’s Spirit Photographs

ca. 1895-96, [portrait of spiritualist J. H. Evans with a spirit child], Robert Boursnell via Photo_History, Flickr

ca. 1895-96, [portrait of spiritualist J. H. Evans with a spirit child], Robert Boursnell

via Photo_History, Flickr

ca. 1900, [portrait of a gentleman with a spirit] via the Royal Pavilion and Brighton Museums on Flickr

ca. 1900, [portrait of a gentleman with a spirit]

via the Royal Pavilion and Brighton Museums on Flickr

"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

Popular Tags: Black history, Medicine, Emotive, Post Mortem, Occupational, Civil War, The Original Hipsters, Spirit photography, Circus, Sideshow

Additional Tags: Children, Pets, Dogs, Painted backdrop, Photo-manipulation, Cross-dressing, Hidden mother, Couples, Women, Advertising, Hand-tinted, Erotic, Studio, Firemen, Science, Facial hair, Eyes, Religion, Beard, Fashion, Music, Trick photography, Photographic History, Guns, Weapons, Beer, Wine, Instruments, Lookout Mountain, Ulysses S. Grant

My Other Blogs & Websites: Heck Yes, Americana - Fuck Yeah, American Art - Decorative Indulgences - Frowzy Indulgences - Etsy