ca. 1850’s, [daguerreotype portrait of a gentleman with flowers] via Jeffery Kraus Antique Photographics, Daguerreotype Collection

ca. 1850’s, [daguerreotype portrait of a gentleman with flowers]

via Jeffery Kraus Antique Photographics, Daguerreotype Collection

ca. 1880-1900, “Embracing an Opportunity”, [stereograph of a salesman kissing a woman as her husband looks into stereoscope], Keystone View Co. via Cowan’s Auctions

ca. 1880-1900, “Embracing an Opportunity”, [stereograph of a salesman kissing a woman as her husband looks into stereoscope], Keystone View Co.

via Cowan’s Auctions

ca. 1861-65, “To a Zouave” Hero! how my fond heart doats On your trowser petticoats; On your leggins, tight and trim; On your cap without a brim; On your lip of hair prolific, Arab-Yankee— you’re terrific! There’s a wild light in your eye —Is it valor? Is it rye? O! beware of whisky-skin, Brains go out as that goes in. Sober keep, and by the Nine! You shall be my Valentine. via the Library Collection of Philadelphia, Comic Valentine Collection

ca. 1861-65, “To a Zouave”

Hero! how my fond heart doats

On your trowser petticoats;

On your leggins, tight and trim;

On your cap without a brim;

On your lip of hair prolific,

Arab-Yankee— you’re terrific!

There’s a wild light in your eye

—Is it valor? Is it rye?

O! beware of whisky-skin,

Brains go out as that goes in.

Sober keep, and by the Nine!

You shall be my Valentine.

via the Library Collection of Philadelphia, Comic Valentine 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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