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The photographic news
- Bandzählung
- 7.1863
- Erscheinungsdatum
- 1863
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- Englisch
- Signatur
- F 135
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- Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
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- Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
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- SLUB Dresden
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- http://digital.slub-dresden.de/id1780948042-18630000
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- LDP: Historische Bestände der Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
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- Bandzählung
- No. 227, January 9, 1863
- Digitalisat
- SLUB Dresden
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- Wahlperiode
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Zeitschrift
The photographic news
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Band 7.1863
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- Register Index 619
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Band 7.1863
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SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHS. In making some further extracts from these extraordinary narratives, we may suggest the singular resemblance between the images described and the phantoms which sometimes appear as the result of imperfectly cleaned plates, on which pictures have before been produced. It will be noticed that only a portion of the figure is generally visible; that it has a shadowy indefinite appearance; and that it is often accom panied by fog and stains; which, in the narrative, are described as “ cloudy vapours,” “ white undefined masses,” " blurs,” &c. The image, too, is often of a different size to the sitter, as though it is suggested “the spirit were at a different distance from the camera;” no allusion being made, however, to the trifling difficulty in regard to focus, which must follow. It is probable that the idea has had its origin in the reappearance during development of the imperfectly- removed image of a former picture, and this has been received by some credulous persons as a spiritual manifestation. That which originated in delusion is probably maintained by imposture, by a variety of possible means. The identifica tion of the images as portraits of deceased friends, is only explainable by remembering that such barefaced impostors as Joe Smith, the Mormon Prophet, found thousands of followers, and that the wildest delusions have never been wanting in “ respectable evidence ” and unhesitating believers. These are not the fitting pages for entering into any dis cussion of the claims of spiritualism, as it is termed, but we are somewhat concerned in protesting against our art being made the auxiliary either to delusion or imposture. The Spiritual Magazine remarks :— " Those whe are so carefully making their investigations are not ignorant of the manner in which the well-known stereo scopic ghosts are produced, of which the invention, like that of the stereoscope itself, is claimed, and we hope more honestly than the latter, by Sir David Brewster. These ghost imitations are produced by having a figure dressed to represent the unearthly visitor, and standing in position during just half the time re quired for the full operation, then moving away, giving the objects behind it the other half, to impress their image faintly oii the negative plate.” “ Dr. Gardner, in his address to the Boston Spiritual Confe rence, says :—‘ To me there is no cause for doubt. The pictures themselves furnish evidence in their gauze-like appearance, that has not been imitated. Careful examination will show the counterfeits that have been made to be essentially different. 1 do not doubt that Mr. Mumler is a peculiar medium, and has an organization and magnetism adapted to the production of these spirit photographs.’ “ In the Banner of Light, of the 29th November, is also con tained an elaborate review and description of the process and its results, from which wo make the following extracts “ • They are ordinary cartes de visite, but with a faint addi tional figure, not defined by a distinct sharp outline, but vapoury and semi-indefinite. The whole of the figure is not displayed, usually, only the head and bust. “ ‘ The first is a portrait of the medium, W. H. Mumler, with one hand on a chair, the other holding the black cloth covering just taken from the camera. In the chair sits a half-defined female form, apparently about twelve or fourteen years old. This was at once recognized as a deceased female relative. A cloudy vapour hovers about the head of this spirit—an effect we never before saw in any sun picture. One we have seen has a faint disc of light about the head, as if luminous rays were shoot ing outward, but all stop at a determined circular outline. . Two others have a similar effect, but the circle would be sufficiently large to enclose the whole figure, if the card were ot greater dimensions. “ ‘ The second picture taken by this medium has the spirit of a lady sitting on a chair, with a white undefined mass ot some thing behind her, like two or three pillows. The features uro quite sunken, with a serious expression. We are told this is a likeness of the spirit sister of Mr. J. J. Ewer, as she looked when wasted by consumption. The father of the deceased fully recognizes the likeness, as do the rest of the family. “ 1 The next is an elderly lady leaning on a chair, in which sits a faintly-defined form of a young man playing upon a guitar. This figure is shown more fully than the last, one leg being visible to below the knee, the other not being visible at all.— looks as if moved, leaving only a blur. This was at once recog nized as a deceased brother, who made guitars and was fond of playing upon them. “ ‘ Another is a female figure leaning upon a chair, the hands placed together, and eyes elevated as in prayer. The spirit appears of a larger size, the faee and bust only visible. The face is elevated, as if in prayer. “ ‘ Another is a gentleman sitting, with the edge of a white marble table near him. The spirit is behind him, and a little smaller—a female figure, with the hair dressed quite plain and Quakerish, a small white collar about the neck, tied with a dark ribbon, a close fitting dress, visible only to the waist. “ ‘ A gentleman from Illinois sat for his portrait, and raised the right hand as if holding something. He was told that was a very uncouth attitude, but he said, “ No matter ; take it so.” When the plate was developed, there sat upon the raised arm a child, leaning its head upon the sitter’s shoulder. This child is not very clearly defined; it appears a little larger than in nature, as if nearer the camera than the arm it sits upon. The dress is transparent, with the hand and arm of the sitter seen through it. “ ‘ Here is another, an elderly lady, in a dark dress, standing by a chair. The spirit of her deceased husband is with her, a man evidently older ; the figure about the size of the lady. A standing collar is visible on one side, the other turned down ; black neck-stock, white shirt bosom. The other portion of the costume is not distinctly defined. This is Isaac Rabbitt, inventor of the celebrated Rabbitt metal. The lady referred to above is Mrs. Rabbitt, the wife of the deceased, who assures us that the picture represents her husband as he appeared in his last illness, and she pronounces it, unequivocally, a good likeness, and knows that she has not been deceived by the artist. “ ‘ The next is a portrait of Mr. Luther Parks, an elderly gentleman, well known in this city, sitting with his hat on. The spirit in this picture is entirely unlike any of the others. It is a female figure floating in the air, the hair combed back over the head, a loose-fitting dress with short loose sleeves gathered in at the elbow ; a bracelet on the left fore arm, which is extended, with a wreath of flowers in the hand, toward the gentleman. The right hand is pressed against the side, and over the head (not on it) floats a wreath of flowers. This spirit is quite transparent, the folds of a curtain being distinctly seen through the whole of it. “ ‘ Dr. William B. White has two photographs taken at the same time ; one (a lady) in front, and another behind a chair. These spirits, he says, have been ■with him many years. He is a clairvoyant, and sees the spirits and talks with them. They told him, eight years ago, that the time would come when a group, sitting at a table, would have their photographs and those of their spirit-friends taken together. Still further ; that they would be taken in colours. “ ‘ The last we shall notice, at this time, is that of a gentleman of commanding figure, noble bearing, and dignified demeanour, well known, particularly to express agents in the business com- mumity, who stands by a chair, in which sits the form of a young man reading a book. Another picture of the same gentleman has the dim form of Daniel Websternear him. The statesman is recognized at a glance, and bears a close resemblance to por traits painted in the latter portion of his lifetime—the sunken cheeks particularly. The top of the head is bald, with the hair combed up from each side. The expression of the features is very grave and solemn. The dress is not distinct, but, so far as it can be perceived, is unlike anything in the painted or engraved portraits, but slightly resembles the costume on the Washington statue, in the State House ; nearly half the figure is displayed, and is a little larger than the mortal, as if nearer the instrument. It is quite transparent, the chair being quite distinct behind it. “ 1 The spirit of Webster purports to be frequently with this gentleman, manifesting its presence whenever a suitable medium is available. This gentleman has received from Webster a private signal, by which he says he is able to identify its pre sence, and, therefore, that he is not liable to bo imposed upon by any other spirit. While in position for this picture, he expe rienced the usual signal, thus adding another proof of identity.’ “ Dr. A. B. Child, of Boston, says — “ ‘ Mr. Mumler invited me to bring my own glass on whicn
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