I'm fascinated by the Mumler photographs. It is still hard for me to realize how mainstream and popular the Spiritualist Movement was back then. I've been fascinated by the story of Helena Blavatsky, the co-founder of the Theosophical Society, who lived in Ithaca NY. The Fox sisters were also from the Finger Lakes.
Yesterday I noticed a beautiful red maple leaf suspended in mid-air in my front lawn. It started swaying and dipping as though dancing with me. I grabbed my phone and took a video, but the video file is so large I can't get it off my phone! That's when I felt the woo-woo and thought about your posts about the spiritualist movement.
It’s one of those thing that once it is in your radar you see it everywhere hehe. I’ve had more conversations about the topic in the last three months than my whole life before I think 😉
Absolutely fascinating — and fun! Another extraordinary romp through the archives, Lori. Thank you. I'm reminded of the post-mortem photographs that were not uncommon at the time as a form of memorialization. To our modern sensibilities, they can be a little gruesome, yet at a time when death was so much a part of daily life, maybe not so much. In trying to remember the term, I ran across this collection at the UofM (https://clements.umich.edu/exhibit/death-in-early-america/post-mortem-photo-types/)
Just fascinating tale of this most American of stories, Lori! I wonder if anyone ever published a “scientific” explanation for these ghostly images—i.e., explained how they were created.
Thanks, @Ruth Stroud! The general consensus then and now is it was a development trick akin to double exposure, likely it happened by accident the first time, and then William took advantage of the process to make the spirit photos. There were some images which turned out to be those of living people, and a number of the images were used repeatedly. But for those seeking consolation in their grief, the presence of any image was enough to get their imaginations going and allow them to “see” whatever and whomever they needed to see to find comfort.
So interesting, @Lori Olson White! Thanks for explaining. I can see why it would have provided comfort, but also a path for unscrupulous folks to take advantage of vulnerable mourners.
I'm fascinated by the Mumler photographs. It is still hard for me to realize how mainstream and popular the Spiritualist Movement was back then. I've been fascinated by the story of Helena Blavatsky, the co-founder of the Theosophical Society, who lived in Ithaca NY. The Fox sisters were also from the Finger Lakes.
Yesterday I noticed a beautiful red maple leaf suspended in mid-air in my front lawn. It started swaying and dipping as though dancing with me. I grabbed my phone and took a video, but the video file is so large I can't get it off my phone! That's when I felt the woo-woo and thought about your posts about the spiritualist movement.
It’s one of those thing that once it is in your radar you see it everywhere hehe. I’ve had more conversations about the topic in the last three months than my whole life before I think 😉
Did you read George Saunders LINCOLN IN THE BARDO? A fascinating novel.
I have not but I’ll pick up a copy and add it to my list - thanks!
George Saunders is here on Substack @ Storyclub
Absolutely fascinating — and fun! Another extraordinary romp through the archives, Lori. Thank you. I'm reminded of the post-mortem photographs that were not uncommon at the time as a form of memorialization. To our modern sensibilities, they can be a little gruesome, yet at a time when death was so much a part of daily life, maybe not so much. In trying to remember the term, I ran across this collection at the UofM (https://clements.umich.edu/exhibit/death-in-early-america/post-mortem-photo-types/)
Just fascinating tale of this most American of stories, Lori! I wonder if anyone ever published a “scientific” explanation for these ghostly images—i.e., explained how they were created.
Thanks, @Ruth Stroud! The general consensus then and now is it was a development trick akin to double exposure, likely it happened by accident the first time, and then William took advantage of the process to make the spirit photos. There were some images which turned out to be those of living people, and a number of the images were used repeatedly. But for those seeking consolation in their grief, the presence of any image was enough to get their imaginations going and allow them to “see” whatever and whomever they needed to see to find comfort.
So interesting, @Lori Olson White! Thanks for explaining. I can see why it would have provided comfort, but also a path for unscrupulous folks to take advantage of vulnerable mourners.
Another interesting and fascinating tale, Lori