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VINTAGE ANTIQUE CABINET CARD POST MORTEM EYES OPEN BABY |
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IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A POST MORTEM, PLEASE CLICK OUT BEFORE READING FURTHER.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT WHY I BELIEVE THIS IS A POST MORTEM PHOTOGRAPH, PLEASE READ ON...
PRECIOUS LITTLE BABY HAS EYES THAT JUST STARE STRAIGHT OUT. CHILD HAS BEEN PROPPED UP A WHAT APPEARS TO BE A PILLOW OR BLANKET. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN VERY SHORTLY AFTER DEATH, BECAUSE THE EYES ARE STILL DARK AND HAVE NOT BEGUN TO CLOUD OVER. IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN DRAWN IN BY PHOTOGRAPHER. FOR QUITE A WHILE I JUST WASN'T SURE THIS WAS A POST MORTEM, BECAUSE LOOKING AT THE PHOTO FROM A DISTANCE THE CHLD SEEMS TO BE ALIVE. IT'S WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE EYES WITH A MAGNIFYING GLASS AND UNDER HIGH POWERED LIGHT THAT THEY SEEM STARRING & LIFELESS.
From 1840 to 1880 three styles of post mortem photography emerged...
ASLEEP...BUT DEAD
ALIVE...YET DEAD
DEAD...IN THE COFFIN
The illusion the photographer tried to create in ALIVE...YET DEAD is one of the person alive. Sometimes the person was placed in an upright position, often seated in a chair. The eyes were open or even drawn in afterwards by the photographer. Many times the photographer would come to the home because the time from death to burial was very short. Other times the body would be transported to the photographer's studio. In either case, the photographer used his limited or extensive skills in posing the body. The wealthier the family, the better the photographer and the attempt at presenting the dead as being "alive."
Content of photographs on auction are determined by my subjective opinion based on my research
into the history of post mortem photograph in this country.
Just a few of my research references... Ancestry.com Ruby, Jay (1995) Secure the Shadow: Death and Photography in America. Boston: MIT Press Burns Stanley B. (1990) Sleeping Beauty: Memorial Photography in America. Wikipedia Shades of the Departed, Wisconsin Death Trip (1973) Levy, Michael
I have put considerable time into research into post mortem photography. Then, I take facts I have learned and apply them to the photographs I buy and inspect. MOST OF THEM are NOT post mortem. I sell all kinds of antique photographs. With the post mortem photographs (posed or otherwise), I give MY OPINION. Not an EXPERT opinion, but an informed opinion. If a bidder agrees with my opinion, they are welcome to bid on what was, in all probability, the only treasured likeness of their beloved deceased. If a bidder disagrees, they can click on to another auction item. I have had years of genealogy research, so I believe in thorough research and I believe that every picture tells a story, if you know the clues to look for...
WHY I SEARCH FOR AND SELL POST MORTEM PHOTOGRAPHS:
THE PHOTOGRAPHS I SELL ARE EARLY POST MORTEM PHOTOGRAPHS. I FIND THEM FASCINATING KEEPSAKES FROM AN ERA WHERE THE GRIEVING TREASURED THIS ONE PHOTOGRAPH (AND IN MANY CASES ONLY IMAGE) OF THEIR LOVED ONE. VICTORIAN ERA CHILDHOOD MORTALITY RATES WERE EXTREMELY HIGH AND IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED THAT PROBABLY ONE-THIRD OF ALL PHOTOGRAPHED CHILDREN INCLUDED A POST MORTEM SUBJECT. BEING THE ONLY PHOTO THE GRIEVING FAMILY WOULD EVER HAVE, LEAD TO A NEED TO SHOW THE DECEASED CHILD AS ALIVE. CHILDREN WERE OFTEN SHOWN ON A COUCH OR CHAIR, POSED WITH A FAVORITE TOY. IT WAS NOT UNCOMMON TO PHOTOGRAPH VERY YOUNG CHILDREN WITH A FAMILY MEMBER OR SIBLINGS. ADULTS WERE MORE COMMONLY POSED IN CHAIRS OR EVEN BRACED STANDING ON SPECIALLY DESIGNED FRAMES. FLOWERS WERE ALSO A COMMON PROP IN POST MORTEM PHOTOGRAPHS.
EARLY POST MORTEM PHOTOGRAPHS ARE RARE, BECAUSE IF LATER GENERATIONS REALIZED WHAT THEY WERE, THEY WERE JUDGED AS BIZARRE OR MORBID AND OFTEN WERE THROWN OUT. MANY TIMES IT WAS JUST NOT KNOWN TO BE A POST MORTEM BECAUSE THE SUBJECT IS PHOTOGRAPHED ALONE OR WITH OTHERS IN A LIFELIKE POSE AND SETTING. MANY PHOTO STUDIOS ADVERTISED AND SPECIALIZED IN POST MORTEM AND BODIES WERE BROUGHT TO THE STUDIO TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED OR THE PHOTOGRAPHER WOULD COME TO THE HOME.
IN SEARCHING FOR THESE EXCEPTIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS, FIRST THING I DO IS LOOK TO SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING "OFF" ABOUT A PHOTO. ONCE I BUY A PHOTO I SUSPECT MAY BE A POST MORTEM, I LOOK FOR MORE CLUES WITH HIGH POWERED LIGHTS & MAGNIFYING GLASS.
-STARRING EYES THAT LOOK OFF IN THE DISTANCE, NOT AT THE CAMERA.
-MISSHAPEN OR ENLARGED HEAD OR LIMBS,
-UNUSUAL STIFFNESS OR RIGID LIMBS DUE TO RIGOR MORTIS OF THE BODY.
-CIRCLES DRAWN AROUND THE IRIS OF THE EYE (EYES CLOUD OVER QUICKLY AFTER DEATH) OR ONE OR MORE EYES DRAWN
IN BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER
(DUE TO ONE OR BOTH OF THE EYES "DRIFTING").
-A STAND BEHIND THE BODY (STANDS WERE REGULARLY USED JUST TO KEEP CHILDREN STILL, SO THE STAND ALONE IS
NOT AN INDICATOR) OR A BRACE
DETECTED UNDER THE CLOTHING.
-SPARSE, SHORT OR NO HAIR FROM AN ILLNESS.
-FLOWERS PLACED WITH ADULT POST MORTEMS AND STUFFED ANIMALS & FAVORITE TOYS PLACED WITH CHILDREN,
ESPECIALLY LAMBS, WHICH
SIGNIFIED THE DEATH OF A CHILD.
-EXPRESSIONS OF SADNESS OR FRIGHT ON THE FACES OF THE SURVIVORS POSING WITH THE BODY.
-I REALIZE THAT PEOPLE DID NOT SMILE IN THOSE DAYS, BUT I LOOK INTO THE EYES OF THE LIVING FOR SORROW
AND/OR GRIEF WITHIN THE FACE.
-BODY LANGUAGE EMBRACING OR TURNING AWAY FROM THE DECEASED.
-HIGHLY DECORATIVE "MEMORIAL" BACKS OF CABINET CARDS OR CDV's, OFTEN WITH THE NAME AND DATE OF DEATH
HANDWRITTEN.
I WILL ONLY LIST A PHOTOGRAPH, AFTER THROUGH INVESTIGATION USING THE ABOVE CLUES. I WILL LIST IN THE DESCRIPTION THE REASONS WHY I BELIEVE THE PHOTO TO BE POST MORTEM. KEEP IN MIND, THAT THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION. IF YOU DON'T AGREE, THAT IS FINE. IF YOU DO AGREE, PLEASE BID AND KEEP THIS PHOTO, WHICH WAS TREASURED BY THE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED LONG AGO, AND DESERVES TO GO TO ANOTHER PERSON OR INSTITUTION THAT SEES THE VALUE OF THESE UNUSUAL KEEPSAKES.
DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO BID AND DON'T FORGET...
SHIPPING & HANDLING IS REASONABLE & FAST BY PRIORITY OR FIRST CLASS MAIL, DEPENDING UPON WEIGHT OF PACKAGE! |
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BID WITH CONFIDENCE & BID RIGHT NOW so that you don't miss out on an item due to forgetfulness, other obligations or computer problems. I welcome any and all questions before you bid. Payment due within 5 days of auction closing. SERIOUS BUYERS are encouraged, as I try to describe each and every item up for auction to the best of my ability. I'm not an expert on any one type of item, but I actively research every item I sell. If there is any problem with a transaction, let me know so that I can correct it. I STRIVE to make my customers happy with their transaction, so that they will return again and again. I am looking forward to continuing my good reputation as a SELLER, so if you are pleased with our transaction, positive feedback is encouraged and I will reciprocate promptly. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LOOK AT MY ITEM!
If you are not pleased with my item or service, BEFORE you leave a rating (Ebay does require that you contact seller BEFORE leaving a negative rating), please let me know of ANY problems, and I'll work with you to make your experience a FIVE STAR ONE. YOU WILL COME AWAY FROM OUR TRANSACTION A VERY SATISFIED CUSTOMER!
I strive for 5-star service on every single item!!!
SHIPPING IS FAST BECAUSE YOUR ITEM WILL BE MAILED OUT WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS OF RECEIVING YOUR PAYMENT BY PRIORITY OR FIRST CLASS, DEPENDING ON WEIGHT.
YOUR ITEM IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL, ALONG WITH CLEAR AND COMPLETE PHOTOGRAPHS.
YOUR QUESTION WILL BE ANSWERED THE DAY, IF NOT THE HOUR, IT WAS ASKED!
PUT IN YOUR BID RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE AND YOU JUST MAY WIN WITH A LOW BID!
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY TO LOOK AT MY ITEM!!!
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