The Weeping Ghost. 1890’s-1900’s cabinet card. Private Collection. (Click for larger image)
I’m in love with this cabinet card. On the left, a young man is weeping, holding a handkerchief to his face as he fades into the backdrop and chair, while the other one is engaged, solid, to lend an ear at his disembodied friend. Those Victorian sensibilities!
I am not 100% certain the ghostly effect was meant to happen, but I would not be surprised if it was intended because it all feels perfect as is. The light, airy lace curtains on the sides help give this photograph an ethereal effect. I could write a story inspired by this beautiful photograph.
Close-up. Click to enlarge.
On the close-up you can better see the expression of concern. And here’s the whole card as is:
Bowlers And High Collars 
April 15th, 2016 at 8:14 pm
I’d say this was deliberate. I wonder if it was one of those ‘spirit photos’ that fake psychics used to convince people they could talk to the dead? It is a powerful image. Very special! Did you get it from eBay? Was there any competition for it? LOVE!
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April 15th, 2016 at 8:18 pm
I think it was deliberate too. The other man is too still by comparison. And yes I got it on eBay, and I was the only one to bid on it!
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April 15th, 2016 at 8:29 pm
Unreal! Did the owner describe it properly, or was it just that you noticed something different about it?
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April 15th, 2016 at 8:31 pm
He didn’t mention anything about the ghostly effect, and I’m glad he didn’t! He described it as a school play :)
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April 15th, 2016 at 8:34 pm
What?! Yes, I got the pic in the following link due to it being lumped into a big lot and no mention was made of any of the subjects. Cost a pittance and the other photos were quite nice, too.
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April 15th, 2016 at 11:51 pm
Oh wow, that’s a great find too. Those usually would set you back quite a few pennies.
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April 16th, 2016 at 1:32 am
I had some help finding the info (it might say in the post) and the author who helped me was very envious, saying that the pic was very valuable, though he didn’t elaborate. I was thinking around US$50. If I include the other cabinet cards, I paid about $2.50 including postage.
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April 16th, 2016 at 1:34 am
I think it’s worth way more than $50. I know some sellers who would happily charge 3 times as much! You got a deal there!
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