FREE: Creepy, Postmortem??? 1860's Photo

I know a thing or two on postmortems. Can't get a good look with the glare but yes it seems to be one. They will prop, they will wire and do what it takes to get a picture that does not show death. Often these families never got pictures taken do to cost but after a death they would hurry and try to get the best pic they could. Often it was to be the only picture ever taken of the deceased. An easy way to tell is by looking through the legs and arms. If they are standing often in the distance of the legs you will see something not quite right. Like a third leg in a way. Its a prop to make it appear standing. They often wrap chests to the lap they are sitting on and cover the twine or whatever was used. You really can't just rely on the eyes or expressions because a stone face was expected for the picture. Hope it helps a bit but I would have to say I too think its a partial postmortem picture.

On second look, I think maybe the older boy is actually alive, but probably a wiggly kid and his dad is holding his vest to make him stand still. The middle child though... what is up with her arms? If she isn't postmortem, then she has something awfully wrong with her. No child would hold their arms like that. It just isn't natural. And there are deep bags under her eyes.

oops I thought I left a comment here lol I don't think the other person meant snot..most likely he was going to say "it's" not lol too funny. Also he is not saying YOU took the picture, back then it's how they took the picture that took so long to take. He just referenced it wrong it how he said it hun. I love it! I can't fan right now Listia has me at my limit, but I am watching all your old photos! :)

I believe you are correct - I think that this is a postmortem photo. The two older children are likely the deceased. The heart-breaking thing to think about is that if indeed it is the two older kids, how did they come to both pass around the same time? Probably illness. How devastating for this family. Even worse if the baby is also deceased. :(

i already have a bit of a collection of postmortem photos in an album and some with the histories of the families, just because they have no relatives to pass them on to so i keep them safe and in good condition out of respect for them, not something i planned on believe me lol. but now its a fascination and they have a beauty to them. I fanned and am watching =). Also i think the child in the middle is the deceased her shoulders are high like her under arms are propped and they used contacts and sometimes painted lenses for eyes.

Fanned & watching, is there any way you can turn the photo and take a couple more pictures so we can see the photo fully? Thank you.

I know a thing or two on postmortems. Can't get a good look with the glare but yes it seems to be one. They will prop, they will wire and do what it takes to get a picture that does not show death. Often these families never got pictures taken do to cost but after a death they would hurry and try to get the best pic they could. Often it was to be the only picture ever taken of the deceased. An easy way to tell is by looking through the legs and arms. If they are standing often in the distance of the legs you will see something not quite right. Like a third leg in a way. Its a prop to make it appear standing. They often wrap chests to the lap they are sitting on and cover the twine or whatever was used. You really can't just rely on the eyes or expressions because a stone face was expected for the picture. Hope it helps a bit but I would have to say I too think its a partial postmortem picture.

For those into goth this would be an awesome find.. I wish I could see the other 2 kids but I understand on the glare. Love your post

Hi! I did a lil research on post mortem photos, and from what I can see I dont think the parents are
deceased in the photo. Obviously they would try to hide how theyd prop the deceased, but if you look close enough you can see something not quite right. Even with the white dress creating a flash I think both parents were alive at the time of the photo, but the Boy in front of the papa doesnt seem right. I think hes the one not alive. Hos head is too far to the side and I think they are using some sort of stand for him and his dads left hand is also keeping him steady. Another giveaway is the bloating in the boys midsection. The coat doesnt fit right. Im also thinking the child with the white dress is wrong too. I think two children arent alive in this photo. Mom isnt touching the others except the infant. Another give away. Hope this helps!

These are neat photos! I love genealogy, so I have several that are in this style in my albums. I will say, from my own years of research (and interest in historical postmortem photography) that these people were all alive at the time of the photo. The easiest tell is that their eyes are all open. That would NEVER have been the case in an old postmortem photo, for a handful of different reasons.

But, these are still wonderful photos, and true windows into the past! :)

wish I had zebra stuff lol but sadly I don't

Well if you decide to start the next ones out lower I will definitely jump in :)

Normally, in a memorial photo, you don't have everyone looking in the same direction. You would have to examine the eyes of each one to see if they are truly deceased, or merely 'uncomfortable'. It can't be determined from the picture above one way or another.

Snot postmortem. It's just how you posed for pics that took thirty minutes to develop.

post mortem pictures are taken with deceased people posed n dressed, these people are clearly still alive, :`}

Yeah I did it so I'm your fan now :) I wasn't even thinking about that since I have been off here for over a year and just returned. But you wouldn't believe how many so far (i'm not done yet lol) haven't been on for over a year either...so I'll fan as I go and just made some room for the ones I want to watch! lol The thought never dawned on me before until someone said it to me and I was like ummm duhh lol Oh well now we know :) I do love this but I have to agree on the starting bid, it is a bit pricey to start with...Good luck on your auctions I hope you get good amounts for them! I will keep an eye on your future ones :)

Interesting photo,just a little pricey on the credits : )

lol good and your welcome, I'm gonna have to go through my list of fanned people again and see who is not active again, I just recently came back to Listia. Someone told me to do that and i found several more than actually that haven't been even on for over a year! So once I do that I'll fan ya :)

snot? I didnt develop them. They were found all in one family album. These belong to my son and they give him the creeps. So he doesnt want them. And if you have nothing nice to say, dont comment on my auctions!