"Spirit" Photographs and "Spirit" Photographing (1800's - 1900's)
An interesting account of "spirit photographs" has been given by M. Fourtler ln a French scientific journal. The discoverer, it seems, was an American engraver named Mumler, employed by Mr. Bigelow, a jeweler of Boston. His hobby was photography, and one day in 1861, while developing a plate, he was surprised to see a faint head beside that of the model. He announced. The fact in the journals, a "sensation" was tbe result, he gave up the graver and took to the trade Of "spirit photography" in New York.
The deception flourished and in 1874 a new edition of the Bible, wiih authentic photographs of Abraham. Moses David and others was announced. The method was introduced into France and a trade in spirit photographs established. The person desiring a photograph of some friend "gone before" had only to unite himself in thought with a "medium in Parts, and in a few days received the photograph. Several misadventures, however, set the police on the alert. In one case a merchant of Montreuil wished a photograph of his daughter, who was 3 years old wnen she died, and received a photograph of a woman of 50. The police finally exposed the fraud on April 22, 1875, by discovering a dark chamber containing a lay figure draped in bluish tulle, with numerous photographic heads which could be added to it, and other devices.
Particulars of the appearance of the person whose "spirit photograph" was required having been ingeniously gathered, the lay figure was adjusted and rapidly photographed; then the medium, or sometimes the client; was photographed on the same plate with a longer exposure, and both objects were developed together. The "spirit photographers" were tried and condemned to a year's imprisonment and a fine of 5000 Francs.
"Spirit photography" never raised its head again In France, but, strange to say, it continued to flourish, aud still flourishes, in England. Even eminent British men of science have been fascinated by it. In America it thrives still more vigorously. M. Fourtler gives directions for obtaining spirit photographs, as follows: First place the specter before a dark background and photograph it decentrlne the negative to make it float in air.
The drapery should be a bluish white and the exposuie very short. Next photograph the living subject on the somber background, such as a library or a wall hung with ancient armour. The exposure should be long, so as to give strong definition. When the head of the specter is also the head ot the subject an "astral photograph" Is obtained. Source. San Francisco Call, 7 April 1894
The faces can be grouped about the distinct face in any way that you choose. While the distinct face is being printed the hazy faces must be covered by cotton to keep them from printing up distinctly. Or the faces could be put in one at a time, several prints being made on the same piece of sensitized paper. To do this a hole is cut in a piece of cardboard, through which light passes, while the rest of the plate is covered by the cardboard. This work is called vignetting or blending, and any competent photographer can do it If he cares to take the time." Los Angeles Herald, 18 April 1906
Among the famous "spirit" photographers and mediums were William Hope; Mrs. Buxton of the Crewe Circle in England; Mr. Vearncombe, Somersetshire, England; Mrs.Dean, London; Mr. Edward Wylie of Los Angeles, California; and Rev. Clarence M. Britton, Seattle, Washington.
Probably the known photographic word was accomplished by William Hope. He was a member of the well known spiritualists group, the Crewe Circle.
Spirit Photographs created by William Hope
