Posted 12 years ago
rniederman
(347 items)
Here's another vintage photography tradecard that is certainly out of the ordinary - actually I'm somewhat surprised; what was the artist thinking? Although Pomeroy was a well known portraitist, this classic morphing image tradecard notes, "babies and children a specialty." Let's face it, this is macabre and I cannot imagine it brought in much business. Imagine the 'buzz' around Rochester, NY when this appeared.
I agree this is just to morbid for me and gruesome looking to love or like . It is a oddity but just not my taste . You did find a unusual piece though .
Hi Manikin ... yep, I think this will be the prevailing opinion. Yet it is a rare item which is definitely out of the ordinary. Hmmm ... maybe I should have waited until Halloween. Anyhow, thanks for looking!
Just letting you know, I also have viewed this, and as unique as it is, I wouldn't click the loves or likes. It is a truely a important piece of the photographic history and should be treated as such.
I so agree with you Kerry it is important part of our history so it is nice it is being cared for . I can not imagine a parent taking their child their for a photo by this ad but maybe they did . Thank you for nice reply rnieder !
Hi kerry10456 ... thanks for the comment. You nicely summed up my feelings about this being a piece of history; hence the reason to share whether pretty or not.
Hi vetraio50 and thanks for the 'love.'
Obvious subject matter for art, without light no darkness- without life no death. to me, a very positive message for a generation that saw a lot of death and horror. it was telling you to see life (hold one foot away...) and be encouraged. today we just live in denial because everything happens over there somewhere... Art is much darker today
Hi scandinavian ... you bring up a couple good points. I'm so close to this stuff I never consider it as art. Moreover, I think you're right in that this type of imagery might have been viewed differently back in the late 1890s / early-1900s. As an example (in addition to post-mortem images), a lot of photographers obsessed with ghost images; but all of these were hoaxes. Yet your point is certainly worth thinking about. Thanks for the comments!
Hi Jericho ... your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Again, it's a point of view I wouldn't have considered. Thanks!
Thanks, JohnKratz, jojomang, and mrmajestic1.
I appreciate this as art, as well. I wouldn't want to stare it on my wall all the time but I think it holds an interesting place as a piece of advertising art.
Thanks, purpledog and bratjdd.
thank you for sharing- great art provokes good conversation
This is in deed different and a nice addition to any photography/ camera collection. I would like to ask you several question regarding early 19 century American Photographers. About 20 years ago I obtained photo album from the Elmira, New York area and it is from the Civil War years. If you so choose please e-mail me at goldendigor@gmail.com, this is not any inquire or an attempt to sell you anything. The photo in this album all bear the photographers water mark on the back or front. There is about 20 or so photo in good shape from at least 15 different Photographers. Thank You Hardbrake
Great conversation everyone. I'm not a fan of the subject matter, but I'm definitely fascinated that it exists. What was the thought process tht led to giving the green light? Definitely a conversation piece (good or bad).
Thanks, hardbrake, chevy59, madvan, and vintagemad. I agree this has been a great discussion and it nice to know many collectors recognize this as an interesting item regardless of the subject matter. For me, this thread has also brought about some interesting perspectives I wouldn't have thought about ... thanks!
Thanks, AmphoraPottery!
Thanks, bratjdd!
Thanks Lisa, pwsest1944, and ho2cultcha!
Thanks, crabbykins!
Thanks, LeahGoodwin!
Evidently, it gave the idea too others. I have a picture that is a Victorian era woman looking in a mirror and from a distance it's a skull, since there's no children in it, I wouldn't consider my picture Weird! I haven't even thought about it in years and it still in the same place hanging in my computer room. I bet your find is worth a lot to the Oddities collectors. They got their own shows now!!! Why??? Thank you for Sharing.
Thanks for the comment, Deadbolt.
Thanks, pw-collector!
Thanks, imander!
Wow, had to take a second look at this. Amazing!
Thanks, walksoftly!
Okay ... Halloween is approaching and I thought to resurrect this ghoulish image! - Rob
Thanks, nldionne!
Thanks, musikchoo!
Thanks, pops52!
Thanks, AmberRose!
Thanks, VanessaT!
Thanks, Vintage-van-Gogh and Tammystrunks!
Early advertising often stressed one or the other of two concepts: 1) Carpe diem - seize the day or 'Eat, drink, and be merry', and 2) Memento mori - life is short and then you die - so do what you can to bring on everlasting life. Photography was one way that everlasting life could be had - even if it was just in the form of a photograph.
Thanks, ho2cultcha for the 'love' and the great comment / observation.
Thanks, fortapache!
Wow.....first saw the SKULL.....then looked again and saw Kids
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Neat!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks antiquerose for the great comment.
Thanks, fortheloveofdog!
Thanks, crazycharacter!
Thanks, kyratango!
Thanks, PatSea!
Thanks, Peterdrury!
A same skull/vanity drawing:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Allan_Gilbert#/image/File:Allisvanity.jpg
Thanks, melaniej!
Thanks, jimboothfinds!
Thanks, bradleydolly!
Thanks, Betty1978!
Thanks, surfdub66 and Trey!
tHATS A WEIRDIE
Thanks!
clockerman
Brianwithaneye
This is very special.
Overdue thanks!
iggy
aura
Thomas
Trey
ho2cultcha
Thanks, Caperkid!
Thanks!
Coke1234
PostCardCollector
You to Rniederman
Thanks!
Thomas
Caperkid
Thanks, Ben!
Happy Halloween!
And thanks to:
Roycroftbooksfromme1
kyratango
ho2cultcha
Thanks, Dan121156!
Happy Halloween!
Thanks!
LaurenRedmond
AnythingObscure
Vynil33rpm
Lisa
keramikos
Thanks, Thomas!
Thanks, amd!
Thanks, Johnsmith!
Thanks, ho2cultcha!
Thanks, antiquerose!
Thanks, Nicefice!