
Log in to view our entire collection, or create a new account for free – please consider making a small donation to help support our work: The Thanatos Archive
Log in to view our entire collection, or create a new account for free – please consider making a small donation to help support our work: The Thanatos Archive
Undertaker Frank H. Gates with his new hearse. Edmeston, NY, circa 1900. Log in to view our entire collection, or create a new account for free – please consider making a small donation to help support our work: The Thanatos Archive
Mexico, 1910s. Log in to view our entire collection, or create a new account for free: The Thanatos Archive
Large, hand painted tintype of a child, measuring 8.5″ x 6.5″. This style of “folk art” tintype was most popular from the mid-1860s and 1870s. After a tintype photograph was made, an artist would use oil paints and watercolors to paint over the image, which was then typically placed in a wall frame. The whole process was a relatively inexpensive way, especially compared to a traditional painted portrait, of obtaining a framed, colored portrait of a family member.
I believe the tintype shown here is a post mortem portrait – note the flower in the child’s hand, the way the head is resting back against the chair, and how the eyes are not looking at the photographer.. in fact, while there are many post mortem photos of deceased people with their eyes open, I believe that here, the artist probably painted open eyes over closed, or partially closed eyelids.
Full-plate, painted post mortem tintypes are relatively rare, but there are a few examples in The Thanatos Archive collection. Log in or create a free account, then type in “painted and tintype” in the search box to see a few of our examples.
Clipping detailing the murder of Mr. Shackleford. If you are an Archive subscriber, you can view his post mortem photo on our website by clicking here. If you’re not yet a Thanatos Archive members, please review membership options here! Thanatos Archive memberships.
Colorful celluloid & tin memorial plaque (6″ x 6″) .
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Clipping detailing the death of a 7-year-old Willie Bleck. The Shehawken House was a small hotel that was owned by Peter Bleck, Willie’s uncle. It was still around operating as that business at least until 1951 and owned by Peter’s daughter, who died of a heart attack in the hotel. Willie is buried at Riverview Cemetery in Hancock. If interested, you can view Willie’s memorial card in our members’ section. If you’re not yet a Thanatos Archive members, please review membership options here! Thanatos Archive memberships.
Clipping detailing the death of a man who was struck by lighting while working in his field. Thanatos Archive members can view his post mortem daguerreotype in our collection by clicking here. If you’re not yet a Thanatos Archive members, please review membership options here! Thanatos Archive memberships.
Colorful celluloid & tin memorial plaque (8″ x 6″) for a man named Eddie Hayes, who died in 1925. From our Mourning & Memorial section. Get Thanatos Archive subscriptions here.
Sixth-plate daguerreotype, 1850s.
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