Tale Of Phantoms Fraud Photography And The Man Who Captured Lincoln Ghost

Ghost photography has long captivated our imagination, with tales of haunted places and ethereal apparitions. One such story revolves around a man who claimed to have photographed the ghost of Abraham Lincoln. This astonishing tale of phantoms, fraud, and the enigmatic photographer is a fascinating journey into the realms of the supernatural and human deception.

The Enigmatic Photographer

In the late 19th century, William H. Mumler emerged as a renowned spirit photographer. Mumler claimed to possess a unique gift that allowed him to capture the souls of the deceased on photographic plates. His alleged ability attracted the attention of countless individuals seeking to communicate with their departed loved ones.

The Apparitionists: A Tale of Phantoms, Fraud, Photography, and the Man Who Captured Lincoln's Ghost

by Peter Manseau (Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	22311 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	357 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Mumler's photographs were widely discussed and debated. Some believed he had a genuine talent for capturing spirits, while others dismissed his work as elaborate hoaxes. Regardless of the controversies surrounding his career, Mumler gained considerable popularity, and his work became highly sought after.

The Ghost of Abraham Lincoln

One of Mumler's most famous and controversial photographs is the one in which he claimed to have captured the ghost of Abraham Lincoln. According to Mumler, in 1861, while developing a self-portrait in his studio, he accidentally discovered the faint image of Lincoln standing behind him.

The photograph caused a sensation across the nation, especially during a period when the wounds of the Civil War were still fresh. People flocked to see the image, hoping for a glimpse into the afterlife and a connection to the beloved former president.

The Accusations of Fraud

Unsurprisingly, Mumler's photographs faced intense scrutiny. Skeptics claimed that his work was nothing more than clever tricks and double exposures. They argued that Mumler used various techniques to manipulate the images and exploit people's desires for contact with the supernatural.

One of the most vocal opponents of Mumler's alleged abilities was renowned showman and magician, P.T. Barnum. Barnum offered a substantial monetary reward to anyone who could prove the authenticity of Mumler's ghostly photographs. Despite the reward, no one managed to convince Barnum or the skeptics of Mumler's legitimacy.

The Truth Unveiled

In 1869, Mumler's career took a dramatic turn when he was put on trial for fraud in New York City. During the trial, several individuals testified against him, claiming that they had recognized the spirits in his photographs as still-living individuals they knew.

Mumler's fraudulent practices were eventually exposed, and he was found guilty of fraud. Although his conviction tarnished his reputation, some of his supporters continued to believe in his supernaturally gifted photographic abilities.

Legacy and Controversy

Despite the revelations of fraud, Mumler's story continues to captivate the public's imagination. His photographs, both genuine and fake, remain important artifacts in the history of paranormal photography.

The controversy surrounding Mumler's career raises intriguing questions about the intersection of belief, fraud, and the human fascination with the afterlife. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind faith and the manipulation of people's desires.

The tale of phantoms, fraud photography, and the man who claimed to capture Lincoln's ghost is a captivating journey into the world of the supernatural and human deception. William H. Mumler's alleged ability to photograph spirits fascinated and divided the public, leaving a legacy of controversy that endures to this day. Whether genuine or fraudulent, his photographs provide a glimpse into a time when the boundaries between reality and the unknown were blurred.

The Apparitionists: A Tale of Phantoms, Fraud, Photography, and the Man Who Captured Lincoln's Ghost

by Peter Manseau (Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	22311 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	357 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

A story of faith and fraud in post–Civil War America, told through the lens of a photographer who claimed he could capture images of the dead

In the early days of photography, in the death-strewn wake of the Civil War, one man seized America’s imagination. A “spirit photographer,” William Mumler took portrait photographs that featured the ghostly presence of a lost loved one alongside the living subject. Mumler was a sensation: The affluent and influential came calling, including Mary Todd Lincoln, who arrived at his studio in disguise amidst rumors of séances in the White House.   Peter Manseau brilliantly captures a nation wracked with grief and hungry for proof of the existence of ghosts and for contact with their dead husbands and sons. It took a circus-like trial of Mumler on fraud charges, starring P. T. Barnum for the prosecution, to expose a fault line of doubt and manipulation. And even then, the judge sided with the defense—nobody ever solved the mystery of his spirit photography. This forgotten puzzle offers a vivid snapshot of America at a crossroads in its history, a nation in thrall to new technology while clinging desperately to belief.