One of my favorite finds this summer is this photograph of  the stoic hunter in his little vest and tie,   with his loyal dog sitting by his side.
One can’t ignore the positioning of  deer’s head peeking through the bushes.

Proud, young man in his stylish, football uniform. Photographed in the 1930′s or so,  and then hand colored.
Not much padding was used in those days, and no face protection with the helmets.

When men,  were really men!

This is one of my favorite  sports related photographs.  I researched the name, and found an early news clipping which states that, L.C. (Fritz) Stoppelbein was a speed skater who set a record for skating continuously for 100 hours in 1931.
As you see, written on the bottom of the photo, he proclaimed himself the, “Champion of the World”.

This is a cabinet card photograph of a circus or carnival performer holding a very large snake over her neck and shoulders.  The card is rather faded, but intriguing, nonetheless.  The name “Susie Miett” appears on the back of the card in pencil.

Obermuller and Son were known for their photographs of freaks, carnival and circus performers.  Both father and son came to gruesome ends.  Frederick, the son, committed suicide in 1900 by drinking carbolic acid several months after his two sons died due to illness.  August, the father, reportedly killed himself as well, by drowning in a tank of chemical developer.

We have read the NY Times’ account of Frederick’s death (May 13, 1900).  We have not, however, found any authoritative source describing August’s death.

We will be interested in learning more about the Obermullers, about “freak” photography, and the reputed rivalry between the Obermulers and their competitors in the trade, and will welcome your comments