The Haunted Lens: William Mumler and Victorian Spirit Photography
Explore the fascinating story behind William Mumler, the rise of spiritualism, and the technology that made “ghost photos” possible — all from the archival episode of 10 Frames Per Second, reposted for Halloween! Elena and Joe are joined by author Peter Manseau for a deep dive into William Mumler and ghost photography
📚 What This Post Covers
- The historical backdrop of spiritualism in 19th‑century America
- How William Mumler turned a hobby into a lucrative (and controversial) business
- The wet‑plate collodion process that made early ghost photography look like sorcery
- Real‑world examples (Mary Todd Lincoln’s Lincoln‑ghost photo, the Fox sisters)
- Key takeaways for modern photographers, educators, and anyone curious about the apparitionist era
Why Ghost Photography Still Captivates Us
“Seeing is believing,” said the hosts of 10 Frames Per Second in their Halloween special.
The episode dives into Peter Manso’s new book The Apparitionists and asks: How did Victorian photographers convince a grieving nation that they could capture the dead?
If you’ve ever Googled “William Mumler ghost photo” or wondered why Victorian portraits sometimes feature translucent figures, you’re in the right place. This post breaks down the story into digestible sections—perfect for a quick read or a deep dive.
Spiritualism – The Cultural Catalyst
- Origins (1848‑1850s): A movement that claimed communication with the dead through séances, table‑tapping, and later, photography.
- The Fox Sisters (1848): Three New York teenagers started a national craze by “rapping spirits from a farmhouse wall—later revealed as a prank.
- Civil‑War Mourning: With ~750,000 casualties, Americans craved comfort, making spiritualism a mainstream belief system.
William Mumler: From Skeptic to Spirit Photographer
| Stage | What Happened |
|---|---|
| Early 1860s | Mumler worked in a Boston studio, mocked spiritualism, and experimented with self‑portraits on collodion plates. |
| The “Ghost” Discovery | After developing a self‑portrait, a luminous “woman of light” appeared beside him on the plate. He blamed a dirty plate; a spiritualist studio owner, Hannah Green Stewart, convinced him it was a spirit. |
| Business Boom | Boston’s spiritualist circles swarmed his studio; Mumler began selling spirit photographs to the grieving public. |
| Move to New York (1869) | After lawsuits in Boston, Mumler relocated, became a national celebrity, and was eventually arrested for fraud—the “trial of the century.” |
| Post‑Trial Fame | Acquitted due to lack of evidence, Mumler produced his most famous image: Mary Todd Lincoln with Abraham Lincoln’s ghost embracing her. |
The Wet‑Plate Collodion Process – A 19th‑Century Magic Trick
- Glass Plate Preparation
- Coat a clean glass plate with a thin layer of collodion (cellulose nitrate dissolved in ether/alcohol).
- Sensitizing
- Immerse the plate in a silver nitrate bath; silver ions become light‑sensitive.
- **Exposure
- While the plate is still wet, insert it into a large‑format camera (typically 8×10 in). Exposure times ranged from a few seconds to over a minute.
- Development
- Immediately develop the image in a darkroom chemical bath.
Why It Felt Like Sorcery
- Immediate chemistry: Photographers handled toxic fumes and volatile solutions while the image literally formed before their eyes.
- Tactile control: Every step required precise timing—any mistake could ruin the plate, making the final result appear “magical.”
Bullet point for readers:
- Pro Tip: Modern photographers can recreate this feel with wet‑plate workshops—a hands‑on way to understand Victorian constraints.
The Mystery: How Did Mumler Create “Ghosts”?
While no definitive answer exists, the podcast and Manso’s research highlight several theories:
- Double‑Negative Printing: Two negatives printed on top of each other, the second being faint and ghost‑like.
- In‑Camera Plate Sandwich: A pre‑exposed “ghost” plate placed behind a fresh plate, allowing the faint image to pass through during exposure.
- Masking & Hand‑Pulled Paint: Photographers could manually apply a faint ghost image onto the glass before final exposure.
Quote from the episode: “No one could prove exactly how he was doing it, even the expert witnesses at his trial.”
Why This History Matters Today
- Critical Viewing: Understanding early manipulation sharpens our modern eye for image manipulation (e.g., deepfakes).
- Educational Value: Teachers can run a ghost‑photography lab using large‑format cameras or digital Photoshop masking to demonstrate the power of suggestion.
- Cultural Insight: The blend of technology + belief mirrors today’s social‑media phenomena where visual proof can shift public opinion.
Takeaways
- Spiritualism surged during the Civil War, providing fertile ground for spirit photography.
- William Mumler unintentionally captured a “ghost” on a collodion plate, launching a lucrative but controversial business.
- The wet‑plate collodion process required chemicals, timing, and a touch of theatricality, making ghost images feel supernatural.
- No single method fully explains Mumler’s technique; theories include double exposures, plate sandwiches, and post‑processing masking.
- Modern photographers can learn critical visual literacy and storytelling tricks from this Victorian era.
The Enduring Power of a Ghost Image
The 10 Frames Per Second Halloween episode reveals that ghost photography is more than a spooky curiosity—it’s a window into how societies cope with loss, how new tech reshapes belief, and how the line between art and deception can. Whether you’re a photojournalist, a history buff, or a teacher planning a hands‑on lesson, the story of William Mumler and the apparitionists offers timeless lessons on truth, perception, and the magic of the lens.
Ready to explore further? Grab a copy of The Apparitionists by Peter Manseau, dive into the Getty Museum’s digital Mumler album, or try a wet‑plate workshop yourself. The ghosts may be gone, but their impact lives on in every image we trust.
🙌 Call to Action
- Subscribe to 10 Frames Per Second for more deep‑dive photo history episodes.
- Leave a comment: Which Victorian ghost photograph blew your mind?
- Download our free PDF cheat‑sheet on wet‑plate basics (link below).
Stay curious—your next haunting image might just be a click away.
Download Wet‑Plate Cheat Sheet (PDF)
Read More about Spiritualism in America
[Explore the Getty Mumler Collection]
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