Hi and welcome to ‘a handful of history’, my fortnightly sharing of real-life stories from around the world. All the narratives I pick are rooted in history one way or another, yet I feel that most of them carry themes and happenings that seem very present day-like. I create this blog out of love and curiosity for the field of human history and culture, and I’m happy that you find it interesting too. My blog and newsletters are free; if you want to help me keep it going, please join my newsletter. THANK YOU. Thanks for being here - let's dive in. Enjoy! Majken xx
The Spirit Photographer
So here’s an exciting story on spirit photographers. William Hope used to work as a carpenter. But in 1905, after capturing the supposed image of a ghost while photographing a friend, he changed his profession. He became a spirit photographer.
As WWI ended and many had lost their relatives, the demand for the spirit photographers’ service increased. Many saw it as a means to get in contact with their loved ones.
By 1922 Hope had founded a group of other spirit photographers, known as the Crewe Circle and also he had moved to London and established himself as a professional medium.
But not all agreed on these spiritual activities. Hope and the Crew Circle’s work were investigated various times by the Society for Psychical Research. On one occasion, they found that Hope was substituting glass plates bearing ghostly images to produce his spirit photographs.
Still, Hope continued to have a crowd of supporters who spoke out on his behalf. The most famous was the author of the Sherlock Holmes books, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote “The Case for Spirit Photography” defending Hope.
Despite being revealed by the Society for Psychical Research, Hope continued to practice right until he died in 1933.
Photo: Elderly couple with a young female spirit. By William Hope c. 1920.
Robert the (Creepy) Doll
Okay, for some reason, creepy stuff runs like a theme this time - Spirit photography and here: a scary story about a haunted doll. This story gave me the chills and stayed with me for quite some time after I’d listened to it. Perhaps because…what is scarier than taking something cute and innocent and turning it into a devilish creature?
In Florida, US, at the beginning of the 1900s, a little boy is given a doll by his Jamaican nurse. Soon he starts getting very attached to this new toy of his. Perhaps a little too attached? Or is it the other way round? The story suggests that the doll seems to have an evil life on its own. It wants things to be in a certain way - or else…dangerous things start to happen. Some end up dead because of it, and others get badly injured. The scariest part is that apparently, “Robert the Doll” is based on a true story.
Robert the Doll is made by the podcast Lore.
Nonsense Botany
Cute 'n fun. In the 1700s, the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus created a system to classify plants and animals. Hundred years later, inspired by Linnaeus, the Victorian artist and writer Edward Lear gives his version of the Latin naming in his Nonsense Botany.
You'll find more nonsense here.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or comments I'd love to hear from you! Just go here and send me your message. Thank you - Majken xx
Comments