Here's the last picture I saved from a stash of
antique cabinet photos I came across this week. I don't know if there was something in the local water, the photographer was intoxicated/inept, inbreeding was rampant in the area, or there was a combination of all the above, but for some reason this cache of photos held an enormous number of odd-looking individuals (see the "Crazy-Eyed Baby" and "Funny-Looking Guy" previously posted below).
This example just
begs for a retake: Little Brother, on the far left, has his eyes crossed; Big Brother, standing at the back, has a tragic, haunted expression; Big Sister, on the right, looks like she's about to cry; and the bear rug appears to be eating the Baby.
My apologies in advance if someone recognizes these
as their ancestors.
these are certainly not my ancestors! how strange to see children not smiling! perhaps because in those days it took too long to take the picture and the smile died in their hearts ... Poor thing! ha ha!
ReplyDeletethanks for showing pictures
Yes, our local photography expert told me often people aren't smiling in old photos because the exposure time was so lengthy, it was just too long to hold a smile comfortably. So that explains the lack of smiles here, but what about the crossed eyes, looks of terror and sorrow, and baby-eating fur blanket??? I just feel like there's a story here...
ReplyDeleteI just suspect that their drinking water was contaminated with lead.
ReplyDeleteOkay, here's the story as I see it. Dad was an explorer, in the grand Victorian tradition. He was gone for months at a time, mapping jungle rivers and looking for lost civilizations. After one fateful expedition, during which he insulted a tribal shaman, he brought back this bear skin rug, unaware that it carried a terrible curse: it came to life at night and tried to eat the children. Of course, the hardy, no-nonsense, Victorian adventurer father didn't believe his children when they told him of their narrow escape from his trophy rug; in fact, he berated them most severely. He then felt the best way for them to get over their "irrational" fear was to pose for a lengthy portrait session. The children were unable to keep their feelings of terrible anxiety from showing in their faces; the youngest boy for some reason believed that if he crossed his eyes, the cursed bear rug would not choose him for its next victim. Sadly, the baby had no such defenses, and was completly devoured by the rug before the photographer could intervene.
ReplyDeleteWonderful imagination!!
ReplyDeleteOMG!! Tracy...I nearly peed my pants!!! You're so friggin' funny!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your story...that's exactly what I would think too!
I think this IS the retake - that's why they all look so grumpy!! ;)
ReplyDeleteit's a post mortem photo. Duuuuh that's why!
ReplyDelete