William H. Mumler
n.d.
Spirit Photography

Engraving
Internet - Original source ill-defined
Published in Harpers Weekly, p.304
 
SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHY.
 
1. Mr. Dobbs, at the request of his Affianced, sits for his Photograph. Unconsciously happens in at MUMLER’S
 
2. Result—Portrait of Dobbs, with his Five Deceased Wives in Spirituo!!!
 
The sign in the background of the first panel clearly reads "MUMLER'S." This refers to William H. Mumler, the American spirit photographer who was famously brought to trial for fraud in New York City just weeks before this cartoon was published.
 
The humor lies in the "unfortunate" outcome of spirit photography: while Mr. Dobbs likely wanted a nice portrait for his new fiancé, the camera "captured" the ghosts of his five previous wives, much to his horror (and likely his fiancé's as well).
 
Mumler’s technique usually involved a double exposure—placing a previously prepared glass plate containing the image of the "deceased" into the camera in front of the fresh plate containing the live sitter.
 
LL/34481