I have always been facinated with Victorian photography ever since I played in a grandmothers attic and looked at all those unsmiling portraits as a child.  To me, it is almost like a window into the past.  I love to look at all the clothing detail through the decades.  I find the history and human element so beautiful and haunting.  Having your picture taken then was a very important occasion.   Many folks only had one taken their whole life, some didn’t even have one.  I always buy them at flea markets if the price is right and I feel a connection to the subject matter.

Portraits of woman with beautiful dresses and simple farm folks in long aprons have the same appeal to me.   I love to see the the children in their finery especially the little boys in Lord Fauntleroy and sailor suits.  My imagination runs wild as I imagine myself living in that time period.

I also love room interior shots and savor all the details for ideas for decorating my own Victorian home.   Many collectors focus on specific themes such as pets, children, interiors, group photos, wedding portraits, men with fantastical facial hair,etc.

Some even collect post mortem portraits.   Death visited much more frequently in those days before antibiotics.  Most families had lost at least one child if not several. Many women died in childbirth.  I ‘m sure they grieved as hard as we would but it was just a more accepted circumstance of life for them.   Departed loved ones were often laid out in the parlor so that family and friends could pay their respects.  A photographer was often hired to take last photos of the deseased which became precious momentos to their family. Often this was the only photo they had of their child.

I find these photos facinating but I don’t collect them as the emotions I feel looking at them are too painful.

I’m posting this topic at halloween because many find Victorian portrature creepy.  My daughter absolutely hates it, says it gives her the creeps, I guess because of the knowledge they are all dead.    I’ve included a few pictures of some of my collection, I have quite a few large portraits in ornate gold leaf gessoed frames.  Some have convex glass.  They are fun to display at halloween but I find them interesting all the time.  You be the judge.

Not too many vendors at the flea section but we shopped for gourds, pastries, admired the purple asters and piles of pumpkins.  I

love Autumn, my fav time of year and I want to wear all the cool coats I have aquired.(vintage of COURSE)

Here are a few snaps of some autumn touches that have sprung up around the vintage homestead in spite of our renovating projects.

The dresses and hat will be listed for sale in the next few days.

She is settling in very nicely but she doesn’t care for our little Bichon, Ziggy. Who could blame her as Ziggy has been rather rude. When she’s had enough of him she retreats to the basement. Ziggy is afraid to go down the basement steps for some reason!?

As soon as she gets her bearings and grows in confidence she will soon be hanging around the shop more. She really is quite affectionette and loves to be petted and brushed. Ellie is very feminine and has little dainty feet compared to our late departed, and greatly missed Ozzie.
Oz was so huge and galumphed around the place with those huge feet of his.

Anyhow, Ellie Mae is a lovely addition to Vintage JoAnn. Stop in and see her soon!

Lots of autumn colors are in, gorgeous fall hats, wool, velvet, fur, and lots of cozy stuff now that the weather has turned cool.  I think I am doing the 50′s thing this year as I have a black polka dot circle skirt and a full red criniline, and authentic saddle shoes.  This time of year makes me feel like a kid again!!

See you at the hop!

Julie is an artist and spent weeks planning and assembling props and decorations from her garage sale shopping.

She totally outdid herself and the decor was really cool and spooky.  There was everything from a full graveyard in the garden complete with wheelbarrow of dirt and shovel to a haunted staircase full of creepy original artwork and paintings.

Every time I would think I’d seen everything, I’d notice something new like the rat coming out of a hole while I was using the bathroom!!

Costumes were mandatory and it was so much fun dressing up.  Rick was Al Capone and I was his “moll”.

Julie was a fortune teller and Marv was “Mad Marvin” the evil scientist.

Julie’s kids had their teenage friends over and their costumes were cute and hilarious. Their daughter Meridith tried to look scary but the girl couldn’t help still looking cute!

More pictures are posted in my photo gallery under “Halloween 08“.

Rick looked great in his vintage cuffed black wool slacks with suspenders.

He wore shiny black shoes and a black shirt and striped tie. A fedora hat topped off his look.

I was attired in a black and gold beaded dress. Not vintage but vintage looking. I wore my favorite red feathered hat- headdress and was dripping in all the sparkly vintage jewelry I could pile on.

My outfit was topped off by a fabulous old fur stole complete with tails.

We had a great time!