Littlejohn Collection

John Brown's sons: a closer look

On Friday I posted an image called "John Brown's sons at home" which, according to WorldCat, was created about 1887.

Given its subjects, two sons of John Brown, at face value I found the image interesting. But when I re-examined the digital image ("original size," available on Flickr) I became even more intrigued: with the digital image (and some basic picture-viewing software) you can see more of the picture than the naked eye. And due to the high-resolution of the original albumen print (an analog of the original scene), when you zoom in on the digital image there is virtually no distortion. As a result, we can look closely at the faces that are so small on the photograph itself.

I was fascinated to discover both of the Brown sons clearly smiling at the camera lens (and likely the photographer too). The small figures of the analog image -- bearded, modestly dressed, somber and wooden amid their domestic duties -- become human.

Medium zoom:

And up close and personal:

Photograph: "John Brown's sons at home"

Photograph: Man seated outside house with medical advertisements on exterior wall

Here is an interesting image from the Littlejohn Collection's ephemera collection.

The signs above the door read:

"I can cure all kinds sore throat and no questions asked can handle a case in 80 minutes give me @ trial if your baby is sick rheumatism cured

I can cure breast disease, spinal disease, diphtheria, scarlet  fever, membrance, croup, rheumatism, and if you have lost your voice can bring it back again Dr Daniel Hurd No. 207 Arch Street $5 in advance notice temperance"

The photo itself contains no other identifying information -- it is unclear when or where this is. Indeed, we can not even be sure that the man in the left foreground is the proprietor of this purported medical establishment.