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Lot #561
Arthur Conan Doyle

Doyle signs a ghostly portrait, “taken with ONE exposure only”

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Description

Doyle signs a ghostly portrait, “taken with ONE exposure only”

Vintage 2.5 x 4.25 single exposure ‘spirit’ photo, bearing a printed caption at the bottom reading, “This photograph was taken with ONE Exposure only.” The image, purported to be the ghost of a young girl sitting in the lap of a young man, has been signed at the bottom of the image in-full by Doyle. In fine condition, with a bit of light silvering to image, and a bit of light curling to the edges.

Following the death of his wife in 1906, the famed author became fascinated by spiritualism and became convinced of the existence of fairies and spirits. Among the perpetrators of such images was DesWilliam Hope, a pioneer of "spirit photography" who counted Doyle among his many believers. Doyle refused to accept any evidence that Hope was a fraud and went to great lengths to clear his name, going so far as to write a book supporting spirit photography. Creepy though it may appear, this offered photograph was later proven to be a hoax. This “spirit photo” is only the second we have ever seen. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title:
  • Dates: #353 - Ended January 23, 2010





This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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