We discussed on the first page of this section the instructions for making "ghost" or "spirit" photographs in Brewster's 1856 book on stereography. Other books give such instruction in a spirit of fun or as a service to expose fake spiritualist.

Whether you classify all spirit photographs as fake or are a true believer you must admit that some, such as the examples on this page, celebrate their falseness.

On the right is an illustration from the book Photographic Amusements. This book of instruction covers a wide range of" "fun" photographic subjects. Several editions of this book were published from 1896 until at least the 1930s.

Below is a small booklet titled Trick Photography by Walter F. Eagleson. It appears to be self published in Winterset, Ohio in 1902. Creating a ghost is one of the tricks in the chapter on double exposure.

While the two books mentioned above suggest creating"ghosts" by the usual method of multiple exposure the illustration on the right deals with techniques that are much more sophisticated. It comes from a book called Spook Crooks! Exploring the Secrets of the Prophet-eers Who Conduct Our Wickedest Industry by Julien J. Proskauer published in 1932. Mr. Proskauer was a magician who wrote to expose the charlatans who use spiritualism to prey on the gullible.

Below is a 1907 postcard that talks about Mater's sore throat and goes on the talk about the photograph made by Julian of Harold in bed. There is an expression of regret that the counterpane was moved between the exposures. Perhaps Julian read one of the books above.