Halloween Countdown, Day 23

[eldritchhobbit]

I find this photo to be exceptionally creepy.

The official Ebay listing describes it like this: "Circa 1902 bucolic image of a little girl surrounded by her collection of fine German bisque antique dolls which were, of course, pretty new back then. She also clutches onto the newest sensation, the Teddy Bear, which appears to have been made by Steiff. On the back of the photo is written 'To Rebecca, from Mae Eileen.' It's not hard to speculate that Rebecca had some jealousy issues, as Mae Eileen's pretty face is deliberately and angrily scratched out, as well as the doll's face on the rocking chair. It only adds to the mystery of the photo but you must admit this is quite a great collection."

I'm pretty sure there's a Gothic novel to be written here, or perhaps a short story or poem.

Comments

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

No kidding. Those old types of dolls creep me out, anyway, so a Gothic novel to go with the picture would be perfect.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Yes! I'm with you. This photo could be the book cover. ;)

[harvey-rrit.livejournal.com]

I also observe that the curtains are slightly parted.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Oooh, good catch! Even more creepiness!!!

[amedia.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's creepy! It reminds me of a scene from Woman in Black, which I just saw recently.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, those scratched-out faces! Very spooky. I really thought that film adaptation was great.

writing

[(Anonymous)]

Hummmm! The folded blanket perched upright on the back of the couch and in front of the window... what does the embroidery read?

Did you see the most recent series of Endeavour? one of those stories features an antique photo with faces angrily scratched out...
-Elizabeth

Re: writing

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Hummmm! The folded blanket perched upright on the back of the couch and in front of the window... what does the embroidery read?

I can't make it out. :( But I'd love to know...

Did you see the most recent series of Endeavour? one of those stories features an antique photo with faces angrily scratched out...

Oooh, I haven't caught up on this yet. Sounds like it's something to look forward to! Thanks for the heads up.

[jan-u-wine.livejournal.com]

I think I might be onto something. I believe there is a name on the pillow, and i think it *Mae* (ha ha) be Cornell. There is a lot of research by modern relatives and it is impossible for me to tell where these particular folks were from, or even the year the pic was taken. However, when I googled the name Mae Eileen Cornell, i got nada. But when i googled Eileen Mae Cornell, I did get an entry. If this person is the little girl in the picture, then her mother was a Cornell (so Rebecca was her cousin?). But that person was born in '23, and I think this pic predates that. But I am not sure. Even if it does predate Eileen Mae, it's possible that it was a passed-down family name (thus the reversal?). It's really difficult to do these sorts of searches, when so many sites don't 'notice' maiden names.

In any case, here is the page for a Cornell who is researching his family (note, there IS a very spooky Rebecca in the early history of the family):

http://www.mindspring.com/~tvcornel/gene.html

and here is the obit of Eileen Mae:

http://www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Eileen-Mae-Griesbach/Appleton-WI/1082872

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Oh WOW. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this. *runs off to read*

[jan-u-wine.livejournal.com]

if you find out that this IS that family, or find out the true story behind the pic, I hope you'll share it with us...

did you buy that pic on ebay? I went to look at it and noticed it sold as a re-listing.

You know, the true story could have been something quite innocent. (I kept hopefully looking for a tale of cousin-icide in the family.....i guess that makes ME the monster, lol!)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I didn't buy the pic, actually; I discovered it through a Tumblr post! I'm really intrigued now. I'll let you know if I find out anything more. (Please do the same - thanks!)

You know, the true story could have been something quite innocent. (I kept hopefully looking for a tale of cousin-icide in the family.....i guess that makes ME the monster, lol!)

LOL! ;P

The Curious Case of the Cornells

[jan-u-wine.livejournal.com]

I said.

I said:

Don't touch my things
or
I'll scratch

your eyes
out.

Momma says I never meant that.


Momma:

I said.

I did.

And her cheap
ugly

doll, too.

Of course,
the doll

was never
alive.

Re: The Curious Case of the Cornells

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

GAH! *chills up and down my spine*

The emphatic "I said. I did." And that last line, "the doll was never alive." WOW. This is brilliance. I'm serious, it gave me cold chills.

You are amazing!!! *flails*

Re: The Curious Case of the Cornells

[jan-u-wine.livejournal.com]

Wow!!! thank you so much, Amy! I'm overwhelmed!
(i think it would have been even better if I could have found a way to use the itals i put in originally.....)