dead gorgeous

pretty guys, past tense

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Daguerreotype of a pair of bow-tied beaus, c. 1840s

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Carte de visite of two fine fellows rocking like it’s 1892 (per date on reverse), with their little dog who is vibrating into another timeline entirely

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Carte de visite of a richly attired Hungarian aristocrat resplendent in fur-trimmed cape and hessian boots, c. 1865

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Carte de visite of a serenely self-assured young naval officer identified on reverse as Octave Jean-Baptiste Lafay, c. 1880

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Detail from a cabinet card of two officers with their arms entwined, their swords well-hung, and their mustaches on perfectly waxed point, serving cunt (and also the Austro-Hungarian Army I guess) circa 1890

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Daguerreotype of a gentleman with an artfully tied blue silk cravat, c. 1840s

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Daguerreotype of a gentleman with hard, hawkish eyes and a prim little kitten bow, c. 1840s

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Stereoscopic daguerreotype of two men playing chess in front of a mirror, c. 1840s

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Stereoview of a hussar and his sweetheart, or perhaps ex-sweetheart, c. 1850s

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Cabinet card of "BEAUTY," the Male Chick-Rearing Cat, 1889. As the back of the card enthuses:

This remarkable animal has been exhibited to at least a million of people, and no person has ever claimed to have even heard of a cat like him. It is really believed that his counterpart does not exist in the world.

At three months of age he had not seen a chicken. Immediately on being shown to him they were adopted, with every sign of affection that a cat or hen could show for their young, brooding and caressing them, and eating and playing with them. In no case has he shown hostility, never having bitten or scratched a chicken, never drawn blood on one; yet he possesses a full complement of the sharpest teeth and nails, is a great mouser, would kill other birds instantly, is exceedingly active and more than ordinarily playful for a cat of his age.

When we reflect that young birds and fowls are the legitimate prey and food of the feline race, and that this is a male cat, (males being more ferocious and destructive than the females, especially in this species), it must be conceded that this is an extraordinary freak of nature.

He has been admired by and has delighted multitudes of people, and it is hoped that many thousands more may see him. At this writing, (Oct. 15th, 1889), he is just two years old, and has been exhibited twenty-one months, having been placed on exhibition within one week from the time his extraordinary peculiarity was discovered.

It is only fair to state that he has a fine general disposition, his only other peculiarity being an unusual stubbornness; yet he will bite and scratch vigorously if provoked, but never can be provoked by his feathered little ones.

We presume that the large money offers his owners have received for "Beauty," exceed in amount any offer ever before made for an animal of his species; but it seems to them that no amount of money could be offered that would purchase him, for, besides being of great commercial value, he would be most sadly missed by those who have had his care from kittenhood, and to whom he has endeared himself by his wonderful intelligence, strange affection and lovable ways.

He delights all who see him; but none really know him save those who are constantly with him. Employees and and attaches of the various museums where he has been exhibited have invariably become so attached to him as to really deplore his departure at the close of our engagements.

"Beauty" lives in almost regal style, everything being done for his comfort that is consistent with show life.

He is a full maltese, weighing about thirteen pounds.

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Postcard of a very refined young man reading a letter with the precise degree of drama appropriate to the task, c. 1920s

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Ambrotype of a pipe-puffing pair of comrades in arms, c. 1861-65

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Ambrotype of two boxers about to engage, c. 1850s

Who are you betting on?

Mustache and shirtsleeves (left)

Beard and red belt (right)

Voting ended onSep 6, 2024

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Ambrotype of a jovial gent who won’t allow an injured arm to cramp his style, c. 1860s

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Absolutely stunning post-mortem daguerreotype of a young man with killer cheekbones and haunting eyes, c. 1850

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Carte de visite of three British soldiers on beer break, c. 1860s

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Carte de visite of strapping Swedish naval officer Jarl Christiersson, c. 1860