Showing posts with label vintage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vintage. Show all posts

Victorian-Era Photos That'll Make You See The Creepy Time In History In A New Light

We read so much about the Victorian era that it's easy to forget its namesake. The time period was named after England's Queen Victoria, who reigned between 1837 and 1901. During this time, London was the center of all things Victorian, and it was quite an interesting place to be.
It's obvious why so many creepy things happened during the Victorian era when looking at London's winding, narrow cobblestone streets and alleyways. Yet despite the creepiness of the era, the city was also amazingly beautiful. Take a look back in time through London's history at these creepy but cool photos of the city, which were all taken between 1875 and 1886.

Why are the streets so deserted?

This actually looks like a nice place to live.

A long exposure of some horse-drawn carriages.

A creepy alleyway.

Look at those lovely cobblestones.

Where the heck are all the people?

I want a hat like those guys.

"Get your news here!"

That's a weirdly modernist design.

This looks like a pleasant hotel.

Your average London neighborhood.

Everyone used to dress nicely during the Victorian era.

The perfect place for a ghost story.

What a view!

Inside a former storehouse.

It's looking a little rough around here.

An apartment courtyard.

(via Cool Crack)
Based on these photos (and not these photos), Victorian era London didn't seem like such a bad place. I suppose if I had a time machine, I could certainly see myself paying a visit, but not for too long. It's still pretty creepy.

Mugshots From The Victorian Era Have A Heartbreaking Solemnity You Rarely See Now

When you think of mugshots, you probably think of pictures like these. While they might funny to look at, there is real pain and regret in the faces of those people, and it's often difficult to see. Maybe it's because we as a society as so desensitized to the idea of modern crime and its perpetrators.
Recently, an archive of vintage mugshots was discovered by Tyne & Wear Archives in Newcastle, England. The images were taken during northern England's industrial boom of the early 1900s. When looking at the poor souls in these photos from years ago, it's somehow easier to see the pain in their eyes. Their faces contain the weighty knowledge that they've done something they can't take back.

1. Robert Jack. Arrested for false pretenses.

2. James Wilson. Arrested for unknown reasons.

3. Jerome Guerrini. Arrested for murder.

4. Charles Cunningham. Arrested for indecent exposure.

5. John Gumis. Arrested for larceny.

6. William Wilson. Arrested for larceny.

7. Robert Hall. Arrested for larceny.

8. Jane Forbes. Arrested for larceny.

9. William Cunningham. Arrested for larceny.

10. George Wilson. Arrested for larceny.

11. Thomas Appleton. Arrested for larceny.

12. William Sayers. Arrested for larceny.

13. Thomas Wallace. Arrested for indecent exposure.

14. Nora Jane McCartney. Arrested for larceny.

(via: Chronicle Live)
I hope the justice system worked in these convicts' favor and they were punished accordingly for their crimes. I know many of them likely deserved their sentences, but that shouldn't stop your sympathy for them as fellow human beings.
You can find the full photo archive from Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums on Flickr.