Hoax! Podcast — "Mumler Spirit Photography"

Date: November 24, 2025
Hosts: Dana Schwartz & Lizzie Logan

Episode Overview

This episode of Hoax! dives deep into the strange and beguiling world of 19th century "spirit photography," focusing on the infamous case of William Mumler, the man behind some of the era's most convincing supernatural photographs. Dana and Lizzie chronicle Mumler's rise and fall, the technical tricks behind his ghostly images, and the phenomenon’s place in history at the crossroads of grief, gullibility, and new technology. Along the way, they spotlight the cultural circumstances that made so many people eager to believe — and why some hoaxes, even when exposed, still bring both comfort and controversy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Spark: William Mumler & the Birth of "Spirit Photography"

• Who Was Mumler?
  • Originally a jewelry engraver in 1860s Boston.
  • Suffered health effects from chemical exposure, sold “miracle cures” with a fake German backstory.
    • “He is also an amateur chemist, and he is going to invent a medicine which he’ll call ‘the German remedy’ and he’ll advertise it with a fake backstory.” — Dana (08:06)
• Connection with Hannah Green Stewart
  • Neighbor, photographer, and spiritual medium; known for making hair jewelry for Victorian mourning.
  • Eventually, Mumler learned photography basics from her; their partnership became personal and professional.
  • Context of the era: Victorian death rituals, pre-photography, keeping physical mementos.

The Atmosphere: Spiritualism, Technology, & Grief

• Widespread Grief & Novel Tech
  • Civil War death toll (~700,000) fueled public longing for contact with the dead.
  • New technologies like electricity and the telegraph shifted perceptions of unseen forces and possible communication across planes.
  • “The idea that there are forces that exist in the world that you can’t see with the naked eye is not, like, a crazy thing.” — Dana (11:38)
• Rise of Spiritualism
  • Fox Sisters hoax and other mediums spread ideas of the supernatural via new mass media (spiritualist newspapers).
• Spiritual Photography: An “I Want to Believe” Era
  • Early "spirit" photos preyed on technical unfamiliarity and deep emotional needs — especially among those who lost loved ones with few or no photos left behind.

The “Discovery”: The First “Spirit” Image

• Mumler’s Self-Portrait (1862)
  • Claims to have accidentally created a double-exposure with a ghostly child in the image.
  • Shared with spiritualists, who publicized it without his initial consent.
• Celebrity Endorsements
  • Spiritualist Dr. Gardner has his own “ghost” photos taken, becomes a believer and promoter.
  • Photo expert J.W. Black (and assistant Horace Weston) observe Mumler, see “ghosts” themselves, but are not able to debunk in person.
  • “It’s interesting that a photographer shows up, sees this process, and there are no red flags going off.” — Dana (30:58)

From Sensation to Scandal

• Spirit Photography Business Booms
  • Selling sittings for what would be $300 today; even mail-order ghost photos, based on descriptions of deceased loved ones.
  • Hannah Mumler acted as a medium, “seeing” ghosts before photos were taken.
  • Spiritualists split: Some investigated and withdrew support after discovering repeat “ghosts” (living people, reused negatives).
• Frauds & Exposures
  • Repeat “ghosts” identified as living women whose previous photographs were reused.
  • Spiritualist press (Banner of Light) turns on Mumler, starts anti-Mumler campaign.
  • Shuts down Boston business after a series of exposures but relocates to New York — new market, fewer recognized faces.

The New York Revival & The Great Courtroom Drama

• Back in Business
  • Reopens in NYC under someone else’s name; business booms among new mourners.
  • Refuses to allow proper investigations; skeptical journalists and spiritualists seek to expose him.
• The Sting
  • Investigation by science writer Patrick V. Hickey; evidence collected.
  • Undercover operation by a city official – demands a ghost photo of his (unknown to him) father-in-law; result is “not my father-in-law.”
• Arrest & Trial for Fraud
  • Mumler arrested and puts up a robust legal defense.
  • Evidence: A litany of plausible technical explanations for making ghost photos, but no proof of which method (if any) Mumler actually used.
  • “As it turns out, I would enjoy being on this prosecutorial team... it’s not that hard to fake a ghost photo, of course.” — Lizzie (54:48)
• PT Barnum Weighs In
  • Testifies for the prosecution, brings a photo of himself with Abraham Lincoln's ghost as demonstration of faking ease.
  • “P.T. Barnum is like, these photos aren’t real... he brings in a photo of himself with the ghost of Abraham Lincoln floating in the background...” — Dana (60:38)
• Case Outcome
  • Judge rules prosecution failed to PROVE fraud (classic “burden of proof” problem); Mumler acquitted.
  • “However, I might believe that trick and deception has been practiced... I am compelled to decide that the prosecution has failed to prove the case.” — (63:35)

The Afterlife of Spirit Photography

• Fading Fame & Lingering Impact
  • Mumler's notoriety drops; focus shifts to real photographic innovations (“the Mumler process” for newspaper image printing).
  • His most famous “spirit photograph” came after the trial: Mary Todd Lincoln posed with “the ghost” of Abraham Lincoln.
    • “Three years after this trial, Mary Todd Lincoln goes to Mumler for a spirit photo. This is sad.” — Dana (66:41)
• Ethical Quandaries
  • Historical context: grief, loneliness, and the desire for mementos vs. taking unsuspecting mourners’ money.
  • “That is exactly when you shouldn’t take money from people — is when they’re vulnerable.” — Lizzie (68:39)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the Technical Magic:

  • "If you hadn't cleaned the glass, well, the imprint of a former photograph might still be on the glass." (20:03, Dana)
  • "There are all these ways of taking spirit photos. I think he used probably a few of them based on who was watching at the time and, like, which way would be least detecting." (65:54, Dana)

• On the Comfort of Hoaxes:

  • “I think that is exactly when you shouldn’t take money from people — is when they’re vulnerable. That’s exactly when you shouldn’t lie to people; at the same time... spend your 10 bucks. I do not judge the war widow.” (68:39, Lizzie)
  • “It probably is harmless. I’m not gonna get my panties in a twist over pictures.” (70:13, Lizzie)

• Historical Irony:

  • “He sort of ushered in this like, 'seeing is believing' era where a photo is news... and he knew more than anyone that photos can be faked.” (73:14, Dana)

• PT Barnum Cameo:

  • “P.T. barnum brings in a photo of himself with the ghost of Abraham Lincoln floating in the background just to prove how easy it is to get a spirit photo taken.” (60:38, Dana)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------| | 04:25-07:24 | Introduction to Spirit Photography and Wet Plates | | 08:06-11:00 | Mumler’s Early Life and Relationship with Hannah | | 11:38-16:13 | Civil War, Rise of Spiritualism, Technology Context | | 17:47-19:00 | Wet Plate Photography Technical Walkthrough | | 19:00-21:51 | The Accidental “First” Spirit Photo | | 27:05-32:49 | Celebrity Endorsements, Expanding the Business | | 33:48-35:53 | Skepticism from Within the Spiritualist Movement | | 37:00-44:15 | Discovery of Fraud, Moving to New York | | 47:20-54:48 | New York Sting, Criminal Charge | | 54:55-58:56 | How to Fake a Ghost Photo: Methods | | 60:10-62:05 | PT Barnum’s Testimony and Public Reaction | | 63:35-64:54 | Court Ruling and Aftermath | | 66:12-67:51 | Mary Todd Lincoln’s Ghost Photo | | 68:38-73:32 | Ethics, Legacy, and Modern Resonances |

Memorable Moments & Pop Culture Tie-Ins

• Dana and Lizzie riff on Victorian hair jewelry, “Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion,” and Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion (“the lo-fi ghost Pepper’s ghost effect”).
• Comic asides compare PT Barnum vs. Mumler to “Dr. Phil having a fight with Dr. Oz” (61:23), and “Alien vs Predator” (68:17).
• Reflection on how new technology (then and now) can facilitate wishful thinking: from telegraphs and X-rays to modern AI “talk to your loved one” startups.

Conclusion

The episode paints Mumler not merely as a grifter, but as a product of and a contributor to his era’s technological enthusiasm, spiritual hunger, and gullibility — as well as an innovator whose technical skills changed the face of mass communication. The debate closes with honest ambivalence: real harm was limited, but exploiting the grieving never sits easily.

Final Takeaway:
Spirit photography shows both the power and the peril of believing our eyes — and of wanting to see what’s no longer here. Even as technology changes, the emotional void left by loss remains, along with the eagerness for hope, however manufactured.

Follow the hosts:

• @hoaxthepodcast on Instagram (Lizzie checks the DMs)
• Dana Schwartz: @danaschwartzzz
• Email them at hoaxthepodcastmail.com

“Hoax responsibly.” (74:35)