Couple with a 'spirit' in their car

Made:
circa 1920 in England
maker:
William Hope
Couple with a 'spirit' in their car
      A photograph of a couple leaning against a car, taken by William Hope (1863-1933) in about 1920

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Couple with a 'spirit' in their car A photograph of a couple leaning against a car, taken by William Hope (1863-1933) in about 1920
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

A photograph of a couple leaning against a car, taken by William Hope in about 1920. Two of Hope's friends lean on their motor car whilst a figure - the couple's deceased son - is revealed at the wheel. Hope had suggested a photo opportunity for the 'chance' of obtaining a spirit impression.

A photograph of a couple leaning against a car, taken by William Hope in about 1920.

Two of Hope's friends lean on their motor car whilst a figure - the couple's deceased son - is revealed at the wheel. Hope had suggested a photo opportunity for the 'chance' of obtaining a spirit impression. William Hope's spirit album photographs use double and triple exposure techniques to render the appearance of ghostly apparitions around the sitter.

Hope's work gained momentum in the aftermath of World War One, a time when many bereaved people were desperate to find evidence of loved ones living beyond the grave. Although his deception was publicly exposed by a private investigator, Harry Price (1881-1948), in 1922, Hope continued to practice.

Details

Category:
Photographs
Object Number:
2002-5054/13
type:
photograph
taxonomy:
  • visual and verbal communication
credit:
The National Media Museum, Bradford