victorian art
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Asylum Artwork by Malachi Alexander Collection #1
Photograph #10 We don’t know much about Malachi Alexander except for what’s in the public records which isn’t very much. He was forced into the Horsehay Lunatic Asylum in Warwickshire as a danger to all. He was 22 years old and tragically committed suicide not long after a failed escape attempt a couple of months…
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Asylum Artwork by Noah Tar Collection #3
You may remember that back in June we looked at the tragic circumstances surrounding Noah Tar’s death. The ruling was suicide which was patently absurd. However, short of getting permission to dig up his remains to carry out a forensic investigation, we can’t officially prove the real cause of his death. Out of respect for…
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The Druids’ Search for Light Collection #1
Shortly after we posted the first collection of the Siblings of Saint Rupert, an anonymous collector contacted us. They told us about some photographs which they’d inherited from their late father who, in turn, inherited them from their father etcetera, spanning back several generations. We asked for digital copies for analysis and, once received, we…
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The Importance of Cards During the Victorian Era Collection #7
As promised, here are some more ‘cursed cards’ from this particular collection. As we research these more and more, we’re learning that anyone who used these cards for casting spells ended up either dead, destitute or diseased. While we don’t entertain pseudoscience and superstition at the Fellowship, we do find the backstories fascinating. We are…
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The Importance of Cards During the Victorian Era Collection #6
Today we begin to archive a new type of Victorian card. The images above are front then back of the card, front then back of the card etcetera. They were supposed to be possessed by evil spirits, transplanted into the card by the creature on the back. An aspiring witch could use them for casting…
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Mr Baker the Blind Toymaker Collection #1
Mr Baker wasn’t blind but he was a toymaker technically speaking. He got the name because of his unique approach to designing and making toys. They were intended for children, but research suggests that no child ever played with them. Instead wealthier Victorians purchased them as ornaments which only came out on Halloween. Mr Baker…
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Asylum Artwork by Noah Tar Collection #2
Today we present to you more artwork by Noah Tar. We find them to be equally disturbing and beautiful. The complexity is alluring. I have personally stared at photograph #10 for hours, trying to work out the relationship between the circles and symbols. And then there’s those mysterious scribbles… I can’t help but think that…
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Asylum Artwork by Noah Tar Collection #1
Despite reforms in the first part of the 19th century, mental health treatment during the Victorian years could still be a gruelling experience depending on where a patient ended up. Like poverty, it was largely seen as a moral failing rather than a serious illness. Some treatment was nothing short of barbaric. Nobody knew this…
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The Importance of Cards During the Victorian Era Collection #5
You may recall from Collection #3 that a collector named Mr Martin had donated some Victorian ritual magic cards to the Fellowship. They tend to depict sealife, land mammals, birds and insects. They were used to ‘take control’ of the elements. Yesterday Mr Martin contacted us again. He has kindly donated a photograph of his…
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The Importance of Cards During the Victorian Era Collection #3
Today we bring you another assortment of Victorian cards. These were submitted by the great grandson of a “white witch” called Godfrey Martin. Mr Martin told us that while they look like tarot cards, they are in fact ritual worship cards used by his grandmother and acquaintances. They were apparently used for taking control of…
Welcome to the Victorian Underground Project 