Mary's Charlatans by Memoirs of Henry Villard

[RJNorton]

This is the photo Betty was talking about in her post above. In The Photographs of Mary Todd Lincoln Lloyd Ostendorf gave the photo below an "about 1872" date. He stated that the photographer was unknown. However, Jean Baker, in her biography of Mary, gives this account. Mary often went to séances under an assumed name. She liked to "test" the mediums' skills. Once, on a trip to Boston, she attended a séance using the name "Mrs. Tundall" to avoid recognition. Abraham "appeared" before her during the séance. She then visited William Mumler's studio. Mumler was a spirit photographer who made the photo.