Newly Discovered Tumblety Photo

[mklhawley]

Thank you Mike and Neil Storey for the very interesting photo. Anything new on Tumblety is welcome. You indicate the photo comes from a private collection - does Neil identify the owner of the collection? Reason I ask is, I've seen other photographs purporting to be Tumblety which were obviously not, so a little provenence would be appreciated. That said, in comparing this new photo with the single known photo of Tumblety - the one where he's dressed as a foreign military officer with helmet - I do see a resemblance with Neil's photo, except for the length of the mustache. In most drawings of Tumblety's likeness, that mustache is notable for it's length. It's evident in the military photo and in the attached drawing showing him in a checkered shirt (which, incidently, looks nothing whatever like the men in either photo). Both of the attached illustrations supposedly represent Tumblety during the same time period as Neil's photograph. So while I definitely see a resemblance between the known photo and Neil's newly-discovered photo, I'd hope for some kind of confirming documentation. What do you think?

Hi Dr. Watson,

I'm interested in the same issue, and I will be discussing more later.

Sincerely,

Mike

[mklhawley]

Was Tumblety known to be left-handed? The way he's holding the document (in the military photo) would be unnatural to me as a right-hander.

Regards, Bridewell.

Good question. I'll look into it.

[mklhawley]

This looks like a Carte De Visite.

Regards, Bridewell.

Hi Bridewell,

He certainly did visit France on a few occasions.

Sincerely,
Mike

[Bridewell]

Was Tumblety known to be left-handed? The way he's holding the document (in the military photo) would be unnatural to me as a right-hander.

Regards, Bridewell.

[Bridewell]

Hi Dave,

You're so right. Pre-Civil War Tumblety had a single-minded focus on making money, but this photo shows no evidence of being flamboyant. Post-Civil War Tumblety went into semi-retirement, so he was no longer single-minded in money making. It seems to be a photo for private use with no purpose of self advertising. Interesting.

Sincerely,

Mike

This looks like a Carte De Visite.

Regards, Bridewell.

[Dr. John Watson]

Thank you Mike and Neil Storey for the very interesting photo. Anything new on Tumblety is welcome. You indicate the photo comes from a private collection - does Neil identify the owner of the collection? Reason I ask is, I've seen other photographs purporting to be Tumblety which were obviously not, so a little provenence would be appreciated. That said, in comparing this new photo with the single known photo of Tumblety - the one where he's dressed as a foreign military officer with helmet - I do see a resemblance with Neil's photo, except for the length of the mustache. In most drawings of Tumblety's likeness, that mustache is notable for it's length. It's evident in the military photo and in the attached drawing showing him in a checkered shirt (which, incidently, looks nothing whatever like the men in either photo). Both of the attached illustrations supposedly represent Tumblety during the same time period as Neil's photograph. So while I definitely see a resemblance between the known photo and Neil's newly-discovered photo, I'd hope for some kind of confirming documentation. What do you think?

[mklhawley]

Hi Iain,

At least temporarily until he put it back on.

Hi Lynn,

I was comparing his photo with Red McDermitt's pictures, and one difference was his flashy shirt. It's what's inside that counts!

Sincerely,

Mike

[lynn cates]

almost not flamboyant

Hello Mike. Thanks for posting this.

"this photo shows no evidence of being flamboyant."

Well . . . take another look at his shirt.

Cheers.
LC

[Iain Wilson]

Shame - the moustache has lost all its craziness!

[mklhawley]

Hi Dave,

You're so right. Pre-Civil War Tumblety had a single-minded focus on making money, but this photo shows no evidence of being flamboyant. Post-Civil War Tumblety went into semi-retirement, so he was no longer single-minded in money making. It seems to be a photo for private use with no purpose of self advertising. Interesting.

Sincerely,

Mike

[Cogidubnus]

Thanks Mike and every good wish to Neil...He looks almost normal doesn't he?

Every good wish

Dave

[mklhawley]

Greetings all,

Since this newly discovered photo of Francis Tumblety is already available online, I wanted to post it here in order to give credit to its discoverer, historian Neil Storey.



Neil Storey published it in his newest book, The Dracula Secrets, Jack the Ripper and the Darkest Sources of Bram Stoker. It was on my Christmas List. There is a wealth of newly discovered information in his book.

Sincerely,

Mike