Hearthspell

A collection of oddments and ephemera. Curated by author and illustrator @ethanmaldridge

[Hearthspell @hearthspell]

A documentary featurette from 2013 on the Procession, featuring a look at the puppets, performance, and an interview with creator and designer Ralph Lee. https://t.co/P8a2Exc9CT

[Hearthspell @hearthspell]

The Procession Of The Ghouls. A yearly Halloween tradition at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC. A screening of a classic silent horror film, lived scored by the cathedral's organist, is followed by a long parade of demons, monsters and goblins designed by Ralph Lee.

[Hearthspell @hearthspell]

@nopipbutcpip It tends to be one of the cities better kept secrets! As far as I know they don't advertise the event at all. However, last I attended two years ago, there was a line around the block, so perhaps that's changing.

[Hearthspell @hearthspell]

The Catacombs of Palermo, in Italy. Originally made after the local monastery outgrew its cemetery, mummification and internment in the catacombs became something of a status symbol, and later an important historical record and sometime tourist attraction.

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Halloween costumes from the late 1800s -early 1900s.

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Lord Dunsany, author of beloved fantasy novel "The King Of Elfland's Daughter," cuddling with his dog. He was a noted dog-lover, often writing glowingly about them in his books, and would regularly campaign for animal rights.

[Hearthspell @hearthspell]

This illuminated deck of playing cards is the only know complete deck from the 15th century. The suits correspond to the hunt; horns, collars, tethers, and nooses. The style and costuming of the drawing suggests the artist was lampooning the local aristocracy.

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Director and puppeteer Jim Henson standing on a street corner with Aughra, a character from his 1982 film "The Dark Crystal."

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The Gardens of Bomarzo, also know as the Park of Monsters, was built in Italy in the 16th century. Originally commissioned by Pier Francesco Orsini as a way cope with his grief at the death of his wife. The park was left neglected and overgrown for centuries.

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Victor Noir was a French journalist, murdered in 1870. He was apparently known to be well endowed physically, which was immortalized on the sculpture atop his tomb. Legend has it that rubbing the spot grants increased fertility or virility, giving the statue a noticeable patina.

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Wojtek was drafted into the Polish army in 1943 in the rank of Private. He hauled heavy ammo between camps, and caught an enemy spy, earning him the rank of Corporal. In 1947 he retired to the Edinburgh Zoo, where his fellow soldiers regularly visited. He was also a literal bear.

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Edith Wilkinson and "James," a lyrebird who tried to 'court' Edith for several years with dance and songs from 20+ bird species. Lyrebirds are known for being very intelligent and gifted mimics. Edith would greet James with "Hello, boy." to which he would respond "Hello, boy."

[Hearthspell @hearthspell]

The Infancy Gospel Of Thomas (approx. 200s AD) is an apocryphal account of Christ's childhood. Incidents include giving life to clay birds, cursing several playmates and teachers to wither and die, and resurrecting a dead boy who'd fallen off a roof in order to clear Jesus' name.

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A woodcut illustration showing a witch feeding her familiars with blood, from the pamphlet "A Rehearsall both Straung and True, of Hainous and Horrible Actes Committed by Elizabeth Stile" (1579)

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Automaton of the goddess Diana, designed by Joachim Friess (ca. 1579–1620). The windup device is part of a drinking game: it would wander around a table before coming to rest in front of a guest. They would remove the stag's head, which contained a drinking vessel, and drain it.

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Mina "Margery" Crandon (1888-1941), a well-known spiritualist medium, enclosed during a seance in the medium box designed by famed illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini. The box was intended to foil any trickery or fraud on behalf of the medium.

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An ornate reliquary (ca. 1230) built to house the remains of a saint's arm. Such artifacts are thought to retain the power or spiritual blessings of the deceased saint. Currently displayed at the Met Cloisters, NYC.

[Hearthspell @hearthspell]

Arthur Rackham (1867-1939), renowned English fairy tale illustrator and artist, pictured with his cats.