Framed or unframed, desk size to sofa size, printed by us in Arizona and Alabama since 2007. Explore now.
Shorpy is funded by you. Patreon contributors get an ad-free experience.
Learn more.
1909. "Mme. Diss-DeBarr," a.k.a. "the noted and notorious Ann O'Delia Dis Debar, of many aliases, a number of husbands and several prison terms," according to a 1909 article in the New York Times. The headline calls her an "ex-priestess of fake spiritualism." 8x10 glass negative, George Grantham Bain. View full size.
Does anyone smell a Hollywood Epic Movie starring Madonna?
The Spook Priestess Arrested NY Times October 22,1892
Grave Charges NY Times October 11, 1901
Rape & Rhabdomancy Trial Results
A total of $300,000 was extorted by one clever medium from Luther B. Marsh (the law partner of Daniel Webster) in 1888 by the use of a primitive radiophone. Her name was Ann O'Delia Dis Debar, and she made a spectacular career for herself until she was exposed in court by Alexander Herrmann and Carl Hertz. Article By Houdini
The Very Naughty Madame Dis De Bar Historic True Crime
Swami Laura Horos Wikipedia Bio
I don't know why but this is one of the most interesting portraits that you have posted.
The pose and lighting of this image look remarkably similar to that of an Annie Leibovitz portrait.
At least from my PC screen, there's a certain unearthly glow or aura around her (at least on her right side). Dave will give us some technical reason, but you and I know what this reveals.
[The technical reason is that she is The One. - Dave]
Her garment appears to be both a tablecloth and a dress. You can't beat that kind of practicality. I'm guessing Stanton Square will dig up some interesting info on this one. That caption is begging for it!
We may not know what became of her,but if my great-grandmother was still around I could tell her what became of her drapes. Was Fashion Faux Pas on her rap sheet? Her expression indicates that she was a "legend in her own mind."
..."Ahhh, yes, that very short fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large."
Also known as Swami Laura Horos.
[Whatever became of her seems to be something of a mystery. Except for being mentioned as a sort of historical cult figure, she pretty much disappears from the newspapers after 1909. - Dave]
On Shorpy:
Today’s Top 5