Musical Accompaniment: The Monster Mash by Bobby “Boris” Pickett 🎃
For important context, today’s post features a picture taken in 1906. I have no idea what kind of camera the photographer used but the newest, most compact model on the market at the time was the Kodak #3A Brownie. It cost $10 (about $360 in 2025), and its dimensions were 3¼ x 5½. It weighed about 2¼ pounds.
This picture was made by Horace D. Ashton. He called it Bricklayers, 16 Stories From Ground, New York. It’s not too easy to actually see the bricklayers. At least not if you are preoccupied with the fact that Horace’s shoes are definitely, definitely over the ledge.
The camera didn’t have an automatic timer and it wasn’t threaded for a cable, so it required both hands to operate. When you take into account that there appears to be nothing for a guy to hold on to or brace himself with, this was a very tricky shot. This picture gives me heart palpitations!
Nelson Atkins Museum of Art
old spirituals 
There may be person inside the building holding Horace The Dare Devil to prevent him from falling or else he is wearing a safety belt. What appears to be odd is that the stone work along the left edge of the photo appears to be the outside face of the building. That is perplexing since I assume he is standing above ground looking down. It makes the camera’s perspective and Horace’s perch difficult to determine.
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The other building does throw you off a bit. My guess is that we’re seeing the roof of another, smaller building. I imagine Horace was wearing a safety belt, but gravity is a powerful force!
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I would have already lost my balance and gone over the side!
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Me too, Judy!!
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the monster mash 🧟♂️ 🧛🏻 no halloween is just right without it!
why is that picture scary? it’s just a matter of balance
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Lol, you’re braver than me, Ruby. I don’t have any confidence in my balance. Do you know Monster Mash came out in 1962? Can’t imagine Halloween without it!
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