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The Journal of New York Folklore

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Cover of Vol. 24 New York Folklore

The Journal of New York Folklore was published 1975-1999. Back issues are still available.


Cover of New York Folklore Quarterly

The New York Folklore Quarterly was published 1946-1974. Back issues are still available.

New York Folklore Society
P.O. Box 764
Schenectady, NY 12301
518/346-7008
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nyfs@nyfolklore.org 		     

NEW YORK FOLKLORE QUARTERLY
Vol. XVI, No. 3, Autumn, 1960

PUBLICATIONS | VOICES | BACK  ISSUES | FOLKLORE  IN ARCHIVES | FOLK  ARTISTS  SELF-MGT | ORDER PUBLICATIONS | SEARCH

IDENTIFYING MOTHER LEE’S PICTURE
Eugene F. Kramer

IN 1871, Mr. L. A. Wells, editor of the Illustrated Annual of Phrenology and Physiognomy, prepared a series of phrenological analyses of leading Americans. Mother Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers, caused him a great deal of trouble because she left no known portrait when she died in 1784, and a good likeness of the subject was required for a phrenological report. When human resources failed to produce the necessary picture, Wells turned to the supernatural to supply one. How the spirits rose to the challenge is a fascinating bit of folklore.

“We have presented to us,” wrote Wells, “a portrait purporting to be that of Mother Ann Lee, as she is reverently and affectionately called. It is what is called a psychometric portrait and the manner of its procurement will be found in the note at the close of this article.” The note referred to is a letter from Elder George A. Lomas, editor of the official Shaker journal published at Mount Lebanon, New York...





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Mother Ann Lee (NYFQ XVI-2, pp. 226-227)      $3.00


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NEW YORK FOLKLORE QUARTERLY, Vol. XVI, No. 2 Table of Contents.




NOTE: The New York Folklore Society Newsletter and New York Folklore Journal were replaced by Voices: The Journal of New York Folklore which debuted in December, 2000.

Membership in NYFS includes a subscription to Voices: The Journal of New York Folklore.

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