Miss Humpty Dumpty
The rhyme Humpty Dumpty was first printed in Lewis Caroll’s Alice Through the Looking Glass in 1810. Yet, the old rhyme is even older in oral lore. As such, it was a common nickname for a fat person even in the 15th Century in England. This picture, though, is an unanswered riddle.
Walking My Reptile
Most parents get upset when their children beg for a dog. Could you imagine asking for a snake, which you want to walk in public on a chain? As it turns out, the demand for exotic animals is not a new concept.
Ride ‘er, Cowgirl!
This horrifying photo is enough to make any parent cringe. This situation is just asking for trouble.
Dropping the Next Hot Album
This odd photo brings up more questions than answers. The only photos this strangely posed in modern times is an album cover.
Tastes Like Chicken
This woman’s face says it all. She’s tired of cooking and ready to EAT! We really hope this 1952 shot made it to a KFC commercial.
Love Story
The art of Ventriloquism has long been cherished. Still, it can get creepy. This photo is proof.
Mischievous Maidens
It’s difficult to know what is happening in this photo. Is that grape juice? Blood from a crime scene coverup?
Dangerous Dining
This photo was taken in July of 1936 of George “Tornado” Smith, a stunt motorcycle driver who did a stunt alongside a lion. Here he is beside his wife, having tea with their pet lion and lamb.
Say Cheese
This bizarre photo makes absolutely no sense. There are no theories.
True Talent
We wish we had a place this convenient to hold our coffee! Who needs hands?
Naughty or Nice?
Thankfully, we do have a backstory for this hilarious shot. Warner Brothers star Ida Lupino puts Santa on the naughty list during a Christmas party.
A Painful Pin-Up
This woman seems to have gotten herself into a situation! Is that a bear trap? We’re not sure, it looks staged but we may never know.
Howdy, Partner!
Just a man and his skeleton enjoying an afternoon of biking! We feel the same way as the man on the bench. What the heck?
Scary Face
Beauty pageants have been around for ages. We’re not sure exactly what was going on in this shot, maybe it was a halloween pageant?
Tea Time
Ann Lockley takes tea on Skokholm Island in 1939 with a lobster and a hawk. An interesting party, no? It’s pretty clear, her father, Ronald, studied wildlife.
Mother Dearest
There are themes of death in many art forms and photography is no exception. Many fake post-mortem photos buzz around the internet but this one is unique. An adult-sized skull dressed in a child’s blanket is haunting while looking over its supposed mother’s shoulder.
Sick Sailor
This sailor smiles on as he grooms a trophy fox head beside a live cat. We’re creeped out.
Listen Carefully
This family sits listening to an evening broadcast in the Soviet Union in 1925. It looks more like a scary psychiatrist treatment which would take place in an asylum rather than a living room.
Clowning Around
It seems this clown was naughty. We’re not quite sure what’s going on here and we’re thinking we may not want to know.
Smile and Wave
Another bizarre pageant photo here with ladies dressed in leathery black, tassels, and most eye-catching gas masks. Apparently, “Miss Lovely Eyes” was a common theme for pageants in the U.S. in the 1930s, so the judges wanted all other features than eyes covered.
House Wife and Pet
This woman lovingly gazes at her apparently pet anteater. A unique choice! We have to admit, he’s pretty cute!
King Kong
An adaptation of the play The Gorilla was made in 1927 starring a killer Gorilla. The film is lost to time but surely it inspired the King Kong we know. This photo comes from the remake in 1930.
Cat Lady
This shot is of Kate Feering Strong at Mrs. Alva Vanderbilt’s “fancy dress” ball in 1883. Going for an original look, Miss Strong went as a cat complete with a stuffed cat hat and a “puss” choker with a bell.
Single, Ready to Mingle
The 1800s were an interesting time for single young ladies. No, nevermind, it was definitely not interesting. Without Bumble and Tinder, gals like this had to resort to a much-too-direct approach.
Hot Dog
What a sight! The little puppy squeezed in the loaf of bread is precious.
Ghostly Gals
Oh boy, another bizarre pageant shot. What is going on here?
Third Wheel
Twins Daisy and Violet Hilton were unfortuantely taken advantage of by the circus business. The two were joined at the hip, literally, by skin, muscle and bone and trained to sing and dance in addition to dehumanizing treatment. They spent 21 years of their life as slaves until a lawyer granted them freedom. Later in life, they were quite successful.
19th Century Hot Pocket
The title of this image is The Author in Fancy Dress as a Side of Bacon. This man took first prize of Forty Guineas at the Covent Garden Fancy Dress Ball in April of 1894. He looks like a Hot Pocket to us.
Giddy Up
It seems this woman opted to use her friends to carry her home instead of a horse. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Peeping Tom
E.E. Cummings’ wife, Marion Morehouse was a fashion model in the 20s and 30s, wortking with Vanity Fair and Vogue. Here she is with a creep lurking behind her in the shadows.
Birds of Prey
This image shows an Eagle soaring away with a baby. This wouldn’t be impossible as they are able to carry up to 4 pounds with their strong claws.
Home Alone
We hope this is a family dressed up scary for Halloween. Their posture is a bit more sinister, though, and the kid looks like he’s straight out of Home Alone.
What a Pickle
We may never know what prompted these folks to pose like this with a giant pickle. Still, it looks like they’re having a great time.
Million Dollar Baby
This photo is proof that all girl sleepovers aren’t baking and nail-painting. They have boxing gloves and all!
Something Fishy
This boy looks bored in religious attire between two giant lobsters. We may not want to know what is going on here.
Before Its Time
Horse head costumes were apparently popular before recent years. This photo is frm the 1960 Jean Coteau film Testament of Orpheus. Context is still unclear, but it’s eye-catching!
You’ve Got A Friend In Me
This young woman has a very unique friend in a bear. How cute!
Bad Dog
If this weren’t animal cruelty it would be comical.
Deadly Dummy
Ventriloquism strikes again! This confirms it is the creepiest hobby ever.
Friends Who Behead Together…?
Beyond eerie, this photo makes us question the nature of these ladies’ friendship. Still, they seem to be amused. Did they think this was funny?
Vacuum Vixen
This photo is from a risque French postcard. Between 1900 and 1930, these types of cards were apparently popular.
Take a Trip
Another photo reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, this photo shows some unique forest costumes. It looks like they’ve got one thing on their mind…
Cuckoo Bird
Minni Woolsey, born in 1880, suffered from bird-headed dwarfism with stunted growth, a small head, beak-like nose and a receded jaw. Minnie spent years in an asylum until she was picked up by a showman. She ended up loving the circus and even got a role in the movie Freaks as Koo-Koo the Bird Girl.
Boy vs Chicken
Everyone has fears. This kid seems unusually frightened of the impending doom of…a chicken?
Out For A Stroll
This photo was taken on Gorky Street in Moscow, Russia, 1963. This treatment of an exotic animal is cruel and we do not approve.
Creepy Child
We understand and appreciate the tradition of dressing up, men, women, and children alike on Halloween. What we do not understand is the need for such a creepy mask/helmet.
Big Foot
Despite rumors, we’re convinced this proves that Big Foot has been working with the US military the whole time.
To the Moon
What’s odd is that this man looks like he is dressed in a space suit although this photo was clearly taken way before the concept of going to space was even legitimized.We have no idea what is going on here.
Good For A Laugh
War is a destructive force. Some manage to make light out of the situation and this soldier certainly did a wonderful job of it.
Original Energizer Bunny
This horrifying giant bunny doesn’t compare to the modern day Energizer Bunny. Still, the jetpack detail looks eerily similar.
Chucky and Family
Not ventriloquist dolls but still just as creepy.
Clawing Around
We wonder if this woman knows she has an enormous crab on her head.
Out of My Mind?
Apparently, this is what happens in the 20th Century when you are bored with your friends all summer. Go figure.
Baby and Chicken
This 1920s portrait of Canadian pharmacist and politician Henri Groul is on the the best we’ve seen. Who would’ve though he’d be into cigarettes and poultry from such a young age?
Little Stranger
An odd photo of a stylized and gender-swapped child is questionable, to say the least. Apparently, this had to do with a play in London at the turn of the century.
Shoo, Fly!
Flies are pesky. This man dressed as a fly is much, much worse.
Au Naturale
Annie Jones, a bearded woman, sits in a comfy chair. She starred for P.T. Barnum during his success!
Llama Me Llama
1957 in Times Square was apparently high time to witness a llama in a cab. Inge Morath took this photograph.
Last Dance
Some think this photo from somewhere in Europe is from an asylum, others claim its of ballerinas stretching their legs while standing in holes in the wall. Either way, we are afraid.
Scary Mommy
Nowadays, this wouldn’t be funny but, hey, times were different.
Ducking Around
This is pure artistry. Although, we have to admit, we wouldn’t suggest this costume unless you want awful back pain.
It’s A Small World
This photo, part of Roger Ballen’s Man Drawing Chalk Faces was taken in 2000. Its purpose is to encourage the viewer to examing their own mind in depth.
Bless You
Either this boy is dramatically gearing up for a big bite of watermelon or about to sneeze. Whichever may be true, it’s hilarious.