"Texas, by God"
and the
TWIN TERRITORIES
Chris Lampe
Re: BTK Photo(?)
Tue Apr 24, 2012 16:24
68.97.166.72

One of the BTK documentaries did a similar analysis (maybe the same one you referenced?) and came to the same conclusion.

The authenticated tintype (which some actually doubt is really BTK) shows a rather longish and somewhat pointed chin. This matches several contemporary descriptions of him.

Brushy Bill had a very flat, almost square jawline. That by itself is enough to conclusively say the two were not the same person.

This particular image excited me initially because it seemed to have some possible provenance and because in my opinion, the match is a possibility given the limitations of the images we are working with. Unfortunately, the provenance claim seems to have died and so too does my excitement. :(

  • New alleged Billy the Kid photo. — Chris Lampe, Thu Apr 19 16:27
    I don't know how many people have seen this image today since it's somewhat buried in an old thread that's been resurrected over on True West. The person who posted it says it was in the possession... more
    • Chris, whomever he is ( they are) — Leah, Fri Apr 20 23:29
      (and it does not look like Billy to my very inexpert eyes). It is a great image and I would like to thank you for sharing it. Very interesting.
    • a different take — Daniel Buck, Fri Apr 20 12:44
      Chris, Not sure what you meant by "check," but 1/ the hats are different. 2/ there's no way to conclude the lad on the left is short without knowing the height of the lad on the right. If the latter... more
      • Check? — Jerry Lobdill, Sat Apr 21 07:30
        Uhhh... The one on the right is a tintype with the image reversed. The one on the left may be a photograph with the image not reversed. It looks sharper than the tintype and more like a regular... more
        • Re: Check? — Chris Lampe, Sat Apr 21 07:50
          Jerry, I think (and I may be wrong but I'm fairly sure) that the comparison photo I posted shows Billy and the new guy as they posed in life. Fortunately, the other guy in the new photo is wearing... more
          • invention of photography — Jerry Lobdill, Sat Apr 21 08:08
            Chris, First photograph (not tintype) 1835. Tintypes were popular because they were simple enough to make that itinerant photographers could make a living traveling and selling their services.... more
            • BTK Photo(?) — Bob James , Tue Apr 24 00:02
              I think the two photos (1 tintype) look quite a lot alike. Several years ago Scientific American or the Smithsonian Magazine did an analysis of the BTK Photo and a photo of Brushy Bill of Hico,Texas... more
              • Re: BTK Photo(?) — Chris Lampe, Tue Apr 24 16:24
      • I talked to your mom. She said you were never... — Allen Barra, Fri Apr 20 19:18
        boyish.
      • Re: a different take — Chris Lampe, Fri Apr 20 13:33
        Dan, Thanks for responding! It's always interesting to hear other people's take on these images. I was just going thru and checking off a quick list of similarities that I thought of off the top of... more
    • The Cgris Lame Image — Lee R Williams, Fri Apr 20 09:49
      Mr Cal Taylor of Mesilla Museum, NM, asked me to look this over Conclusion: No, it is not Wn. H McCarty nor is it Wn. I Babb 1. The ears are completely wrong 2. The face-jaw structure is off... more
      • Cal Taylor? — Jerry Lobdill, Sat Apr 21 06:54
        Do you mean Cal Traylor?
      • Thank you Lee! (nm) — Leah, Fri Apr 20 23:32
      • Re: The Cgris Lame Image — Chris Lampe, Fri Apr 20 10:47
        Thanks for your input. Is your speciality facial recognition? If so, that is great that someone is doing some scientifically based analysis of these images. I had just posted over on the TW board... more
        • Good idea Chris... — Jeff Smith, Fri Apr 20 14:15
          Thanks Chris, I've sort of been watching the posts on the Billy The Kid photo(s) over on True West and Chris was right in bringing it here (and elsewhere?) for examination. It certainly is not being... more
          • Re: Good idea Chris... — Chris Lampe, Fri Apr 20 14:32
            Jeff, Thanks for your response! I certainly respect the work you've done on Soapy Smith and appreciate your input as someone who has "been there and done that", unlike myself and many others who... more
            • provenance evaporating — Daniel Buck, Fri Apr 20 16:55
              Chris, This would not be the first time someone launched a questioned photo of a famous person, alleging an intriguing provenance, only to back off on the provenance as scrutiny heightened. Happens a ... more
Click here to receive daily updates