Lord Combermere's Ghost

This photograph taken in 1891, shows the Combermere Abbey Library in Cheshire, England. What was unexpected is the appearance of a man, sitting in the chair to the left - head, torso and right arm clearly visible.

Many believe it to be Lord Combermere himself, whose funeral was taking place at the time the photograph was taken. Fact or Fiction? You decide!

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A Strange Photograph

The full frame as taken in the library..

Sybell Corbet, sister of Lady Combermere, took this photo of the Combermere Abbeys library in December 1891. Wellington Stapleton-Cotton, 2nd Viscount Combermere (aka Lord Combermere) had died a few days earlier after being hit by a horse drawn carriage.

As the funeral was taking place, some four miles away and with most of the staff and servants in attendance, Corbet set up the camera and took an hour long exposure. When it was developed she was shocked to find the image of a man sitting in the deceased Lord Combermere's favorite chair. Family (including Corbet) and staff all agreed that the apparition looked like the Lord Combermere.

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Close up of the 'ghost'.

It was put forward that the photo had possibly captured one of the staff members who had not attended the funeral but this was refuted as all the male staff were young, knew the photo was being taken and none would dare interupt it.

What do you think?
Is it a ghost caught on camera?
Did someone sneak in during the exposure?
Is it a trick of the light and shadow – your brain interpreting it as a ghost??

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Ashley Hall 2013