Portrait of a Phantom: The Story of Robert Johnson’s Lost Photograph

While searching for vintage guitars on the internet, Zeke Schein came across what he believed was a photograph of one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. Schein, both a fan and historian of the Delta Blues, suspected that the image depicted the enigmatic Robert Johnson. His attempts to authenticate it inspired vitriolic debates among blues aficionados about its legitimacy. Schein’s fascinating experiences documenting its history are entwined with his own journey of discovery and his unwavering belief in the truth of the image.