Oddities, Circus, Fairs, Clowns, Ventriloquists, Puppets, Automatons-CDVs

30353.

Unidentified.

30354.

Madam LeRoy. Golden Hair six feet long.

30369.

Unidentified.

30370.

Figi Cannibals. Imported by P.T. Barnum for his Great Show. Ko Ratu Masi Moa. Ki Na Bose Yaco.

30371.

Unidentified.

30372.

Mr. Fiji Jim and Fiji Annie.

30394.

Fanny Mills, the Ohio Big Foot Girl (1860-1899). Fanny suffered from Milroy’s Disease.

30395.

I think this is a young Eugene Berry.

30405.

Written on verso “L.L. Slingen?, Harrisburg, Pa. 1883. She is a foot writer without any obvious disability. Sign reads “Photographs for Sale.”

30407.

Maximo & Bartola, Aztecs of Ancient Mexico. Máximo and Bartola (also known as Maximo Valdez Nunez and Bartola Velasquez respectively) were the stage names of two Salvadoran siblings both suffering from microcephaly and cognitive developmental disability who were exhibited in human zoos in the 19th century. Originally from near Usulután, El Salvador, the siblings were given by their mother to a merchant who promised he would take them to Grenada to be educated and exhibited. They then went through several guardians afterwards. They were eventually billed as “Aztec Children” and an elaborate story was constructed of how they were found in the temple of a lost Mesoamerican city. They toured the U.S. and Europe, appearing before various regents and dignitaries.

30415.

Capt. Rudolf Ivanovitch, The Nihilist Exile of Siberia.

30417.

James Morris, the Rubber Man, was born in Copenhagen New York in 1859 and used his unique talent to amuse friends and coworkers from a young age. His ability to stretch his skin as much as eighteen inches from his body, with no perceivable pain, made him incredible popular with officers when he joined the military. Those officers invited reporters and journalists to witness Morris’s unusual talent and from there Morris was recruited by several circuses, sideshow and dime museums. By 1885 he was world traveled and joined up with the Barnum and Bailey Circus. With Barnum and Bailey he was exhibited throughout North America and Europe and in 1898 he was featured in Scientific America as ‘The Rubber Man’. For the journal, he pulled the skin of his neck over his head to which it was reported to resemble ‘an elephant’s trunk’. ‘Rubber Men’ were afflicted with a condition known as cutis hyperelastica or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. The syndrome results in a defect in collagen synthesis which in turn results in overly stretchable, and elastic, fragile, soft skin that easily forms welts and scars. While Morris earned good money in his first season with Barnum and Bailey his popularity quickly dwindled and, do to a slight drinking and gambling problem, he took a second job as a barber opening a shop in New York City.

30418.

Unidentified oddity.

30424.

The Albino, or White Negro Girl. Helen Ann Windman Walker, Henry Sedam Walker, Twin brother and sister, offspring of colored parents. 8 years of age on the 2d of May, 1864. As exhibited at Burnell & Prescott’s Museum, cor. 4th & Pine Streets, St. Louis, Mo.

30425.

White & Black Twins. Offspring of colored parents. 12 years of age 2d day of May, 1868, as exhibited at Burnell’s Museum, Fifth Street, opposite Old Theatre, Pittsburgh, Pa.

30506.

Performing Grizzly on street with onlookers.

30507.

Unidentified contortionist.

30508.

Unidentified contortionist.

30509.

Unidentified contortionist.

30510.

Unidentified contortionist.

30512.

Commodore Foote and Colonel Small. I believe the man at center is their manager, Ellinger.

30513.

Richardson, Circassian, Sword Swallower, Aged 21. He also appears to be an Albino.

30514.

Sir William Wallace, the Scottish Dwarf. 17 years old-28 inches high-weighs 34 lbs.

30515.

Unidentified Little Person.

30594.

Hostetler Blind Family Musicians-Catherine, Bartholomew, Samuel & John Hostetler. All born blind from birth. Fayette County, PA. The children of Daniel & Mary Gibbens Hostetler.

30597.

JoJo The Russian Dog-Faced Boy.

30598.

Cheng and Eng, Siamese Twins.

30600.

Barney Nelson, armless boy.

30601.

Myrtle Corbin, Texas. 4-legged woman.

30602.

Civil War Automaton exhibited at the Barnum Museum.

30603.

Waino and Plutanor. Aged about 50 years. Weigh 45 pounds each.

30604.

Miss Swan, 8 ft. high 4 in.

30605.

The Albino Children, Aged 4 and 6 years. Now at Barnum’s Museum.

30606.

William, 10 Years, Robert 8, and Maggie Bennerman, 4 Years Old.

30607.

An Infant Female-Esau, 2 1/2 Years old. Whole body covered with hair. Now at Barnum’s Museum.

30608.

Miss Adelaide Powers, The Kentucky Mammoth Lady, Age 24 years. Weighs 490 lbs. Now on Exhibition at Barnum’s Museum.

30609.

Sam’l Bishop, Mammoth Fat Boy, 2 years old. Weighs 220 lbs. Now on exhibition at Barnum’s Museum.

30610.

Gen. Tom Thumb.

30611.

Major Tot, the Wonderful Human Midget! Age 16 Yrs. Weight only 10 1/2 lbs. Major Tot’s actual name was Pierre Albert Poitras, born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts in 1869. He was hired by P.T. Barnum and billed as “The world’s smallest perfectly developed man.” He eventually grew to a height of 3.5 feet, weighed ninety pounds and wore a child’s size 5 shoe. His father is said to have transported him to engagements in a 14″ satchel. 

30612.

William Wallace, the Scottish Dwarf. 15 years old; 23 inches high; weighs 24 lbs. Now at Barnum’s Museum.

30613.

Admiral Dot. Thirteen years old; Twenty-five inches high, Weighs only fifteen pounds.

30614.

Unidentified performing dogs.

30615.

Bearded clown.

30661.

The Murray Midgets, John, James, & Joseph.

30662.

The Little Esquimaux Lady, Miss Olof Krarer. Age, 29 years. Height, 40 inches. Weight, 120 lbs.

30664.

Maori, Auckland, New Zealand, with facial tattoo. He wears a native covering over western clothes. (D)

30680.

Ethardo, the Spiral Ascensionist.

30681.

Signed on verso “Votre Fils Ethardo.”

30682.

Ethardo.

30683.

Ethardo.