Keyword

30408.

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.

30409.

Unidentified pinhead.

30410.

Barney Baldwin, Broken Neck Wonder, The only living man in the history of the world with a broken neck.

30411.

Barney Baldwin, Broken Neck Wonder, The only living man in the history of the world with a broken neck.

30412.

James Wilson, “Expansionist.” The Anatomical Wonder, James Wilson, Expansionist Extraordinary. Breaks chains, straps and mighty ropes, by merely expanding his chest..

30413.

James Wilson, “Expansionist.” The Anatomical Wonder, James Wilson, Expansionist Extraordinary. Breaks chains, straps and mighty ropes, by merely expanding his chest..

30414.

Unidentified man with very long beard.

30415.

Capt. Rudolf Ivanovitch, The Nihilist Exile of Siberia.

30416.

Krao Farini (1876 – 16 April 1926) was an American sideshow performer, who was born with hypertrichosis, who took part in 19th-century exhibition tours in North America and Europe. She was adopted by Guillermo Antonio Farini. On verso is says “Born in Siam Asia Age 16. Forepaugh Circus, 1892. She was billed as the “Missing Link.” There are various stories of her origin which you can find online.

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.

30419.

Written on verso “Barnum’s kayaker rows between shows.”

30420.

Written on verso “Delano Fitz, Wonderland, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.”

30421.

Written on verso “White Eagle 1889.”

30422.

The Solid Muldoon–The Missing Link, 1877. George Hill, perpetrator of the Cardiff Giant, created a new giant measuring 7 feet, 5 inches, weighing 600 lbs., and possessing a four inch tail. This was done with the assistance of a Mr. Fitch, who had patented “Portland Cement.” To fool scientists, they embedded bones from a human skeleton in the concrete, then added a cow’s shinbone to the neck for reinforcement. Hull approached Barnum and the Solid Muldoon was shipped to Barnum’s New York Museum of Anatomy. Fitch confessed the hoax just as “scientists” were ready to cross-section the stomach. At a previous interview before the hoax was discovered, Barnum commented: “It is my candid opinion that in this discovery we have found the missing link which Darwin claims connects mankind with beast creation.” This reference is from Hoaxes, Humbugs, and Spectacles by Mark Sloan, 1990, page 8.

30423.

The Cardiff Giant. Discovered at Cardiff, Oct. 16, 1869. Length of body 10 ft. 4 1/2 inches. Weight 2990. Written on verso is “Proved to be a facke [sic]. I saw it.”

30426.

P.T. Barnum’s Great Caravan! Entering Watkins, August 4th, 1871. This is the “earliest existing view of a Barnum circus.” See P.T. Barnum by Kunhardt, page 223.

30427.

Circus, Webster, MA Main Street.

30428.

Circus Side Shows. Beauties of Lake Winnipesaukee and its Shores.

30429.

Unidentified Fair. Banners for Side Show Freaks.

30430.

Circus Parade, Rochester, NY. 1890.

30431.

Circus Elephants.

30432.

French Carousel.

30433.

Primitive Ferris Wheel. Sign says “5 Cents a Ride Children Under 6 ?? 5.”

30434.

1351. The Ferris Wheel.

30435.

1350. The Ferris Wheel at Night.

30436.

313. Looking through the Ferris Wheel, near the top.

30437.

309. Midway Plaisance from Ill. Central Viaduct.

30438.

Traveling Troupe at Annual Fair held at Pappenheim Germany.

30439.

Annual Fair at Pappenheim Germany.

30440.

Slack-wire Performers at the Annual Fair at Pappenheim Germany.

30441.

Annual Fair at Pappenheim Germany.

30442.

Dijon, April 1898.

30443.

Ferris Wheel and Carousel.

30444.

Unidentified acrobat.

30445.

Unidentified acrobat.

30446.

Unidentified acrobats.

30447.

Unidentified acrobats.

30448.

Japan. O Shishi, Street Tumblers.

30449.

Japanese Performers at Woodward’s Gardens.

30450.

Minneapolis Turners.

30451.

10818. A Promenade wtih Mrs. Bear.

30452.

15328. The trained bear, Yang-Tse-Kiang valley, China.

30453.

10619. Trained Bear, Atlanta Exposition.

30454.

Gipsies on the Road.

30455.

Bowman’s Bear Picture.

30456.

2132. The Educated Bear.

30457.

2133. The Educated Bear.

30458.

4209. English Jack and his Bear.

30459.

4206. Performing Grizzly Bear.