Charles Eisenmann

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.

30420.

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

30421.

Written on verso “White Eagle 1889.”

30462.

Signed on verso “Compliments of J.H. Sullivan (Broncho John).

30597.

JoJo The Russian Dog-Faced Boy.

30601.

Myrtle Corbin, Texas. 4-legged woman.

30664.

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

30666.

Gustavo Arcaris, from Naples, Italy, better known as “The Great Arcaris” was discovered by PT Barnum in Italy in the late 1880’s. Barnum brought him to the US to act as a show man for the Barnum circus. The woman who performed as his assistant is Gustavo’s sister Kate.

 

30688.

Mrs. A.H. Bates and Capt. M.V. Bates. The man at right is the photographer Charles Eisenmann.

30697.

Miss Della Beck, April 19, 1893. Della was a coal miner’s daughter from Cokeville, Pa. She was born in Sept. 1872 and died on June 20, 1900.

30715.

Dudley Foster, Age 4 years. Weight 5 pounds.

30719.

Admiral Dot. Age 23.

30776.

Unidentified Circassian.

30777.

Unidentified Circassian.