19th & Early 20th Century Freaks and Sideshow Cabinet Photo Collection of Eight Including Barnum and Ringling Brothers Performers

The offered group of eight cabinet cards create a wonderful menagerie of 19th and 20th century freaks. The bearded lady, the fat man, the snake charmer, pinheads...they're all here. "STEP RIGHT UP!" P.T. Barnum elevated the freak show to the main stage, so to speak, with his emphasis on physical oddity acts and attractions after opening his American Museum in New York in the 1840s. In those unenlightened times, there were often few options for people with some of these afflictions to find gainful employment, and circus sideshows became a place they could take some agency over their lives. 

The collection includes: Circa 1910 Krau Farini “The Missing Link” “Krao Farini from Bangkok Siam Age 27 Years / Souvenir of Barnum & Bailey Show”; 1898 Col. William Baker, “Boy Giant” (7 feet 9 inches!); Circa 1900 Gondo and Apexia (Pin Heads)”Ringling Brothers Circus 1902 Millie Delkano “Snake Charmer Welsh Bros. Show May 31`, 1902”; circa 1890 Frank Williams “Circus Fat Man”; Circa 1885 Count Primo Magri (left) with Lavinia Warren and Baron Magri (Warren was the widow of Tom Thumb); Circa 1900 Mademoiselle Corretta “Age 20 Years / Height 21 Inches”; Circa 1890 Midget Show with Six Performers Including Boxers (Frank Wendt – Photographer). Each cabinet is faced with a silver gelatin print, except for the “Gondo and Apexia” which is printed. Each cabinet card measures 4 ¼ x 6 ½ inches and present with moderate wear and some mild stains and scuffs. Excellent to Mint condition overall, but a couple are arguably Near Mint.