(CIRCUS) Collection of 66 images of human sideshow attractio

Sale 2033 - Lot 6

Price Realized: $ 2,760

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,500

"PEERLESS PRODIGIES OF PHYSICAL PHENOMENA" (CIRCUS)
Collection of 66 images of human sideshow attractions comprising extraordinary photographs of performers associated with Barnum's Museum, Ringling Brothers, and other circuses, comprising 20 cabinet cards and 41 carte-de-visite-size images, with 10 by eisenmann, several by brady/anthony, and half a stereo view of Barnum's Great Roman Hippodrome. Accompanying the pictures is extensive typewritten information about virtually all of the important personages associated with the circus. Albumen, printing-out paper, and silver prints, the cabinet card prints, 51/2x4 inches and smaller; many on the original mounts with the photographer's credit; a few are hand-colored. 1860s-1910s

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Additional Details

A remarkable compilation of original photographs depicting 19th-century "outsiders" that was clearly intended for publication. Each sleeve is artfully arranged to highlight variant portraits of notable figures that is accompanied by manuscript information about "The side show -- the peerless prodigies of physical phenomena and great presentation of marvelous living human curiosities." The group also contains rare photographs of lesser-known personalities who were also popular in the 19th-century. Background details are provided about the genesis of the circus, many of its well-known performers, as well as the impresario P. T. Barnum.