Historical Indulgences

ca. 1870, [carte de visite of the “Circassian Beauty”, identified on verso as Selina Sunubia, in costume], Charles Eisenmann

via Ebay

ca. 1880’s, [cabinet card, portrait of a tattoed lady, Nora Hildebrandt, wearing an elaborate dress], Charles Eisenmann

via Syracuse University Library, Special Collections Research Center, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1860-90’s, [carte de visite portrait of Eli Bowen,”The Legless Acrobat”, with his wife and child], A. Newman

via Jeffrey Kraus, Antique Photographics

ca. 1870, [carte de visite portrait of a tattooed lady looking into a mirror]

via Syracuse University Library, Special Collections Research Center, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1855-1895, [carte de visite portrait of a circus performer; a woman leaning on a rock], I. W. Taber & Company

via Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Carl Mautz Collection

ca. 1880-90’s, [cabinet card portrait of sharpshooter Seth Clover wearing medals]

via Cowan’s Auctions

ca. 1870-1900, [cabinet card, portrait of John Jennings, “the Modern Samson” or “The Little Wonder”, lifting two people on a barrel by his teeth], Swords Bros.

via Jeffrey Kraus, Antique Photographics

ca. 1888, [cabinet card, portrait of sideshow performer “Barney Baldwin—Broken Neck Wonder—The only living man in the history of the world with a broken neck”]

via Syracuse University Library, Special Collections Research Center, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1892, [cabinet card, portrait of Miss Olof Krarer, “The Little Esquimaux Lady, Age 34 years; Height, 40 inches; Weight, 120 lbs.”], W.E. Bowman

via Jeffrey Kraus, Antique Photographics

ca. 1870, “The Stage Beauty”, [carte de vsite portrait of a stage actress in ornate costume]

via Christopher Wahren Fine Photographs, Skylight Gallery #34

ca. 1881, [carte de visite portrait of Lucia Zarate], the London Stereoscopic Co.

Lucia Zarate was genuinely one of the smallest human beings ever recorded…During her period in London she appeared before Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace on February 26, 1881.

Handwritten on verso:  “Greatest Wonder of the Age! Señorita Lucia Zarate, This young lady is 18 years of age, and weighs only 4¾ pounds. Is perfect in form and feature.”

via the Museum of the History of Science

ca. 1870-90’s, [carte de visite portrait of Eli Bowen,”The Legless Acrobat”, with his wife and child], A. Newman

via Jeffrey Kraus, Antique Photographics

ca. 1885, [cabinet card, portrait of a legless, female performer on a swing], Rich’s

via Syracuse University Library, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs

ca. 1882, [carte de visite portrait of “Illavaro the Egyptian”, at age 19], Charles Eisenmann

via the International Center of Photography

ca. 1880’s, [cabinet card portrait of Sig Arcaris and sister Kate, performing their knife throwing act], Charles Eisenmann

via the Syracuse University Library, Ronald G. Becker Collection of Charles Eisenmann Photographs