The "Anatomical Museum" | Extraordinary individuals

The "Anatomical Museum"

Over 120 items related to individuals featured in various nineteenth-century sideshow acts. [Various places: various dates, but mostly late nineteenth century]

Lot includes: 62 Cabinet cards (approximately 165 x 105 mm). Primarily albumen prints mounted on card; some toning, spotting, and soiling, chipping and cracks primarily to card mounts, some with loss — 35 Carte-de-Visites (approximately 105 x 65 mm). Primarily albumen prints mounted on card; some toning, spotting, and soiling, chipping and cracks primarily to card mounts, some with loss — 9 pamphlets pertaining to various individuals and attractions (various sizes). Generally with original wrappers; some browning, offsetting, and chipping — 5 postcards pamphlets pertaining to various individuals and attractions (various sizes) — Autograph letter signed ("Kate Walton"), to her brother George Washington Skinner, relating her experience of seeing Charles Sherwood Stratton ("General Tom Thumb"). 3 pages (200 x 133 mm). Written from Columbus, and dated 10 April 1864; old folds. With envelope and 2 carte-de-visites; other pieces of related ephemera.

Group lots not subject to return.  

"To be different is to be distinguished." - Frank L. Baum 

A remarkable collection, constituting an important record of those remarkable individuals who highlighted eighteenth-, nineteenth-, and early twentieth-century sideshows and anatomical museums. 

The material in the present collection dates primarily to the nineteenth century, and features material related to Charles Sherwood Stratton ("General Tom Thumb), who, at a height of 3 feet and 4 inches, experienced great success as a performer, and was adopted by circus pioneer P. T. Barnum. There are also cabinet cards of Zhan Shichai (who performed as "Chang the Chinese Giant" or "The great Chang"). He reportedly stood over 8 feet tall, and toured the world impressing crowds with his incredible height. He was a great scholar, and had a working knowledge of ten languages. Following his retirement from the stage in 1878, Zhan moved to Bournemouth, and opened a teahouse that sold Chinese imports.

The collection also includes conjoined twins, individuals with limb-differences, albinism, those who are unusually large or small, and a host of other characteristics deemed extraordinary in the nineteenth century. As scientific advance offered an explanation for many of the genetic conditions, etc., that often engendered such seeming differences, the appetite for sideshows dwindled. 

A gallery of extraordinary individuals.