Freak Collection (#5)

The Cambridge Giant, Thomas Bell, 7 Feet, 20 Inches high (engraving)
1108370 The Cambridge Giant, Thomas Bell, 7 Feet, 20 Inches high (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Cambridge Giant, Thomas Bell, 7 Feet)

Ann Moore, the fasting Woman of Tutbury, aged 58 (engraving)
1108367 Ann Moore, the fasting Woman of Tutbury, aged 58 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ann Moore, the fasting Woman of Tutbury, aged 58)

A Wonderful Cock, with Four Legs! (engraving)
1108364 A Wonderful Cock, with Four Legs! (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Wonderful Cock, with Four Legs)

Zerah Colburn, Aged 8 years, Remarkable for solving Arithmetical questions (engraving)
1108359 Zerah Colburn, Aged 8 years, Remarkable for solving Arithmetical questions (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Zerah Colburn, Aged 8 years)

General Reid (engraving)
1108357 General Reid (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: General Reid. Illustration for Kirbys Wonderful)

Portrait of Nora Hilderbrandt the tattooed woman, c. 1896 (b / w photo)
1126609 Portrait of Nora Hilderbrandt the tattooed woman, c.1896 (b/w photo) by Eisenmann, Charles (1855 - 1927); Private Collection; (add.info.: Nora Hildebrandt)

Kebelet
Sebastian Kisworo

"Cheeky"- Cat with three tails. October 1952 C4920-001
" Cheeky" - Cat with three tails. October 1952 C4920-001

"Cheeky"- Cat with three tails. October 1952 C4920
" Cheeky" - Cat with three tails. October 1952 C4920

"Cheeky"- Cat with three tails. October 1952 C4920-002
" Cheeky" - Cat with three tails. October 1952 C4920-002

Three-Eyed Monster

A Freak of Fashion. Date: 1897

The Fat Boy of Peckham
John Trundley, or sometimes, Trunley (1898 - 1944), known as the Fat Boy of Peckham shown in a series of photographs at the time he was appearing at the Royal in Holborn

American Fat Man - Barney Worth - Freakshow Performer
American Fat Man - Barney Worth - Remarkable socks and slightly distressingly-short shorts. Titania and Barney Worth were billed as The Worlds Fattest Couple when going on show at various Freakshows

Young South African Boy suffering from Vitiligo
Young South African Boy from Pretoria suffering from Vitiligo - titled here at the Leopard Skin Kaffir Child - A Freak of Nature. Date: circa 1905

Lionel the Lion-faced Man
Stephan Bibrowski (18911932), better known as Lionel the Lion-faced Man, was a famous sideshow performer. His whole body was covered with long hair that gave him the appearance of a lion; this was

CIRCUS POSTER. Side show on a Barnum & Bailey circus poster, c. 1898

SIDESHOW: CAMEL GIRL, 1886. Sideshow pitch card featuring Ella Harper, the Camel Girl, 1886

HAIRY MAID, 17th CENTURY. Barbara Urslerin, German bearded lady know as the Hairy Maid. 17th century print

CIRCUS FREAKS, 1857. The Lucasie Family of Holland, exhibited in P.T. Barnums American Museum of curios, New York City, 1857

FAT LADY & THIN MAN. John (born 1832) and Hannah Battersby an American circus thin man and fat lady. Cabinet photograph, 19th century

Lionel, The Lion-faced Man - Very Hairy Man
Stephan Bibrowski (18911932), better known as Lionel the Lion-faced Man, was a famous sideshow performer. His whole body was covered with long hair that gave him the appearance of a lion; this was

Zaro Agha - the Oldest man in the world - aged 156! - who toured with Bertram Mills Circus. Born in 1775 at Bitlis in Turkey, he fought against Napoleon at the Siege of Acre in Syria

THREE-LEGGED MAN, c1915. Pitch card featuring Francesco A. Lentini, a Sicilian-born three-legged man who toured with circuses, c1915

LION-FACED MAN, 1907. Stephan Bibrowsky (1890-1932), known as Lionel the Lion-Faced Man. Sideshow performer with Barnum & Baileys circus. Photograph, 1907

Giacomo Poro
GIACOMO PORO from Genoa, born with an extraordinary twin which he exhibited in London in 1714

Mahphoon, a female member of the Sacred Hairy Family of Burma. This familys hypertrichosis stretched over 5 generations. The Hairy Family was exhibited as freaks by PT Barnum for a season in the UK

Moung Phoset, a male member of the Sacred Hairy Family of Burma. This familys hypertrichosis stretched over 5 generations

Corner Of The Saint Michel Bridge During The Hurricane Which Hit Paris March 8, 1868. From L univers Illustre Published In Paris In 1868

Freak Birth of Zardana
This half sheep and multi- bodied and headed creature was taken in the mountains of Zardana in Spain Date: 1655

TURTLE BOY, c1895. George Williams, born with misshapen limbs and standing 18 inches tall, toured with circuses as Turtle Boy. Photograph, c1895

QUAKER GIANTS, 1849. The Quaker giant and giantess, exhibited at P.T. Barnums American Museum in New York City, 1849

CIRCUS FREAKS, c1880. Waino and Plutano, the original Wild Men of Borneo, who were actually mild-mannered brothers named Hiram W. and Barney Davis. Original cart-de-visite photograph, c1880

Ripleys Believe-it-or-not - Anato Hayes - Odditorium
Ripleys Believe-it-or-not - Human Automobile Tyre - Wilber H. Roden ( Edema ) is inflated with an ordinary air pump to three times his normal size! Odditorium at The New York Worlds Fair of 1940

Dwarf marries the fat lady. Worlds Fair showmen at the Agricultural Hall celebrated the wedding of Mr Robert Goudin, the dwarf and Miss Ruby Trixy one of the fat ladies at the fair

BEARDED LADY. Josephine Boisdechene (Madame Fortune Clofullia), P. T. Barnums Swiss Bearded Lady. Wood engraving, 1853
BEARDED LADY. Josephine Boisdechene (Madame Fortune Clofullia), P.T. Barnums Swiss Bearded Lady. Wood engraving, 1853

The Turkish Tom Thumb - Pasha Hayati Hassid. Born 1852 - height 30 inches - weight 34 lbs - spoke seven languages. Introduced to England by Lloyd Forsyth

The Deformito-Mania
Satirical cartoon on what Punch calls the " taste for the Monstrous" by the general public, encouraged particularly by the exhibits at the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly

Portrait of a Boy with a Long Beard, 1527, (1939). Artist: Albrecht Durer
Portrait of a Boy with a Long Beard, 1527, (1939). The painting is held by the Musee du Louvre, Paris. From Verve - Nos. 5-6, July-October 1939. [Verve, France, 1939]

Lusus Naturae, or Carracturas of the present age 1752. Artist: John June
Lusus Naturae, or Carracturas of the present age. 1752. Lusus naturae means freak of nature. Illustration from Social Caricature in the Eighteenth Century

The young savage of Saint-Ouen, Paris, 1898. Artist: Henri Meyer
The young savage of Saint-Ouen, Paris, 1898. An illustration from Le Petit Journal, 27th November 1898

Extraordinary exhibition of Scapiglione
Advertising flyer for an Extraordinary Exhibition at the Saville House, Leicester Square, every day from Ten o Clock till One, and from Two till Ten. Scapiglione

A tornado in South Wales, 1913
Page from The Illustrated London News reporting on the havoc wrought by a tornado that passed through South Wales on the night of October 27th 1913. Date: 1913

A night train stopped by a snow drift in Northern England or Scotland, This portion of the country has been laid under snow to the depth of, in some places, ten or twelve feet. 1858

Two-Headed Snake / C. 1770
A strange two-headed snake Date: circa 1770

Freak Birth / Early C16
Twins born with additonal limbs, Germany. Date: early 16th century

Siamese Twins / C18Th
Siamese twins sharing one set of legs. Date: 18th century

Multi-Limbed Child / 1560
A freak birth with four arms and four legs. Date: 1560

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Step right up and witness the extraordinary world of "freaks". From circus sideshows to astonishing individuals, this captivating journey will leave you in awe. In 1949, a mesmerizing sideshow poster by Nieman Eisman unveiled Celesta Geyer, famously known as Jolly Dolly Dimple. Her enchanting presence drew crowds far and wide, leaving spectators spellbound with her unique talents. Saartje Baartman, also recognized as The Hottentot Venus, captivated audiences in the early 19th century. Her remarkable physique challenged societal norms while highlighting the beauty found within diversity. The Fat Boy of Peckham and his father showcased an extraordinary bond that defied expectations. Their larger-than-life appearance became a testament to love's ability to transcend physical appearances. Another intriguing figure emerged in 1945 through an American sideshow poster featuring The Frog Boy. This enigmatic character fascinated onlookers with his amphibian-like qualities, pushing the boundaries of human existence. Julia Pastrana, the celebrated bearded lady from the 19th century, left an indelible mark on history. Through wood engraving in 1874, her story unfolded - a tale of strength and resilience against society's prejudices. Edouard Beaupre stood tall among others as one of history's tallest men. His towering stature astonished all who encountered him and served as a reminder that greatness can come in unexpected forms. The Pain-Proof Man & Captain Ringman Jack from Ripley's Believe It or Not showcased their incredible abilities to endure unimaginable pain. These daredevils pushed their bodies beyond limits most could fathom. Zascha The Colossal Woman brought Russia to its feet with her immense size and commanding presence. She shattered stereotypes while embracing her uniqueness unapologetically. A Freak Show poster featuring a Legless Woman reminded us that limitations are merely obstacles waiting to be overcome.