Freakshow Collection

Saartje Baartman, also known as The Hottentot Venus
Saartje ( Sarah ) Baartman (1789-1815), also known as The Hottentot Venus - an African servant girl from South Africas Eastern Cape of the Khoisan tribe brought to London in 1810 & exhibited at freak

Ivan Markoff, a Russian cossack giant, early 20th century
Ivan Markoff, who was famous as a Russian cossack giant in the early 20th century. Markoff is seen in London where the caption says he was being fitted for a new suit. He was reputed to be 9ft tall

Stephan Bibrowski (1890 - 1932), know as Lionel the Lion-faced Man. Lionel traveled to the United States and started appearing with the Barnum and Bailey Circus

C H Schafers Midget Circus Troupe - Munich
circa 1910s

Jolly Nellie (642 pounds) - whilst at an exhibition in Tokyo, Japan. From the small coal mining community of Jobs near the Athens-Hocking county line

Sidonia de Barcsy - The Bearded Lady Baroness
Sidonia de Barcsy (1866-1925) - The Hungarian Bearded Lady Baroness. Her husband, Baron Antonio de Barcsy knew there was a fortune to be had and actively cultivated a career for Sidonia

A South African Man with skin pigmentation condition
A South African Man with the skin pigmentation condition vitiligo, creating a remarkable patched appearance, captioned here as Leopard Skin (!). Date: circa 1900

Fat and Lean - Daniel Lambert contrasted with a thin woman seated on his knee
3106941 Fat and Lean - Daniel Lambert contrasted with a thin woman seated on his knee, 1806 (engraving) by Williams, C. (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

German Fairground with Sideshows - Mainz, Germany. The stalls include the chance to see a Giant Lady, a South sea Islander, an electric shick machine and a balloon seller. Date: 1899

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

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

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

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"Freakshow: Celebrating the Extraordinary in Human Diversity" Step right up and witness the captivating tales of extraordinary individuals who defied societal norms and embraced their uniqueness. From Saartje Baartman, famously known as The Hottentot Venus, to Ivan Markoff, the towering Russian Cossack giant of the early 20th century, these remarkable figures challenged conventional beauty standards. Among them was Stephan Bibrowski, affectionately called Lionel the Lion-faced Man. With a rare condition that covered his face with hair resembling a lion's mane, he captured both curiosity and admiration. Similarly intriguing was The Fat Boy of Peckham, whose larger-than-life presence challenged perceptions of body image. In another corner stood a young South African boy suffering from vitiligo—a testament to how even at a tender age, one can exhibit strength amidst adversity. Meanwhile, Jolly Nellie amazed audiences worldwide with her immense weight of 642 pounds while touring Tokyo—an inspiration for self-acceptance regardless of size or shape. The C. H. Schafers Midget Circus Troupe from Munich showcased that true talent knows no bounds—proving that stature does not limit one's abilities or dreams. Sidonia de Barcsy emerged as an empowering figure—the Bearded Lady Baroness—who shattered gender stereotypes by embracing her facial hair with pride. A South African man with a skin pigmentation condition demonstrated resilience in overcoming society's narrow-mindedness towards appearances. And let us not forget Daniel Lambert—his massive frame contrasting beautifully with a thin woman seated on his knee—a reminder that diversity comes in all shapes and sizes. Finally, we journeyed through German fairgrounds adorned with sideshows—Mainz serving as an emblematic hub where people celebrated human differences without judgment or prejudice. These stories remind us that our world is enriched by its kaleidoscope of colors, shapes, sizes—and it is within this tapestry of diversity that we find the true beauty of humanity.