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Charles Eisenmann1 of 14
In the 1860s, a photographer named Charles Eisenmann photographed thousands of circus freaks. (Yes, somehow there were thousands of them back then.)
The performers came to him for resume photos (head shots) they could send around to procure work as circus freaks (which is about the only work you can get if you had four legs in 1868).
The Syracuse University Library's Ronald G. Becker Collection has hundreds more of Eisenmann's shots, but here are some of our favorites.
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Charles Eisenmann2 of 14
The Albino Twins of Fredricks, N.Y.
(Yes, this might be the creepiest photo ever taken.)
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Charles Eisenmann3 of 14
Jo Jo, the Dog-Faced Boy
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Charles Eisenmann4 of 14
The Bearded Lady
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Charles Eisenmann5 of 14
Felix Wehrle, the Elastic Man
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Charles Eisenmann6 of 14
Unknown
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Charles Eisenmann7 of 14
Four-legged Myrtle Corbin, who bore two children from her first vagina and three from her second
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Charles Eisenmann8 of 14
Fanny Mills
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Charles Eisenmann9 of 14
Dwarf Fat Lady Sophia Schultz
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Charles Eisenmann10 of 14
Dwarf Fat Lady Sophia Schultz
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Charles Eisenmann11 of 14
I.W. Sprague, the Human Skeleton, with his wife and children
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Charles Eisenmann12 of 14
Eli Bowen, whose feet grew out of his pelvis
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Charles Eisenmann13 of 14
Francesco Lentini, the Three-Legged Man
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Charles Eisenmann14 of 14Next: Very Disturbing Wedding Photos
Eddie Masher, Skeleton Dude
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3 Comments
Seen him before. I believe he was called the lobster boy.
July 13 2012 at 10:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI had a relative who was the fat lady in the circus. A person like this would have probably been called the lobster or crab boy.
June 28 2012 at 6:52 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWife & children?!?! I can't believe some woman let him give her 'the bone.'
June 28 2012 at 4:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply