Incredible collection was amassed by an 1860s-70s Londoner who actually attended these shows which were conducted by P.T. Barnum. Many are dated on the versos by when he attended. The collection came inside a vintage album (shown) w/notes of clippings he added at the time. Includes:
1) Chang & Eng, kings of their time when they visited in July of 1869. Pencil names on front are unevenly written. They fathered a total of 21 children. One would reportedly nod off while the other was having relations (yeah right!).
2) Julia Pastrana, known as the "Ugliest Woman in the World." Extremely rare (and deceased in the 1860s) a name appears at top that is noted as 'signature,' but who knows as signature may not exist.
3) Countess Lodoiska a.k.a. "Polish Giantess" shown surrounded by suitors. French studio visited in "1864."
4) Zobeide Luts appears to be signed on verso in pencil. Appears to be authentic as she added "C'est Compliment" roughly translated as "with compliments." She was one of the many exotic beauties passed off by Barnum as caucasian. Dated "July 1969"
5) M.J.J. Brice, "The French Giant." Visted "May 1865,"
6) "The Aztecs," Maximo and Bartolo. Early image of this Salvadoran brother and sister. Dated "Nov 5, 1870" which debunks the one theory that they died in 1867.
7-8) Anna Swan, later Anna Haining Bates (1846-1888). Signed. Amazingly it is signed on verso "Compliments of Mrs Anna H. Bates" dated July 1871. There is a second CdV of this "Giantess" dated July 1869. She married the giant that follows.
9) Captain Martin Van Buren Bates. Signed. The husband of Anna Swann, this Kentucky giant has signed it on verso in ink, "Compliments of Capt. M.V. Bates."
10-11) Charles W. Nestel. Appears to be signed on verso in pencil but we cannot be sure. Small person, aka "Commadore Foote" joined by Miss Jennie Quigleh, Scottish Queen.
12-13) Beautifully photographed pair of General Mite and Senorita Lucia Zarate.
14-15) Pair that appear to be the same person "Feline Aged 9 22 1/2 inches high." Visited in "July 1871" it shows here in "Now 1883" at 21. Advertisement sticker on verso "Midgets!! Colston Hall this Saturday."
16) The Kostromo People, Adrian and his son Fedor. Beautiful image from "1874" appearance at South London Palace, London Road on Feb 23 (according to existing poster). He suffered from Hypertrichosis.
17-18) The Two Headed Nightingale, Millie & Christine. One dated, "March 22,1877" & other has their names in pencil (which is creased).
19) Tom Thumb & Family. The Fairy Wedding Group. Barnum's biggest star.
20) Elizabeth Caroline Goodwin who was infamously murdered by her fiance who stabbed her when she broke off the engagement (1865). He committed suicide in prison.
21) Famous exhibited "Mermaid" was actually the head of a monkey sewn on the body of a fish.
22) Miss Constance Emily Kent who murdered her half brother at age 16.
23) Colonel Chang Yu Sing, the Asian Giant. We left this one in the album because of the glued article on mount. Photo is fine and comes right out.
24) Fascinating image of full skeleton in the final pages of album and is titled "Finis"
25) Helen & Emily, identical twins playing chess.
26-27) Two trick photos. One of headless man carrying his head and same man playing chess with himself. Plus, man with back to camera. Can't make out name but reads, "Sout, West View by A. Lighton 1863."
28-45) Series of actors, actresses & celebrities including Madge, Kandal, Marion Hood, Kate Terry (grandmother of Sir John Gielguld) and several others.
We cannot guarantee any of these signatures as we are unfamiliar with the field. Many of these signatures may not even exist for exemplars.