When 19th century circus-goers weren’t watching men eat fire or women swing from trapezes, they could ogle at disabled and different people put on display in what were then called ‘freak shows’.
Women with hairy faces, men born with no limbs, and a girl who resembled a bird were just some of the individuals being paraded around the seedy circuses and taverns of Victorian England and the New World.
People were fascinated by the individuals, some of whom earned fame and wealth by performing, and others who endured something like indentured servitude as a result of their misunderstood disabilities.
Remarkable black and white images show the small, large, and malformed individuals who were exhibited as human curiosities to the paying public.
And though little-known today, many of the characters in these photos would go on to become the most famous and wealthiest stars of their generation.
By the 1890s ‘freak shows’ began to lose their popularity as scientific advances lead to the explanation of these physical differences.
But still, the photos remain as a reminder that people once found differences entertaining – no matter how disturbing that fact is.
When 19th century circus-goers weren’t watching men eat fire or women swing from trapezes, they could ogle at disabled and different people put on display in what were then called ‘freak shows’. Pictured are a group of the individuals who were on display
These two performers were on display because one had an inexplicably hairy face, and the other, Koo-Koo the bird girl, had a genetic mutation which gave her bird like features
Schlitzie Simon Melt was born with microcephaly – meaning he had a shrunken head and brain. because the disease was not understood at the time he had little choice by to be a member of a freak show
People were fascinated by the individuals, some of whom earned fame and wealth by performing, and others who endured something like indentured servitude as a result of their misunderstood disabilities. These two were famous because, one had the face of a man and the body of a young woman, and the other was a grown woman with a 15-inch beard
This man was known as the ‘Human Caterpillar’ because he was born limbless. For entertainment he would roll himself over and light cigarettes with only his mouth
This man was clearly put in the freak show because of his lack of legs. Though little-known today, many of the characters in these photos would go on to become the most famous and wealthiest stars of their generation
Remarkable black and white images show the small, large,and malformed individuals who were exhibited as human curiosities to the paying public. Pictured are a group of traveling ‘freaks’ who were all a part of the same show
Canadian circus performer Anna Haining Swan Bates, center, stands at seven-and-a-half feet tall next to her father Alexander Swan and her mother Ann Haining Swan, both who were of average height