O1. Mr. Charles Decker, 19 Years Old-Height, 31 Inches-Weight 45 lbs. CDV. VG. $50
O9. C.L. Weed, Detroit, Mich. Gen. Cardenas,Age 49 yrs., Weight 55 lbs. CDV. VG. $75
O18. No ID. Gen. Littlefinger, 20 years old; height, 31 inches; weight, 28 lbs. CDV. VG. $50
O19. D.J. Wilkes, Baltimore, Md. Master Tommy Lowande, Liliputian Wonder. CDV. VG. $50
O34. R.A. Lord, NY. Col. Ruth Gosham, age 28, wt, 475, ht, 7/11. Cancelled 2-cent blue tax stamp on verso. Corners trimmed to round. E. $125
O43. C.D. Fredricks & Co, NY. Unidentified little person. CDV. G+. $30
O45. Ollivier & Co., NY. Baron Littlefinger, his Family and Count Rosebud his Brother. Nice printed info on verso. CDV. VG. $85
O59. Chas. Eisenmann, NY. CDV of Zoe Meleke, Circassian. Stain at right top of card. G. $50
Per10. Max Platz, Chicago. Count Twobetter. A friendly internet browser has offered the following: “Count Twobetter was the name of a character in an 1888 musical version of the Cinderella story entitled The Crystal Slipper. My source only listed the Boston and New York productions, in which the character was played by Thomas Martin; since the photog studio was Max Platz, in Chicago, I’d bet that the same production also played in that city.” Cabinet Card. VG. $85
Per11. Stanley, Lewiston, Me. Guys in decorative pants. Lower right corner chipped o/w VG. Cabinet Card. $50
Per14. No ID. A man and a girl in performers outfits. They look to be from the South Pacific possibly. No info unfortunately. Cabinet Card. VG. $45
O76. Wing’s, Buffalo, NY. CDV of an unidentified midget on a bonecrusher bicycle. Probably with his manager. VG. $85
O77. Morris, Pittsburgh, Pa. “L.L. Sturgeon, Harrisburg, Pa., 1884,” written on back undoubtedly by Ms. Sturgeon herself. This is a woman who writes with her feet but unlike most Cabinet Cards one sees of this talent, Ms. Sturgeon has arms and hands. There is a sign in the front that reads “Photographs for sale.” G. $250
Per17. R. Archibald Heaven, Bristol. “Mr. Punch,” in manuscript on verso. Man at right stands with a Mr. Punch puppet, ladies are focused on the playing cards. Cabinet Card. VG. $150
O94. No ID. Card photo (7″ x 4″) of Miss Naomi Sutherland. G. $90
O95. E&HT Anthony from Photographic Negative by Brady. General Tom Thumb and Wife, in the identical costumes worn before Emperor Louis Napoleon and the Empress Eugenie, at the Palace of the Tuilleries, Nov. 29, 1864. Facsimile manuscript on verso “Compliments of Charles S. Stratton. Compliments of Lavinia Warren Stratton.” G. $40
Per18. Barenblatt, NYC. Great image (4″ x 5 3/4″ on 5 1/4″ x 7 3/8″ mount) of a clown juggler. He’s got saws, clubs, plates, daggers, balls, other items, a ukelele, etc. He’s wearing a beat up straw hat and a ragged outfit and has a cigar in his mouth. VG. $225
O102. Morris, Pittsburgh. “L.L. Sturgeon, Harrisburg, Pa., 1884,” written on back undoubtedly by Ms. Sturgeon herself. This is a woman who writes with her feet but unlike most Cabinet Cards one sees of this talent, Ms. Sturgeon has arms and hands. There is a sign in the front that reads “Nothing without labor.” There is also a cabinet card of herself in the view. VG. $275
PERPC1. Bobby Leach and his Barrel after his perilous trip over Niagara Falls, July 25th, 1911. Real Photo Postcard, used, postmarked Aug. 26, 1912 at Niagara Falls, NY. VG. $35
O106. G. Lissau, Chicago. Cabinet Card of a woman with very long hair. VG. $40
O108. Baker’s Art Gallery, Columbus, Ohio. “Major Willie Ray (or Lay?), Age 29 yrs, Height 35 ins, Weight 38 lbs.” written on verso. Cabinet Card. VG. $65
O109. From Photographic Negative by Brady. Published by E&HT Anthony. Mr. & Mrs. General Tom Thumb in their wedding costumes. On verso in facsimile is Compliments of Charles S. Stratton. Compliments of Lavinia Warren Stratton. CDV. VG. $45
O110. Chas. Eisenmann, NY. CDV of Mr. I.W. Sprague with his family. Age 40 years; Height 5 feet 5 1/2 inches; Weight 46 pounds. VG. $150
O111. Swords Bros., York, Pa. Count Magri, Countess Magri & Baron Margi. Cabinet Card. VG. $65
Per23. Chas. Eisenmann, NY. Major C (or L?) Newell, Indian Service. Great decorative outfit, pistol at his waist. There is a Major Newell that was active in the is time period in the Dakotas regarding relations with the Indians but I have not been able to determine definitively if this is he. Corners clipped, a crease at top right. Cabinet Card. G. $450
O114. Stratton, 15 City Hall Square, NY. Next Entrance N.Y. & B. Susp. Bridge (which as we all know we now call the “Brooklyn Bridge”). Unidentified image of a man dressed for Arctic exploration with long rifle posed in snow scene. I’ve never seen this before and assume it to be a performer from some Arctic display in town. Cabinet Card. VG. $150
PER26. Eisenmann, NYC. P.T. Barnum. This is a Boudoir Card measuring 8 1/4″ x 5 1/8.” Unusual to find in this size as it’s generally encountered as a Cabinet Card. VG. $275
PER27. Fisher Bros., Boston. CDV of a dancer. VG. $85
PER28. Fisher Bros., Boston. CDV of a dancer. VG. $85
PER29. No ID. Johnny Lamont, 1880. CDV of a young performer, medals pinned to his chest. VG. $75
O118. E&HT Anthony, NY. General Tom Thumb and Wife in the identical costumes worn before Emperor Louis Napoleon and the Empress Eugenie, at the Palace of the Tuilieries, Nov. 29, 1864. Facsimile signatures “Compliments of Charles S. Stratton, Lavinia Warren Stratton” on verso. CDV. G. $40
O119. Photographic negative from Brady’s National Portrait Gallery, published by E&HT Anthony, NY. Gen. Tom Thumb & Wife. CDV. G. $40
O120. E&HT Anthony, NY. General Tom Thumb and Wife, Commodore Nutt and Miss Minnie Warren in the identical costumes worn before Her Majesty Queen Victoria, at Windsor Castle, June 24, 1865. Facsimile signatures “Compliments of Charles S. Stratton, Lavinia Warren Stratton, G.W. McNutt, Minnie Warren” on verso. CDV. G. $45
O121. Photographic negative by Brady, published by E&HT Anthony, NY. Commodore Nutt & Miss Minnie Warren as Groomsman & Bridesmaid. 1863 copyright line bottom recto. Trimmed. CDV. G. $25
O123. Charles D. Fredricks & Co., NY. Commmodore Nutt. CDV. E. $60
O124. Charles D. Fredricks & Co., NY. General Tom Thumb. CDV. VG. $50
Per32. G. West & Son, Gosport. Interesting Cabinet Card of a costumed man, holding and pointing at a puppet in his hand. G. $75
O127. Jack Earle Giant Ring in top hat case. Obviously this is not a photograph of Jack Earle but an example of a popular promotional item that was sold by him. The ring reads “Jack Earle 8 ft. 6 1/2, Giant.” Earle sold two versions of his ring, one saying he was 8 ft. 6 in. tall and this one adding a half inch. The ring opening measures 1 3/8″ in diameter. VG. $125
Per34. Edmund Huther, Londonderry. CDV of a clown. G. $150
Odd127. No ID. Eli Bowen, Wife and Child. The Wonderful Man. With Feet but no Legs. CDV. VG. $125
Odd128. A. Newman, Philadelphia. Eli Bowen, Wife and Child. CDV. VG. $125
Odd129. A. Newman, Philadelphia. Eli Bowen, Wife and Child. CDV. G. $125
Per37. J. Gurney & Son, NY. Marie Bonfanti (Feb. 16, 1845 – Jan. 25, 1921) was a 19th century ballet dancer, born in Milan, who went to America in 1866 as the prima ballerian assoluta (a billing she always insisted upon in her contracts) and appeared in her New York City premiere in The Black Crook at Niblo’s Garden on September 10, 1866. She toured the US and appeared in several musical revues, including The White Fawn, the follow-up to The Black Crook. She was prima ballerina of the Milan Italian Grand Opera Company which toured the US; and was prima ballerina of the New York Metropolitan Opera House (1885-6). CDV. VG. $125
Per38. J. Gurney & Son, NY. Marie Bonfanti (Feb. 16, 1845 – Jan. 25, 1921) was a 19th century ballet dancer, born in Milan, who went to America in 1866 as the prima ballerian assoluta (a billing she always insisted upon in her contracts) and appeared in her New York City premiere in The Black Crook at Niblo’s Garden on September 10, 1866. She toured the US and appeared in several musical revues, including The White Fawn, the follow-up to The Black Crook. She was prima ballerina of the Milan Italian Grand Opera Company which toured the US; and was prima ballerina of the New York Metropolitan Opera House (1885-6). CDV. VG. $125
NACAB23. No ID. John Middle Sky and Jim Polhamus. John Middle Sky was a native American Indian who first came into the news in 1905 when he challenged the then heavyweight boxing world champion James Jeffries. To pay for the training lessons he exhibited himself as a giant (7 feet tall) with Austin & Stone’s museum. The match with Jeffries (nor any other boxer) never happened and John Middle Sky disappeared out of the news until 1910, when he made headlines challenging the then World Champion heavyweight wrestling Frank Gotch. That match never happened either. I assume Jim Polhamus is his agent or manager. Image measures 5 1/2″ x 4″ on a 9″ x 6″ mount. VG-. $400
Per40. H. Wentworth, Sharon Springs, NY. Fellow with all sorts of clothespins on his head. He is also in the next 3 CDVs. VG. $200
Per42. No ID. Same guy as prior CDV. VG. $75
Per43. Critcherson & Storer, Newport, R.I. The same man sits at left doing something with the seated man. 3-cent tax stamp on verso. CDV. VG. $75
Per44. Swords Bro’s., York, Pa. Strongman lifting barrel with 4 men seated upon it with his teeth. G. $125
Odd131. Chas. Eisenmann, NY. Brahmin Caste Hindoo. Signed on back. Also on back “People from Madras East India.” Crease at top left, card is firm. G. $85
Per45. No ID. Unidentified performer, great outfit. CDV. VG. $95
Odd133. No ID. Woman with very long hair. There is a piece of thin cardboard adhered at bottom which will peel off the bottom of the photo if removed o/w VG. $135
Odd134. Ollivier, NY. This lot consists of three items: A CDV of Millie Christine with their story on the back; a trade card (5 1/2″ x 3 1/4″) featuring “Millie Christine The Renowned Two Headed Lady, 8th Wonder of the World” on the front and their story on the back as part of an advertisement for “John B. Doris’ Great Inter-Ocean, Largest and Best Show on Earth;” and a 36-page booklet (9″ x 5 3/4″) about Millie Christine and with many advertisements for Merchant’s Gargling Oil Liniment “Yellow Wrapper for Animal and White for Human Flesh.” Booklet has some chips and nicks, other two items are VG. $600