Carnivals and circuses used to be filled with unusual acts alongside the more mainstream fare we see today. For example, boxing a bear was part of the festivities in 1928.
Carnivals and circuses used to be filled with unusual acts alongside the more mainstream fare we see today. For example, boxing a bear was part of the festivities in 1928.
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In the 1930s, a man crushes a rock block on the body of another man.
In the 1930s, a man crushes a rock block on the body of another man.
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Forget King Kong: Gargantua the Great, "The World's Most Terrifying Living Creature," raises a terrified African tribesman in a poster reprinted in 1938.
Forget King Kong: Gargantua the Great, "The World's Most Terrifying Living Creature," raises a terrified African tribesman in a poster reprinted in 1938.
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Tattoos used to be a way to make a living, at least if you were Stella, a Philadelphia tattooed lady who worked for a circus.
Tattoos used to be a way to make a living, at least if you were Stella, a Philadelphia tattooed lady who worked for a circus.
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Famous little person Charles Sherwood Stratton, aka "General Tom Thumb," poses with his new bride, Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump, and the wedding party on their wedding day in 1863.
Famous little person Charles Sherwood Stratton, aka "General Tom Thumb," poses with his new bride, Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump, and the wedding party on their wedding day in 1863.
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Disc jockey and writer Paul Gambaccini takes on a boxing kangaroo at Eastbourne circus in the UK.
Disc jockey and writer Paul Gambaccini takes on a boxing kangaroo at Eastbourne circus in the UK.
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The "freaks" at Barnum's menagerie included, from left, Laloo (two bodies), Young Herman (expanding chest), J.K. Coffey (skeleton body), James Morris and Jo Jo (the dog-faced man).
The "freaks" at Barnum's menagerie included, from left, Laloo (two bodies), Young Herman (expanding chest), J.K. Coffey (skeleton body), James Morris and Jo Jo (the dog-faced man).
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Circus aerialists Alfredo Codona, his wife, Vera, and brother Lolo rehearse their trapeze act the Flying Codonas at a factory in San Pedro, California, circa 1930.
Circus aerialists Alfredo Codona, his wife, Vera, and brother Lolo rehearse their trapeze act the Flying Codonas at a factory in San Pedro, California, circa 1930.
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Sea lions perform in front of an audience of 6,000 children, brought from hospitals, orphanages and children's homes to the Bertram Mills circus, in 1958.
Sea lions perform in front of an audience of 6,000 children, brought from hospitals, orphanages and children's homes to the Bertram Mills circus, in 1958.
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Circus performers Captain Gulliver and Major Mite pose with Annie and Lulu, who each weighed in excess of 350 pounds, in 1930. Major Mite was born Clarence Chesterfield Howerton and measured only 26 inches high.
Circus performers Captain Gulliver and Major Mite pose with Annie and Lulu, who each weighed in excess of 350 pounds, in 1930. Major Mite was born Clarence Chesterfield Howerton and measured only 26 inches high.
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P. G. Lowrey's Band and Minstrels were part of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, circa 1920.
P. G. Lowrey's Band and Minstrels were part of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, circa 1920.
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