Ronald G. Becker collection of Charles Eisenmann photographs 1840-1930

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Ronald G. Becker collection of Charles Eisenmann photographs 1840-1930

http://library.syr.edu/digital/guides/b/becker_eisenmann.htm

More than one thousand photographs of 19th century sideshows and circuses, most by photographer Charles Eisenmann or his successor Frank Wendt, the remainder by unknown photographers. Most of the photographs depict the physical abnormalities of humans and animals featured at these shows. Subjects include P.T. Barnum, the P.T. Barnum Firm (Barnum and Bailey Circus), and Tom Thumb. Also included are Becker’s research notes, an 1865-1868 run of (forerunner of ), and various print (broadsides and posters) and non-print circus memorabilia. The New York Clipper Billboard Magazine

12 linear ft.

eng,

Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6361122

Related Entities

There are 7 Entities related to this resource.

Thumb, Tom, 1838-1883

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6mx394c (person)

Charles Stratton (1838-1883), stage name General Tom Thumb, was an American showman noted for his small stature. He was the first major attraction promoted by the circus impresario P.T. Barnum. He was not quite five years old when Barnum hired him for his museum, but Barnum publicized him as General Tom Thumb, an 11-year-old dwarf from England. He quickly became a celebrated figure in the United States and abroad. In 1863 Stratton married Lavinia Warren (1841–1919)—another of Barnum’s performers...

Barnum, P. T. (Phineas Taylor), 1810-1891

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6524q6z (person)

Phineas Taylor Barnum was an American showman, businessman and politician remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus (1871–2017) with James Anthony Bailey. He was also an author, publisher and philanthropist. Barnum became a small-business owner in his early twenties and founded a weekly newspaper before moving to New York City in 1834. He embarked on an entertainment career, first with a variety troupe called "Barnum's Grand Scientific and Musical The...

Eisenmann, Charles, b. 1850

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6b718dd (person)

Jojo the dog faced boy.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6cq1tq6 (person)

Wendt, Frank

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6mq9t57 (person)

P.T. Barnum (Firm)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w67m4wt7 (corporateBody)

Becker, Ronald G.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6b13vpq (person)

Charles Eisenmann was an American photographer. His work, which dates from the Victorian-era "Gilded Age" (1870-1890), focused almost exclusively on the "freaks" of the circuses, sideshows, and living museums of New York's Bowery area. The subject matter was profitable enough to provide a living for both Eisenmann and Frank Wendt, his successor in the business. His subjects came from many countries and covered the entire spectrum of human oddity: giants and midgets, fat ...