Sells-Floto Circus Kassino Midgets Performing Hidden Dog Trick Late 1800s

Photographer Unknown

$44.99

  • Description

  • City: Unknown
  • State: Unknown
  • Country: United States
  • Source: Bodin
  • Approx. Date: Late 1800s
  • Photographer: Unknown

A somewhat scary midget with facepaint and exaggerated facial features shares his secret for a circus routine featuring a small dog. The performer is wearing a full face of makeup that amplify his facial features, and also wears a set of fake ears and a wig with thin, pronounced strands of hair. His appearance is bizzarre to say the least, and is probably meant to intimidate his audience. A hollow compartment is carved into the stomach of his costume, where a tiny dog sits patiently inside. Prior to witnessing the show, the audience is unaware of the hidden compartment in the costume. And so once the midget opens the compartment to reveal his beloved companion, the audience finds quite a pleasant surprise. 

From the collection of Fred Bodin of Gloucester MA. Fred was a long time resident and well-known photographer of Gloucester and had one of the best private collections of New England nautical photographs in private hands. Fred was a photojournalist having graduated with this degree from Syracuse University and worked for Yankee Magazine. Fred passed away in 2016 and HIP purchased his collection from his estate.

    • Description

    • City: Unknown
    • State: Unknown
    • Country: United States
    • Source: Bodin
    • Approx. Date: Late 1800s
    • Photographer: Unknown

    A somewhat scary midget with facepaint and exaggerated facial features shares his secret for a circus routine featuring a small dog. The performer is wearing a full face of makeup that amplify his facial features, and also wears a set of fake ears and a wig with thin, pronounced strands of hair. His appearance is bizzarre to say the least, and is probably meant to intimidate his audience. A hollow compartment is carved into the stomach of his costume, where a tiny dog sits patiently inside. Prior to witnessing the show, the audience is unaware of the hidden compartment in the costume. And so once the midget opens the compartment to reveal his beloved companion, the audience finds quite a pleasant surprise. 

    From the collection of Fred Bodin of Gloucester MA. Fred was a long time resident and well-known photographer of Gloucester and had one of the best private collections of New England nautical photographs in private hands. Fred was a photojournalist having graduated with this degree from Syracuse University and worked for Yankee Magazine. Fred passed away in 2016 and HIP purchased his collection from his estate.