Original Vintage Antique Circus Memorabilia Collectibles For Sale
BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS
Historic SIDESHOW CABINET PHOTO, Circa 1900
S. Horvath Midgets
Photographer: Frank Wendt
Timeless Treasures: Uncover the Magic of Vintage Circus Memorabilia
Amazing piece of Barnum & Bailey Circus Sideshow History. An incredible vintage antique 19th/early 20th century photo from the early days of the original PT Barnum era, "The S. Horvath Midgets" was personally hired by PT Barnum. A most worthy Circus Museum piece.
Frank Wendt cabinet photograph depicting the Horvath Midgets. They were performing with the Barnum & Baily circus when this photo was taken c1900. Horvath’s Midgets (owned and operated by S. Horvath) were a troupe from Hungarywho billed themselves as “The Smallest People in the World”.
Photographer stamp on the mount.
This CDV is of the typical style of a Circus Side Show Pitch Card. This type of Photograph was sold at locations where the performer was appearing as a money making endeavor and in some cases, for an additional fee, the Pitch Card / Photo would be signed by the Performer.
Size: 6 1/2 x 4 1/2"
Frank Wendt cabinet photograph depicting the Horvath Midgets. They were performing with the Barnum & Baily circus when this photo was taken c1900. Horvath’s Midgets (owned and operated by S. Horvath) were a troupe from Hungarywho billed themselves as “The Smallest People in the World”. While based in Europe they toured the U.S. several times in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, sometimes with the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey sideshow. Decked out in evening clothes, the little people sang opera, danced ballet, performed magic and pantomime and generally cut up comedy capers for the enthralled throngs. Frank Wendt has always been unfairly placed in the shadow of Sideshow Freak photographer Charles Eisenmann, his mentor. Wendt took over the Eisenmann studio on the Bowery in 1893 and ran it for five years before moving it to New Jersey. He continued making pictures there for a number of years, some quite extraordinary. Wendt specialized in the unusual, of course as you can see. But he had a wider clientele than Eisenmann. He shot all manner of performers, not just the strange.
* See enlargeable images above and below
