Six official German Barnum and Bailey postcards, including sideshow performers

Step into the wonder and spectacle of early 20th-century circus history with this attractive set of six official German Barnum & Bailey postcards, produced during the circus’s 1900–1901 tour in Germany. Three postcards are in vivid colour, capturing the excitement and grandeur of one of the world’s most famous circuses.

These postcards showcase a variety of classic circus acts, including acrobatic elephants, horse and dog performances, a cat orchestra, and a spectacular state carriage drawn by 40 horses.

Particularly striking are the two postcards depicting the circus sideshow, or ‘freak’ performers, offering a rare glimpse into the extraordinary talents and oddities that fascinated audiences of the era.

Featured performers include Laloo, 'the Double Bodied Man from India'; Annie Jones, 'the Bearded Child'; Charles B. Tripp, 'the Armless Wonder'; heavily tattooed Frank Howard; the albino Rob Roy; a sword-swallower; a human calculator; Billy Wells, 'the Iron Skull Man'; John (James) Coffey, 'the Skeleton Dude'; Jo-Jo, 'the Dog-Faced-Man'; and finally James Morris, 'the Elastic-Skin Man'.

A must-have for collectors of vintage circus ephemera, sideshow memorabilia, and rare postcards, this set offers a tangible connection to the golden age of Barnum & Bailey.

Add this extraordinary piece of circus history to your collection today.