Stories of 19th century albinos caught in a photographer's lens

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

During the 1800s, if you looked different from most people, your fate was sealed. You could hardly have been hired anywhere, you would have had no chance of getting an education, and in general, the chances of simple survival were often not so great. This also applied to albino people. The best destiny for them at that time was to go to the circus and show themselves for money.

Albinism is characterized by a complete or partial absence of pigments in the skin, and this condition is congenital and cannot be treated. On average, people have one albino for every 20,000 newborns, which is not a lot, but this figure also includes peoples where albinism almost never occurs, and where it appears much more often. For example, in Tanzania, an albino child is born for every 1400 people, and among the Indian Kuna people - for every 145 people.

Unzi was seen at the Barnum and Bailey Circus in New York. He was born in New Zealand, where he was spotted when the circus was on tour there. In the United States, a man spoke with an accompanying story that he was a clear representative of "Australian aboriginal beauty", that he was born into a wild tribe where Unzi was worshiped as a god.

Rudolph and Antoinette Lukashi Barnum discovered in Amsterdam in 1857. He gave them a new name - Neg … wasps, told the public that they were from Madagascar and assured them that their red eyes continued to see everything clearly even when they themselves were asleep. The couple were transported to the USA, where they performed with a circus. They later moved on to another circus owned by the Lemon brothers. In total, Rudolph and Antoinette performed in front of people for 40 years. When Antoinette died, Rudolph continued performing as an albino violinist.

Helen Ann Windman Walker with her twin brother Henry. They were born to an African-American family, and from a young age began to act together as "White and Black Twins", and Helen was given a new name - Nelly Walker and was called nothing else than "White Neg … Italian".

Tom Jack performed under the name Ice King. In the photo, he poses next to another circus actor - Tom-Tam. Tom Jack was born in the Czech Republic, later his parents transported him to Sweden, where he found work in the circus.

Tom Jack in 1910. As part of the circus, Tom began to act first as a clown, and later as an illusionist and magician. Tom performed complex tricks with freeing from chains and ropes, began to travel with performances in Europe and as a result made himself a pretty good fortune.

Albino girl named Millie Lamar. Millie traveled with the circus around the United States and acted as a telepath.

Sisters Florence and Mary Martin. Both had very long white hair. Both performed at the Barnum Circus.

In addition to performing in the circus, albinos also often posed for postcards. These postcards were popular with both ordinary people in the United States and collectors.

We also talked about charming twins Lara and Mare from Brazilwho conquered the Internet with their beauty.