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Sideshow Cabinet Card, "Princes Karoline, The Living Doll," Hungarian Little Person Performer, Inscribed Morris Fair 1909ca. 1900s; inscribed October 6, 1909
A charming sideshow cabinet card of "Princes Karoline, The Living Doll," a little person performer, shown full length in an elegant off-the-shoulder gown with a long train, a flower in her hair and a bouquet in hand, posed beside a carved studio chair before a painted backdrop.
The verso is printed with her billing as sold to fairgoers: "Princes Karoline ... The Living Doll ... Thirty Two Years Old ... Born in Budapest, Hungaria ... Thirty Two Inches High ... Weight, Twenty Pounds."
Below, a period owner has written in pencil: "Got this photo, at the Morris, fair Oct the 6th 1909," recording exactly where and when the card was bought. Such dated, first-hand provenance is uncommon on sideshow pitch cards.
Photographs like this were sold by performers themselves at fairs, dime museums and traveling shows as souvenirs and a source of income. Princess Karoline appears to be a little-documented performer, which makes this card all the more appealing for collectors of sideshow, circus and carnival history.
Details:
Cabinet card, ca. 1900s
Printed performer billing on verso
Pencil inscription: Morris fair, October 6, 1909
Unframed
Provenance: Period pencil inscription: "Got this photo, at the Morris, fair Oct the 6th 1909."
Format: Cabinet card photograph on white card mount; printed performer text on verso; period pencil inscription
Size: Standard cabinet card, approx. 4 1/4 x 6 1/2 in.Carefully packed and shipped. Ref GMV-0008.Green Mountain Vault: Rare books, ephemera and historical collections
