Fascinating circa 1870s carte-de-visite CDV of Eli Bowen, a side show performer who spent most of his life touring with major circus acts such as Barnum & Bailey. Bowen was born with a rare genetic condition called phocomelia, which caused him to appear as if his feet were attached to his hips. Beloved by audiences as “The Legless Wonder," Bowen would perform well into the 1900s. This particular photo, which likely dates to his time with the Pullman Circus in the 1870s - and could have been sold as a souvenir there - also features his loving wife, Martha Haines and the oldest of his four children. Images of circus performers were wildly popular in the latter part of the 19th century, and Bowen was one of the most famous performers of his time.

[Antique Photography, Daguerreotype, Ambrotype, Tintype, Albumen, CDV, Cabinet Card]