[EARLY PHOTOGRAPHY]. EISENMANN, Charles, photographer. A group of 3 CDVs of Illavaro the Egyptian. New York: ca 1880s.  

2 1/4 x 3 1/2 in. CDVs on cardstock mounts, providing full-standing or bust-length portraits (toning, some fading; one mount trimmed). Credited on recto and/or verso to Charles Eisenmann.  

"Illavaro the Egyptian" was one of P.T. Barnum's exhibited Circassian beauties. He billed these young women as purist examples of the Caucasian race, brought to America from Circassia, though in reality, some, like "Illavaro," were African American women made up to look exotic by teasing their hair and taking other measures.