Step right up: Fascinating photos show the tragic characters on display in 19th century 'freak shows'

By Abigail Miller For Dailymail.com 04:54 06 Sep 2017, updated 23:48 06 Sep 2017

Remarkable black and white images show the people put on display as a part of 19th century 'freak shows'
Women with hairy faces, men without limbs and a girl with bird-like features were all able to be ogled
People were fascinated by the individuals, some of whom earned fame and wealth by performing
However, many of the individuals were disabled and different and subjected to a life of indentured servitude

When 19th and 20th century circus-goers weren't watching men eat fire or women swing from trapezes, they could ogle at disabled and different people put on display in what were then called 'freak shows'.

Women with hairy faces, men born with no limbs, and a girl who resembled a bird were just some of the individuals being paraded around the seedier circuses in the United States.

People were fascinated by the individuals, some of whom earned fame and wealth by performing, and others who endured something like indentured servitude as a result of their misunderstood disabilities.

Remarkable black and white images show the small, large, and malformed individuals who were exhibited as human curiosities to the paying public.

And though little-known today, many of the characters in these photos would go on to become the most famous and wealthiest stars of their generation.

Many of the images are from the 1932 movie 'Freaks', which told the story of a group of performers in the United States who band together against a trapeze performer and her lover when the couple attempts to take advantage of them.

But still, the photos and the film remain as a reminder that people once found differences entertaining - no matter how disturbing that fact is.

When 19th and 20th century circus-goers weren't watching men eat fire or women swing from trapezes, they could ogle at disabled and different people put on display in what were then called 'freak shows'. Pictured are a group of the individuals who were on display

This performer was on show for his or her inexplicably hairy face

This performer was known as Koo-Koo, the bird girl

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This man was known as the 'Human Caterpillar' because he was born limbless. For entertainment he would roll himself over and light cigarettes with only his mouth

This man was clearly put in the freak show because of his lack of legs. Though little-known today, many of the characters in these photos would go on to become the most famous and wealthiest stars of their generation

Remarkable black and white images show the small, large,and malformed individuals who were exhibited as human curiosities to the paying public. Pictured are a group of traveling 'freaks' who were all a part of the same show

Canadian circus performer Anna Haining Swan Bates, center, stands at seven-and-a-half feet tall next to her father Alexander Swan and her mother Ann Haining Swan, both who were of average height

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When 19th and 20th century circus-goers weren't watching men eat fire or women swing from trapezes, they could ogle at disabled and different people put on display in what were then called 'freak shows'. Pictured are a group of the individuals who were on display

2 / 10

This performer was on show for his or her inexplicably hairy face

3 / 10

This performer was known as Koo-Koo, the bird girl

4 / 10

Schlitzie Simon Melt was born with microcephaly - meaning he had a shrunken head and brain. because the disease was not understood at the time he had little choice by to be a member of a freak show

5 / 10

Krao Farini was an hirsute, flexibly jointed woman found in the Laotian jungle in 1885, and put on display by P.T. Barnum as a 'missing link'. She worked for Barnum & Bailey until her death in 1926

6 / 10

Lady with beard: Madame Devere from Bracksville, Kentucky. Her beard was 15 inches long

7 / 10

This man was known as the 'Human Caterpillar' because he was born limbless. For entertainment he would roll himself over and light cigarettes with only his mouth

8 / 10

This man was clearly put in the freak show because of his lack of legs. Though little-known today, many of the characters in these photos would go on to become the most famous and wealthiest stars of their generation

9 / 10

Remarkable black and white images show the small, large,and malformed individuals who were exhibited as human curiosities to the paying public. Pictured are a group of traveling 'freaks' who were all a part of the same show

10 / 10

Canadian circus performer Anna Haining Swan Bates, center, stands at seven-and-a-half feet tall next to her father Alexander Swan and her mother Ann Haining Swan, both who were of average height

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