Lot of two: Obv.: P.T. Barnum's / Greatest Show / On / Earth, /United With / The / Great London Circus.; Rev.: Chang The Great Chinese Giant / Souvenir 1881. Br.,rd., 28 mm. In 1881 P. T Barnum contracted Chang to his Greatest Show on Earth. At $600 a week Chang was one of the most well paid attractions of his time. Aided by a Barnum advertisement campaign, the giant billed as being 'as strong as Heracles' and 'as beautiful as Apollo' Chang drew record crowds and hordes of admirers. Often billed as Chang Yu Sing the gargantuan Chang Woo Gow was born in Fychow, China in 1845 and, before appearing in front the Prince and Princess of Wales by request in 1864, the nearly eight-foot giant was best known for delighting the emperor of China as part of his royal court.
Provenance: John Reynolds Collection
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Date: 1881