Photograph (Albumen Print, Carte de Visite) of Lucia Zarate, a Mexican Midget, by the London Stereoscopic Co., 1881 | |||||||||||
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| Inventory Number: | 12864 | ||||||||||
| Object Type: | | ||||||||||
| Place Created: | London England United Kingdom Europe |
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| Brief Description: | Carte de visite (albumen print mounted on card) of Lucia Zarate, standing full length, facing front, her arm on a chair. The chair and the deliberate wasted height above her emphasise her short stature. Rich purple-brown colour. The card has the added function of advertising her: printed text on the back, instead of the usual photographer's advertisement, sensationalises 'this wonderful Mexican Pigmy' (who is being exhibited in London). Lucia Zarate (?1864-1890) was genuinely one of the smallest human beings ever recorded, though her claimed age has been called into question; she suffered from a type of dwarfism. During her period in London she appeared before Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace on February 26, 1881. | ||||||||||
| Primary Inscriptions: | Printed text and photographer's details on back: 'Greatest wonder of the Age! | Señorita Lucia Zarate, | This young lady is 18 years of age, and weighs only 4¾ pounds. Is perfect in form and feature. ...' and 'Photographed by the London Stereoscopic Co. ...'.
Inscribed with the date 'March 19 1881', presumably the date the owner acquired the card or saw its subject. | ||||||||||
| Provenance: | Probably from Richard Inwards's photographs. | ||||||||||
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| Material(s): |
Paper Card | ||||||||||
| Dimensions: |
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Permalink: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/object/inv/12864