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Annie Jones was a “bearded lady” as well as a spokesperson for sideshow performers with disabilities. Born in Virginia, the girl suffered from hypertrichosis, also known as “werewolf syndrome.” Jones’s mother hired Annie out to Barnum's exhibition at nine months of age for a $150 weekly salary. Her mother lived with her in the P. T. Barnum show until the girl was nine. She grew up to become the country's highest paid bearded lady - reportedly earning $500 a week - more than the President earned. She died in 1942 from tuberculosis unable to enjoy her substantial savings.

Details

  • Title: Annie Jones (ca. 1860-1902)
  • Physical Dimensions: Gelatin silver print from glass plate negative (printed later), 3 1/2" x 2 3/8" (image)
  • Provenance: The Meserve-Kunhardt Foundation
  • Subject Keywords: Sideshow
  • Type: Photograph
  • Date: ca. 1865

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