Photograph of a Member of the "Holy Family of Burma"

Portrait of Mahphoon (also spelled Mah-Phoon), a female member of a Burmese family with hereditary cases of hypertrichosis—excessive hair growth.  As typical of her time, she cruelly became a sideshow attraction and was recruited to join Barnum's circus for a tour of the United States in 1888.  The photo, with caption, "Mahphoon the Burmese hairy woman," dates from 1886, when Mahphoon was in her late sixties.  6.5 x 4.25 inches (16.5 x 10.8 cm). (18756)

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Unsigned Photograph

Culture, Ethnicity & Gender

Performing Arts & Media

• Sold