Adel Iowa Circus Young Black Woman 700 Lb 1907 Real Photo Postcard

Individuals presented as fat ladies were prominent features of American and European popular entertainment from the mid-19th to the mid-20th centuries, commonly appearing in sideshows, circuses, and vaudeville acts. These performers, often celebrated for their exceptional size, were marketed as human curiosities or human exhibits, drawing large audiences fascinated by the extraordinary and unusual. Their elaborate costumes, like the one featuring tassels seen here, were designed to enhance their stage presence and visual appeal, framing them within a theatrical context.