Nellie Keeler known as "The Indiana Midget"
Item #: 25749
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Nellie
Keeler known as "The Indiana Midget" and "Little Queen
Mab," A CDV of Keeler standing on a piece of
furniture. Keeler was a famous 19th-century circus performer. Born in Kokomo,
Indiana, she weighed only 11 ounces at birth and grew to just over two feet
tall by age three. In 1878, she was hired by P.T. Barnum and began touring
with his circus, often appearing alongside giants like Colonel Routh Goshen to
emphasize her small stature. Her popularity was immense; at the height of her
career, she earned $100 per month, a significant sum that helped her family pay
off their farm mortgage. Keeler’s career effectively ended around age 12
when she underwent a sudden growth spurt, eventually reaching a height of five
feet. Sadly, her later years were marked by poor health; she became an invalid
by 16 and died of tuberculosis (consumption) at age 28 in 1903. She was buried
in a burglar-proof vault to prevent grave robbers from stealing her remains for
medical curiosity. Back marked Bogardus, NY.
Shipping Weight:
0.2 lb
$75.00 USD
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