Freakatorium: The Collection of Johnny Fox

Charles Tripp “Armless Wonder” Original Carvings and Correspondence. Wichita, ca. 1905. Framed display, in custom wood and glass shadowbox, of various wooden items carved by Tripp using his feet. Display includes two pairs of wooden scissors, a wooden chain with twenty-six links and a three-piece clasp, two carpenter’s dividers, and a monogram for James H. Boyer, the person for whom the items were carved. Together with two postal cards in Tripp’s inimitable calligraphy, penned entirely with his feet, addressed to Boyer; and a cabinet photo of Tripp by Eisenmann, signed by Tripp on the verso. A staple of P.T. Barnum’s sideshows, Tripp (1855 – 1930) was born without arms, but nevertheless managed to become a skilled carpenter and calligrapher.