This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/28/2023
ELEISEGUI, D. Joaquin (1818–61). EL INCOMPARABLE GIGANTE ESPAÑOL. Barcelona: Bodin, ca. 1845. Handsome monochrome lithograph bearing a full-length portrait of the Spanish giant standing between his brother and father, with three framed scenes in the border below them depicting moments from Eleisegui’s early years. The upper right corners bear text regarding his appearances before the kings of Portugal and England. 19¼ × 13¼". Insignificant foxing, rippling to paper. RARE.
A caption below the likeness describes Eleisegui as “A young man of 26 years, standing 12 hands high and weighing 16 stones.” Known as the Basque Giant, he was reportedly the largest man in Europe during his time, growing to more than seven feet tall, and weighing an approximate 470 pounds. He began touring the continent in the 1840s, at about the time this print was produced and appeared before many crowned heads of Europe.