This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/28/2023
[FAT BOYS] STUART, Charles and Alexander. THE HIGHLAND MAMMOTH BOYS. New York: Nagel, ca. 1846. Etching of the Scottish boys, aged 9 and 11 years, weighing over 500 pounds (according to the caption), and “now exhibiting at the [Barnum’s] American Museum, N.Y.” Full-length image depicts the Stuarts in highland dress, replete with kilts and hats. Matted, sight 13½ × 15½". Foxed, with short tears around perimeter. Scarce; the only example we have located. See Exemplars, page 233.
Barnum later exhibited the Stuarts (sometimes spelled “Stewarts”) with a third brother. He also purchased the secret of a Second Sight act which he hoped they would perform but was unsuccessful in teaching them the method behind the magic. It has also been reported that Barnum was doubly disappointed: the Stuart boys turned out to be not as fat as he’d wished when he hired them.