2006-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006
Illustrated broadside, 7” x 10.5”, ca. 1887, Jackson [Michigan], pertaining to the one week exhibition of Big Winnie Johnson at Assembly Hall. Big Winnie is described as “…the largest Human on Earth or ever was on Earth.” Born and raised in Henry County, Kentucky, “She married when she was a slave not quite 15 years old and she only weighed 96 pounds at that time…and on the 1st day of January, 1887, she weighed 733 pounds…”; “On the 15th day of January, 1884, Big Winnie sat in her house…while her boys went hunting and they stayed longer than expected, and her thighs froze to the floor, necessitating a surgical operation and the removal of 7 pounds of flesh by Dr. Jones of Bethleham…” Plus; clipped newspaper obit, Sept. 4 [1888], 1 col. X 2.25”, Baltimore, MD, headed, “’Big Winnie’ Gone”. The obit provides biographical data, comments on the size of the coffin and notes, “Her head, which is out of proportion to the rest of her body, was almost completely hidden by the fat about her shoulders. At first glance a person would suppose her headless.” Printed by Eaton, Lyon & Allen Printing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. Green colored light stock. Broadside with toning on borders and center fold. Two 1” splits on folds. Small pinhole in center. Obit with tape repair. Two items.
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