Believe It Or Not
One sheet This vintage poster features Miss Bertha Curtis, a sideshow performer billed as a "living wonder" for Robert Ripley's "Believe It or Not".
Key Details from the Poster
Performer: Miss Bertha Curtis.
Billed Weight: 540 lbs.
Event: This specific poster was used to promote Ripley's exhibit at the New York World's Fair, which took place between 1939 and 1940.
Artist: The subject is "as cartooned by Robt. L. Ripley," the founder of the famous "Believe It or Not" franchise.
Historical Context
Miss Bertha Curtis was part of the "Museum of Living Wonders," a collection of oddities and unique performers made famous by Ripley's newspaper cartoons and traveling roadshows. During this era, "fat ladies" were a standard attraction in circus sideshows and dime museums. Another performer from the same period, Margaret Ann Rodgers (also known as Maggie Clark), was similarly recognized for a weight of 540 lbs.
Key Details from the Poster
Performer: Miss Bertha Curtis.
Billed Weight: 540 lbs.
Event: This specific poster was used to promote Ripley's exhibit at the New York World's Fair, which took place between 1939 and 1940.
Artist: The subject is "as cartooned by Robt. L. Ripley," the founder of the famous "Believe It or Not" franchise.
Historical Context
Miss Bertha Curtis was part of the "Museum of Living Wonders," a collection of oddities and unique performers made famous by Ripley's newspaper cartoons and traveling roadshows. During this era, "fat ladies" were a standard attraction in circus sideshows and dime museums. Another performer from the same period, Margaret Ann Rodgers (also known as Maggie Clark), was similarly recognized for a weight of 540 lbs.
Mounted
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