Commercial anatomical museums were the "dark cousin" of dime museums.
Some were legitimate but others were simply fronts for scam artists masquerading
as physicians and even rogue doctors who prayed upon the public.
Some were legitimate but others were simply fronts for scam artists masquerading
as physicians and even rogue doctors who prayed upon the public.
The Freak Museum collection has over two hundred items relating to these
interesting museums. These include catalogues, broadsides, handbills, photographs
and actual exhibits, some of which are shown on other pages of this blog.
Below are some examples from the collection.
interesting museums. These include catalogues, broadsides, handbills, photographs
and actual exhibits, some of which are shown on other pages of this blog.
Below are some examples from the collection.
Photographic and Illustrated Exhibits
Some anatomical museums used medical photographs instead of actual displays.
The following five items are hand colored photographs of medical wax preparations.
They measure 21" x 17", and are graphic.
Commercial museums displayed materials that were visually distressing. The goal was
to lead the visitor to believe he was in danger of contracting, or had already contracted,
some horrible condition. At the appropriate time, an attaché would approach offering
a free and confidential consultation with the resident "Doctor".
to lead the visitor to believe he was in danger of contracting, or had already contracted,
some horrible condition. At the appropriate time, an attaché would approach offering
a free and confidential consultation with the resident "Doctor".
Anatomical Dissection
This rare drawing depicts a medical school dissection.
Usually this right-of-passage were photographic, this 19th century charcoal
was done from a photograph, it measures 19"x22". After become a Doctor,
this probably hung in his office as a reminder of his student days.
was done from a photograph, it measures 19"x22". After become a Doctor,
this probably hung in his office as a reminder of his student days.
The University of Edinburgh Anatomical Museum
Bedford Lemere & Co., 147 Strand, London, Photographers to The Queen
measures 19x17 inches
Medical Waxes
Two Headed Baby
Wax Moulage
unknown studio
Wax Moulage
Ichthyosis of arm
modeled by Joseph Towne, London
Wax Moulage
Anatomy of left arm
probably late 19th century
Anatomical Specimen
Note how the dissector retained the fingernails
Broadside
Anatomical Waxes
18 century
Pig Faced Woman
English, bees wax, 18th century
Edward Mordrake
English, bees wax and tallow, 18th century
Man with Supernumerary Head
English, bees wax and tallow, 18th century
Anatomical Waxes
18 century
Pig Faced Woman
English, bees wax, 18th century
Edward Mordrake
English, bees wax and tallow, 18th century
Man with Supernumerary Head
English, bees wax and tallow, 18th century
Please come back, more to come as time permits.
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