framed freaks
So I did it. I actually bought the 'freaks' picture about a week ago, but just finally remembered to get a digital photo of it to upload. You'll notice in my original post about it, I mentioned the picture was $30 - So you can imagine how happy I was when I revisited the antique store and it was only $15!! I am not sure if it went on sale after I first saw it, or if I just remembered incorrectly. (I know it's hard to believe that I might have gotten mixed up on the facts, but try and consider it as a viable option).
I know it isn't coming through all that clearly, but here it is:
My personal favorites are the guy that's on the lower level 2nd from the right -- his head is on backwards, the 2 midget ladies flanking the sides of the large woman also on the bottom row (they are just-a-smilin'away), and the woman just below them, who I am sorry to say, has no legs. But don't worry, the man 2nd from the left on the lower level has 3 legs so he makes up for her... And who could miss the giants? To me this picture is both sad and hilarious.
According to an old man who works at the antique store, the woman with no legs and the giant guy in the top/middle were married, and she recently passed away - the longest living woman from the whole group. I told him that I felt kinda bad for all of the people who were basically paid to be gawked at, but he reminded me that they had happy lives, made good money (that they otherwise wouldn't have without some sort of disability coverage), and that they found a sense of 'family' with one another. This is what ultimately convinced me to make the purchase - I am not necessarily joining the throngs of gawkers who paid 'good money' to stare, I'm paying tribute to a group of misfits who were able to make happy lives for themselves.
I think this will make a great conversation piece for my guest bathroom someday. I'm also going to leave the price tag (in the upper left hand corner) attached, because who wouldn't get a kick out of seeing 'Freaks' in an old lady's shaky penmanship?
I know it isn't coming through all that clearly, but here it is:
My personal favorites are the guy that's on the lower level 2nd from the right -- his head is on backwards, the 2 midget ladies flanking the sides of the large woman also on the bottom row (they are just-a-smilin'away), and the woman just below them, who I am sorry to say, has no legs. But don't worry, the man 2nd from the left on the lower level has 3 legs so he makes up for her... And who could miss the giants? To me this picture is both sad and hilarious.
According to an old man who works at the antique store, the woman with no legs and the giant guy in the top/middle were married, and she recently passed away - the longest living woman from the whole group. I told him that I felt kinda bad for all of the people who were basically paid to be gawked at, but he reminded me that they had happy lives, made good money (that they otherwise wouldn't have without some sort of disability coverage), and that they found a sense of 'family' with one another. This is what ultimately convinced me to make the purchase - I am not necessarily joining the throngs of gawkers who paid 'good money' to stare, I'm paying tribute to a group of misfits who were able to make happy lives for themselves.
I think this will make a great conversation piece for my guest bathroom someday. I'm also going to leave the price tag (in the upper left hand corner) attached, because who wouldn't get a kick out of seeing 'Freaks' in an old lady's shaky penmanship?
posted by Amber | 7:24 PM
3 Comments:
It's like the island of misfit toys, only for people.
And we both know how much you love those toys.
i agree...have that hangin' somewhere....much to talk about...i spotted the guy with 3 legs right off the bat....he has his own lil tripod to sit down...crazy....
It's just as wonderful as I imagined when you told me about it the first time. It's got that weird, beautiful, creepy, hilarious combo going on!!!! Love it...props to you!
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