18th Century Material Culture

Medical Anomalies

Take Notice!

This presentation is for educational purposes only

The information displayed makes no attempt to being politically correct
It is presented just as it was during the 18th Century

Giants

Mr. Henry Blacker THE BRITISH GIANT

1750
(Private Collection)

The Irish Giant, Cornelius Magrath - Il Gigante Magrat Who Stood 7 Feet 5 Inches in Height
by Pietro Longhi while Magrath was Visiting Venice as Part of His Exhibition Tour of Europe 1757
(Private Collection)

The Mortal Remains of the Irish Giant, Cornelius Magrath Who Stood 7 Feet 5 Inches in Height
(Trinity College)

The Mortal Remains of the Irish Giant, Cornelius Magrath Who Stood 7 Feet 5 Inches in Height
(Trinity College)

English Newspaper Cutting Advertising the Irish Giants at the Swan Inn, December 15, 1780
1780
(Oxford Digital Library)

Newspaper Clipping On seeing the Gigantic Twin Brothers, No. 2, Spring Gardens.
1780
(Oxford Digital Library)

English Newspaper Cutting Advertising the Irish Giant Appearance at the Cane Shop, April 25, 1782
1782
(Oxford Digital Library)

Charles Byrne Alongside the Brother Knipe & Dwarves

by John Kay c. 1784
(National Portrait Gallery)

THE SURPRISING IRISH GIANT OF ST. JAMESS STREET.

by T. Smith 1785
(Lewis Walpole Library)

The Mortal Remains of Charles Byrne (1761 - 1783) Who Stood 7 Feet 7 Inches Tall
(Royal College of Surgeons of England)

English Newspaper Cutting Advertising the Irish Giant at the Silk Dyers, May 5, 1785
1785
(Oxford Digital Library)

Bank Note Spoof Announcing The Gigantic Child / Infant Hercules

c. 1780s
(Oxford Digital Library)

Dwarfs

A Dwarf: Leatherjack - Owen Farrel (1716 - 1742)

English School, Attributed to B. Smith or Joseph Highmorec
(Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery William Hunter Collections, University of Glasgow)

A Dwarf: Leatherjack - Owen Farrel (1716 - 1742)

English School, Attributed to B. Smith or Joseph Highmorec
(Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery William Hunter Collections, University of Glasgow)

Dwarf Equestrian Enthusiasts

by Dutch School 18th Century
(Bonhams)

Joseph Boruwlaski (17391837), A Polish - Born Dwarf Who Toured European and Turkish Courts
by Philip Reinagle c. 1782
(Private Collection)

Albinos

English Newspaper Cutting Advertising Two Albino Brothers at Charing - Cross, April 30, 1789
1789
(Oxford Digital Library)

Twin
Anomalies

James Poro, Son of Paul Poro

London 1722
(The British Museum)

Verdadero retrato y relacion anatomica de las ninas unidas que nacieron en Barcelona Barcelona
1779
(Private Collection)

Skeleton of Siamese Twins

From the Collection of Scientist & Embalmer Frederik Ruysch
c. 1717
(The Kunstkamera)

Limb
Anomalies

Magdalena Rudolf's Thuinbuj from Stockholm

by Wolfgang Kilian 1651
(Oxford Digital Library)

Magdalena Rudolf's Thuinbuj from Stockholm

by Wolfgang Kilian 1651
(Oxford Digital Library)

Magdalena Rudolf's Thuinbuj from Stockholm

by Wolfgang Kilian 1651
(Oxford Digital Library)

Magdalena Rudolf's Thuinbuj from Stockholm

by Wolfgang Kilian 1651
(Oxford Digital Library)

Johannes Wnistor (Born 1700)

Early 18th Century
(Oxford Digital Library)

Johannes Wnistor (Born 1700)

Early 18th Century
(Oxford Digital Library)

Johannes Wnistor (Born 1700)

Early 18th Century
(Oxford Digital Library)

Self Portrait of Mr. Matthew Buchinger

April 29, 1724
(Oxford Digital Library)

Specimen of Writing by Matthew Buchinger, Dublin, Born Without Hands or Feet

October 16, 1736
(Oxford Digital Library)

Maria Marin
c. Early to Mid 18th Century
(Oxford Digital Library)

English Handbill
1770
(Oxford Digital Library)

English Handbill of the Sun

c. 1780
(Oxford Digital Library)

English Handbill for the Talbot - Inn

c. 1780
(Oxford Digital Library)

English Handbill Announcing THE CELEBRATED FAIR VENETIAN

18th Century
(Oxford Digital Library)

The Portrait of THOMAS INGLEFIELD Etched by Himself

1787
(Oxford Digital Library)

Horns

English Newspaper Cutting - Hole in the Wall in Butcher-Row Announcing a Woman with Horn Growing
18th Century
(Oxford Digital Library)

Craws

Handbill of Mr. Becket

1787
(Oxford Digital Library)

Handbill of Mr. Becket

1787
(Oxford Digital Library)

Handbill of Mr. Becket

1787
(Oxford Digital Library)

Gifted
Memory

Jedidiah Buxton, ...

1764
(Oxford Digital Library)

Jedidiah Buxton, ...

c. 1764
(Oxford Digital Library)

Acknowledgements
The material contained within these slideshows is presented for educational purposes only. The
18th Century Material Culture Resource Center does not personally own any of the items
depicted herein and is indebted to the countless museums, libraries, and private collectors who
willingly share their collections with the public through the internet. Every attempt has been
made to credit these organizations and individuals for their contributions as best as possible.
If there is a question you have regarding a particular item featured within a presentation, please
contact the 18th Century Material Culture Resource Center and we will try to answer your
inquiry as best as possible. If for any reason you feel there is any item that should not be
presented here, or if there is an error in any listing, or if you know the source for any item whose
credit is unknown, please inform us and we will make sure your concern is addressed as soon as
possible.
Thank you!
- The 18th Century Material Culture Resource Center