THE ORIGINAL ELIOPHOBUS FAMILY [carte de visite (CDV)] by [Lucasie Family; Charles Eisenmann (photographer)] - 1885

New York: Charles Eisenmann, 1885. First Edition. Photograph. Near fine. [1880s]. Carte de visite (albumen photographic print mounted on card), approximately 4 1/8 x 2 1/2 inches. Photographer's stamp on verso. Light foxing in upper margin of photograph and very minor wear to gilt edges, else a fine, crisp card and print.

A splendid example of one of the most iconic images of the albino Lucasie family, whom P. T. Barnum brought from Amsterdam to New York in 1857 and advertised as “white Negro” natives of Madagascar, sometimes with the Barnumesque label, “Eliophobus” (sun-fearing), as seen here. The Lucasies, whose family included a daughter in addition to the son shown in this image, toured widely for Barnum and were one of his most popular attractions at his American Museum in New York. After the demise of the Museum, they performed on the circus circuit until what appears to be the death of both parents, Rudolph and Antiana, and their daughter in 1898. The son, Joseph, had studied violin from a young age and was reported to have distinguished himself in the art. He would continue to perform musically until his own death in 1909.