Photo PC of Sideshow Star Perumal Sami, His Parasitic Twin in his Chest 1910-15

Description

Photo postcard depicting sideshow performer Perumal Sami. Perumal Sami was born in Madras, India in 1888. Sami was born with a parasitic twin.
Perumal began his exhibition career at a very young age and often appeared in photographs with a companion Indian dwarf. Sami was Perumal’s family name. He toured primarily in Europe, but did tour briefly with the Ringling Bros. circus. While in America he gained a reputation for being a difficult and a perfectionist and displaying a strong dislike for western culture. He often refused to eat ‘American food’ and eventually employed his own Indian cooks to prepare his meals. Just like Laloo and other marvels with parasitic twin, Perumal’s twin was billed as being female and was dressed accordingly. That was, of course impossibility and all parasitic twins are same-sexed. Little else is known of Perumal. No record exists of his exploits, romantic of otherwise, following his official retirement in 1915. This card was published in London by Gale & Polden and has the names misspelled. Mild edge and corner wear. Unposted with a hint of soil on the back.