Own a piece of history – today! Chang-Yu-Sing Famous Circus Performer “The Chinese Giant” Original Carte-de-Visite Albumen Photograph circa 1865. A Rare Original Photograph. Chang grew to nearly 8 feet in height, married a beautiful “normal” named King Foo (her name literally means “the fair lily”). Photographed and published by The London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company whose studio was situated on Regent Street, between 1865 and 1867. Chang-Yu-Sing was a famous circus and sideshow performer, and was prolific in the business. He performed with Barnum, Bailey, and Hutchinson. Standing at 7 feet and 8.75 inches (235.5 cm) tall, in some performances, he appeared with “Chung Mow, The Chinese dwarf, ” making a most dramatic contrast and most engaging performance. Early biographical accounts state that he was born in the city of Fychow in Au-Hwy province [Huizhou in Anhui], in Eastern China, a region in the basins of the Yangtse and Huai rivers. He was a man of exceptional intelligence, speaking at least 10 languages. He was well-travelled, owing to the nature of his work. In 1865, he was persuaded to tour London, and headed the call, departing from Shanghai with Lady Chang, Chung Mow, his interpreter, two other Chinese individuals Alook and A’Yang, and an agent James Marquis Chisholm. In London he held levées at the Egyptian Hall and was invited to Malborough House to visit the Duke of Cambridge. For several years he toured England. He was an attraction at the Paris Exposition of 1867, visited Ireland, then Scotland where he celebrated New Year’s Eve 1869 in Aberdeen. His agent at this time, since 1869 or earlier, was Edward Parlett. In 1870 he crossed the Atlantic to perform and be seen in America, arriving in New York in the summer. After touring the eastern states, he went across-country to California, then to Honolulu in September, where he attended a private party at Queen Emma’s residence. The party toured Dundedin, Nelson, and Christchurch, then proceeded to Australia in December. They arrived in Melbourne 24 January 1871, and then to Sydney on 24 April, followed by West Maitland, Singleton, Muswellbrook, Scone, Newcastle, Goulbourn, Wollongong, Brisbane, Warwick, Ispwich and Bathurst, to entertain and perform. Early in 1871 a conflict took place between the performers and agent Parlett, so Chang and his party continued without an agent. While in Australia, around April, he met his second wife Catherine Santley, who later bore him two sons, Edwin (born in Beijing) and Ernest (born in Paris). On 25 November 1871, Mr. Barnum enticed him to return to New York, to appear in Barnum and Bailey’s “Greatest Show on Earth” in December 1880. After this prestigious gig, he had been travelling the world 30 years, entertaining thousands as a marvelous attraction, and decided to retire. Subsequently Chang started a business importing Chinese goods into England. He and Catherine evidently lived on the Isle of Wight for a few years. In 1890, a medical diagnosis suspected Chang to have tuberculosis, and the family settled in Bournemouth, where they established an Oriental-bazaar and tea-room business at their home. The tea house was named Moyuen, possibly for the Moyune tea native to the Anhui region. He again became a popular local’attraction’ in Bournemouth when he and his wife enjoyed their evening strolls in the evenings, then becoming known more affectionately as’The Gentle Giant. He was always kind and friendly, but he sought a quiet life. In 1891 he became a’naturalized British subject’, the document noting that he was’an earnest Christian worker’. Heartbroken at the death of his wife in 1893, he died 4 months later on 5 November. Still mourning the loss of his wife, on his deathbed he requested a quiet funeral. His funeral was therefore kept a secret to prevent crowds of onlookers from attending. The invitees numbered approximately 100. He was buried in an unmarked grave alongside his wife in a coffin said to be eight and a half feet long. Please Note: Image may appear larger on screen than actual size. CDV measures 6 x 10 cm. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Photographic Images\Photographs”. The seller is “voyagerpress” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Custom Bundle: No
• Format: Carte de Visite (CDV)
• Time Period Manufactured: 1850-1899
• Subject: Circus
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
• Original/Facsimile: Original
• Number of Photographs: 1
• Image Orientation: Portrait
• Year of Production: 1865
• Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
• Image Color: Sepia
• Antique: Yes
• Unit of Sale: Single Piece
• Theme: History
• Type: Photograph
• Original/Reproduction: Original