Antique 1870s Holtum at The Hippodrome Circus Freak Show Lithograph Original. Extremely RARE Lithograph depicting his stunt of catching Cannon Balls fired point blank. Wearing only a pair of sturdy gloves and a pad on his chest for minimal protection, Holtum would attempt to catch the speeding projectile with his hands. As soon as Holtum caught the cannonball he would throw it quickly to the ground. He had learnt early on that the ball would burn his flesh if not released immediately.