Framed Print : Poker Playing Pig of Colonel Wood

EDITORS COMMENTS

This intriguing photograph captures the moment when Colonel L.J. Woods' large pig, named "Leatherface," takes part in a lively game of poker during one of the Colonel's popular shows in the United States in 1872. Colonel Woods, an American showman known for his unusual menagerie and sideshow attractions, had gained notoriety for his pig's remarkable size and intelligence. In this image, the sizable pig, adorned with a collar and a top hat, sits at the poker table, intently focusing on the cards in his snout. Woods, dressed in a suit and holding a deck of cards, looks on with a proud expression, as if to confirm the pig's participation in the game. The other poker players, dressed in their Sunday best, seem amused by the unusual scene unfolding before them. This historical photograph offers a unique glimpse into the world of American show business during the late 19th century. Pig poker was just one of the many bizarre attractions that Woods showcased in his traveling circus and menagerie, which also included two-headed calves, a three-legged dog, and a man with a 7-foot long beard. Despite the seemingly absurd nature of the scene, the photograph showcases the Colonel's innovative approach to entertaining audiences and his ability to captivate the public's imagination. The image is a testament to the power of showmanship and the enduring fascination with the unusual and the extraordinary in American history.