The smallest man in the world prior to his death in 1926. He was only 28 inches tall and weighed only 40 pounds. He was brought to the United States in 1881 by Barnum and Bailey Circus. He traveled with shows the greater part of his life. Two items: original vintage 2.5 x 4 carte-de-visite photo by Chas. Eisenmann of New York, signed on the reverse in pencil, “Che Mah, Age 44 years, Height 28 in.” Notation in another hand reads, “With Barnum, Lancaster, Pa. Oct. 12 ‘82.”; and a pencil signature, “Che Mah, Age 44, Height 28 in,” adding several Chinese characters under his signature on an off-white 3.5 x 2 card. In fine condition, with collector’s notation of “Oct. 12, 1882, Lancaster, Pa.,” at bottom. RRAuction COA.
