SEALO THE SEAL BOY Signed Real Photo 1940s RPPC circus sideshow freak TOM WAITS

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SEALO THE SEAL BOY Signed Real Photo 1940s RPPC circus sideshow freak TOM WAITS:
$350.00

SEALO THE SEAL BOY, autographed real photo post card fromthe 1940s or 1950s.This is an original RPPC (real photo postcard) and NOT areproduction. A very rare sideshow collectible from a legendary performer. Sealo the Seal Boy was immortalized in the Tom Waits song “Lucky Day (Overture)”from the album Black Rider, which contains the line, “You’ll see Sealo the sealboy who has flippers for arms!” This is a very touching artifact. The inscription gives me the impression thatSealo had a little crush on Nita, the girlfriend of the person who requestedthe autograph. Sealo begins his inscription on the front and continues it on theback. Here’s what he has to say: On the front of the card it says:
“To Lloyd and Nita
Need I write More”And on the back:
“Compliments of Sealo
To Lloyd
Please take good care of Nita cause I just know she is a swell girl.”The card is undated, but Sealo was active as a performer from the late 1940sthrough the 1950s, so that is the time frame. The condition is very good for it’sage, as can be seen in the scan. Just some discoloration from age and lightsoiling. It measures 3.5 x 5.5”Here is some info about Sealo from Wikipedia: Stanislaus Berent[1](November 24, 1901– 1980) was anAmericanfreakwho performed at manyfreak shows, including theWorldCircus Sideshowin 1941 under thestage nameofSealo the Seal Boy(often stylized to justSealo). He was known for his seal-like arms, which werecaused by a congenital medical condition known asphocomelia. In 2001,MatFraser's play inspired by Sealo calledSealboy: Freakdebuted.Berent was born November 24, 1901, inPittsburgh,Pennsylvania.[1]He was brought up as aPolishCatholicand suffered from an extremely rarecongenitaldisorderknown asphocomelia, which caused his "seal arms".[1]He had no arms; his hands grew from hisshoulders.Sealo started off his career as a newspaper seller, then wasdiscovered by freak scouters.[1]He was a regular featureatConey Island'sfreak show fromcirca1920to 1970[4]andwas exaggerated as a human with a seal body on some promotional sideshowposters.[5]Despitehis genetic disability, Sealo was still able to carry out feats like sawing acrate in half and shaving with a straight razor on his own,[6]as well as mouldinganimal figurines out of clay.[7]His partner on-stage wasToby,[8]achimpanzee.[1]Sealo had trouble gettingup and down the performance stage due to his weak legs. He would spend the timein which he was not performing on stage sellingpitch cards.[6]After performing, hepreferred resting at hotels to sleeping at the fairground.[1][6]He performed at theWorld Circus Sideshowin1941.[9]Healso toured around the world and performed at many other freak shows.[8]

Sealo's freak show career lasted for thirty-five years;[6]he retired in 1976 andmoved to Showmen's Retirement Village[8]inGibsonton, Florida.[1]He returned to hishometown of Pittsburgh afterwards when his health started to decline.[1]He spent his final daysat a Catholic hospital[10]and died in 1980.Sealo was ofPolishancestry.[8]His sister was a nun.[8]He spent his free time playing cards and wasan avid drinker.[8]TheplaySealboy: Freakpremieredin 2001 and was showcased at the Bodies of Work disability arts festival in2005, which was held in Chicago. It "tells the story of both Berent[Sealo] and a contemporary actor loosely based on [Mat]Fraser."[11]

He is mentioned inTom Waits'songLucky Day (Overture)from his albumThe Black Rider, about sideshow performers.[12]

*I’m saleing off a lot of my old collectibles right now and in the comingweeks. I’m calling it my Pre-Death Estate Sale. I just need the cash right now.I’ve been collecting since the late 70s.Yes, I’m old. There’s going to be a lot of rock, metal and punk stuff up aswell as many other interesting items, both musical and non. Come check it allout. Thanks for looking.