Feminist Daredevil 1876 Maria Spelterini Female Stuntwoman Original Photo 10853

Description: DETAILS: Original stereoview photograph of Italian female daredevil and acrobat Maria Spelterini crossing Niagara Falls on a tightrope while wearing baskets on her feet. This was her second crossing of the Falls and taken by photographer C Bierstadt on July 12, 1876. Measures 7" x 3.5" inches. Please see images for further details. BIOGRAPHY: Maria Spelterini (1853 –1912) was an Italian daredevil and tightrope walker who was the only woman to cross the Niagara gorge on a tightrope on July 8, 1876. She crossed again on July 12, 1876, this time wearing peach baskets strapped to her feet. She crossed two more times; blindfolded on July 19, and on July 22 she crossed with her ankles and wrists manacled. On July 27, 1876, she made her last trip across the Niagara Gorge on a tightrope. Spelterini began performing in Italy at the age of three with other family members in a circus act. She quickly earned a reputation for performing feats that would make her male compatriots jealous. She regularly appeared as the main attraction at many fairs and circus performances. She toured Europe, performing at Moscow (crossing the Moskva River), St. Petersburg (crossing the River Neva), Saint Aubin on the Island of Jersey (1872), and Catalan (1873). In a 1877 performance in Rosario, Argentina she survived a fall while riding a velocipede (bicycle) that malfunctioned on a wire. Spelterini arrived in New York in 1876 and began performing at the Jones Wood Coliseum. Spectators paid twenty-five cents to see her do tricks on the wire, including running backwards and sitting in a chair while wearing a flamboyant costume. She sought permission to tightrope between the towers of the Brooklyn Bridge, which was still under construction, but was refused. So, she performed at Niagara Falls instead. Thousands traveled there to see her performances and to give her presents. GUARANTEE: We offer a lifetime guarantee on all of our photographs to be authentic originals and as stated. They are not later re-issues or reproductions. We forensically examine all of our photos prior to listing to make certain they are authentic and guarantee their authenticity for the lifetime of the item. Oxxbridge Galleries Established 1987 Oxxbridge Galleries was founded in 1987 and specializes in vintage paper items with a particular focus on counter culture materials. We invite everyone to visit our ebay store to see our entire inventory. Add us to your Favorites list Visit Our eBay Store: Oxxbridge Galleries

Price: 149 USD

Location: Allendale, New Jersey

End Time: 2024-11-21T18:08:42.000Z

Shipping Cost: 3.9 USD