Matthias Buchinger, a phocomelic man. Engraving after M. Buchinger, 1724.

London : [M. Buchinger?], April the 29th. 1724.

1 print : etching and stipple ; platemark 33.2 x 25.7 cm

This is the effigies of Mr. Matthew Buchinger ... The lettering in full reads "London, April the 29th. 1724. This is the effigies of Mr. Matthew Buchinger, being drawn and written by himself he is the wonderful little man of but 29.inches high, born without hands, feet, of thighs, June the 2. 1674. in Germany, in the Marquisate of Brandeburgh, near to Nurenburgh. He being the last of nine children, by one father and mother, vizt. eight sons, and one daughter the same little man has been married four times, and has had issue eleven children, vizt. one by his first wife, three by the second, six by his third, and one by his present wife. This little man performs such wonders as have never been done by any; but himself. He plays on various sorts of music to admiration, as the hautboy, strange flute in consort with the bagpipe, dulcimer and trumpet; and designs to make machines to play on almost all sorts of music. He is no less eminent for writing, drawing of coats of arms, and pictures to the life, with a pen. He also plays at cards and dice, performs tricks with cups and balls, corn and live birds; and plays at skittles or nine-pins to a great nicety, with several other performances, to the great satisfaction of all spectators." The curls of his wig are a letter picture containing the 27th, 121st, 128th, 130th, 140th, 149th, and 150th Psalms, concluding with the Lord's Prayer

C.J.S. Thompson, The mystery and lore of monsters, London 1930, pp. 209-211

Leslie Fiedler, Freaks, New York 1978, pp. 52-53

Bridget Telfer et al., Reframing disability: portraits from the Royal College of Physicians, London 2011, pp. 54-55

Wellcome Collection 195i