THE BALLYHOO
CONGRESS OF THE ODD
CARL UNTHAN – The Armless Fiddler
Carl Herman Unthan was born on April 5th, 1848 in Sommerfield, East Prussia. Some stories claim that he was very nearly smothered by the delivering midwife, a popular narrative in the birth accounts of many marvels, and that he was rescued by his father before the evil deed was done.
It was his father who pushed young Carl to use his feet as one would use hands. Before long, the boy was able to grasp objects and write legibly. In his early 20’s, Unthan began to learn the violin and quickly became very adept at playing the instrument with his feet. In addition to touring the globe, he was also invited to play before Strauss in Vienna.
Early in his career as a vaudevillian performer his performance was similar to other limbless marvels. Often he would perform various mundane tasks like shuffling cards and smoking cigarettes and he made these tasks amazing by using only his feet. However, Unthan’s ability with music soon took precedent and he was recognized more as a legitimate musician than odd exhibit.
During WWI, Carl was served with the German Army in a moral role. He would visit hospitals and demonstrate his abilities to recent amputees affirming that their lives were not over due to the loss of limbs. He even stared in a film which showcased his lack of physical limitations.
In 1928, at the age of 80, Carl Unthan passed away a fulfilled and wealthy man. In 1935 his autobiography ‘The Armless Fiddler’ was published and world mourned his passing for a second time.
Image: The cover of Unthan’s autobiography. Source unknown.
© 2006 – 2012, J Tithonus Pednaud. All rights reserved.
RECOMMENDED READING
American Sideshow: An Encyclopedia
Freak Show: Presenting Human Oddities for Amusement and Profit
Sideshow U.S.A.: Freaks and the American Cultural Imagination
Freaks, Geeks, and Strange Girls
Pickled Punks & Girlie Shows: A Life Spent on the Midways of America
The Lives and Loves of Daisy and Violet Hilton: A True Story of Conjoined Twins
The Circus Age: Culture and Society under the American Big Top
Freakery: Cultural Spectacles of the Extraordinary Body
James Taylor's Shocked and Amazed: On & Off the Midway
THE AUTHOR
J Tithonus Pednaud has dedicated this site to highlighting the remarkable lives of those born exceedingly different. These so-called freaks and human oddities stand as uplifting testaments to human spirit and serve as inspiring examples of human tenacity.
6 Responses to “CARL UNTHAN – The Armless Fiddler”
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“Unthan’s ability with music soon took president”
I believe you mean precedent.
Great site, by the way, I’ve really enjoyed reading all this stuff.
Actually, I believe it’s “precedence”. :)
And yes, I have to say that this is a really interesting site. Thanks for all the info!
Film footage of Unthan has been discovered in (of all places) an early fictionalized account of the Titanic sinking.
I’ve heard of this and have yet to track it down.
how beautiful that his dad encouraged him 2 use his feet.Thanks 4 the wonderful real life story.
My bro can pick up cups of tea with his feet. BEAT THAT!