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This vintage postcard depicts Charles Blondin (born Jean-François Gravelet), the legendary 19th-century French tightrope walker and acrobat.

He became a worldwide sensation after becoming the first person to cross the Niagara Falls gorge on a tightrope on June 30, 1859. To keep his massive crowds enthralled, he repeated the feat many times, introducing increasingly perilous theatrical stunts.

The Stunt Pictured

The image captures one of his signature balancing acts where he would carry a wooden chair out onto the high wire, balance it carefully, and sit or stand on it mid-crossing. On some variations of this stunt, he would even balance the chair so that only a single leg rested on the rope.

Other Famous Blondin Feats

The High-Wire Omelet: He regularly trundled a small iron cookstove onto his back, set it up halfway across the wire, started a fire, cooked an omelet, and lowered it to amazed passengers on the boats below.
The Human Backpack: He famously carried his terrified manager, Harry Colcord, across the Niagara Gorge piggyback-style.
Extreme Variations: He crossed wires completely blindfolded, inside a heavy burlap sack, on stilts, and while pushing a customized wheelbarrow.

Condition: See Scan
Remarks: A Super Genuine Postcard. A Very Nice Card. A Must For All card Collectors. See Scan For Actual Card On Sale.

Definitions: Please read carefully :

Note: All our cards are Genuine Postcards, Cigarette Cards or Tobacco cards unless description states otherwise :

Poor (P) - some surface grubbiness, possible damage to reverse, major creases or marks. possible rounded or missing corners. Only collectable if Rare Cards in our opinion.

Fair (F) -most surfaces clean, with creases or marks on some. possible rounded corners and occasional slight damage to rear of cards. OK for scarce cards.

Good (G) - clean but handled surfaces, some grubbiness on edges and reverse, occasional lightly rounded corners and or minor creases. Ideal Gap Fillers !

Very Good (VG)- No visible creases, no tears, no rounded corners. Occasional mark/grubbiness to reverse or odd corner showing signs of handling. Very Collectable !!

Excellent (EX)- Bright, crisp, crease free with sharp edges and corners. Top Quality Cards !.

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