Uncommonly seen carte de visite of Barney Nelson, a young African American child performer born without arms, photographed by Charles Eisenmann at his studio on 229 Bowery, New York. Identified in contemporary accounts as the "Armless Phenomenon," Nelson was exhibited in traveling circus sideshows and dime museums during the late 19th century, part of the era’s fascination with human curiosities and the spectacle of the “freak show.”

Seated on a patterned table, Barney wears a delicate white dress and sash, with only the upper portions of his limbs visible—clearly underscoring his disability. His dignified pose and solemn expression contrast with the exploitative nature of his public exhibitions. Eisenmann, known for his prolific documentation of sideshow performers and other “human oddities,” created many of the most iconic portraits associated with this form of popular entertainment. While Eisenmann’s imprint is lightly visible on the reverse, the front of the card clearly reads “Eisenmann, Photo – 229 Bowery, N.Y.” in red ink.

A haunting and important addition to any serious collection of 19th-century sideshow, African American history, or early photographic portraiture.