Printed postcard depicting the Merman of Aden, Red Sea, showing a taxidermied or fabricated curiosity specimen combining human and fish elements in the tradition of the Fiji mermaid and related manufactured sideshow oddities. The image presents the specimen in a formal documentary style against a plain background, lending a pseudo-scientific credibility to the subject.


The reverse bears a printed text from Ripley's Odditorium, 46th and Broadway, New York, describing the Merman of Aden as a rare sea monster with a most human-looking face, and identifying it as a clever-invented fake, half monkey, half fish, with the Believe It or Not catchphrase. Published by Natural Postcard Headquarters, 449 4th Avenue, New York, copyright 1932 by Believe It or Not Inc., this card is a well-documented example of Ripley's promotional postcard production from the early 1930s.


The front bears the printed text: Printed caption reading Merman of Aden, Red Sea. The reverse reads: Printed POST CARD reverse with Ripley's Odditorium text describing the specimen, published by Natural Postcard Headquarters 449 4th Ave New York, copyright 1932 Believe It or Not Inc. Handwritten inscriptions read: Pencil catalog notation visible.