Giant Machnow, the celebrated Russian giant, stands at the center of this real photo postcard published by Rotary Photo, E.C., and credited to photographers Campbell and Gray. The image dates to March 1905 based on the postmark, placing it during Machnow's documented engagement at the London Hippodrome. He towers over the crowd surrounding him on what appears to be a London street adjacent to a vehicle or carriage door.

Machnow wears a long embroidered robe with decorative cartridge loops across the chest, wide white border trim, and a large floral motif embroidered across the hem. A massive fur papakha hat adds further height to his already extraordinary stature. His right arm extends outward, drawing the gaze of onlookers who crane their necks upward, several wearing caps and overcoats typical of Edwardian street dress.

Machnow, born Fyodor Makhnow in Kashin, Russia, was reported to stand over nine feet tall with his papakha and was one of the most widely exhibited giants of the early twentieth century, appearing across Europe and the United States. His London Hippodrome appearances drew considerable public attention and were widely covered in the press.

The reverse bears a handwritten message dated March 3, 1905, signed "Papa," addressed to Miss Dorothy Horn, Lyndhurst, Elmhurst St., Clapham, S.W., reading in part "What do you think of this big man." Catalog number 1111 A appears on the front lower left.