Real photo postcard depicting a preserved curiosity identified as a mermaid figure displayed with a small sign reading “THE THING.” The object has a humanlike head and torso attached to a fish‑like tail and appears to be a fabricated curiosity specimen typical of sideshow and curiosity shop displays.


The printed caption identifies the display as a “Mermaid as seen at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop – Seattle Washington.” Ye Olde Curiosity Shop was a well‑known Seattle tourist attraction famous for unusual artifacts and sideshow curiosities. Postcards of the shop’s exhibits were commonly sold as souvenirs.


The front bears the printed text: Caption reading “Mermaid as seen at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop – Seattle Washington.”. The reverse reads: “PHOTO POST CARD” with Kodak stamp box. Handwritten inscriptions read: Pencil catalog notation along the margin.