BLINKY

Grover Cleveland Bramel

Cleve was almost run over by a car in 1932.  He had just finished an appearance at Huber's Museum in New York and was being carried to a waiting taxicab when another car drove dangerously close by.      David dropped Cleve who was then hospitalized with a possible skull fracture.     From his hospital bed Cleve declared he suffered "only a bump" and that "I'll be back, more of a freak than ever".

Cleve Bramel was born in Maysville in northern Kentucky in 1888.     Cleve learned early on not to be dependent upon others and so decided to enter the show business when in his early 20's.     On stage he would show his audience what he could do, including playing a harp!     Later in his career, Cleve was billed as "Cleve, the Seal Boy" and then with a catchier name "Blinky".     Cleve was then travelling with his younger brother David who acted as his manager/ assistant.

The above photo was taken in 1933 when Cleve was 45 years old.  Cleve was billed as "the original seal boy" although it is not clear why.  I don't know of any other "seal boy" who was exhibiting at the same time.  Although Cleve stood only 3' tall, weighed 68lbs and had such misshapened, three-fingered arms he still replied "No" when asked if he claimed exemption from serving in WWI.     It is believed Grover Cleveland died in 1939 in the town of Kenton, Ky not far from his hometown of Maysville.