| RUDOLPH LUCASIE FAMILY |
| The family was sometimes pictured with a little girl, however she was simply "borrowed" to create a bigger draw. I believe there never was a Lucasie daughter though some say there was and that she died age three. |
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| Early advertisement for the family referring to them as born of Black African Parents and calling them "White Negroes or Moors" |
| Joseph had learned to play the violin as a youngster and appeared as a solo act as early as 1895 as "Joe Lucasie, the Musical Albino" but at the death of his parents Joseph was now facing a public that was cooling to the Dime Museum business and flocking to see the new Vaudeville revues. As enterprising as his father ever was Joe, now in his 40's, decided to join 'em rather that fight 'em. He parlayed his musical talent and stage experience into a Vaudeville act and by all reports "made good" at it. Although clearly successful because, after all, he |
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| The family, showing Joseph with violin |
| was an albino playing a violin Joseph gradually became resentful that he should be so regarded and went so far as to shave his luxuriant hair so as to be taken more seriously. |
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| JOSEPH LUCASIE |
| Photo courtesy Marcel Safier "19th Century Images of Albinism" |
| Joseph died in Kansas City in 1909 of "dropsy". Heralded in his obituary as a "famous albino" and "great showman", at the time of his death he had apparently retired or grew tired of the show business and reportedly had found work as a cashier at a local restaurant. |
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| The family was partly successful because it was commonly believed that the child of albino parents was always normal |
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