Violetta's hometown of Hemelingen is situated along the River Weser in northern Germany

Notice the purple cancellation mark which says "Luna Park, Paris"   Violetta was certainly not "the only real half lady". Another was Mme. Gabriele

"Die lebende Schaufensterbuste" translates as "the living shopwindow bust"

Violetta was compared to what are known in the mannequin business as a "dress form"

Photo Detail: Congress of Freaks, Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Circus Sideshow, 1924. Ed. J. Kelty photo    Violetta at age 17 upon her first visit to the States in 1924.     Fellow countrymen who were also featured with the Circus sideshow that year were the Doll (Schneider) Family of midgets, Lionel, the Lion-Faced Man and Martin Emmerling whose stage name was "Laurello" (that's him looking backward!)

MORE PHOTOS

Go HERE for an account of Violetta's show written by an eyewitness and afficionado of limbless women.