Description
Bronze alloy half-penny token advertising the Curiosity House of Thomas Hall, Taxidermist. Stamped both sides. One side depicts Jeffrey Dunstan. ‘Sir’ Jeffrey Dunstan (1759-1796) was a well-known second hand wig seller in London elected as the Mayor of Garrat. His jokes on the corruptions of men in office led to him being imprisoned in 1793 for sedition. Dunstan was a dwarf, often described as ‘deformed’ as a result of their disproportionately large head and knock-knees, both of which are depicted on this token. The tokens were issued in 1795 to promote his trade as a well established bird stuffer and animal preserver taxidermist as well as being the proprietor of a traveling exhibition. The show consisted of Human Monstrosities, Animals, Curiosities etc. Sir Jeffery Dunstan, the deformed Mayor of Garratt and Mrs. Newsham, the white negress, were two principal attractions.
Diameter: 31mm.
