The Wonderful Spotted Indian John Boby
Reproduction
Object numberRCSSC/P 593
CollectionSpecial collections
CategoryVisual works
Object namePiebaldism, Portraits, Engravings (prints)
TitleThe Wonderful Spotted Indian John Boby
DescriptionEngraved portrait of John Bobey, a black man with a skin pigmentation condition, London, 1803.
Full length, dressed in breeches, long coat, waistcoat and shirt, with his left arm outstretched and holding a medallion with ribbon, his right hand pulling open the front of his shirt. There is a white patch of skin on Bobey's forehead which extends into his hair, which is also white over the top of his skull. His opened shirt reveals further white patches on his chest, while his rolled-up trousers expose further patches on each leg above and below the knee. He wears stockings, which are pulled down, and shoes. The lettering above reads 'Wonderful Museum', while that below reads 'The wonderful Spotted Indian, John Boby, Born at Kingston in Jamaica, & who exhibits himself in different parts of England & Scotland.'
John Bobey (b. 1772), known as the ‘Spotted Indian’, exhibited himself at Bartholomew Fair in London in 1795. His parents were black slaves near Kingston in Jamaica. One account claimed his mother was so shocked by the white spots on his body that she refused to breastfeed him. A Liverpool merchant named Mr Blundell noticed the child and arranged for him to be exhibited.When he was 12 he was sent to Liverpool where he was christened John Primrose Richardson Bobey. He was later bought and exhibited by a showman named Clarke. Bobey appears to have gained his freedom and eventually married an Englishwoman. The two of them continued to work together doing shows.
This engraving was probably made to accompany William Granger’s 'The New Wonderful Museum' (London, 1803), which included descriptions and portraits of a whole range of ‘extraordinary’ people.
Publisher
Sitter/subject
Related objectsRCSSC/HDB/2/2/179A
Physical Location
LocationNot on public display: contact museum for access conditions
Physical Information
Physical descriptionEtching, 33cm by 61cm (framed)
