Johann the Viking Giant with Harry Doll and reporter Barbara Bye, Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, Seattle, 1955

• Main Author: Staff Photographer Seattle Post-Intelligencer
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Circus performers—Washington (State) > Seattle; Dwarfs—Washington (State)—Seattle; Giants—Washington (State)—Seattle; Human curiosities—Washington (State)—Seattle; Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Combined Shows; Bye,Barbara Doll; Harry Pétursson; Jóhann; 1913-1984; Svarfaðardalur; Dalvík; Iceland
• Online Access: http://cdm16786.contentdm.oclc.org:80/cdm/ref/collection/imlsmohai/id/4584

Circus performer Johann the Viking Giant stands with fellow circus performer Harry Doll, “the smallest man in the world.” Johann holds reporter Barbara Bye, who spent an entire day with the Ringling Brothers circus during its three-day stand in Seattle from August 24-27, 1955. Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus set up their tent on Fourth Avenue South near Michigan Street. Johann Petursson (1913-1984) was born in Dalvík, Iceland. He stood 7 feet 7 inches and weighed 298 pounds and often dressed up in a suit and top hat, or in his famous Viking costume, throughout his sideshow career Written on sleeve: Circuses, Ringling Bros, 1955 Johann the Viking Giant was also known as Johann K. Petursson, Johann K. Peterson, "Jóhann Risi" (Johann the Giant), "Jóhann Svarfdælingur" (Johann from Svarfaðardalur), “Olaf” and “der Nordische Riese Olaf” in Germany and “the Icelandic Giant”. Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Combined Shows also known as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Ringling Bros. Circus, Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Combined Circus, Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows [note from the Library of Congress Authority File]. Caption information source: http://www.thetallestman.com/johannpetursson.htm Date photograph was filed at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (date of photograph and file date may differ by a month or more): August 29, 1955 1 acetate negative: b&w; 4 x 5 in.