As you know, scores of pulp and mid-century novels were set in circuses and carnivals, such as the examples here, here, and here, so we couldn’t pass this up. It’s an x-ray of a circus sword swallower billed as the Mighty Ajax, real name Joseph Milana, who was pretty famous in his day.
Ajax toured the U.S. and Europe, and performed with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, presenting himself variously as Mexican and Arabian, though he was in fact Italian. In the end his storied career earned him entry into the Sword Swallower’s Hall of Fame. Betcha didn’t know there was a such a thing. Neither did we—probably because it’s only online. But it still counts, we think.
Sometime in 1928 while in New York City, according to the info on the negative, he made time to pose for the above scan at the behest of photographer Edward J. Kelty, who took credit for the image. In case you doubt the veracity of the shot, we can tell you the original sold at auction some years back for big dollars. In the inset photo you see Ajax necking an entire set of swords. That’s just pure talent. PSGP once got conned into a banana eating contest and came in last place, so he really appreciates what this guy brought to the table. You should too, so if you want to see Ajax in action there’s a YouTube video here, while it lasts.
