In this episode, we take a deep dive to explore the life of sword swallower Lady Sandra Reed, who started as an albino lecturer in the 60’s and learned sword swallowing from Lady Louise Chevanne and Ricky Richiardi, performing as a sword swallower from 1969 to 1980 with Ward Hall’s World of Wonders, Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, and many other shows over the years. But she is best known for being the subject of the iconic photo taken of her by photographer Diane Arbus that sold at auction for more than $25,000.

Lady Sandra’s story comes from her chapter in the book “To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing” by sword swallower Dan Meyer and sideshow historian Marc Hartzman (Schiffer Publishing), now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Target, Walmart and more:

https://ToTheHiltbook.com

https://amzn.to/47Qqw6p

#ToTheHilt

#swordswallower #LadySandra #SandyReed

#swordswallowers #history

#swordswallowing

#circus #sideshow

#RinglingBrothers #RinglingBros

#WardHallsWorldofWonders

#WorldofWonders

#DianeArbus

In this episode, we take a deep dive to explore the life of legendary sword swallower “Count Desmond”, Edward Benjamin, who received three Guinness World Records, one for swallowing 13 swords at once, who swallowed a sword while hanging suspended upside down over Niagara Falls, and who worked as a sword swallower with circuses like the Shrine Circus, Circus Bartok and many other circuses and sideshows between 1957 and 1994.

Count Desmond’s story comes from his chapter in book “To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing” by sword swallower Dan Meyer and sideshow historian Marc Hartzman (Schiffer Publishing), now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Target, Walmart and more:

https://amzn.to/47Qqw6p

https://ToTheHiltbook.com

#ToTheHilt

#swordswallower #CountDesmond

#swordswallowers #history

#swordswallowing

#circus #sideshow #daredevil

#CircusBartok