aka "left-bids" or "pre-bids"
- Absentee bids let you place your maximum bid on an item before the live auction begins. During the live show, we’ll continue bidding on your behalf up to your max bid — just like leaving a bid with a traditional auctioneer.
- When you place an absentee bid, you’ll choose a bid strategy. Your chosen strategy determines how the current bid will be set at the time your bid is placed. Your maximum bid always remains confidential.
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The available strategies are:
- 🐢 Slow & Steady — starts your bid low and lets others chase you.
- ⚡💥 Power Bid — starts at about half your max to show intent without revealing your top number.
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- The current bid shown on each lot reflects all confirmed absentee bids and updates automatically as new bids come in.
- When the live auction starts, bidding will begin at the current bid. The auctioneer will continue bidding on behalf of absentee bidders up to their max bids.
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For our full absentee bid policy, please click here.
How bidding works
- All items have a minimum bid of $1.00.
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For more information on the bidding process, please click here.
Your absentee bid for Lot 181 - Antique Sideshow Postcard "'the Little Black Man' Smaan Sing Hpoo, The Smallest Midget And Athlete In The World, Height 34 Inches, Weight 20 Lbs.," Poli's New Theatre, Authorized By Act Of Congress May 19, 1898 was successfully submitted—thank you for bidding with us!
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For our full absentee bid policy, please review the Auction Rules.
Lot 181 - Antique Sideshow Postcard "'the Little Black Man' Smaan Sing Hpoo, The Smallest Midget And Athlete In The World, Height 34 Inches, Weight 20 Lbs.," Poli's New Theatre, Authorized By Act Of Congress May 19, 1898
Lot 181 - Antique Sideshow Postcard "'the Little Black Man' Smaan Sing Hpoo, The Smallest Midget And Athlete In The World, Height 34 Inches, Weight 20 Lbs.," Poli's New Theatre, Authorized By Act Of Congress May 19, 1898
Lot 181 - Antique Sideshow Postcard "'the Little Black Man' Smaan Sing Hpoo, The Smallest Midget And Athlete In The World, Height 34 Inches, Weight 20 Lbs.," Poli's New Theatre, Authorized By Act Of Congress May 19, 1898
This antique postcard depicts "The Little Black Man," Smaan Sing Hpoo, identified as "the smallest midget and athlete in the world, with stated height of 34 inches and weight of 20 pounds". The image shows Smaan Sing Hpoo standing beside a woman in formal dress. The verso includes a portrait of S.Z. Poli, proprietor of Poli's New Theatre, and is authorized by Act of Congress May 19, 1898. The postcard shows wear including creasing and edge damage.
Auction Date: 01/22/2026
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