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THE ICELANDIC GIANT - JOHANN K. PETURSSON - TALLEST MAN IN THE WORLD - 5
Johann K. Petursson, The Tallest Man in the World
Johann Petursson was billed as "the Icelandic Giant" and claimed a height of nearly nine feet, though he was probably closer to seven. Early in his career he dressed the part of the dandy in top hat, waistcoat and tails — but in later years he took to wearing the outlandish Viking costume pictured here.
Petursson was born in Dalvik, Iceland in 1913. He began exhibiting himself in Europe, and spent the duration of the second World War trapped in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 1948, Petursson emigrated to America, where he initially appeared with Ringling Brothers. In 1950, Johann appeared in a campy B-movie called Prehistoric Women. At some point during the 1960's Petursson retired to Gibsonton, Florida, but showman (and neighbor) Ward Hall was able to coax him to work for him one last time in 1973 for a Smithsonian event in Washington, D.C. Petursson passed away in 1984 — having achieved quite a respectable age for a giant.
Parents, 8 Sisters and Brothers all of normal size. My weight — 9 lbs. at birth. By the age of twenty he claims he was 8'8". Weight — 425 lbs. Shoe size 24. All clothes made to order.
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