Caption:
One frame of a stereoscopic image of Maria Spelterini (1853-1912), an Italian tightrope walker who was the first and only woman to cross the Niagara gorge on a tightrope, which she did on July 8, 1876 as part of a celebration of the U.S. Centennial. She used two and a quarter inch wire and crossed just north of the lower suspension bridge. She crossed again on July 12, 1876, this time walking backwards with a paper bag over her head and wearing peach baskets strapped to her feet. She crossed blindfolded on July 19, and on July 22 she crossed with her ankles and wrists manacled. Photographed by George Curtis.