Sandra Reed

Sandra Dee Reed also known as Lady Sandra (1945–2019) was an American World Record holding sword swallower born with albinism. She started working for the Slim Kelly and Whitney Sutton sideshow of James E. Strates Shows at the age of 24 as a lecturer (educator on albinism) before being trained in sword swallowing and later performing in the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. From 1975 to 1977, she was a Guinness World Records holder for swallowing five 30-inch blades to two-thirds of their length simultaneously.

Career Reed was offered a job by showman Whitney Sutton at the New York State Fair in 1969, initially to be a lecturer on albinism. Her family was supportive—her sister Doreen, also albino, also joined as a lecturer, their father joined to sell tickets, and their mother previously worked in vaudeville and girl shows.

In the mid-1970s she married and performed with Harold “Big Jim” Spohn, billed as “the fat man”.

From 1975 to 1977 she held the Guinness World Records title for most swords swallowed simultaneously by a woman.

The Shocked and Amazed! cover illustration was inspired by a photo of Lady Sandra taken by renowned American photographer Diane Arbus in 1970.

In 1991, this photo, titled "albino sword swallower at a carnival, Maryland" sold for $28,000 at auction. Sandra Reed (far right, hand on her husband Harold's shoulder) among other sideshow performers.