Pitchbook

The pitchbook is the life story of performer put into pamphlet or booklet form, sometimes with photos or illustrations, sold by the performer right from their platform inside the show.

While they often contain true biographical details, these artifacts are interesting not for their inherent accuracy, but in their ability to present a performer the way she wished to be presented, or at least the way in which a manager or show owner wished them to be presented.

Sold inside the show, these "dings" allowed the performer to make an extra buck. Sometimes 100% of the pitchbook money went to the performer, but more often than not the performer shared the money with the show owner or manager of the sideshow.