Albert Kramer the Giant of Amsterdam and Georges Jean Kieffer the Giant of Obermodern
The last of the OLD WORLD GIANTS. Albert Kramer the Giant of Amsterdam
AI EXPLAINS HOW THE HAT MAKES HIM LOOK BIG.
The tall man in the photograph is Albert Kramer, often referred to as the "Giant of Amsterdam".
He was famously known as the tallest man in the Netherlands, reportedly reaching a height of approximately 2.42 meters (about 7 feet 11 inches).
Key details about the image:
The Child: On his arm, he is carrying Seppetoni, a Swiss performer with dwarfism who often toured with him as part of a variety act.
De Telegraaf
Background: Born in 1897 in Amsterdam's De Pijp district, Kramer spent much of his life traveling with circuses and performing in variety shows across Europe and the United States.
Context: This photograph is a classic example of "freak show" entertainment from the early 20th century, which was a common way for people with rare physical conditions to make a living at the time.
The top hat was a deliberate choice for his stage act, often adding significant perceived height. While Albert Kramer's actual height is most commonly cited at 2.42 meters (7'11"), the top hat likely added another 15–20 centimeters (6–8 inches), making him appear well over 8 feet tall in many public appearances.
To further emphasize his scale, he used several theatrical techniques:
The "Billed" Height: When touring, showmen often exaggerated his height in advertisements, billing him as being as tall as 2.82 meters (9'3").
Visual Contrast: He almost always appeared with a partner of short stature, like Seppetoni (Josef Fässler), who was approximately 1.07 meters (3'6"). This extreme physical contrast made Kramer look even more massive than he already was.
Costuming: His long, double-breasted overcoat and the high-crowned silk top hat were designed to elongate his silhouette, a common tactic for variety performers of the era.
Even without the hat, he was an extraordinary figure—by the age of seven, he was already over 2 meters (6'7") tall. He eventually used his fame to settle back in the Netherlands, where he opened his own café and founded the Klub Lange Mensen (Tall People’s Club), which still exists today. 
He is only 5ft7 without the hat! The last of the OLD WORLD GIANTS. Georges Jean Kieffer the Giant of Obermodern
The man in the image is Georges Jean Kieffer (1912–1946), often referred to as the "Giant of Obermodern." He was an Alsatian man who became famous for his extraordinary height, eventually reaching 2.42 meters (approximately 7 feet 11 inches).
Key Facts About Georges Kieffer:
Early Life: Born in Metz, he grew up in the Alsace region. At age 14, he was of average height, but he experienced a dramatic growth spurt in his early 20s, which doctors at the time attributed to a knee injury caused by a fall.
Wartime History: During World War II, his immense size saved him from forced conscription into the Wehrmacht. He eventually became a well-known figure within the French Forces of the Interior (FFI) and was celebrated by Allied soldiers as the "tallest prisoner of war."
Physical Details: Kieffer wore a size 64 shoe and required custom-made clothing, bicycles, and even a 2.50-meter-long bed.
Legacy: In 1937, he was officially awarded the title of "tallest man in the world" at the Paris Fair. He is frequently depicted in vintage postcards alongside soldiers of average height to highlight his imposing stature.
Georges Jean Kieffer died on August 26, 1946, in his hometown of Obermodern, Alsace.
While many official records simply list his date of death at age 33, his health had severely declined following the German occupation.
Factors Contributing to His Death
Malnutrition & Weight Loss: During the war, the Nazis reportedly deprived him of rationing tickets because of his refusal to cooperate with them. He lost significant weight, dropping from roughly 138 kg to 127 kg by March 1945.
Physical Strain of Gigantism: Like many individuals with his condition (often attributed at the time to a pituitary issue triggered by a childhood injury), his heart and organs faced immense strain supporting his 7'11" (2.42m) frame.
General Exhaustion: After the liberation, during which he was celebrated as a hero of the French Resistance (FFI), his body was in a state of extreme exhaustion from which he never fully recovered.
A Legacy of ResistanceKieffer is remembered not just for his size, but for his courage. He famously used his height as a medical excuse to avoid conscription into the Nazi Wehrmacht, and he spent the later years of the war actively supporting the Allied Forces.
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The Last of the Old World Giants looks at the hidden relatively recent history of Giants! Over 100 giants researched, named and remembered. Many more remembered only due to photographs that exist and are sometimes hidden by archive vaults. Tartaria and Tartarian giants, Circus and Military Giants, Giants in 18th and 19th century newspapers, Giants remains found and reported by media. Giant Warriors, Giants in Siberia, Giants in Asia, Magog and Gog, Gargantua AND MUCH MORE.. Over 800 pages, tons of photographs.