In these photographs, Sandow displays his right bicep. It measured over 18.5" though some reports of the time claim up to 19.5". After his stage shows, it is reported he charged $300.00 to allow selected ladies to feel his famous bicep at "exclusive receptions backstage." Although it may seem like a terribly high sum to us today (especially in Victorian dollars), remember that Sandow gave these refined women the thrill of saying they actually felt his arm and could describe the experience to their friends at social gatherings.

In turn, one must also keep in mind that Sandow was extremely generous to charities. Among his projects was to help outfit an entire expedition to Antarctica in 1908, another was when he financed the housing for foreign athletes during the Olympic games in London that same year... and there are reports of other gifts of similar magnitude, as well. So although Sandow made a lot of money, but he also dug deep in his pockets if he knew the money was for a cause he truly believed in.