He was a real person and a joker who took the mickey out of the authorities. They say it brings good luck to touch his thumb or his toe. As you can see, a lot of people are doing this.
![[Image: 319_DSC_0120_framed.jpg]](http://www.shuttertalk.com/forums/images/upload/319_DSC_0120_framed.jpg)
Cool photo and story. Thanks for sharing.
Very cool little piece of local history G
I love these little gems of folklore and the idiosynchratic customs that grow out of them. And the statue and photo both seem to really capture this.
Did you take any more shots of this statue? That gold thumb and toe are just screaming out to be the subjects for close-up shots with the joker's face in the backgroud. Not that there is anything lacking from this shot, it is terrific.
Neat shot G. Pretty cool statue and story. Could use a touch of lightening up to help show more detail.

And for classical music fans, he is the source of an orchestral piece by Richard Strauss,
Till Eulenspiegel Lustige Streiche (Till Eulenspiegelâs Merry Pranks).
