Current News, Announcements

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Circusmuseum.nl/eng has 914 new items in the online collection such as small posters, letters and circusprograms at ow.ly/jTfEz. Search under Miscellaneous. And ofcourse many circusposters, photo's, prints, and complete books.

Millette family, scenes from Ringling Bros. Circus, 1931-1936 Home movie video from the Millette family, aerialists of Ringling Brothers Circus 1931-36. Edward Millette (Tilden Wolff), Maud Jennier (Maud Hesselbach), Ira Millette, Jimmy Millette, Penny Millette. Posted on YouTube by Dianne Bartlett, great-grandaughter of Edward Millette. You'll also see the tent going up with horses pulling the quarter poles up, the legends of clowns in and out of make-up (including Lou Jacobs in a monkey costume), Fred Bradna, Frank Buck on the elephant during spec, a glimpse of a giraffe being led around in spec, a casting act and more.

Running Away with the Circus (or, "Now is the Winter of our Missing Tent") by Mel Atkey, a memoir of the time he ran away and joined the circus, touring Taiwan in 1997. The book is full of both humour and intrigue, as you will see by its opening sentence: If some clairvoyant had told me that I'd be spending my nights in a shipping container in Taiwan, guarding seven tigers, six Chihuahuas, five bears, four sea lions, three geese, two horses and a "killer dog" named Ludwig, I'd have said "You're supposed to read the tea leaves, not smoke them." This book takes a look at what happens when people of radically different cultures try to work together. Can be ordered at: lulu.com

You Like it? I Do it Again by Ron Dentinger. Variety Entertainment peaked in the 50s, 60s and then faded in the mid-70s. Those old enough to remember it will enjoy: You Like it? I Do it Again. The story of the 65 year career of comedy-juggler Dieter Tasso. From his start in Berlin to Madison Square Garden, Ringling Brothers, 7 times on Ed Sullivan and many other national TV shows, his years in Las Vegas, Cruise Ships, off-season at the Crazy Horse Saloon in Paris and now starting his 33rd summer with the Tommy Bartlett Show. The book just became available. Can be ordered at: amazon.com

Born On The Highwire (Kindle edition) by Patrick Davison. Arthur Duchek, born (almost literally on the highwire rigging of his parents' circus act) into a European circus dynasty in 1930, grew up to be a world-famous circus and variety artist and international entertainment agent. He survived a devastating accident on the circus lot as a 4-year old child, an accident that left him with a speech impediment. His will power and determination, along with the help of an eccentric Parisian speech therapist, helped him overcome this obstacle. After joining his uncles with the circus in America, Arthur experienced unbelievable abuse at their hands. You will read about his acquaintances with the Ringlings, the Three Stooges, Mickey Mouse, Tinkerbell and Goofy, along with a full cast of good guys and bad guys in and out of show business. He tells the story of his father's ordeal in Hitler's army and a Russian prison camp during World War II, his life among the Gypsies, his appearance before the queen of England, the vicious molestation of his first love by a pair of Russians. Available on Amazon Kindle: amazon.com

4-Paw Hotel Collection. Eastern Kentucky University Special Collections & Archives just processed a collection donated by Mrs. James Shropshire that includes circus tickets, programs, photos, etc. Special Collections and Archives, Eastern Kentucky University, Library 126, 521 Lancaster Ave., Richmond, KY 40475, (859) 622-1792. archives.eku.edu. Link to the collection: Shropshire Circus Collection

Interview with a Clown, a new book concerning the art of clowning. The book was written by Dr. Gary Lee Hicks who worked with Joe over a number of years as his rehabilitation counselor. Joe became vision impaired later in life and started a second career as a vending stand operator while still in his seventies. Joe Sherman was a member of the Sherman Brothers Clown Act and worked in Shriner Circuses for over fifty years. He was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame along with his partner Chester Sherman. The book is about Joe's career. How he got into clowning and where and for what circuses he worked. The interviews include intimate knowledge on his travels, how clown makeup was manufactured in the old days and how various acts were developed. Available from Little Miami Publishing company, www.littlemiamibooks.com

Boer War Show of St. Louis, originally published in 1904, is now available in English. The book deals with the World's Fair in St Louis and Frank Fillis's lively enactments from the Anglo Boer War (1899-1902) i.e. the Battle of Colenso, the Battle of Paardeberg featuring the surrender of Gen. Piet Cronje, as well as the escape of Gen. Christiaan de Wet. Real veterans from the war were used. This Boer War Exhibition was the greatest success of the fair. It was also the first time that people from Africa took part in the Olympic Games. The three marathon runners and the Boer tug-of-war team worked at the show. Floris van der Merwe is also the author of Frank Fillis: The story of a circus legend.
    The Boer War Show of St. Louis (1904) by Floris J.G. van der Merwe. ISBN 978-0-7972-1393-7. Published by FJG Publikasies, Stellenbosch (South Africa) in 2012. Price US$ 32.00 (postage included). Contact address is floris@sun.ac.za

Dust to Diamonds to Dust, new website, with circus history featuring William P. Hall, a remarkable project created by a young 7th grade student for her school's National History Day contest. Be sure to click on all the options on the naviation bar to see all of the remarkable results of her research. The Schuyler County Historical Society has asked her to keep the website up and going and make it bigger! Don't miss this one!

Shrine Circus, A history of the Shrine Circus, by John H. McConnell (hardcover, new condition, out of print). If you've been unable to keep up with the ever-changing Shrine Circus phenomenon without a program, this is the book for you. It's all here: the personalities, the politics, the intrigue. Told with refreshing candor by one who has paid his dues, this fascinating account details every aspect of the operation and fills a much needed place in circus research. Both sympathetic and accurate, this is one of the most concise and thorough studies available of the evolution of twentieth century American circus. Available from CHS, Just click on Merchandise to order this book. All proceeds from the sale of this book go to support CHS.

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  New! May 2013

Walter L. Main 1888 route (added May 23)

Walter L. Main 1887 route (added May 21)

Circus Report, August 28, 1978, circus news, history (added May 20)

Walter L. Main 1886 route (added May 20)

Goodrich Shows 1901 partial route

Miller Bros. 101 Ranch 1926 route

United States Circus & Great Eastern Menagerie" trade card, brief information on this show

Talbot's "Fighting the Flames," photo, brief information on this fire show

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Huge specials on past editions of the Bandwagon, each special only good for two months. The fifth limited time offer is for the entire six issues of 1995. These issues are filled with great circus history authored by Bill Johnston, Mark St. Leon, Joseph Bradbury, Orin C. King, Richard Reynolds, Fred D. Pfening III, Stuart Thayer, Chang Reynolds, and more. These issues are covered in detail at Bandwagon 1995 (scroll down for the next five issues)

If you haven't been a member of CHS for 20 years and would love to read more about the circus and circus history, or maybe you're looking for that perfect gift, you can't pass up a deal like this. All six issues for only $25.00! (includes shipping). Offer expires June 1st. Make your check out to Circus Historical Society and send it to: Bandwagon Special Issue, 1075 W. Fifth Ave., Columbus, OH 43212-2691. (International orders, contact CHS).

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Bandwagon Special Offer $26.00 USD

Price includes PayPal fee

  Yankee Robinson's 1869 Circus Rebus Puzzle Solved! click here

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