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Partial Index of articles, 2000 - 2009
Index 1957 - 1999
Index 1952 - 1956
Index 1940 - 1951
When you become a member of the Circus Historical Society, you receive Bandwagon, the CHS's journal published six times a year. The partial index of past articles below gives an idea of the scope of articles published in Bandwagon.
Order Bandwagon Back Issues, information on ordering.
November-December 2009, Vol. 53, No. 6
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
- Front Cover, 1937 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Circus Christmas card.
- Christmas Greetings, the Christmas issue is loaded with ads from some of the greatest places of entertainment today such as Circue duSoliel, Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars, the Hanneford Circus, Kelly-Miller Circus, Carson & Barnes Circus, Lewis and Clark Circus, The Big “E” Super Circus, Elliott Amusement Co., the Ringling Museums, Circus World Museum, Circus Sarasota, Circus City Festival, International Circus Hall of Fame, Bindlestaff Family Cirkus, as well as ads from the Circus fans Association, Jan and Bill Biggerstaff at Circus Report, Judy and Gary Griffin, Fred D. Pfening Jr. and Fred D. Pfening III and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus on the back cover.
- Be for It, or Don’t Be with It, Earl Chapin May, pp. 4- 7. Originally published in Collier’s Weekly in 1924, this article is all about the John H. Sparks Circus. It tells of Charlie Sparks rise in circusdom and how his principles and beliefs brought him to the circus great he became. Illustrations and photographs.
- Circus Historical Society on the Web, Bob Cline, p. 10. The Circus Historical Society is expanding their methods of communicating by now offering a Facebook page, the famed CHS website, a Google Group, and Paypal payment.
- Selected Letters of Charles Sparks, edited by Fred Pfening III, pp. 11-29. The world has been fortunate enough to have many letters written by Charles Sparks to various people in the circus profession that have been preserved in various collections. This article is a small compilation of these letters to illustrate the workings of a circus man in the many facets of business that were required to make a circus go. Illustrations and photographs.
- Interview with Noyelles M. Burkhart, pp. 33-41. A complete interview with the legendary Noyelles Burkhart as taken in person by Tom Parkinson at the Circus World Museum in August of 1975. Photographs.
- Bandwagons, The Jewel of the Circus Parade, Fred D. Pfening, Jr., pp. 44-50. The bandwagon has been an integral part of the old fashioned Circus parade whether it was a five wagon show or a 40 car railroad circus. The article discusses some of the earliest Bandwagons and the carvers and manufacturers. Illustrations and photographs.
- Ted “LaVelda” Akeman’s Own Words of His Monroe Bros. Circus, pp. 53-58. Ted Akeman loved the circus. He loved it so much he wanted to own his own show. This article tells all about the building and the operations of his own Monroe Bros. Circus. Photographs.
- Hold Your Horses, and They Didn't, Richard A. Georgian, pp. 61-64. This great article is all about the Circus and Wild West Show street parades, that didn’t happen the way they were planned. Illustration and photographs.
- Australia’s Connection with America, Laurre Jackson, p. 68. Photograph of the Sells Bros. Circus train wreck in Australia in 1892, brings forth a few notes about the American Circuses that toured Australia over the years. Photographs.
September-October 2009, Vol. 53, No. 5
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
- Front Cover, p. 2, front cover. 1933 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Circus Golden Jubilee Program cover. Back cover: Photograph, John Robinson Circus midway, 1923
- Yesterday’s Cowboy, Today’s Kinker: You’re Never Too Old To Be a Circus 'drifter', Lane Talburt, pp. 3-10. The story of Darrell Hawkins, a rope spinning ex-cowboy who at the age of 58 decided it was time to move again and joined the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus. Includes a list of staff and performers with the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, 1987-1997. Photographs.
- 1954 Fall Tour of the Greatest Show on Earth, Bill Taggart, pp. 11-20. Bill continues his excellent series on the Ringling show when he travelled with the “Big One.” Photographs.
- Robbins Title 1881-1966, “Keeping It In The Family,” Fred D. Pfening Jr., pp. 21-24. The Robbins Bros. Circus title has been in use since 1881, from Frank A. Robbins taking it on the road, to Floyd King using the title, to a second unit for the Cole Show in 1938, followed by Big Bob Stevens and eventually Jack Smith using it in 1965. Photographs, illustrations.
- Bill Kasiska’s Letterheads, p. 25, The W.W. Cole Real Racing Hippodrome show from 1876 and the W.W. Cole Grand Traveling Zoological Gardens from 1876 are both fine examples of the late 19th century art work. Illustrations.
- Brief Overview of the Circus and Allied Arts Collection at Milner Library, Illinois State University, Maureen Brunsdale and Steve Gossard, pp. 26-29. Maureen and Steve both work in the Milner Library and provide an overview of the Milner Library Circus collection. Information on what the library has to offer circus researchers and followers. Photographs.
- Automobiles and Two Depressions Caused the Decline of the Circus, Sverre O. Braathen, pp. 30-31. An original manuscript submitted for publication in 1973 but was not published until now. In this autobiographical acticle, Sverre Braathen examines his ideas on the decline of the circus.
- Col. Tim McCoy’s Real Wild West and Rough Riders of the World, pp. 32-35. This wonderful photographic documentation of the Tim McCoy equipment offers us never before published photos of the many wagons taken at the Springfield Wagon and Trailer Company facilities. Brief information on the show, equipment. Photographs.
- Barnum and London in 1883, Fred Pfening, III, pp. 36-37. Reprint of an amazing newspaper article from the Sentinel-Review, Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, 27 July, 1883. Many details on the show, including the elephant Jumbo giving elephant rides in the menagerie tent. Pfening's commentary describes a number of insightful and historically significant points in this article. Illustrations.
- Great Huston, Mike Straka, pp. 38-39. Mike has been doing magic shows since the early 1970’s. He relates the story of the Paul Kaye Circus caught in a snowstorm with more than half of the performers stranded. Roy Huston met the challenge, putting on a show that didn’t end the way the Shriners hoped for. Roy Huston's information on ghost shows and his experience on one of these shows. Photographs, illustrations.
July-August 2009, Vol. 53, No. 4
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
- Front Cover, p. 2, front cover. Stuart L. Thayer, circus historian, at work at the Elephant Hotel in Somers, New York. Photo by A. H. Saxon.
- 2009 Circus Historical Society Election Candidates, p. 3. CHS elections occur every four years. Here are all the nominees and their brief biographies.
- Stuart Thayer, Fred D. Pfening, III, pp. 4-14. Revered as the finest historian to have covered the circus in America during the 19th century, Stuart Thayer passed away on June 24, 2009. Thayer authored numerous articles and several books among which notable works are the Annals of the American Circus, 1793-1860 and he co-authored Badger State Showmen. Photographs.
- Mickey King, Steve Gossard, pp. 15-24. The life and times of Mickey King are brought forth in this excellent article. Her career began in 1923, joining a show as a bally girl. She married lion trainer Allen King, and became part of the Flying Wards, all before 1929. Her sister was Antoinette Concello. Photographs.
- Flying Cavaretts: Work, Love and Family, Robert Sugarman, pp. 25-28. The Flying Cavarettas was a brother and sisters act. They delivered a solid performance for years that captivated the audiences of Las Vegas to the Queen of England to the Monte Carlo festival. Photographs.
- Ekaterina Brazarova, Arsen Baziyants, pp. 29-32. Ekaterina is a Russian Circus artist who worked on Circus Chimera and now holds on to a permanent job with Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity show. Photographs.
- Circus Historical Society Convention, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 2009, Steve Gossard, pp. 33-36. While the CHS convention is created for the sharing circus history, there were many opportunities in Milwaukee to see it first-hand. Our convention goers enjoyed two days of great circus presentations by some of our leading circus researchers, were treated to the Kelly-Miller Circus and watched the Great Circus Parade. Photographs.
- 1928 Sparks Parade, Fred D. Pfening, Jr., pp. 37-39. This wonderful pictorial documentation of the 1928 Sparks Circus is graced with a running list of the amazing parade that took to the streets across America in 1928.
- Rob Mermin, p. 40. A short synopsis of his great presentation at the 2008 CHS convention. Rob is not only a clown, he was the Dean at RBBB Clown College and the founder of Circus Smirkus. Photograph.
- Phone Promotions and Other Interesting People, Mike Straka, pp. 41-43. Mike has been doing magic shows since the early 1970’s. After a few years on Circus Kirk, he has been doing school shows across this country. Mike relates some of the experiences he has had with some of the promoters that made the entertainment world work.
- Remembering Frankie Saluto, Ray Henderson, back cover. A memorial to this famous clown. Photograph.
May-June 2009, Vol. 53, No. 3
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Thumbnail of Front Cover, 1927 Damascus Temple Shrine Circus, Rochester, NY.
- Front Cover, p. 2. Brief information on Shrine Circuses. Information on the 1927 Damascus Temple Shrine Circus produced by Orrin Davenport, listing performers.
- Corrections, p. 2. Corrections to Circus Year in Review article, Bandwagon, Mar-Apr, 2009.
- Timothy J. Holst, 1947-2009, p. 3. Career of Tim Holst, clown, ringmaster, performance director, Vice President for Talent & Production for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Tim Holst passed away unexpectedly in Argentina while working for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows, Inc. A short history of his life. Photo
- In Memory of Charlie Smith (1915-2008) Master of the Ringling Train - and Just About All Else on the Circus Lot, Lane Talburt, pp. 4-11. A terrific compilation of the jobs that Charlie Smith performed around the circus industry as he wrapped up a fabled career on the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows. Photos.
- Shrine Circus - R.I.P.?, John H. McConnell, pp. 12-18. An excellent article detailing the decline in Shrine Circus attendance, fewer Shrine Circuses, less profitable, less performance, declining Shrine memberships, animal concerns, and shorter days in length. Photos and illustrations.
- Bill Kasiska' Letterheads, pp. 19-20. 1897 illustrated envelope and a rare 1899 letterhead for Stetson's Uncle Tom Cabin Co. owned by circus owner, Leon W. Washburn. There are photo illustrations on the envelope.
- Dan Castello and the Railroad Circus, Stuart Thayer, pp. 21-24. For years Stuart Thayer was well known for his coverage and research of the 19th century circuses in America. Another great example of his work that proves the Dan Castello show was the first circus using a railroad in 1865. Illustrations.
- Interviews with Lillian Leitzel, Her Mother and Alfredo Codona, pp. 25-30. There are a few interviews conducted in Europe and translated for publication in Bandwagon. This interview was conducted by Erna Milde of Copenhagen, Denmark just hours before Ms. Leitzel fell from her rigging in what would ultimately be the demise of the greatest female aerialist ever seen in her time. Letters from Leitzel's mother and Alfredo Condona after Leitzel's death. Photographs, illustrations.
- 1937 Cole Bros. Parade, Fred D. Pfening, Jr., pp. 31-33. A photo essay documenting one of the finest circus parades to work on a daily basis. Amazingly, many of these gilded parade wagons still exist today. Photos.
- More Traveling with Ringling-Barnum in 1954, Bill Taggart, pp. 34-37. Bill Taggart worked for the Ringling-Barnum show in 1954 and provides his daily diary entries of life on the road with the “Big One”. Photos.
- Phone Promoters, Mike Straka, pp. 38-39. Mike relates some personal experiences while working with Jim Fletcher, M. E. Van Dorstan, and Howard Cameron as phone room promoters.
- Weekly Expense Books, p. 39. Advance contracting agents' and press agents' expense books, illustrated.
- Santa’s Shows, back cover. Full page advertisement featuring the Carson and Barnes Circus in Highland, IN, September 5-7, 2009.
March-April 2009, Vol. 53, No. 2
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Thumbnail of Front Cover, Ian Garden Jr.'s liberty act performing on Circus Vidbel. Back cover, photo of Buffalo Bill Wild West at Rome, Italy, 1906.
- Circus Year in Review, 2008 Season, Fred D. Pfening Jr., pp. 3-22. Annual review of shows that played throughout North America in 2008. Includes shows under canvas, indoor units, fairs, and multiple units such as Ringling’s three distinctively different shows. Photographs, illustrations.
- Moonlight Lady: A Circus Train Adventure, Rhett Coates, pp.24-42. True stories of life on the modern day Ringling trains. The author was hired to work for Ringling in 1987 and kept a daily diary of events and items of interest. The article takes these daily notes and turns it into a spellbinding mixture of glitz and glamour, sweat and hard work travelling across America. Photos.
- Heck Photos, pp.43-48. Steve Albasing, aka John Heck was a young man in 1911 when he joined the 101 Ranch show. He later worked as the wardrobe man and was an avid photographer. In 1968, Circus World Museum bought over 300 of his negatives and prints. The photos are from this collection.
- Key to Candy Butcher’s Success? Location, Location, Location, Lane Talburt, pp. 49-51. An interview conducted with Pat Long who worked as a concessionaire on the Ringling shows from 1977 to 1992. Tells of life on the road and her particularly favorite form of transportation . . . hitchhiking! Photos.
January-February 2009, Vol. 53, No. 1
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Thumbnail of front cover, Window card used by the Campbell Bros. Shows circa 1902. Back cover, lithograph of Baily Bros. Christiani Circus, 1955, featuring the white elephant Zumbo.
- Campbell Bros. Circus, Bob Cline, pp. 3-29. The Campbell Bros. Great Consolidated Shows started out as young farm boys learning to do a few tricks and turned into one of the leading circuses of its time by 1905. This amazing circus carried 11 elephants in 1908 and was the first noted circus to have a material design inside the Big Top Canvas. The article includes the demise and subsequent attempts to try again. Fred Dahlinger Jr. contributed the follow-up on the show's equipment and its whereabouts. Photos, illustrations, footnotes.
- Frank C. Bostock, Wild Animal Trainer and Carnival Owner, Fred D. Pfening Jr, pp. 30-39. Frank Bostock was a young man, educated in England, who came to America to grow an empire that included owning carnivals that crossed the country, established at least five zoos across the country, owned the Paris Hippodrome on the Blvd de Cincy, and owned operated and trained wild animal shows. Photos, illustrations.
- Donald Burns, New York City Animal Dealer and Showman, John Polacsek, pp. 40-44. Burns started out young in life loving birds and animals and learned as much as he could. He started importing animals and eventually took over the Aviary in Central Park. Mr. Burns worked for DeSilva and Gaylord as an agent bringing animals to America. Also employed by Desilva and Gaylord was George Arstingstall the noted elephant trainer. Illustrations of ads and tickets, photo; sources.
- Bill Kasiska’s Letterheads, p.45. Bill Kasiska possessed one of the finest collections of circus letterheads found. This full-color reproduction is from the Tol Bros. Spanish-American Circus from 1934.
- Good and Bad Circus Towns, pp. 46-47. An interview conducted with Wm. C. Coup in 1881 while his show was playing at Madison Square Garden. The interview was originally published in the New York Sun. Illustrations.
November-December 2008, Vol. 52, No. 6
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Christmas card, 1925 season of John Robinson Circus.
- Documentary History of the Barnum & London Circus in 1881, Fred D. Pfening III, p. 5-70. When the Cooper and Bailey circus was blessed with the birth of a baby elephant, P. T. Barnum took immediate interest. This story details the publicity and wrangling that went into the eventual combination of Barnum & Bailey and the beginnings of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Many illustrations.
- “Although but a Woman” Agnes Lake and the Twentieth Annual Tour of Lake's Hippo-Olympiad, Carrie Bowers, pp. 75-81. A fascinating article about Agnes Lake and her Lake’s Hippo-Olympiad. Originally presented at the 2007 CHS convention, this article is based on the material of the soon to be released (March 2009) book entitled Agnes Lake Hickok, Queen of the Circus, Wife of a Legend, by Linda Fisher and Carrie Bowers. Photograph, illustrations.
- Bill Kasiska’s Letterheads, p.84. Bill Kasiska possessed one of the finest collections of circus letterheads ever to be found. This full-color reproduction is from the Billboard office to the Forepaugh-Sells Bros. Shows, 1906.
- Circus Envelopes, pp. 89-91, Three pages of colorful illustrations of the incredible artwork that went into circus letterheads and their corresponding envelopes.
- Murder on Dailey Bros. Circus – Or was it?, Lane Talburt, pp. 95-100. Ben Davenport’s Dailey Bros. Circus was in Springfield, Missouri when police burst into sleeping car #98 and placed everyone under arrest for the murder of a young prop hand on the show. Read how the events unfolded and the conclusions that followed concerning the death of William “Butch” Petit. Photographs, illustrations.
- Christmas Greetings, full and half page ads abound in the Christmas issue from some of the shows on the road today. The legendary Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus is joined by Lewis and Clark Circus, Circus Sarasota, Big Apple Circus, Cirque duSoleil, Royal Hanneford, the Big “E” Super Circus, Elliott Amusements, Carson & Barnes, Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars, Circus Report, The Ringling Museums, Circus World Museum, the Circus Fans Association, the Circus Model Builders, the Windjammers Unlimited, the Kelly-Miller Circus, the International Circus Hall of Fame, and others.
September-October 2008, Vol. 52, No. 5
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Window card, 1911 season of Sig Sautelle Show. Back cover, window card, 1911 season of Sig Sautelle Show. Both courtesy of Pfening archives.
- Robert Scott MacDougall, Fred D. Pfening Jr, p. 3. As a long term employee of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows, Bob MacDougall was a Circus Historian, and friend to all. Bob passed away October 20, 2008. Photo.
- Sig Sautelle, New York Circus Owner, Fred D. Pfening Jr., pp. 4-8. The legendary Sig Sautelle and his circus operations are chronicled in this brief article with great visual additions. Born George C. Satterlee, he changed his name to Signor Sautelle. His circus career spanned many decades. Photos and illustrations.
- Highballing on the Moonlight Lady, Rhett Coates, pp. 9-17. This article was written in 1990. A fascinating article about the modern Ringling-Barnum trains covers the Red and Blue Units and includes the James Strates Carnival as being the last three surviving show trains in America. Covers the acquisition of rail cars, their conversion to circus use, layouts of cars, and some of the specialized units Ringling-Barnum has used. Photos and illustration.
- 2008 CHS Convention, September 21 to 24, Bob Cline, pp. 18-21, The 2008 CHS convention was a huge success and enjoyed by many of our fellow members from near and afar again this year. The article covers the business meeting, daily programs and speakers. Highlights included the auction, banquet, and entire day at the Big “E” Circus and fair. Photographs.
- 1897 Barnum & Bailey Circus Parade, pp. 22-24, A brief history of the fabulous Barnum & Bailey daily street parade along with a photo spread to showcase the fine event.
- Tommy Bentley, Performer and Circus Owner, Bill Taggart, pp. 25-28. Tommy Bentley has been a Circus performer and show owner for nearly 60 years. The article discusses many of his former performer colleagues and the adventures of a show owner. Photographs.
- Bill Woodcock’s Circus Album, Buckles Woodcock, pp. 29-30. Short stories of circus life including Art Concello and the Ringling seat wagons, the 1952 Ringling productions that included no elephant act but a huge Elephant fashion show and Buckles' answer to the age old question of how much does an elephant drink each day? Photographs.
- New York Clipper Reporter with Ringling Barnum in 1923, pp. 31-38. This is taken from the 1923 New York Clipper, when a staff member spent a week on the Ringling-Barnum show, learning how the show moved, operated, performed and lived - one day at a time, in a different town each day. Photographs.
- Bill Kasiska’s Letterheads, p.39. Bill Kasiska possessed one of the finest collections of circus letterheads ever to be found. This full-color reproduction is from the Shipp’s Indoor Circus dated 1905.
July-August 2008, Vol. 52, No. 4
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, front cover of a 1908 Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows Combined trained Polar Bear display, Pfening archives.
- On the Road with the Big Show in 1953-1954, Bill Taggart, pp. 4-19. As an employee of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows, the author chronicles his various duties on the show at the Main Entrance, selling tickets inside the Big Top and in the Yellow Ticket wagon among others. He details the remembrances of those around him in various departments and how they performed the set-ups and tear downs of the Big One. 21 different Photos and illustrations included.
- Norma Davenport Cristiani, Great Elephant Stampede, Autry-Not Gene, Brown Bomber, Part Four, Lane Talburt, pp. 20-29. The article talks about the appearances of Cowboy Doug Autry on the Dailey Bros. Circus and Harry Hammill being involved in the operations. Even the addition of Joe Louis in 1950 couldn’t stop the decline in business. Also talks about fellow performers on the Dailey show. Seventeen photos are included.
- Circus Clown Posters, pp. 30-31. This is a two page spread of some of the great Clown Posters produced for various shows. The selection is from the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Howard Tibbals Collection. The display contains fourteen extraordinary creations.
- Circus Thrill Acts, the Revolving Wheel, Bill Strong, pp. 32-37, This article covers the origins of the Occupant Propelled Amusement Device in 1949 through the modern age and some of the many performers who thrilled the audience with their breathtaking ride. Twenty photographs and one illustration.
- Bill Woodcock’s Circus Album, Buckles Woodcock, pp. 38-39, Many short stories of circus life including Terrell and Dolly Jacobs, Mabel Stark, and Mac and Peggy MacDonald as told by legendary elephant trainer, William Woodcock Jr. Four Photographs.
May-June 2008, Vol. 52, No. 3
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, front cover of May 1902 Bill Poster Display Advertising magazine, Pfening archives.
- Nickel Plate Harris and his Circus, Tom Parkinson, pp. 3-26. This was an unfinished manuscript found in the Parkinson files about the Harris Nickel Plate Circus and Wm. H. Harris’s life in show business. The article contains eighteen photos and ten pieces of artwork.
- Norma Davenport Cristiani, Her Image Was Out There - Even on Outhouses, Part Three, Lane Talburt, pp. 27-37. Not only biographical information on Norma, but also on her parents, Ben and Eva Davenport. Also talks about fellow performers on the Dailey show. Sixteen photos are included.
- Barney Carroll, Stuart Thayer, pp. 38-41. This is a biography of one of the longest performing careers in 19th century American Circuses. He was a noted equestrian, with his two daughters following in his footsteps. The article contains three extraordinary illustrations. Sources are included.
- Circus Advance in 1902, pp. 42-45, articles from Bill Poster Display Advertising magazine, May 1902, as seen on the front and back covers of this Bandwagon issue, the following articles are all from this Pamphlet. “Power of the Poster”, “Two Big Shows”, “Louis E. Cooke”, and “Advertising a Big Show”. Illustration and photographs.
- Bill Woodcock’s Circus Album, Buckles Woodcock, pp. 46-47, Many short stories of circus life as told by legendary elephant trainer, William Woodcock Jr. Photographs.
March-April 2008, Vol. 52, No. 2
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Barnum's 78 page animal book was issued in 1973, Pfening Archives.
- 2007 Season in Review, Fred Pfening Jr., pp. 3-26. A complete wrap-up of owners, titles, and performers on each show that traveled the country during the 2007 season. Illustrated with Photos, Tickets, Posters, and program covers.
- Norma Davenport Cristiani, Growing Up on Ben Davenport's Wild Circus Provided Her a "Normal" Life, Part Two, Lane Talburt, pp. 27-33. Not only biographical information on Norma, but also on her parents, Ben and Eva Davenport. Also talks about fellow performers on the Dailey show. Photos included.
- Wilson’s Great World Circus, August 1883: The Volcano, a Very Small Elephant and the Cannonball King, Joe Parker, pp. 34-37. Details on being in Java at the same time the Volcano Krakatau exploded. Many colorful illustrations.
- Bill Woodcock’s Circus Album, Buckles Woodcock, Pages 38 – 39, Many short stories of circus life as told by legendary elephant trainer, William Woodcock Jr.
January-February 2008, Vol. 52, No. 1
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, The Riding Richters at the Monte Carlo Circus, 2008.
- "The Greatest Place on Earth," an Assessment of Circus World, Don Stacey, pp. 4-14. History of Circus World, the Orlando, Florida circus theme park, from 1972 to 1986. Reprinted from King Pole, No. 162, March-April, 2007. Many illustrations, photos.
- Norma Davenport Christiani, Born into "Society" for Trouping Career, Part One, Lane Talburt, pp. 15-24. Not only biographical information on Norma, but also on her parents, Ben and Eva Davenport. Also Pete Christiana's as a fill-in "fixer" on Dailey Bros. Photos and illustrations.
- The Goodrich, Hoffman and Southey Show: Incorporating a Connecticut Circus, John Polacsek, pp. 25-34. Details on framing this show 1900-1901. Many colorful illustration.
November-December 2007, Vol. 51, No. 6
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Cover of P. T. Barnum's Circus children's book, 1888.
- American Circus in the 1870s: An overview from newspaper sources, Fred D. Pfening III, pp. 4-60. Information from nationwide newspapers on shows, people, circus life, public opinion, etc. Information on online newspaper sources.
- Nate Salsbury's Black America: A gigantic exhibition of negro life and character, Richard A. Georgian, pp. 63-70. Details on the formation, features and descriptions, performers, public response to this novel show that traveled 1895. The show featured 300 black performers. Includes a partial list of performers. Brief information on the "Darkest America" production (1896-1899). Illustrated.
- Ringling-Barnum's 1942 Menagerie Fire, Fred D. Pfening, Jr., pp. 73-77. Details on the August 4, 1892 fire with many photographs.
- Circusing in Europe, Al Stencell, pp. 80-86. Stencell's descriptions and photographs of some European circuses 1971 - 2006. Knie, Krone, Althoff's, Roncalli, and others.
- Cliff Vargas: Take him or leave him - or get fired, Lane Talburt, pp. 89-95. Clifford E. Vargas and his show. Details on this colorful circus showman. Many photographs.
- Bill Woodcock's Circus Album, pp. 104-105. Photos and narrative. Candy butchers, John Robinson's early 1920s, Gee Gee Engesser, elephant Lucy, and more.
- Bill Kaiska's Letterheads, p. 109. Sells Bros. Circus, 1894.
September-October 2007, Vol. 51, No. 5
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Lucio Cristiani, 1973.
- "Popcorn" George W. Hall, A Wisconsin Showman, Ruth Ann Montgomery, pp. 3-22. Biography of Hall, circus owner and animal trainer, from 1847 to 1918. Photos, illustrations.
- From Frying Pan to Fire: Ruffin Switches to Vargas,Part Three, Lane Talburt, pp. 23-29. America's first black wild animal trainer. Photos.
- More Ramblings from Red Sonnenberg, Red Sonnenberg, pp. 30-37.
- A Cancer Remedy? "Join the Circus", Lane Talburt, pp. 38-41. Frank Felt's second career as circus manager and owner. Photos.
- Bill Woodcock's Circus Album, pp. 42-43. Roland Tiebor's seals, circus concert/aftershow, etc. Photos.
July-August 2007, Vol. 51, No. 4
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, 1916 Cook & Wilson Circus.
May-June 2007, Vol. 51, No. 3
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, 1889 Adam Forepaugh Circus poster.
March-April 2007, Vol. 51, No. 2
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, 1938 Ringling-Barnum program cover.
January-February 2007, Vol. 51, No. 1
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Howe's Great London 'Car of India.'
- 1944 Ringling Bros. Circus Diary, A, The Ralph Emersons., pp. 3-28. This was the year of the Hartford Fire.
- Chicken or the Egg: A Double Ring Controversey. Phase Two, William L. Slout, pp. 29-36. Great Eastern.
- Jumping Horses, Automobiles and Circuses, Sylvester Braun, pp. 37-38.
- Bill Woodcock's Circus Album, pp. 39-40.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, Part Forty-Nine, David W. Watt, pp. 41-47. Originally published 1920. David Watt died in 1929, includes Watt's obituaries with information on his career. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
November-December 2006, Vol. 50, No. 6
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Ringling songster 1888, featuring the Ringling brothers before they all grew their famous moustaches.
- Ringling-Barnum Gorillas and Their Cages, The, Fred D. Pfening, Jr. & Richard J. Reynolds III, pp. 4-29. Gargantua, Toto and other gorillas. Many photos of various gorillas with circuses, cage wagons, lithographs.
- More About Gorillas and Other Great Apes - Noell's Ark, Fred D. Pfening, Jr., pp. 33-36. The traveling Gorilla Show, of Bob and Anna Mae Noell, 1940-1971. Noell's Ark chimp farm. Illustrations include photos of Chimp Farm, gorilla Tommy.
- Ringling's Disastrous European Tour, Don Stacey, pp. 40-48. Reprinted from King Pole, September 2006. 1963-1964 tour. Details of the management and many performers of this short tour. Stacey was publicity manager for the show. Illustrations include photos of performers, spec floats, managers.
- "Russian Cossacks," Buffalo Bill's Press Agent Spins a Tale, Richard A. Georgian, pp. 50-55. An extract from Georgian's manuscript, Buffalo Bill's Deceit, the Cossack's Curse. Reveals the facts behind the riders, advertised as Russian Cossacks, but were actually Georgians from what is today the Republic of Georgia. These men and women performed in more than 50 wild west shows from 1892 to 1920. Illustrations include photos of the Cossacks, lithographs.
- Great Circus Clowns of the Past, pp. 56-57. From Pat Cashini's Blog, photos and narrative of famous circus clowns.
- Bill Woodcock's Circus Album, pp. 59-61. Photos and narrative. Circus elephants and more.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, Part Forty-Eight, David W. Watt, pp. 68-76. 1919. John Worland, Forepaugh, Ringling Bros., Little Alright, Burr Robbins, and much more. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
- Letterhead From the Archives, p. 77. 1875 P. T. Barnum's Great Roman Hippodrome. The letterhead is the most elaborate piece of circus stationery known to exist up to that time.
September-October 2006, Vol. 50, No. 5
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Yankee Robinson, circa 1910, 'monster airship,' Santa Dumont, circling the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
July-August 2006, Vol. 50, No. 4
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, 1893 lithograph, Sells brothers.
- Luella Forepaugh-Fish Wild West Show 1903, Richard A. Georgian, pp. 3-8. Luella Jordan married John A. Forepaugh, nephew of Adam Forepaugh, then married George F. Fish. In 1901 Luella and Fish incorporated the Forepaugh-Fish Wild West. Information on the show from 1901 to 1903. Georgian presented this paper at the 2006 CHS convention. It is part of his future publication on the history of the "Russian Cossacks" who rode in more than fifty American tent shows between 1892-1920s.
Illustrations include photos of Alexis Georgian, the Georgian Cossacks, and Forepaugh-Fish steam calliope; engraving John A. Forepaugh; Forepaugh-Fish letterhead; newspaper advertisement.
- How and Why I Got in the Circus Business, King Bros. Circus, Part Two, Bob Snowden, pp. 9-27. How the Duke of Paducah Circus started and became the King Bros. Details of the 1961-64 truck show, including staff, performers, side show, concessions, elephants, etc.
Illustrations include photos of King Bros. trucks, pit show, marquee and big top, cookhouse, side show, horse semi, Hermann's Lipizzan stallions, ticket semi, seat semi, elephant lead stock and sleeper truck, Snowden and employees, Arnold Maley & Snowden, Frank McClosky.
- Looking for Babe for Patsy Bea, Performer, Harington's Nickle Plate Circus (1932-1934), pp. 28-31. Known as Patsy Bea in the circus world, she was the grand daughter of Beatrice and Ernest Harrington, owners of Harrington's Nickle Plate. As a child in the circus, Patsy's favorite elephant was Babe. Information on Patsy's circus life. Illustrated with a photo of Patsy, age two or three.
- En Route to the Great Eastern, Part Three, William L. Slout, pp. 32-39. Details of Andrew Haight & Doc Chambers' circus, the first to take a circus into Texas after the Civil War. Information on the shows for the 1865-67 seasons, including performers, staff, side show, events. Andrew Haight was known for driving a close bargain and seldom getting the worst of a deal, which earned him the name "Slippery Elm." Details of Haight & Wooten's 1871 Empire City Circus. The Great Eastern was formed in 1872. Illustrations include engravings of Dr. James L. Thayer, John Hayes Murray and Sam Lathrop the clown, newspaper advertisements, a Stone & Murray 1870 lithograph.
- Bill Woodcock's Circus Album, pp. 40-41. Photos and explanatory narrative. Photos: elephants transporting a throne for the spec on RBBB in 1941, pit show, animal people on Robbins Bros. 1938, Kelly-Miller side show, Stewart Craven, Master Elephant Trainer.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, Part Forty-Six (1919), David W. Watt, pp. 42-47. Information on Forepaugh; LaDell Brothers; Sam Watson, bareback rider and circus owner; Henry S. Rubien, had lemonade and candy stands on RBBB more than 20 years; Watt's career; Burr Robbins; and more. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
Illustrations include Burr Robbins, James E. Cooper, Robert C. Campbell agent, Jeremiah Mabie, 1880s Forepaugh trading card featuring the 'Sultans own Sons of the Desert.' See May-June 1998 for information on the content of this series.
May-June 2006, Vol. 50, No. 3
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Glasier 1902 photo, daredevil Diavolo, loop-the-loop bicycle act.
- How and Why I Got in the Circus Business, Part One, How the Duke of Paducah Circus Started and How It Became King Bros., by Bob Snowden, pp. 3-23. Snowden was a circus and animal man who owned an interest in King Bros. Snowden's early career, including his alligator and hippo shows. His times with the Royal American carnival, including the back end business. The 1960 Duke of Paducah Circus.
Illustrations: photos of Robert Snowden; Snowden's Florida animal farm; Gladys Gillem's wild animal act; Carl Sedimayr Jr. & Sr., Royal American owners; Whitey Weiss, consession manager; Royal American midway; Snowden hippo show; Floyd King; Si and Dorothy Rubens, phone promoters; Whitey Ford, the Duke of Paducah; Duke of Paducah semi; Beatrice Dante and chimp; Mario Gaona trapeze act; Walter Kernan; Roger Boyd; Matt Larish and the Duke elephants; Larish's liberty ponies; Duke of Paducah letterhead; Duke marquee and big top; Great Jessick, one finger stand; Duke midway and sideshow.
- En Route to the Great Eastern, Part Two, William L. Slout, pp. 24-33. Andrew Haight and George W. DeHaven 1865-70. Information on their shows, staff, performers, acts, events. Haight's early life. Description of the Mazeppa equestrian drama. Illustrations: Andrew Haight, George Batcheller leaper, William Dutton rider, R. E. J. Miles owner & proprietor, newspaper advertisements, Pike's Opera House and its 1866 fire.
- 2006 Circus Historical Society Convention, by Joe Parker, pp. 34-36. Photos of many of the presenters.
- Bill Woodcock's Circus Album, pp. 37-38. Photos and explanatory narrative. Photos: Tom Mix at Sells-Floto winter quarters, Peru, 1931; Hubert Castle (Hal Smith) 1947, did a wire act; Bert Nelson & Maria Rasputin, 1935, did an animal act; Barbara Woodcock in costume with elephant.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, Part Forty-Five (1919), David W. Watt, pp. 39-47. Zip, the dog-faced man or "Barnum's What Is It;" Adam Forepaugh Jr.; Siegrist & Silbon, aerial act; Forepaugh; Watt's career; Bert Cole, announcer Hagenbeck-Wallace 19 seasons; RBBB; various performers/staff returning from WWI; Burr Robbins; Imre Kiralfy, producer of specs; Ike Pritchard; and more. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
Thumbnail of Back Cover, lithograph, illustrating Diavilo's "'Danger-Deriding, Death-Defying, Desperate Dare-Devil" loop the loop act - "beyond the tremendously terrible temerity and illimitable, inimitable intrepidity of Diavolo, no man may go."
March-April 2006, Vol. 50, No. 2
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, lithograph, Barnum & Bailey 1890, featuring the spec "Nero, or the Destruction of Rome, the return of the show from the winter tour in London 1889-90 and the special railroad excursions for people to travel to see the show from small towns.
- Circus Year in Review, Fred D. Pfening, Jr., pp. 3-27. Extensive review of the 2005 circuses. There were sixty circuses in operation in 2005. Extensively illustrated with photos and covers of shows' programs.
- En Route to the Great Eastern, Part One, William L. Slout, pp. 28-36. Origin of the Great Eastern Museum, Menagerie, Aviary, Circus & Balloon Show, George W. DeHaven, Andrew Haight and R. E. J. Miles, proprietors. DeHaven's early life and connection with various circuses 1858-1860s. Satterlee, Bell & Co., Hyatt & Co., Great Union and other circuses. Shows, staff, performers, events.
Illustrations include engravings of W. W. Durand, contracting agent and John Glenroy, rider; photos of George W. DeHaven and clown Pete Conklin; newspaper advertisements.
- Bill Woodcock's Circus Album, pp. 37-38. Photos and explanatory narrative. Photos: breakfast on the 1946 Cole show, Busby Bros. bill car 1909, elephant trainer Chris Zeitz with elephant Mom 1905, Spot Griffin baggage stock superintendent 1931. 1944 Ringling-Barnum program featuring Ernestine Clarke.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, Part Forty-Four (1919), David W. Watt, pp. 39-47. Watt's career; Hagenbeck winter quarters; Showmen's League of America; Sells-Floto; Hagenbeck Animal Circus in Germany; Ringling brothers and their show; Adam Forepaugh Jr.; and more. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
Illustrations are photos of ticket seller, Sells-Floto 1915; West Baden Hotel and Casino; Will Rogers in vaudeville; Sells-Floto winter quarters; Hagenbeck Tierpart entrance; Ringling family 1890s; Yankee Robinson parade 1919; May Wirth; Zip, the "What is it." See May-June 1998 for information on the content of this series.
January-February 2006, Vol. 50, No. 1
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, lithograph, W. C. Coup's New United Monster Shows, featured New York Aquarium, Broncho Horses, Royal Japanese Circus, Melville's Australian Circus, Colvin's Great Menagerie, Fryer's Trained Animas and Wood's Museum. The show toured 1878-1882.
November-December 2005, Vol. 49, No. 6
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Buffalo Bill Christmas card, 1903-06
- Out of the Wild West Thundered the First Circus Train of Steel, Part One, Fred Dahlinger, Jr., pp. 4-35. Story of the showmen and events that led to the frist steel circus train that rumbled across America. Starts with the formation of the first Wild West exhibition, through transitions between partners, continues during changes in circus leadership and finally takes place during the rise of the largest Wild West outfit to tour America.
Illustrations include photos of Hagenbeck-Wallace Forepaugh Sells, 1935; Campbell Bros.; Col. William F. Cody, 1907; Col John M. Burke, business manager; Nate Salsbury; Buffalo Bill advance car, 1896; RR cars & elephants, Bridgeport winter quarters; James A. Bailey; Jule Keen, treasurer; flats, 1908 Barnum & Bailey; horse that smoked; Buffalo Bill flat cars, 1901; Buffalo Bill; U.S. Army train, ca 1905; Col. Cody & Nate Salsbury; Mr. & Mrs. William F. Cody; Barnum & Bailey train in Europe; Buffalo Bill, Paris, France 1905; Buffalo Bill advertising car 1905; Buffalo Bill train, Italy, 1905. Lithograph, RBBB, early 1920s; 1914 Jones Bros. & Wilson herald; 1933 Hagenbeck-Wallace lithograph.
- The Not-So-Great Trans-Atlantic Circus and Menagerie, William L. Slout, pp. 38-42. (Pardon A. Older). Paper presented at 2005 CHS convention. The origin, 1872 season and demise of Pardon A. Older and J. M. Chandler's Trans-Atlantic. Show details, staff, performers, events. Illustrations include photos of Pardon A. Older & agent John A. Dingess; newspaper advertisements.
- Delight For Shogun, Gift From Nehru: History of Traveling Menageries of Japan, Ken Kawata, pp. 44-53. Paper presented at 2005 CHS convention. A review of the highlights of the menageries in the history of animal exhibition in Japan. Iwata Yano's turn-of-the-century traveling menagerie. Hagenbeck's tour of Japan. The Ueno Zoo's traveling menageries. World Animal Expo (Nippon Zoo) and circus-related operations in 1950s. Illustrations include postcards of various menagerie animals; elephant Anna; photos of Yano, Ueno Zoo's menagerie, elephant Indira, lion trainer Dick Clemens.
- Corteo Cirque Du Soleil, Fred D. Pfening, Jr., pp. 58-61. Details of 2005 season. Illustrations include photos of the Corteo lot, horizontal bar act, trampoline and aerial chandelier act.
- Bill Woodcock's Circus Album, pp. 63-65. Photos and explanatory narrative. R. Z. Orton show history, and more. Photos: elephant Hero with Jim Baker, owner R. Z. Orton, and agent Dave Jarrett; Zebra hitch, Cole Bros. 1944; RBBB elephant howdah, 1933; 1961 Kelly-Miller 'doniker' trailer; elephant Tusko, 1921 & 1930.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, Part Forty-Two (1918), David W. Watt, pp. 69-78. Lizzie Ashton & Kate Silbon, aerial artists; Sunday runs; Pubillones circus, Cuba; Forepaugh; Keith & Albee, vaudeville; RBBB; Burr Robbins; and more. See May-June 1998 for information on the content of this series. Note: July-August 2005 also titles Watt's Side Lights as Part Forty-Two. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
September-October 2005, Vol. 49, No. 5
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, 1881 Adam Forepaugh lithograph featuring the "Handsomest Woman in the World, Lalla Rookh."
July-August 2005, Vol. 49, No. 4
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, L. B. Lent's New York Circus, 1870.
- Ups and Downs of George Washington Smith, Part One, Robert J. Loeffler, pp. 4-20. George W. Smith, 1893-1986, became circus manager, Ringling Bros. in 1938. Includes text of his testimony regarding the Hartford fire, Smith's early career.
Illustrations include photos of Smith; Ringling-Barnum ticket wagon; Ringling billstand; Ringling-Barnes show on a lot 1938; Arthur Concello; 1942 Army War Show; Robert Ringling; Ringling staff in court; Emmett Kelly fighting the fire; Hartford fire scenes; diagram of big top and lot layout at Hartford.
- More Ramblings From Red Sonnerberg, Part Three, C. A. "Red" Sonnenberg, pp. 21-28. RBBB, Walter L. Main, M. L. Clark shows, grift and much more. Illustrations include photos of Ringling-Barnum rest room; entrance to Ringling-Barnum winter quarters; Walter L. Main ticket wagon, 1927; Al G. Barnes circus train, 1924; W.P.A. Circus show band; Lee Bros. bill stand 1925; Walter L. Main advertising car, 1927; Waldo Tupper, agent GSOE; Frank McClosky, Willis Lawson and Art Concello planning a route.
- A Very Strong Finish, pp. 29-31. 2005 CHS convention. Photos of many of the presenters; Cirque Du Soleil; Kelly-Miller elephants.
- Bill Woodcock's Circus Album, pp. 33-35. Photos and explanatory narrative. Photos of the Cole Bros. train wreck 1945; Gentry Bros. animal act; 1933 Al G. Barnes circus train, stake driver, spreading out the big top canvas; George Denman, Ringling-Barnum elephant boss.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, Part Forty-Two (1918), David W. Watt, pp. 36-46. John "Mulsey" Welch; J. H. Shields; effect of WWI on circuses; Forepaugh; Watt's career; Hagenbeck-Wallace train wreck 1918; Forepaugh 1886 train wreck; George Washington Hall; and more.
Illustrations include photo of William "Bud" Gorman; mass grave, Hagenbeck-Wallace train wreck; G. W. Hall parade wagon; Jules Turnour, clown; Lou Graham; Hagenbeck-Wallace advertisement; Sells Bros. winter quarters lithograph; Ringling Bros. 1918 spec lithograph; Ringling Bros. woodchoppers 1918 lithograph. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
- Jumbo Picture Cards, p. 47. Illustrations of Jumbo on trade cards promoting sewing machines, furniture, etc.
May-June 2005, Vol. 49, No. 3
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, 1934 Hagenbeck-Wallace
- Who Was Buffalo Bill? An Overview of His Life and Times. John Thiele, pp. 3-8. Paper presented at CHS 2004 convention. Illustrations include photos; 1887 portraits of Cody; Buffalo Bill Wild West poster; Cody lithograph used in England.
- Inside the LaMont Shows, Lawrence Lusch, pp. 9-14. Owned by Charles and Harry Randolph, LaMont Bros. Circus 1902-1920s. Show details, staff, performers, events. Illustrations include photos of Charles & Harry Randolph; show on lot ca 1912-14; tableau bandwagon, calliope wagon, animal cage wagon 1914; LaMont band; Omar Eddings & elephant Wando; ticket wagon, 1918 bill stand. 1910 letterhead; newspaper advertisement; herald.
- The Ubangis Are Alive and Well, Dick Mong, pp. 15-20. African natives on Ringling-Barnum 1930-31. Author Mong traveled to Ethiopia to meet the Mursi, who traveled with Ringling-Barnum. His journal of the trip is included in the article. Illustrations include many photos of the Ubangis, posters, and Mong's trip.
- The Meers Sisters and William Melrose, John Daniel Draper, pp. 21-25. Equestrians who performed for three decades beginning in 1891. Featured on Barnum & Bailey in 1891. Illustrations include photos, 1907, 1911; 1895, 1906 lithographs; 1910 Meers illustration, Forepaugh-Sells.
- Cole's Southern Circus and Menagerie of 1881, Stuart Thayer, p. 26. Show had a short life, two months. Organized by George S. Cole, Matt Leland and William Monroe. Illustrations include show lithographs.
- Bill Woodcock's Circus Album, pp. 27-29. Photos and explanatory narrative. Photos: Louie Reed on Brama bull, taking elephants to the lot; William "Lucky Bill" Newton Sr.; Woodcock's father and Lee Powell at the site of Jumbo's death; Arky Scott with elephants; elephants Marcella and Big Babe with Ringling-Barnum, 1951.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, Part Forty-One, David W. Watt (1918), pp. 30-39. Watt's career; Burr Robbins; Forepaugh; Gollmars; Ringling show; W. C. Coup; James A. Bailey; Bird Millman, tightrope walker; effect of WWI on circuses; John L. Sullivan, champion boxer; Col George W. Hall.
Illustrations include photos of Charles & Fred Gollmar; W. C. Coup; clown Earl Shipley; George W. "Popcorn" Hall; Tom Buckley, Ringling treasurer; Bird Millman 1918 poster; 1918 Hagenbeck-Wallace program cover; illustration of John L. Sullivan, boxer; postcard, Barnum & Bailey Bridgeport winter quarters. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
March-April 2005, Vol. 49, No. 2
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Judith Nerger and Caesar, Hamid Circus, 2004.
- Circus Year in Review, the 2004 season, Fred D. Pfening, Jr., pp. 4-28. Pfening's annual review of 2004 circuses, accompanied by many photographs, 2004 programs, posters, kid tickets. Photos of shows on the lots, performers, staff, wagon, lithograph.
- Whistles and Walk-A-Rounds. Where Have They Gone?, Robert Sugarman, pp. 29-32. Changes in the roles of the Clowns and the the Ringmasters and/or Equestrian Directors. Illustrations include photos of Fred Bradna, ringmaster; Tim Holst, RBBB Vice President; clown Bello Nock and ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson; clown David Larible; clown Ryan Combs; clown Molly Pelley.
- Bill Woodcock's Circus Album, pp. 33-34. Photos and explanatory narrative. Photos: Jimmy Reynolds & Eddie Allen, animal men; Jimmy with his seal act; Rex Williams working the elephant act on horseback.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, Part Forty (1918), David W. Watt, pp. 36-47. Forepaugh; Watt's career; Shipp & Feltus circus; WWI and the circuses; John L. Sullivan, champion boxer; William O'Dale; Ben Lusbie, lightning ticket seller; James A. Bailey; Homer Martin, ticket seller; Barnum & Bailey; Ringling show; freaks.
Illustrations include photos of Barnum & Bailey cookhouse in Germany; clown Jack LeClair; U. S. Motorized tableau truck; Barnum & Bailey winter quarters, Bridgeport; Tom Thumb's carriage; Jo-Jo, dog-faced boy; elephants at Ringling winter quarters, Baraboo; early Forepaugh lithograph, the Golden Image Car; Shipp & Feltus letterhead; engraving, Ben Lusbie; Chang and Eng, Siamese Twins. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
January-February 2005, Vol. 49, No. 1
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, 1891 Pawnee Bill lithograph.
November-December 2004, Vol. 48, No. 6
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Christmas card, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, 1943
- The Circus Magazine, an enigma whose time had come, Robert F. Sabia, pp. 4-21. In-depth information on circus programs and songsters from a tabloid format to magazine, circa 1884 - 1900s.
Illustrations include many program covers - Buffalo Bill, Pawnee Bill, Campbell Bros., Howes Great London, Downie Bros., Walter L. Main, Scott Greater Shows, Cole Bros. Circuses' pages in Circus Magazine - Zellmar Bros., Barnett Bros., Conroy Bros., Robbins, and Johnny J. Jones carnival. Photo of Lewis Bros. 1937 band.
- Reminiscences of Circus Animal Trainers, John Daniel Draper, pp. 25-44. John Hardin Smith, Mahlon Frank "Alabama" Campbell, Merritt Lynn Belew, Austin B. King, Alvin Ray Thompson, Max Sabel, Bert B. Dennis, Charles Barry and Bessie Harvey, Fred and Rose Collier, James and Alice Foster, Allan Hauser, Leo and Ethel Hamilton, Harry J. and Josephine McFarlan.
Illustrations include photos of John Smith, 1924, 1943; Mahlon Frank "Alabama" Campbell; Merritt Belew, 1923, 1945, undated; Minnie Thompson, menage rider; Ray & Dorothy Thompson, mid-1920s; Dorothy Herbert, rider, 1934; Max Sabel, 1924; Fred Collier & liberty horses, 1923; James & Alice Foster; LaVerne Hauser; Harry McFarlan, 1933, 1943; Josephine McFarland; boxing horses lithograph, 1944; lithograph featuring Ray Thompson, 1908; illustration of Bessie Haravey, lady rider; 1933 lithograph featuring Capt. Barry.
- Almost fifty years under the big top - But still only fifty feet ahead of the sheriff, Part Two, C. A. "Red" Sonnenberg, pp. 48-55. Some subtitles: Gordon Calvit Fixer Deluxe, How to get to Portland, Oregon on four bucks, Ode to Frank Branden, Trouping During the Great Depression, Paydays Aren't Everything, Sounds around a circus, Judge Duval, Circus people had a language of their own, Don't forget your Dukies, Windy Van Hooten and the ferocious lions.
Illustrations include photos of Gordon Calvit, fixer; Buck Jones, 1927; Hugo Schmitt & elephants; Sam B. Dill, manager & owner; Frank Braden, press agent; Frederic "Babe" Boudinot, general agent; Herbert Duval, The Judge, legal adjuster; Ringling-Barnum cookhouse, 1955; Edward F. Kelly, Ringling-Barnum Vice President.
- Bill Woodcock's Circus Album, pp. 59-61. To be an ongoing feature. William H. Woodcock's circus heritage goes back to the mid 1800s, his father's passions were elephants and circus history. Article includes photos and short essays that continue Woodcock, Sr.'s contributions of photographs in Bandwagon that were published from 1958-1963. Photos: elephant trucks; Pat Valdo, Walter McClain, Evelyn Burns, Dianne Lovette, Patty Pallee, Barnes 1938; Alonzo Dever doing a head carry; Sells-Floto on muddy lot.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, Part Thirty-Eight (1917), David W. Watt, pp. 65-75. Forepaugh, John Robinson Show, Burr Robbins, May Wirth, circuses 1917-18, Barnum & Bailey, Ringling, Rhoda Royal, and many more people, circuses, and circus history/life. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
Illustrations include photos of John Robinson lithographers; May Wirth, rider; George W. Goodhart, advance manager; Charles A. Gollmar; Frank P. Spellman, manager; Samuel H. McCracken, manager & owner; R. T. Richards elephants; Burr Robbins trading card; Barnum & Bailey 1917 route card; United States Circus Corporation letterhead, 1917.
- Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Ticket Wagons in the 1930s, p. 76. Photos of the ornate ticket wagons, 1931-33, 1935, 1937-38.
September-October 2004, Vol. 48, No. 5
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Clyde Beatty lot, 1956
- The Blue Unit Train, The First Twenty Years, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Robert S. MacDougall, pp. 3-21. History of the railroad equipment used by the Ringling-Barnum Blue Unit from its beginning in 1969.
Illustrations include photos of unloading European unit; 20th Century Limited train cars purchased by Ringling-Barnum; Ringling-Barnum European unit wagon; postal car ready to pick up Circus Williams animals; 1971 wagons; Father Sullivan christening the train; 1971 all white train; Bicentennial Edition lettering on 1975-76 Red Unit; Blue Unit car on fire, 1974; Robert S. MacDougall, general manager; polar bear cages; Hickory Creek car, 1977; laundry car; John Roushe & Bob MacDougall, Monte Carlo sleeper; digging out from 20 inch snowfall, 1980; derailed cars, 1981; Blue Unit flats, 1982; container of elephants loading for Japan; vestibule car under construction; building concession storage car; numbering on car.
- From Rags to Ricketts, The Roots of Circus in Early Gotham, William L. Slout, pp. 22-27. Paper presented at CHS 2004 convention. Chronological history of early exhibitions in New York City, 1732-1798. Illustrations include handbill for camel exhibition, 1787; Vauxhall Garden; Jacob Bates, equestrian; John B. Ricketts; 1786 newspaper advertisement, Mr. Pool, feats of horsemanship; 1795 Ricketts' New Amphitheatre advertisement; Ricketts New Circus advertisement, 1797.
- Lotus Grande Dame of Circus Hippos, Richard J. Reynolds III, pp. 28-32. The famous Lotus arrived in America in 1903 and toured until 1944. She appeared in the 1952 movie, The Greatest Show on Earth,. Illustrations include many photos of Lotus, 1905 to 1939; Gollmar Bros. 1903 advertisement featuring Lotus, "A Blood-Sweating Hippopotamus;" Lotus' cage wagon, 1937.
- Bobby Gibbs, Good Bye, Old Friend, Jim Alexander, pp. 33-34. Robert Eugene "Bobby" Gibbs, animal performer and trainer, 1950s to 1998. Illustrations include photos of Bobby & Rosa Gibbs with elephant act; Bobby, 1983 Carson & Barnes spec.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, Part Thirty-Seven, David W. Watt, pp. 35-43. Zip "What is it?", Jace Robbins, James Jordan, Barnum & Bailey, Forepaugh, Fred O'Brien, and much more. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
Illustrations include photos of Zip, the "What Is It?"; 1917 tableau parade wagon; Jess Willard, champion boxer & circus owner; eighteen horse hitch, Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1917; Fred O'Brien, acrobat & leaper; H. B. Gentry; Emil Schweyer, wild animal trainer; cover, Kiralfy Fall of Babylon spec.
July-August 2004, Vol. 48, No. 4
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
May-June 2004, Vol. 48, No. 3
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
March-April 2004, Vol. 48, No. 2
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
January-February 2004, Vol. 48, No. 1
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, 1941 Old King Cole and Mother Goose spec, Ringling-Barnum
- Spec-ology of the Circus, Part Two, Fred D. Pfening, Jr. pp. 3-21. History of the circus Spectacle, 1918 to recent years, many photos, lithographs, illustrations, descriptions. read this article online!
- Willie O'Dale and Willie O'Dell, John Daniel Draper, pp. 22-25. Biographical information on these two equestrian riders and their performances. Also the unrelated Charles O'Dell and Cyse O'Dell. Illustrations include photos of Cyse O'Dell, 1924, 1924, 1930s; newspaper advertisement featuring Wm. O'Dell; lithograph featuring Willie O'Dell, 1888.
- Interesting Bill Stands, pp. 26-27. Photos of the large bill stands for Mighty Haag, Sells, Forepaugh, Robinson's, Seils-Sterling, Downie & Wheeler, John H. Sparks. An interesting photo of an electric trolley totally wrapped with posters for the 101 Ranch.
- Half a Century Under the Big Top, R. M. Harvey, pp. 28-32. Robert M. Harvey's fifty year career as a circus executive, personal memories, early to mid 1900s. The "Flying Squadron" trouble shooters (the advance). Troubles of bareback riders rivalry in choice of costume. A very embarrassing moment while visiting a Cuban circus. Illustrations include photos of R. M. Harvey; 1902 Great Wallace bill stands; Blanche Reed, rider.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, Part Thirty-Three, David W. Watt, pp. 33-43. Buffalo Bill (W. F. Cody), Forepaugh, George F. Holland, James Robinson, Nate Salsbury, and more. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
Illustrations include photos of Buffalo Bill; Al G. Barnes, showman; U.S. Motorized Circus trucks; Richard Ringling's circus; Billy Lorette, clown; George Holland Jr., rider; John Philip Sousa; James Robinson; Nate Salsbury; illustration of Adam Forepaugh, Jr. & Sr.
November-December 2003, Vol. 47, No. 6
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, 1883 Jumbo lithograph
- Front Cover is an image of the recently discovered 1883 Jumbo lithograph (Barnum, Bailey & Hutchinson), the first new Jumbo bill to come to light in over 40 years!
- Spec-ology of the Circus, Part One, Fred D. Pfening, Jr. pp. 4-20. History of the circus Spectacle, 1793 to recent years, many illustrations, descriptions. read this article online!
- Horseless in Nashville, 1864, Stuart Thayer, pp. 23-24. Paper presented at CHS 2003 convention. Howes & Norton's Champion Circus' experiences at Nashville around the time of the 1864 Battle of Nashville. Illustrations include portrait of talking clown John Lowlow and show's newspaper advertisement.
- Bill English, the Harvard Circusman, Al Stencell, pp. 26-30. Paper presented at CHS 2003 convention. Biographical information on English. Grift, circus life, 1950-90s circuses - Beatty-Cole, Sells & Gray, Hanneford, and others. Illustrations include photos of English, Beatty-Cole, Sells & Gary.
- Clown Lithos, pp. 31-32. Barnum & Bailey, Robbins Bros., Sparks, Chase & Son, Cronin Bros., Cole & Rogers, Hagenbeck-Wallace, Sam B. Dill's, Beatty-Cole, RBBB, Sells-Floto, Al G. Barnes, Gentry Bros., Clyde Beatty.
- Bill Kasiska's Letterheads, p 34. Sells Bros. 1895.
- Eloise Berchtold's Last Performance, Giovanni Iuliani, pp. 36-39. Paper presented at CHS 2002 convention. Berchtold was an animal trainer, 1900s. Gatini Circus details and events, Canada, 1977. Berchtold toured with this circus and died in the ring. Illustrations included photos of Berchtold's act, her elephant Teak, and the cover of the Gatini program.
- Star Back Review, review of Jane M. Davis' book, The Circus Age: Culture and Society Under the American Big Top, pp. 42-44.
- Youth Circus Today, Robert Sugarman, pp. 46-50. Paper presented at CHS 2003 convention. Peru Amateur Circus (Indiana), Sailor Circus (Sarasota, FL), Fren Street Circus (San Diego, CA), Circus Juventas (St. Paul, MN), Hilltop Circus (Waldorf School, NH), Wenatachee Youth Circus (WA), Circus Smirkus (VT) summer camps, and many others. Illustrations include photos of many of these circuses; Reg Bolton, youth circus pioneer; Circus Juventas program.
- Robert H. Brisendine, 1922-2003, Richard Reynolds, pp. 52-53. Brisbane was a circus historian who was particularly interested in circus routes and show dates. While he never published any of his research, he left his entire collection, including all of his research notes, to the Robert W. Woodruff Library at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. The Brisendine collection is available for study by circus historians.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, Part Thirty-Two (1916), David W. Watt, pp. 56-65. Forepaugh, Burr Robbins, William F. Cody, Showmen's League of America, Great Eastern, Shipp & Feltus, James A. Bailey, animal acts, the Stickneys, and much more. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
Illustrations include photos of Burr Robbins winter quarters; Clarence A. Wortham, carnival man; Wortham carnival train; E. Darwin Colvin; Capt. Jack Bonavita, Bostock animal trainer; Bostock animal arena; Josie DeMott, lady rider; William F. Cody; John Agee, equestrian director; Gred G. Warrell, Ringling manager; portrait of John A. Forepaugh; Shipp & Feltus letterhead.
September-October 2003, Vol. 47, No. 5
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
July-August 2003, Vol. 47, No. 4
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
May-June 2003, Vol. 47, No. 3
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
March-April 2003, Vol. 47, No. 2
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
January-February 2003, Vol. 47, No. 1
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
November-December 2002, Vol. 46, No. 6
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, New Great Pacific, circa 1880-81, "New Grand Thunder-Keyed and Lute-Toned Mechanical Steam Orchestra, artist's rendition of calliope.
- Ethical Considerations for the Conservation of Circus Posters, Neil C. Cockerline, pp. 4-13. History of the circus poster, manufacture, types, use. Circus advertising, advance, billposting. Illustrations include many posters, lithographs, bill stand, window cards.
- Tom Mix: His Life, His Films and His Circus, Fred D. Pfening, Jr., pp. 17-30, read this article online! Illustrations include photos of Tom Mix in the army, age 20; Tom Mix 1923, 1931, 1936, 1938, undated; Mix's circus on lot, 1936; advance advertising semi, 1936; cookhouse kitchen, 1936; inside the big top, 1936; side show, 1936; Mix semi; Max Gruber's Oddities of the Jungle act; elephant, opening spec; ticket wagon; Carl Robinson and Mix band; Mabel Ward Mix; lot view, undated; lot view 1937; Jack Burslem, cand stands, Dial Turney, manager and Charles F. Warrell, asst. manager; Mix poster for 1926 film; Mix lobby poster, 1928 film; Mix lobby poster, 1935 serial; newspaper advertisements; program cover; billboard.
- From Horse Power to Horsepower: The Caterpiller Tractor and the Circus, Fred Dahlinger, Jr., pp. 33-38. Section titles: The Horse Culture of the Circus; Internal Combustion Moves America, Modernization at the Circus; Crawler Tractors and Traveling Shows; Caterpiller Tractors for the Circus; Caterpillar Tractors Do More Than Move the Circus.
Illustrations include photos of panoramic view of Ringling-Barnum horses, 1936; Al G. Barnes calliope truck; Two Bills truck; steam calliope pulled by truck, 1920s; tractor pulling circus wagon, 1946; tractor on lot, 1935; early tractor on Ringling Bros. lot, mid-1910s; Mack truck on lot; tractors moving giraffe wagons, 1927; tractor pulling water wagon; Ringling-Barnum Cat with hoops allowing it to go under canvas; power attachment lifting bale of canvas; Arthur Bros. cat, 1945; tractor with cage apparatus, 1938; lithograph featuring Case traction engine, Ringling Bros., 1892.
- The Life and Times of Joe Bradbury, A Biographical Sketch, Richard J. Reynolds III, pp. 40-48. Bradbury wrote about circuses for more than a half century. His primary interest was the history of circus wagons, reviews of present and past shows and stories of circus showmen. The collaborative work of Bradbury, Woodcock, Parkinson and Conover is the foundation of circus wagon history. He was president of CHS 1964-65 and associate editor of Bandwagon for 42 years.
Illustrations include photos of Bradbury; Ringling-Barnum unloading, 1947; Al G. Barnes-Sells-Floto sea lion cage, 1938; Al G. Barnes-Sells-Floto train, 1938; Downie Bros. on lot, 1936; Circus Hermanos Vazquez, 2002.
- The 2002 Circus Historical Socity Convention, Dave Price, pp. 52-53. Convention highlights and many photos of presenters.
- The Hanlon Brothers: Muscle Kings of Christendom, Robert Kitchen, pp. 56-60. The Hanlon Brothers were well-known gymnasts and trapeze artists, 1800s. William performed the "Zampilarestation," in which he passed from one trapeze to another for a distance of about 118 feet.
Illustrations include drawings of five Hanlon brothers; William Hanlon performing "Zampillarestation;" Thomas Hanlon performing the L'Eschelle Perileuse, 1860; William Hanlon performing "Zampillaerostation," 1861; photo of William, Alfred & George Hanlon.
- Frank A. Robbins: A Most Successful Failure, Part Sixteen, Robert Sabia, pp. 62-73. Season of 1913, Robbins had to decide to sell out, do the season or hope to combine with another show. Unable to sell or merge, he toured the midwest and New England. Season and show details.
Illustrations include photos of Hagenbeck-Wallace winter quarters, flood of 1913; Calr Hagenbeck tableau; Henry Kern's big show band, 1913; newspaper advertisements; Robbins show lithograph, 1913; Wyoming Bill Wild West program, 1913; Young Buffalo Wild West, letterhead; Sanger's, 1913 (letterhead?); Tompkins Real Wild West, 1913 (poster?); Downie & Wheeler's, 1913 (letterhead?)
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, Part Twenty-six, David W. Watt, pp. 76-85. Burr Robbins; elephant Babe; James Hennessy, circus band cornet player; Buffalo Bill; Forepaugh; Edward Austin, boss hostler; Irene Woodward, tatooed woman; press agents Cooke, Davis, Lawrence, Durand, Coxey, Whiting Allen; Sparks show; Showmen's League of America; Al Ringling; Forepaugh; and much more. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
Illustrations include photos of Burr Robbins advance car, 1887; Burr Robbins elephants; Spencer Alexander, Ringling superintendent of baggage stock; W. D. Coxey, Ringling press agent; Albert Ringling; Al Ringling home and grave; Billie Burke songster; drawing of W. W. Durand, press agent; newspaper advertisements.
September-October 2002, Vol. 46, No. 5
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
July-August 2002, Vol. 46, No. 4
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
May-June 2002, Vol. 46, No. 3
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
March-April 2002, Vol. 46, No. 2
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
January-February 2002, Vol. 46, No. 1
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
November-December 2001, Vol. 45, No. 6
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, John Robinson's featuring riding tiger, early 1920s
- Herbert L. Witt & Sons, An Obscure Circus Wagon Builder, Fred Dahlinger, Jr., pp. 4-11. Circa 1906-1921. Details on circus wagons. Illustrations include photos of the Witt shop circa 1907; tableau, cages and January mule cart wagons; 1907 carload including steam calliope, charios; bandwagon and calliope in parade; band chariot, Rose Kilian show; Kilian show marquee and ticket wagon; small band chariot; Johnny J. Jones cage wagon; tableau wagon; Sparks tableau wagon; show fronts built by Witt.
- Great American Riders: 1. Levi J. North, "America's Own Horseman", Stuart Thayer, pp. 16-26. Levi North was one of the great circus showmen. He was a standing rider for over 40 years, his career starting in 1826. Details on North, his acts, and very early circuses. North was the first rider to perform a somersault on horseback.
Illustrations include drawing of Levi J. North in action; drawing of North in costume; 1858 newspaper advertisement; portrait of North, 1880; photo of NOrth and son, Levi F., circa 1870; 1866 advertisement.
- Gunther Gebel-Williams, A Memory, William H. Woodcock, pp. 28-29. Memories of this famous animal trainer. Illustrations include photos of Gunther and Bill Woodcock, 1994; Gunther performing elephants and tiger, 1970; Gunther performing horses, elephant, tigers.
- Frank A. Robbins: A Most Successful Failure: Part Ten, Robert Sabia, pp. 33-46. 1907. A show that hadn't made money for two years ended the season being put up for sale. Another tough year in the ongoing Robbins saga. Show details, acts, incidents, circus management.
Illustrations include photos of advance car, 1905; Carrie & John Rooney, riders; Leon Washburn; Barnum & Bailey menagerie, 1907; Ringling Swan bandwagon, 1907; 1907 Buffalo Bill lithograph; Main's Fashion Plate courier; illustration of show and acts from Robbins 1907 courier; 1907 Robbins courier cover; Robbins 1907 lithograph; newspaper advertisement.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business: Part Twenty, David W. Watt, pp. 51-59. Side show 'freaks'; Johnny Patterson, "Rambler from Clare"; Forepaugh; Dick Waterman, horse driver; Matthew Scott, Jumbo's keeper; Gentry Bros.; Burr Robbins; and much more. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
Illustrations include photos of Hattie & Tom, freaks; Matthew Scott & Jumbo; Henry G. Gentry, showman; Hippodrome, New York City; songster, clown Johnny Patterson; advertisement featuring Ben Lusbie Lightning Ticket Seller.
September-October 2001, Vol. 45, No. 5
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
July-August 2001, Vol. 45, No. 4
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
May-June 2001, Vol. 45, No. 23 [sic 3]
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
March-April 2001, Vol. 45, No. 2
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
January-February 2001, Vol. 45, No. 1
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
Thumbnail of Front Cover, Sun Bros.
- Ringling Barnum Circus: Coach History 1957-1978, Robert S. MacDougall, pp. 4-15. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey railroad coach history 1957-1972. Section headings: Plans for the New Train; Five Cars Sold; List of hospital cars in Sarasota quarters in 1959; Ringling-Barnum new 1960 fifteen car train; Ringling-Barnum wagons and equipment 1960 to 1963; Homecoming to new winter quarters; Winter quarters details; 1962 Car Swapping and Number Changes; First new cars purchased since hospital cars in 1946-1947; Ownership of show changes; Expansion of show into two units; 1972 Red Unit Train.
Illustrations include photos of 1957 rehersals held in train show buildings; 1957 train loading; 1958 show in Hollywood Bowl; Planning the new show, Lloyd Morgan, Tuffy Genders, Art Concello, Rudy Bundy, Bob Dover; testing new wagon frame in tunnel car; checking new wagon frame; test unloading and loading, 1960; loading wagons, 1959-60; transfer from truck to tunnel car wagons, 1960; unloading train, wagons, animals, 1960; Venice winter quarters, 1960; aerial view of tunnel car train; aerial view of Venice railroad siding, 1960-61; interior of "pie car," 1960s; tunnel cars, 1963; aerial view Venice winter quarters, 1961; private car, Jomar, 1962; signing contract transferring ownership from John Ringling North to Irvin and Israel Feld and Judge Roy Hofheinz; WWII hospital car acquired 1970; 1972 train horse car; 1972 girls car; 1972 train car.
- An Examination of Bear Acts, Stuart Thayer, pp. 16-18. Traces early history of this facinating act. Illustrations include 1854 cut advertising Sig. Capelano wrestling a bear; Dan Rice special paper advertising Aalfred Lovell and his grizzly bear; Wallace's bear act; Grizzly Adams 1860 newspaper advertisement; Grizzly Adams and his bears.
- A Celebrated Rider: William Showles, John Daniel Draper, pp. 19-23. Family and performance history. Showles was a famous bareback rider. Illustrations include photos of a young Willie Showles in costume; William Showles, circa 1894; drawing of Daisy Belmont, rider; lithograph featuring William Showles; lithograph featuring Showles and Belmont, 1890; Showles' advertisement, 1896.
- Frank A. Robbins A Most Successful Failure: Part Five, Robert Sabia, pp. 24-30. 1889, another season ends in failure, but Robbins goes on. Season details, staff, performers, incidents, management. Illustrations include Robbins songster featuring John Foster, circa 1889; newspaper advertisements.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business: Part Sixteen, David W. Watt, pp. 31-39. Frank Melville, rider; P. A. Older; elephants; wardrobe department; and much more. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
Illustrations include photos of Frank Melville, rider & equestrian director; Stuart Craven, elephant trainer; Ringling Bros. winter quarters wardrobe department; elephant Hebe and baby Columbia, Cooper & Bailey; drawing of elephant Tippo Saib, 1868 poster; Tippo Saib, Van Amburgh courier; Van Amburgh poster featuring Tippo Saib; rhino pictured in Van Amburgh animal booklet.
November-December 2000, Vol. 44, No. 6
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
- The Circus Year In Review, the Season of 1900, Fred D. Pfening, Jr., pp. 4-15. This year there were a number of railroad circuses and scores of wagon shows. Details of some of these shows, staff, performers, events, etc. Includes a list of 1900 shows not covered in article.
Illustrations include photos of loading an elephant, Barnum 1900; John Robinson parade, 1900; Pawnee Bill ticket wagon; Buckskin Bill baggage wagon; Gollmar Bros. overland advance car; 1900 Sig Sautelle ticket wagon; Forepaugh-Sells lithograph featuring Kilpatrick's bicycle ride; 1900 Buffalo Bill program cover; newspaper advertisements; Great Wallace lithograph featuring Stirk family bicycle riders; Sells & Gray courier; Burns, Boldt & Hanus herald.
- Two Rings and a Hippodrome Track, William L. Slout, pp. 18-21. Paper presented at CHS 2000 convention. Slout details the history of the change from the traditional one ring circus to two rings plus, before the actual adoption of three rings in 1881. Illustrations include photo of the inside of the Barnum's big top, 1872; drawings of Barnum's Grand Entree, 1873; drawing of Barnum's 1873 show.
- Manchester's "Commodore" George Washington Morrison Nutt: Myth Versus Reality, A. H. Saxon, pp. 24-31. Noted historian Saxon relates the history of George Washington Morrison Nutt, one of Barnum's prodigies, a dwarf who married the wife of the deceased and famous Tom Thumb.
Illustrations include photos of "Commodore Nutt" and Minnie Warren, 1863; early costume worn by Nutt; Lavinia Warren, circa 1862; "The Fairy Wedding," 1863; carriage Barnum had made for the "Commodore;" Nutt, Tom Thumb, Minnie & Lavinia Warren; Mrs. Tom Thumb; cemetery munuments of Nutt family.
- Dennie Curtis: An Early Ringling Equestrain, John Daniel Draper, pp. 34-37. Career of Daniel K. Curtis who began his circus career in circa 1907. Curtis was a horse trainer and rider who developed a number of different acts with horses and other animals. Unusual was his taximeter mule act. His wife Edna was elected to the Circus Hall of Fame in 1957.
Illustrations include photos of Curtis act, 1922; Curtis' rube act, 1932; Curtis-Gregg ticket semi-trailer, 1934; newspaper advertisement; pictures of the Curtis acts, 1934.
- Frank A. Robbins A Most Successful Failure: Part Four, Robert Sabia, pp. 40-48. Robbins 1888 season. Not a failure, but signs of problems. Show details, staff, performers, acts, incidents, management. The ongoing saga of Robbins' career.
- The Elephants Named Columbus, Stuart Thayer, pp. 51-52. Thayer sorts out the confusion on these two elephants from the early 1800s. The later Columbus was probably the renamed Mongul. Illustration, 1851 newspaper advertisement, Raymond & Co. and Herr Driesback's Menageries.
- The 2000 Circus Historical Society Convention, pp. 54-55. Highlights of the convention, photos.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business: Part Fifteen (1914), David W. Watt, pp. 57-65. The advance; Joel Warner, general agent; William Peck, advance; opposition wars; Ringling; Gollmar Bros.; Hagenbeck Wallace; and much more. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
Illustrations include photos of W. K. Peck, agent; Ringling Bros. train fire; Gottleib G. Gollmar; Jace Posey, hostler; Hagenbeck-Wallace bandwagon, 1914; portrait of Joe L. Warner, agent.
September-October 2000, Vol. 44, No. 5
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
- Joe Pentland the American Clown, Stuart Thayer, pp. 4-7. Pentland started as an apprentice for circus owner Aaron Turner in 1830. Thayer traces Pentland's career, up until he retired in 1871. Pentland was one of the leading clowns of the time. Article includes a rare circa 1848 daguerrotype of Pentland that inspired Thayer to write this account of his life.
Illustrations include photo of Pentland, circa 1870; newspaper advertisements, 1852, 1854; Sands, Lent & Co. poster featuring Pentland, 1848; Pentland's 1852 Golden Dragon chariot; Pentland and the comic mules, 1858.
- Fay Alexander, Steve Gossard, pp. 8-14. Career of Alexander, aerial artist. In 1950 he began practicing the triple somersault and added it to his act in 1952. He was the flyer who doubled for Tony Curtis, performing a triple somersault, in Trapeze.
Illustrations include photos of the DeWayne troupe, 1948; Dick & Alice Anderson, Rose & Fay Alexander; Alexander, 1953; Alexander in Paris for filming of "Trapeze;" Alexander making a catch; Bob & Dorothy Yerkes with Rose & Fay Alexander; Alexander's funny car presentation; Alexander, 1994; theatre card for movie "Trapeze."
- Frank A. Robbins A Most Successful Failure, Robert Sabia, pp. 15-27. 1887 season, Robbins has been a circus owner for more than six years. A successful season. Winter 1887-88 show ended suddenly, a financial failure. Show details, performers, acts, incidents, management. More on the checkered career of Robbins to come. Illustrations include newspaper advertisements; program; portrait of Charles Fish, rider; children's booklet.
- Early Equestrians of the Ringling Bros. Circus: John Agee, John Daniel Draper, pp. 28-36. Agee's career 1900s, trainer and performer of horses. Description of Agee's novel show, Fun on the Farm.
Illustrations include photos of Agee; Agee with his liberty horses, 1919, undated; Agee and his beer barrel wagon, used in the Brewery act; Agee's All Star Circus, 1922; Agee in Fun on the Farm show, 1924; Agee & his horses, 1927; Tom Mix & Agee, 1929; Agee in his Mountie costume.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business: Part Fourteen (1914), David W. Watt, pp. 37-47. Forepaugh; Ringling; Sells Floto; Gollmar; Famous Robinson show; Pete Conklin, clown; and much more. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
Illustrations include photos of Chicago Coliseum; Marcus Loew, theater owner; Julius Turnour in spec; Albert M. "Stick" Davenport, rider; performers, Gollmar Bros., 1892; Charlie Fisher flying trapeze act, 1914; Ella Bradna; Albert Ringling; Dan Rice, clown & owner; poster featuring Solomon & Sheba spec; newspaper advertisement.
July-August 2000, Vol. 44, No. 4
Finding aid, Name Index for this issue.
- Early Esquestrian of the Ringling Bros. Circus: Rhoda Royal, John Daniel Draper, pp. 4-13. Career of this famous horse trainer and circus proprietor. Illustrations include photos of Rhoda Royal, 1893; Royal, 1897; Royal & wife, 1897; Rhoda Royal baggage wagon, 1921; Royal, 1929, 1936; newspaper advertisement, 1911; Royal indoor circus program cover, 1912; poster featuring Omar the Airship Horse, 1912; 1912 Royal courier; 1916 advertisement.
- Frank A. Robbins: A Most Successful Failure, Robert Sabia, pp. 14-24. 1885 & 1886 successful seasons. Show details, acts, performers, incidents, management. Illustrations include photos of Charles W. Fish, rider; Linda Jeal, rider; newspaper advertisements; Robbins courier, 1885; song sheet dedicated to Robbins' show.
- Noah's Ark: A Menagerie and Circus That Never Came to Be, Fred D. Pfening, Jr., pp. 25-29. Facinating information on Frederick S. Millican's promotion of a boat show intended to tour the world. Details on the abandoned project and plans of the ship that was to carry a floating menagerie museum, circus, and more. Illustrations include photo of Frederick S. Millican, promoter; drawing of proposed ship with big top on the top deck; diagrams of ship showing animal cages, cross section showing seating and animal cages; drawing of view showing top deck with grandstands on each side of performance area; illustration showing the marquee on the pier at dockside.
- Side Lights on the Circus Business: Part Thirteen (1914), David W. Watt, pp. 30-39. Buffalo Bill; Forepaugh; Sally Marks, rider; George Middleton, privileges & sideshow; Sells Bros.; Sells Floto; Burr Robbins; and much more. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
Illustrations include photos of Sally Marks, rider; Joe Weber & Lew Fields, comedians; Pete Conklin, clown; Benjamin Franklin Keith, theater owner; Edward F. Albee, associate of Keith; portrait of Buffalo Bill; portraits of the four Sells brothers; Forepaugh 1880s lithograph featuring his golden wagon.
May-June 2000
- Frank A. Robbins poster, p. 1
- Frank A. Robbins: A Most Successful Failure, Part One, Robert Sabia, pp.
4-21
- A Description of the 24th or Year 2000 Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival (An American in Monaco), A. H. Saxon, pp. 22-26
- Frozen Custard and the Circus, Robert J. Loeffler, pp. 27-33
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, David W. Watt, pp. 34-47. John Beck, Robert Dingerss, George Steele, Webb brothers, Pete Conklin, side show talkers, Ringlings, Forepaugh, Bogardus, Gumpertz, Jones Bros. & Wilson, Major Mertz, Bailey, Millers, George S. Cole. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
March-April 2000
- The Circus Year in Review: 1999 Season, Fred D. Pfening, Jr., pp. 4-27
- Millie-Christine: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Joanne Martell, pp. 28-33
- Side Lights on the Circus Business, David W. Watt, pp. 34-42. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
January-February 2000
- Irwin Bros. Wild West Show: Cheyenne Frontier Days, Fred D. Pfening, Jr., pp. 4-19
- Wiziarde Novelty Circus: Seasons of 1936-1937, Joseph T. Bradbury, pp. 20-24
- The Other Dan Castello Circus, 1870, Stuart Thayer, pp. 25-26
- Side Lights on the Circus Business: Part Eleven, David W. Watt, pp. 27-39. See the bottom of this page for information on the content of this series.
Note: David W. Watt published reminiscences of his days in the circus industry weekly from June 1912 to March 1920 in the Janesville, WI
Daily Gazette. He told about his experience on Burr Robbins and Adam Forepaugh circuses (1878-1890). He wrote about other circus showmen and performers, including circuses currently in operation for the years the column was published. Reprints of these articles were printed in Bandwagon over a number of years.
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