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Message Archive: Messages 3251 - 33003300. Brewster, NY, 19 Mar 2010 - Looking for information regarding a barn in Brewster, NY housing Van Amburgh &/or James Bailey animals in late 18th early 19th century. Thank you, Grace Zimmermann. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
The dates that you provide are likely too early to be accurate. The circus was introduced to the US in 1793, but it remained an amphitheater and theater-based enterprise until 1825. There was no need for a "winter quarters" until there was a tent and other apparatus to store and prepare for the next tour. Traveling menageries started to tour shortly after 1810, though there were single and paired wild animals being toured itinerantly in the 18th century. Wild animals were infrequently aligned with circuses up to the 1830s, with the menagerie becoming an adjunct of the ring shows thereafter. The menagerie business is best known for the Zoological Institute, an organization that came apart following the panic in 1837. The best approach to learn about the Brewster barn is to research the records of the land upon which the barn is erected. Check with the county offices, or perhaps the current owner has a deed or abstract that provides the desired information. That will indicate who owned the property, and when, and thereby you'll eventually learn, by other research, if they were a showman/showmen in their own right. You can also check county records for leases, examine plat and insurance maps, etc. There may even be a record as to when improvements were made on the property, i. e., a barn. Local newspapers sometimes published notice of building permits. You can check documents preserved at the Somers Historical Society. A look through Stuart Thayer's book "Annals of the American Circus 1793-1860" provides the best overview for the era. You can also do a key-word search through William L. Slout's "Olympians of the Sawdust Circle," which is on this website, for Brewster references. Though Isaac A. Van Amburgh was a very famous animal presenter, with a widely-known name that remained in use nearly sixty years after his death, he never owned an interest in any troupes that bore his name. They were all owned by other showmen. Any lease, contract, etc., involving the barn will be signed by others, not Van Amburgh. You'll find a brief biography of Van Amburgh in Slout's volume. James A. Bailey's career started in 1866, but he didn't become an owner until 1873. His interests were elsewhere, other than in Putnam County. I would suggest that it was perhaps a different man named Bailey involved with the structure of interest to you. Slout's book will provide the names of some of the other Baileys who were in the business in the first half of the 19th century. Fred Dahlinger
Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 3299. Schumann circus, 18 Mar 2010 - Do you have any record of the Schumann (not sure if 1 n or 2) circus originating in Europe? My father's family Albert, Clara, Uncle Adolph, etc. were all in. They did a high wire act. Thank you. Sincerely, linda y. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3298. Circus Henry & Luigi Talotta, 16 Mar 2010 - I´m seeking for information about Circus Henry, a 3-ring circus owned by Heinrich Koschke in the late 1800 to 1914. His winter quartier had been in Wels/ Austria. He was married with Hermine Schauter and had 3 daughters Melanie, Henriette and Hortensia all very good riders, Koschke gave a one-ring circus to Henriette when she married the Italien jockey Luigi Talotta. They had a son named Enrico, born in 1910 who became artis too. Is there any information about them? Thank you! Romina Talotta. E-Mail: romina.talotta@gmail.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Explore, Enjoy circus history with Bandwagon, join CHS today! Membership 3297. Painter, circus program, 16 Mar 2010 - Joseph E. ("Joe") Richards was a painter who did an illustration (oil on canvas) which was adapted to a circus program in NYC in the early 1960's. If anyone can help identify this particular circus and/or the program it would be much appreciated. The image is of a painted dancer riding an elephant with faces of the crowd visible against a dark background of the audience. Thanks much. Howard Margulis, New York, New York, hlmhk@hotmail.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3296. Hugo Baptiste, giant, 15 Mar 2010 - Dear Circus History Message Board Members, We came across your website and wondering if you could help us in our research. We are an Italian film production company and we are planning a documentary on the life of Mr. Hugo Baptiste, also known as the "Giant Hugo", who died of diphteria in New York, 1916 and was then buried at Greenwood. Hugo was one of the tallest living men at that time and was born in Italy in a small village in the Alps, then emigrated to France and changed his name from Ugo Battista to Hugo Baptiste. He worked in France and Switzerland as a circus sensation, his manager was Oscar Marechal. He had a brother who was nearly the same height, who died in Paris in 1914. In 1916 Baptiste went to New York and worked with the Barnum and Baileys, but he died soon after his arrive. In our documentary, we will talk about his life from birth to death. As the documentary is still in pre-production, we can't provide more detailed informations about the project. We hope you can help us to clear an obscure point in his life that we can't still understand well. It is known that the Giant worked with the Barnum and Baileys in 1916, but some sources may indicate that he could have been in the US and worked at Dreamland at least one time before 1916 (as we read in a 1903 NYT article) but we don't have any proof of that except for this article (in which the giant is called "H. Camille Hugo", when his real name was Baptiste Hugo). Any kind of information we could obtain from you or people you know regarding Mr. Hugo could be of crucial relevance for the purpose of our work, or at least could direct our researches in the right direction. We will be happy to credit your names in our film and send you a free copy of it as soon as it is ready. thank you. paolo. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Why join CHS? Find out here - Membership 3295. Elephant Jesse, 15 Mar 2010 - I have been trying to find out a way to visit my old elephant "Jesse" but no one will respond to me. Why? I just want to see her if possible or at least know her status. I know where she is supposed to be but not how to get to see her. If you read this Bob Cline or Buckles, please help if you can! Betty Olive, olive.betty@gmail.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3294. Perry & Eroni Bros Circus, 14 Mar 2010 - I would like to inquire about the Perry & Eroni Bros Circus in Australia. Mostly my query is about Mick Perry who is the brother of George Perry. Mick was a very good trumpet player and was a Senior Vice-President of the A.S Guild - probably in the 1950s/1960s, I'm not real sure of the dates. Mick was married to Paulette (my great aunt). I really just want to add some information about Mick to the family tree. Hope someone is able to guide me where I could possibly find out the info. Thanks Kerri, Brisbane, Austalia. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
CHS is on Facebook! Join our online community! - click here 3293. Circuses and Showboats, 11 Mar 2010 - I know that some circuses traveled in the form of a showboat, but I want to know how common was that. And does anybody know of any of the names of these circuses? Katie. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Quite a few circuses made jumps between river communities by steamboat, and some toured the greater part or an entire tour by river. These were overland shows, normally moving by horse and wagon, and using a tent. To move by steamboat, they eliminated most of the wagons and horses and carried the tent and apparatus on the vessel, erecting the show adjacent to the river landing. Yet, there are other instances when an overland show boarded a vessel and then unloaded from it. These moves were popular when the steamboat trade declined in the face of competition from railroads, and vessel owners sought out other purposeful means to keep or make their craft profitable investments. Circus men who utilized steamboats included Dan Castello, John Robinson, Dan Rice, C. W. Noyes, Edward Backenstose and many more. It was also incumbent upon the circus men to figure out how to "route" their circus along the rivers, knowing where to land and when during the season. Until the river navigation was controlled with a series of locks and dams, some sections were not navigable year-round. A few steamboats were apparently modified [presumably cabin space replaced by a large box] so that they could house "performances" of one type or another on board. The "James Raymond" was one such craft. The ability to house and present an actual circus on a self-powered vessel seems limited; most presentations, I suspect, were on a stage and not in a ring, and were largely constituted of human performers. One must be careful to distinguish between a circus [staged in a ring, with human and animal performers] and vaudeville programs that were a common staple of floating theaters. "Circus" acts shifted between circus, vaudeville, theater and other venues, but to be a circus one needs the essential ring and the combination of humans and animals working together on the same bill. The number of bonafide circuses utilizing an actual floating theater [people in the business didn't use "showboat"--credit that to Edna Ferber's popular novel] is very minimal. Spalding & Rogers exemplifies the genre with their 1850s "Floating Palace," towed [meaning pushed] by one steamboat and augmented with others in their "Circus Fleet." Much has been written about it, from tertiary articles to a Ph. D. dissertation. There's an engraving, a couple posters, even a poor photograph of the vessel. S&R were innovators, using three different forms of travel at various times [overland, river, railroad]. A couple outfits hired steamboats and loaded the show onto barges and moved from landing to landing to make water-borne appearances. That's the case with the 1881-1882 Cole's New Southern Circus, the 1903 Great American Water Circus, the 1915 Rice & Dore carnival, and Rice & Emerson in 1924, the latter two of which may have had a circus as a "back end" show. There may have been others. Robert Stickney, Jr. proposed to do a "southern boat show" in 1901, but whether he actually accomplished the task I'm not sure. If he simply proposed to travel by steamboat, or use a theater on a barge wasn't stated. Philip Graham's book, unfortunately titled "Showboats," is a readily available resource. His vessel listing includes something called "United States Aid," described as a circus boat of the 1850s. It's characterized as seating 500 and plying the Ohio River; but I think further confirmation is in order to discern the nature of this operation. The same is true of his entry for "Dan Rice's Floating Opera," reportedly built at Cairo, IL in 1886 and having a capacity of 440. Further investigation is mandated before accepting it as a bonafide entry. There are large collections on the floating theater topic [Kent State University, Ohio Historical Society, Tulane University; Graham's holdings are not yet in the public domain, as far as I know], small collections in numerous places, plus all of the material now on line, etc. Most of the collections and the writings focus on the non-circus floating theaters, understandably so since theater and stage activity dominated their existence. Fred Dahlinger
3292. Kelly Morris Circus, 08 Mar 2010 - Trying to find info on the Kelly Morris Circus, how much tickets are and where they are now, any help will be appreciated. laters. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 3291. Elephant photos, 07 Mar 2010 - Looking for pictures of circus elephants marching from train station in Youngstown, Ohio to Meridian road to set up tents; probably in the 1950's? Bob. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3290. RBBB friend, 06 Mar 2010 - Hey I have a friend who use to work canvas and is 92 still alive and looking for anyone alive who worked Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Combined Circus. He has the original Route Book for the employees from 1939 when he was 20 and worked along a guy called Red. 772-359-2597 call any info he has told some awesome stories about back then! Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Explore, Enjoy circus history with Bandwagon, join CHS today! Membership 3289. Robert Fuller Houston, 06 Mar 2010 - Hi. My name is Steve Peters and I live in St. Thomas, Ontario. I collect JUMBO stuff. Looking to contact Robert Fuller Houston. Phone or Email appreciated. Thank You. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3288. W. D. Broadfoot, Charles Testard, 03 Mar 2010 - I am researching W D BROADFOOT who was assistant stage manager for Andrew Ducrow at Astley’s Amphitheatre in the 1830s and early ‘40s then stage manager and later manager at Astley’s for Batty. Subsequently he became Pablo Fanque’s equestrian manager until his death in 1852. I am also trying to trace CHARLES TESTARD, the equestrian manager, who married CLARA BROADFOOT on Jan 1867. Fiz. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Why join CHS? Find out here - Membership 3287. Buffalo Ranch Real Wild West, 02 Mar 2010 - I inherited a picture of Buffalo Ranch Real Wild West. The print on the bottom says: Milwaukee Riverside Printing Co. Chicago 3319. I've been researching and researching this print that has Indians dancing around fire, Indians on horses and camels at the top! It looks like a show poster! The closest I've gotten to any info is on your website. Can you be of any further help to me? It would be sincerely appreciated. Thank you, Rosalind Howell. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3286. Bracelets, 02 Mar 2010 - I purchased a set of colorful paper bracelets on Ebay that I was told were used as "proof" of ticket purchase (for children I believe). They have pictures of animals and flowers on them and have a snap closure. I would like to know what era these were utilized in, if any, and any other information you could supply. Thank you in advance for your help! Jennifer Harvey, Cedar Park, TX. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. CHS is on Facebook! Join our online community! - click here 3285. Joe Fleming, modeler, 01 Mar 2010 - I am seeking any available information about Joe Fleming, who apparently lived in Trenton, Nebraska. I have been in long possession of one of his Circus Train Models, "Sparks and Wallace", and am interested in learning more about Joe and his models. Thanks in advance for any info. Jeff Forrest. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3284. Florence Weipert, tight rope, 01 Mar 2010 - Over the years there has been mention in my family about my grandmother once was a tight rope walker with a circus - I have nothing to document this. Here is what I have - she was born in 1894 in Jamestown, ND, ended up in Iowa and Wisc. She was married in 1913, so, if she was with the circus, it would have been before 1913. Her name was Florence M. Weipert. If anyone has any leads on a circus of that time period and area, I would greatly appreciate a reply. Thank you, Shirley, shirbusa@netscape.net. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 3283. Civil War, 27 Feb 2010 - How did the circus fare during the Civil War? Marjoie. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3282. Muriel Wirth, rider, 27 Feb 2010 - Hello I am trying to find history on my Great Grandmother known as Muriel Wirth (full name Annie Mida Muriel Wirth) She was supposedly a bareback rider in the circus, however, I cannot find her name in any searches. She married twice once to a Thomas Walters lived out her life in Lithgow NSW. She was petite (under 5' tall) attractive and looked European. She died in the early 60's in Lithgow Hospital. Can anyone help please? I have a beautiful picture or her with her eldest daughter Leah who is my Grandmother. Thank you, Susan. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Explore, Enjoy circus history with Bandwagon, join CHS today! Membership 3281. Steam calliope film, 26 Feb 2010 - Does anyone with your organization now the whereabouts of a 16mm film called The Mighty Steam Calliope. It is supposed to explain the last surviving steam calliope in Southern Ontario, Canada. Is the film available on VHS tape or DVD disk? If so, please get back to Mr. John Archer Slobodin at john.slobodin@yahoo.com. Also, is the film available for interlibrary loan? Thank-you. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3280. Hinerman Sisters, 26 Feb 2010 - Does anybody remember the Hinerman Sisters from Ringling Bros. back in the 50s? I think they were known as the Hines Sisters? FCastig. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Why join CHS? Find out here - Membership 3279. Patrick McManus, 21 Feb 2010 - Hello, I am trying to trace a family member that reportedly spent time with an American circus before 1870. Possibly 1862 – 1868? His name was Patrick Mc Manus and he would have been a horse man or who knows what! Bye for now, Catriona. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3278. Mills Bros., 21 Feb 2010 - Hi Everyone,I was with Mills Bros. in 1963. Started from Jefferson and left show in Mass. Willie was the one that brought me on board. I worked for Harry, and operated the cotton candy stand and Willie oper. the snow cones. Came back after the army in spring of 1966. Willie had married Olive (from england/show girl) worked the ropes and balls etc. along with her sister. Whitety or anyone interested in contacting Jeff or Willie can e-mail jpizel@aol.com, say Mills Bros. in the subject so I don't think its garbage. I live in Ashtabula now. 2001 my 1st wife died, we had been married since 1967 and lived in her home town of Jefferson for all those yrs between. There is another man in the area from the 60s with Mills Bros. His name is Doug. He worked around the horses, and we get together now and then. Anyone from then wants to talk, just use above e-mail. My best wishes for ONE and ALL. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. CHS is on Facebook! Join our online community! - click here 3277. Al G. Barnes, M. L. Clark, 20 Feb 2010 - I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about AL G Barnes and or ML Clark and Sons Circus. I know that AL G Barnes operated from 1906-1938 and ML Clark and Sons operated from 1883-1930 then again in 1943 and then again from 1945-1946. I have two posters I am trying to get history on they are stamped and very unique. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am having such a difficult time on finding any history on these two names of circus. I have only found a few things but nothing with any significance. I also know that at least one was printed from a company call the Riverside Printing Co in Milwaukee, WI. The one poster with AL G Barnes has a huge panther in it, I don’t know if that holds any significance or not. AL G Barnes also says on the poster wild animal. I think the most unique part about them is they are done on wood and the wood is like a picture frame carved and everything. It’s as if they were hand painted but I don’t think so for the fact that is has Riverside Printing CO on it. Again, any help on the direction I need to take would be so appreciated. Thank you in advance, Sincerely, Dalene Dube. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3276. Midway games 1890-1920, 20 Feb 2010 - I am seeking information on games played on the midways of early circuses and carnivals, most specifically of the years 1890-1920. Any information about the types of games, manufacturers (or whether games were not constructed by companies), and popularity of such is most appreciated, as are any links to additional sources. I am also seeking information about the types of prizes awarded at such events. This information is for program enhancement for a special event at a major living history museum. Thank you, A.N., Michigan. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Grifters or operators of rigged or controlled games around the circus favored small gaming equipment that could easily pocketed away - hence three card monte, the pea under the shells or nuts. The best players could work them on top of a held newspaper or the top of an umbrella. The first "New York Clipper" ad I saw for a controlled wheel for operation in a sideshow was in the 1870's. By this time wheels, drop cases and other self-built gambling or gaming devices were common on the show grounds. The later were also in use on the fairgrounds. The gaming business didn't really take off until the early part of the 20th century, when numerous companies started manufacturing specific prizes for the games, bingo stands, etc. The manufacture of prizes in huge quantities allowed for reasonable priced stock. An assortment and variety of prizes made of cloth, felt, plaster, composites were cheaply priced by the dozen and usually sold by the case load - or gross. The type and style of prizes followed popular events, patriotic ideas, and fun subjects. I don't know exactly the year that plaster figures of human characters and animals came onto the show grounds but it was around the first world war. They became the dominant prizes along with pillows, blankets, and food baskets, boxes of chocolates and cigarettes and cigars. These items dominated the prize selection into post World War Two. The famed kewpie doll was first a plaster figure. Boxes of chocolates were big give always and in the 1930's; chocolate manufacturers worked hard to come up with a formula to keep chocolates from melting quickly in the heat. Not only were there big manufacturers of prizes, but also several well known manufacturers of gambling and gaming devices. E.C. Evans in Chicago was the premier company that issued catalogues and supplied showmen with various gaming devices for decades. Usually the gaffs were so clever and so simple that most players never knew what was going on when a game was controlled by the operator. Besides a half dozen game equipment manufacturers there were numerous showmen in the industry that had a small cottage industry in building carnival games to order. For years, one Coney Island showman specialized in "cat racks." A friend of mine made short range buckets and controlled wheels. In the teens and 1920's merchandise and paddle wheels dominated the concession business. Whole wheel joints were full of one particular stock item and wheelmen threw out tons of stock. Some shows would have a dozen wheel joints with each one throwing out a different piece of stock. You could only win that particular prize by playing that game. Midway operators would give concessionaires the exclusive to certain prizes. The gaming business became a big money making proposition as long as operators keep throwing out good quality stock. By the mid 1920's controlled games were the way to go for many concessionaire and for many carnival show owners. Despite numerous attempts at certain times to clean up the concessions the flat stores and alibi joints had a field day alongside hanky panks and straight sales stands well into the early 1970's. Some of the best midways had a first class concession department with numerous controlled games. Some argue that the flats and alibis finally killed the gaming industry, but it was a combination of social factors, local gaming regulations, and the fact you could buy plush anywhere. At one time you only found plush toys at carnivals and amusement parks. Once the variety of games were restricted by rules and legislation the row of midway games became a somewhat boring proposition for the average midway trotter. Fewer people carried cash and that killed the flats and alibis. Today you rarely see anyone over forty playing a joint. The decline in the quality of prizes (now called slum) given out to everyone on hanky panks and group games lowered the expectations of the game player to the point that many just keep walking past the games. New hot stock items mostly based on T.V. or movie characters come out every few seasons but they are not exclusive to the carnival game business. Now, Bart Simpson plush figures are not only found on carnival games but at every souvenir and gift shop, dollar store, tourist trap, and gas station in the nation. When people know they can buy the same thing for fifteen dollars it is pretty hard to get the game player past that point on the midway. Today few carnival owners have a concession department or even know how to properly run one. Shows rely on booked in independent concessionaires to fill the front end lot footage. The carnival game is still about selling space on either a percentage or flat fee basis. Al Stencell
Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 3275. Pete & Florence Mardo, 18 Feb 2010 - Interested in biographical information about Peter Guckeyson (Pete Mardo), acrobat and clown with Ringling Bros., and his wife Florence Harris, whom he married in 1910. They lived in Akron and Columbus, Ohio. Dave Davisson, Columbus, Ohio. (Davisson.12@osu.edu) Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3274. Pinder’s Circus, Keswick, 18 Feb 2010 - I am researching the subject of evacuees in Keswick (then Cumberland) during World War 2. I have an image of Roedean School girls with a very large poster for Pinder’s New International Zoo Circus on a building end. The only detail I can see are the numbers 30 and 31 – presumably dates in Keswick. The image gives only the date as 1940’s. Can you refer me to someone who could tell me when Pinder’s Circus came to Keswick and where they performed? Sincerely, Brian Wilkinson. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Explore, Enjoy circus history with Bandwagon, join CHS today! Membership 3273. Cole Bros. 2010, 16 Feb 2010 - Is the Cole Brothers Circus still in operation? What is it schedule for 2010 if it still in business? WVP. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3272. Jim Murphy, giant, 16 Feb 2010 - I am looking for any information on a possible Ringling performer named Jim Murphy. He was a “Giant”, 7’8” tall. Late 19th or more likely early 20th century. Bob K. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
THE DEAD GIANT. [From the Baltimore Sun] - Mr. James Murphy, Jr. a giant who has been keeping a restaurant at 151 South Chester street, on Fell's Point, in this city, for a year or so past, died early yesterday morning of a bronchial affection or consumption. Mr. Murphy was born at Waterford, Ireland, and was therefore a full blooded Irish giant, and a large one, standing near eight feet in his stockings. He was 33 years of age and unmarried. Some months ago, when he was in comparatively good health, he weighed 351 pounds. He had weighed more when his health was better. He had been in this country twenty four years, having been brought here by his father and mother, who still live at the house on Chester street. The giant traveled three years with Barnum as one of the great living curiosities of the world. In his professional career he visited every part of the country, from Maine to California and the extreme South. After terminating his engagement with Barnum, the giant traveled with a circus, where he contracted the bronchial disease which finally ended his life. When in good health he had a fresh, pleasant face and like all large men, and particularly all giants, except those of the story books and nursery tales, was as amiable as he was great in stature. He had a very youthful expression of countenance, coal-black hair, and his hands were so large that one of them could cover the head of an ordinary man, just as an ordinary hand would cover an orange. His feet were not so large proportionately as the hands, but beside an ordinary shoe one of his shoes would seem to be a sufficient habitation for "the old woman" of the story book, who "had so many children she did not know what to do." When the undertaker came to measure the dead giant for his coffin it was found that the deceased was full eight feet long. Surely the measure of man is correctly known when he is dead. The coffin will be nearly 8 1/2 feet long. The body was visited by hundreds of people yesterday, the giant being well know on Fell's Point, where he was justly esteemed for his amiability, especially by the children, who, after the first shrinkage, generally liked to be taken in his arms and celebrated so far above the heads of their parents as he could conveniently hold them. Some of the little boys in the neighborhood knew him only by the name of "the Gi'nt." The body lay in a small room about twelve feet square, against the south wall, feet towards the west, stretching almost across the apartment from side to side. Candles were burning at the head and foot and sides of the corpse which was covered with a black pall, with a large white cross on the breast, and crosses in the corners of the cloth. The father of the giant who is 65 years of age, probably older, is a large man. When at his best, he stood over six feet in his stockings, though he is now a little bent. The mother is not a large woman, being not above the medium size for the sex. She is nearly her husbands age. Both the old people are in good health, and seem vigorous for their years. Including the giant, they have had born to them five sons and three daughters. One son only is alive. Some of the children were undersized. Only one, a son, attained to the size of the father, except the giant, who exceeded the growth of the parent by nearly two feet. Why join CHS? Find out here - Membership 3271. Poster history needed, 16 Feb 2010 - I have two posters that we have inherited, my wife's family had two different circus/troupes an we need to find out any history if possible. The first one is: Dressen and Morris Circus varieties this one is a poster for Madisonville, Ky. Seceond one is: Bob and Mae Morris Troupe. Thanks, Ron Wyatt. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3270. What circus, 1890s, 15 Feb 2010 - My great grandfather left home and joined the circus when he was 14, around the year 1890. He toured with the circus in places like Chatanooga, TN. He said in his autobiography that anyone could join the circus and they would be given room and board, but no pay. Here are some things he said: And about all they showed you at the show grounds was a tight wire walker and a woman holding a snake, a tattooed boy all covered with ink and a pug nose dog call the "The Missing Link". And believe me the groups of people on the street never failed to follow this parade right into the show grounds. He traveled all over the southern usa to St. Louis and Kansas City. Do you know what circus this was? Could you point me to where I could find more information about this circus that he was a member of? Thanks! Matt. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
CHS is on Facebook! Join our online community! - click here 3269. Trapeze fall, Tacoma WA, 15 Feb 2010 - Over 50 years ago (as a very young child) I witnessed a woman trapeze artist fall in a horrific accident at a circus in Tacoma, Washington. Can you find this event and information? Did she survive? I was whisked out of the tent and have always wondered what happened. David Petersen (Tacoma, Washington). Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3268. History of the circus, 13 Feb 2010 - Is there a comprehensive history of the circus? By this I mean a history from at least Roman times, or earlier I suppose, through current circuses? K Freitag. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Most general histories have major flaws in their content, or lack coverage of significant activity, which recent scholarship has exposed. Taken on a worldwide basis, the topic is also so extensive that a single volume could hardly do it justice. If you can narrow your focus, it may be possible to recommend one or more texts or volumes that provide coverage. A good start is to check the articles, book titles and other material that can be found on this website, under the History, Publications and other icons on the home page. If you're seeking a single volume for a course reading, it's still awaited. Fred Dahlinger
Circus - A World History by Robert Croft-Cooke and Peter Cotes, published in London 1976 by Paul Elek Ltd. The Astley circus doesn't begin till page 39 and the all the previous pages cover Roman and medieval developments. I've seen a French language version and would expect you should find this in the USA through one of the secondhand book search engines. Circus by Rodney N. Mauser, published in the UK 1987 by Richford Enterprises Ltd. A good follow on from the above, full of pictures - the first 106 pages are all pictures. The text begins on page 107 - you guessed that didn't you?!!? Concentrates on the 20th century world wide. The Golden Age of Circus by Howard Loxton (with David Jamieson, a UK authority on circus) published London 1997 by Grange Books Plc. One of those coffee table general interest books but none the worse for that. Covers the background briefly and then concentrates on the period 1900 to 1939 and again, world wide. Tony Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 3267. Naomi Ruth Graham, 13 Feb 2010 - Hi, I am looking for information on a Naomi Ruth Graham born in Pittsburgh Pa in 1892 also called Buster Mack she rode as a trick rider in the 101 Ranch Wild West Shows as well as Ringling Bros Show in or around 1905. Randall. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3266. Lavinia Warren Bump, 12 Feb 2010 - I'm curious about what, exactly, Lavinia Warren Bump (Mrs. Tom Thumb) did while on her cousin's floating museum on the river. I know what her "act" consisted of while with Barnum, but cannot find any description of what she did as part of the museum when she first left home, not even in her memoir. Thank you! Melanie Hauser. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Explore, Enjoy circus history with Bandwagon, join CHS today! Membership 3265. Book, Great Southern Circus, 12 Feb 2010 - After many years of research, I have published a historical novel that may be of some interest to your readers. This novel chronicles the tour of Orton and Older's Great Southern Circus through the southeastern United States from 1859 through 1861. Below is a link to my book. Thank You, Nick West. "Great Southern Circus," www2.xlibris.com/books/webimages/wd/75093/index.htm. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3264. Circus history, Italy, Portugal, Spain, 12 Feb 2010 - My name is Silvia Rondoni and I found out on the internet about your society. Im looking for information about Circus History in Italy, Portugal and Spain. My great-grandfather was a clown in a circus as well as his brother. If you could give me some advice or if there is anything in your archives that could help me with my research I will be really grateful. Thanks in advance and have a nice day, Silvia Rondoni. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Why join CHS? Find out here - Membership 3263. Great Coleman's Circus, 12 Feb 2010 - Hi I have an old titles 'Great Coleman's Circus and Kit Carson Himself in Person.' Pictured on one side is Kit Carson (Photo of him with long hair) and an elaborate trapeze, on the other side are elephants, clowns, bears, the big top, etc. It measures about 10" x 27.5". The poster is in poor condition. There is significant edge wear as well as many poor tape repairs. I cant find anything about the Circus to date this. I'm from Pgh PA and my name is George. Thanks. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3262. Ray Kaser, 12 Feb 2010 - Hi, I purchased a cache of 1940's-50's negatives of circuses (Ringling B&B, Viohl Bros., Roger Bros.) as well as sideshow banners, burlesque acts, and miniature circus setups by a Ray Kaser of Aberdeen Maryland. I can't find out much about him, and was wondering if anyone ever heard of him. LK. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. CHS is on Facebook! Join our online community! - click here 3261. Bill Bailey, Circus Artist, 08 Feb 2010 - Along with Forrest Freeland, Bill Bailey was one of the 20th Century’s most prolific circus poster artists, and his designs exist on many posters for the Ringling-Barnum Circus beginning about 1943. Whether it was for specs like “Pantos Paradise” or lithos depicting Merle Evans, giraffes or rhinos – thousands of lithos using his artwork were printed and posted by Ringling-Barnum through the 40s and into the late 1950s. I am looking for background on Bill Bailey himself. I have heard that he was once a clown (perhaps with Ringling-Barnum?) but have never been able to confirm that. Does anyone have any background on Bill Bailey – circus poster artist? Chris Berry email: circusposters@gmail.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3260. Daniel E. Boone’s Circus, 05 Feb 2010 - I am trying to trace the travels of Boone’s Circus around the 1880’s to 1890’s and any information on their lion tamer Theodore Nissen and his partner Martha Young. Boone’s Circus may well have been touring in the UK in 1881/2. Any and all information; or where to get such information would be welcome. David Small. davidcsmall@netscape.net. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 3259. Riggs Circus, 02 Feb 2010 - I am seeking information on the Riggs Circus. It may have originated in Monticello or Becker, MN. My father, Grover Frank Riggs, was adopted by the Riggs family in Becker MN in 1919. He was given a poster of the Riggs Circus that shows a man walking the tightrope. I am unsure of the origin of the poster because there is no information on the poster. I would love to find a reproduction of the poster or to find more info on the circus. Thanks, Lori Karnau Becker, MN. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3258. Ken Maynard, cowboy, 01 Feb 2010 - I’m looking for confirmation that cowboy western star Ken Maynard was with the Ringling-Barnum circus for a period between the end of his World War I military service and 1923. According to one biography of Maynard he was a “rider” on Ringling-Barnum during the 1923 season and while the show was playing Los Angeles in mid-September, actor Buck Jones encouraged him to audition for a silent movie. That auditin led to a contract with Fox and more than 90 films. If the story is correct, was 1923 the first season that Maynard was with Ringling Barnum? Did he appear during the main performance, or during the aftershow? Prior to his Ringling-Barnum employment did Maynard work for other shows and if so – what shows and what years? Chris Berry, circusposters@gmail.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
It's possible that the reviews of the 1920s RBBB openers in the Garden, as printed in "Billboard," would list Maynard in the cast. I believe that a number of years ago an article was printed in "Bandwagon" about cowboy matinee idols. There's also a Bandwagon article about the Ken Maynard Wild West of 1936. These can be found in the article index. Unfortunately, Maynard's personal and business papers, intact until the past decade or so, were sold and dispersed far and wide. Fred Dahlinger Explore, Enjoy circus history with Bandwagon, join CHS today! Membership 3257. Blondin, 01 Feb 2010 - Hello, knowledgeable people! I've been doing research on Blondin, the man who walked across the Niagara Falls and performed in circuses cooking an omelet on a high rope. I'm confused about one thing, his name! In half of the sources I've read his name is Émile Gravelet, and the other half say it is Jean Francois Gravelet. Which is it? Leslie. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
3256. Willi Hagenbach, 31 Jan 2010 - I'm looking for some information about a animal trainer that lived about 80-90 years ago and trained 60 polar bears in a steel arena outside. His name was Willi Hagenbach and he was also was a cousin of Carl Hagenbach. Would anyone have any information about him since he is mentioned in the book Tiger Tiger written by Charly Baumann. Andrew. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Why join CHS? Find out here - Membership 3255. Lindsey, clown, 30 Jan 2010 - I was trying to locate a friend who ran away with the circus. Her name was Lindsey and I saw her in the show at Madison Square Garden. She was a clown and swung from ropes around the arena. She is a smallish blond girl. She was named Kathy and changed her name to Linsey for a stage name. I have been trying to locate her for a few years from Palo Alto, California. Any ideas? Linzy Norton. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Just as a shot in the dark, I was on Circus Kirk in 1974 with a girl from California named Kathy Herb. She later went to Ringling Clown College and toured as a clown with Ringling for a few years. She would have played in the Madison Square Garden on the Ringling dates at least two times. I'm not aware that she used the name Lindsey. She has since passed away. Sorry it's not much help. Bob Cline
3254. Canvas banner, 30 Jan 2010 - I have a 12' x10' canvass banner made by E.J Hayden & Co. Studio, 106-110 Bwdy. Bkly NY for cheating poker players, very graphic with card players & card hands. Can anyone tell me about the Hayden Co? Would like to see it go to a good home. Thanks, petekeim@comcast.net. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. CHS is on Facebook! Join our online community! - click here 3253. Ferris wheel accident, 1930s, 29 Jan 2010 - I would like to know if there was an accident concerning a young girl falling out of a ferris wheel in the 1930’s causing her death. The incident happened at the circus ferris wheel. Kind Regards, Sofia. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Only one circus ever featured a wheel. Fred Buchanan's Yankee Robinson show had one on his midway in or about 1915. A photograph records it there. That was the year in which ride builder C. W. Parker placed one of his "Carry-Us-All" merry-go-rounds on both Buchanan's outfit and also on the Sells-Floto Circus. They proved beyond doubt that the rides could be moved on a daily basis, but the action didn't stimulate ride sales to circuses. The pleasure wheel remained associated with the traveling carnival, the amusement park and the world's fair midway. There are instances of rides or entire midways being erected adjacent to a circus show grounds, attracted by the show's ability to attract a crowd. Yet, it should be understood that all such installations were not part of the circus proper. Thus, it was not a circus which incurred the death that you refer to in the 1930s. It may have been at another amusement site offering rides. Probably the worst accident in pleasure wheel history took place at Clason Point Park, in the New York City borough of the Bronx in June 1922. Seven people were killed and 26 were injured when the vintage wheel located there collapsed during a surprise, heavy wind (sounds like a freak tornado) incident that went through the area. The owner, one Paul Simon, was held on a charge of homicide. The wooden towers supporting the rotation shaft bearings failed, precipitating the fall and collapse of the wheel and the resultant death and injury. There is coverage in the New York "Times" of June 12-14, 1922, and elsewhere. This items list the dead and injured: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res= 9A05E4DB1E3EEE3ABC4A52DFB0668389639EDE http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res= 9504E0DF1539EF3ABC4B52DFB0668389639EDE Emily Lawyer, a nine-year old girl, was among those who lost their lives. Mary Louise Wilson, a 13-year old girl from Point Lookout, PA, stood up in a Ferris wheel car, causing it to invert. She died July 9, 1930. There are likely to be other such incidents in different locals through the 1930s. You can do further searching through www.newspaperarchive.com, Google, other digitized newspapers, etc. Fred Dahlinger
The most popular Ferris Wheels manufacturer is the Eli Bridge Co. out of Jacksonville, Ill. You can find out more about them at their website http://www.elibridge.com/ Although there have been other manufacturers and even different configurations such as the double ferris wheel (one turning wheel on each end of two giant arms that all revolves) the double, double ferris wheel which was two double ferris wheels side by side, the Big Eli is the most well known wheel. Concerning the accident you are asking about, I cannot offer any assistance. I can however tell you a very similiar accident occurred in Myrtle Beach at the Pavillion a few years ago. Here's the article. http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19910724 &id=P1QaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UiUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5621,4617507 Maybe this helps a little. Bob Cline
3252. Charles Harry Groff, Ringling circa 1932, 28 Jan 2010 - I haven't been able to find much about him and any info would be great. The story is that he was a lion tamer but this is sketchy information, and I'm pretty sure he was in the circus in 1932 although his employment may have started many years prior and continued many years after that. I found one listing of a "C. Groff" as a Seat Butcher for Ringling in the 40's. What is a seat butcher anyway? If anyone can help, please send an email to randy.phelps77@yahoo.com. Thanks! Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 3251. Virginia City, NV mid 1800s, 27 Jan 2010 - Hello, Im not sure if you could help me or not, but I was wondering if you knew of any traveling circuses that may have traveled through the Virginia City, NV area in the mid 1800’s? If so, could you possibly let me know the name or names of them and when they did go there? I am sort of doing a history project of entertainment in the 1800’s for the Virginia City Area, beyond the gambling and drinking haha. Anyway, if you could possibly e-mail me back either at nmo51683@yahoo.com or on this e-mail, nikkio@accessfleet.com, as well I would sincerely appreciate anything you might come up with. Thank you. Nikki Olson. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Ascertain the existence of roads that reached into or crossed Nevada, those would have been navigated by the overland shows. Study the formation of the railroad network and you'll learn when and how railroad shows would have arrived and departed the state. If no one has compiled a listing of Nevada circus dates, you can start to do so by: [1] Googling around; [2] start to scan newspapers available directly or via interlibrary loan; [3] find Nevada and other newspapers with key word searching capability that may have carried news via exchange. 1862 Nevada law governing circus appearances: http://books.google.com/books?id=7z44AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA168&dq= circus+nevada&lr=&as_drrb_is=b&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=1800&as_maxm_is= 0&as_maxy_is=1900&as_brr=0&cd=6#v=onepage&q=&f=false You might look into the 1869 Dan Castello Circus route, which was the first circus across the transcontinental railroad. There's a somewhat detailed article about it in the CFA journal "White Tops," in 1969. [WT index on this website] A hit for Virginia City, NV came up immediately for July 2, 1870 for the Dan Castello Circus, on this website: http://www.circushistory.org/Thayer/Thayer2k.htm The 1872 San Francisco Circus and Roman Hippodrome was in Nevada in 1872, another hit on this website: http://www.circushistory.org/Clipper/Clipper1872-73.htm Montgomery Queen [July 1874], James A. Bailey [Cooper & Bailey at Virgina City Aug 29-31, 1876], Adam Forepaugh [1877-Virginia City May 6-7, 1878] and W. W. Cole [1878] all took their railroad circuses across the nation to California in the 1870s on the transcontinental railroad. That means they played in Nevada; Reno, Virginia City and other communities along the railroad right of way. Here is something about John Robinson in Reno in 1883: http://books.google.com/books?id=keQ7AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA377&dq= circus+nevada&lr=&as_drrb_is=b&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=1800&as_maxm_is= 0&as_maxy_is=1900&as_brr=0&cd=1#v=onepage&q=circus%20nevada&f=false I think that John Polacsek of Detroit recently delivered a paper before the Circus Fans Association convention in Las Vegas about the circus history of Nevada. If you contact him he may be willing to share it with you, or advise on its publication. Bill Biggerstaff of Graphics2000 is a great and long-time circus enthusiast and collector and may have some pertinent Nevada materials. He's in Las Vegas. Fred Dahlinger
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