Circus ephemera collection

Descriptive Summary
Title: Circus ephemera collection
Creator: Unknown
Inclusive Dates: 1890-1955
Language(s): English
Extent: 2.3 Linear Feet 2 document boxes, 1 oversized box, 3 oversized folders
Collection Number: ms2717
Repository: Hargrett Library

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Collection Description

Scope and Content

The collection consists of programs, posters, photographs, clippings, and promotional items relating to various American circuses and other variety performers. Included are materials pertaining to the Barnum and Bailey Circus, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey, and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Circus ephemera collection, ms2717, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia Libraries.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding aid prepared on: 2009 July 6.

General Notes

Cataloged as part of the Georgia Archives and Manuscripts Automated Access Project: A Special Collections Gateway Program of the University Center in Georgia.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

1. Circuses
	Barnum and Bailey Circus
box	folder
Request box
1	1		Typescript ms of article on behind the scenes business at Barnum & Bailey Circus [pre-dates merger with Ringling] not signed, undated
1	1		2 large Hallmark postcards depicting a herd of giraffes and "the Ugo Ancillotti Troupe of French Bicycle Experts", undated
1	1		Program, 1914 Season Providence RI; Fall River, New Bedford MA, June 11-13, 1914
1	1		Magazine, 'The Wizard Prince of Arabia", 1914
1	1		Magazine, "Persia: or the Pageants of the 1001 Nights", 1916
1	1		Official route, 1916 season, June-July 1916
1	1		Menus, 1916
			28 June [dinner] Lynn MA30 June [dinner] Waterville, ME1 July [lunch] Bangor, ME3 July [lunch] Lewiston, ME3 July [ dinner] Lewiston, ME4 July-Independence Day Banquet: Biddleford ME
	Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus
	includes items from various periods, along with various mergers and break-ups.
box	folder
Request box
1	2		Breakfast ticket, undated
1	2		Sticker with Hagenbeck-Wallace logo
1	2		Letterhead and envelope
1	2		Program: 1918 Stage Women's War Relief Benefit, September 20-October 6, 1918
1	2		Route cards: 22nd-24th week of 1926 season, [September-October 9 ]
1	2		Hagenbeck-Wallace-Forepaugh-Sells Bros: Magazine and Daily Review, 1935 Season, 1935
1	2		Wallace Bros. Route Card-1941 season, April 12-26, 1941
	Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus
box	folder
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1	3		1917-1926
				Water color drawing of Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey horse drawn, Steam powered calliope, ca 1917
				Magazine, "The Magnificent Fairyland Spectacle: Cinderella"
		includes "Libretto of the pageant; programs of the arena; magazine of marvels; guide to the menagerie"
				Magazine and Daily Review, 1918, 1920, 1922, 1925
				Program, new Bedford MA, 15 June
1	4		1932-1955
				Magazine and Daily Review, Golden Jubilee Issue, 1932 1933 1934
				Christmas card, signed by Frank A Cook, 1934
				Magazine and Daily Review, 1935 1936
				Postcards: Souvenir folder of Mr and Mrs Gargantua the Great, 1941
				Magazine and Daily Review, 1941 1955
				Magazine and Program, 1944
1	5		Photographs
			All are 'back-stage' shots of performers and support staff, etc. Some shots of Animals, mostly elephants; one of a rosterB/w ca 1920's-30's. Some identified on reverse. Many are postcard format.Many appear to have been taken by G. A. Hough
	John Robinson's Circus
box	folder
Request box
1	6		Contract synopsis for: Greenville SC, 16 September, Highpoint, NC 24 September
			Contains info gathered by agent pertaining to lot locations, supply sources, etc. Per town. At bottom are printed notes of various importance to arrival, set-up. On reverse are maps of lot locations for each city.
1	6		Route cards for weeks 21 through the end of season, [mailed to G.A. Hough, Sr.]
1	6		Envelope with circus letterhead
1	6		Envelope with picture of Robinson surrounded by circus acts and animals
1	6		Small sticker with circus logo [advertisement sticker?]
1	6		Tickets [used to compensate those who allowed ad lithographs to be posted by agents on their property]
1	6		Tickets [for the annex, 25 cents]
1	6		Press release for 107th season, form letter format
	Sells Bros./Sells-Floto Circus
box	folder
Request box
1	7		Letterhead
1	7		Two large hallmark postcards, depicting: "Roman Standing Race" and "Camel Races", nd
1	7		Magazine, 1919
			mostly stories on the various animals of the show
1	7		Official program, 1924 season
1	7		Magazine, program of shows, 1932
	Sparks Circus
box	folder
Request box
1	8		Photographs
			most dated 1922 on original plate and are numbered and bear "sparks shows", postcard format. Two autographed, two not postcard, dated-described on back and marked for the New Bedford Sunday Standard Gravure Section. Subjects are mostly performers and acts
1	8		Route booklet for 1923 season
			Includes listings of staff by department
1	8		Promotional booklet, undated
	Miscellaneous items
	Contains items pertaining to various circuses and groups
box	folder
Request box
1	9		Souvenir booklet for The Royal English Circus and German Water Carnival, undated
1	9		Magazine: "California Frank's All-Star Wild West,", early 1900s
1	9		"Circus Magazine, Wild West and Animal Review", 1934
			Includes articles, mostly promotionals, and information for the following:Seils Sterling CircusBarnett Bros.Dodson's ShowsLewis BrosGolden Rule ShowsRice Bros. CircusVanderburg Bros. ShowsFisher Bros. ShowBarker ShowsMiller Bros Expo and Wild WestEngford Family ShowConroy Bros ShowFowler Bros CircusF H Bee ShowsWorld BrosAlmond & Conley CircusIsler Greater ShowsSea Bros. CircusKaus United ShowsOlinger Bros CircusGibson's Blue Ribbon ShowsKay Bros Circus
1	9		Promotional booklet, Gentry Bros Circus, nd
1	9		Chevrolet Dealer promotional flyer-on Downie Bros Circus Motorization using Chevrolet trucks, ca 1935
1	9		Publicity handbill: Will Rogers, signed on original plate, advertisements for Atlanta, GA businesses on back, undated
1	10		Cash envelopes [no circus identified], nd
1	10		Christmas Greeting card, signed by Harry Bert
1	10		Pay order made out by treasurer of Alleghanians Vocalist and Swiss Bell Ringers, 24 January 1872
			For room rent.
1	10		Postcard: exterior of Ripley's "Believe it or Not Odditorium," New York, NY Postmarked, 1939
1	10		Postcard: "Murphy's Carousa[l], Savin Rock, Connecticut, ca 1910
1	10		Courier lithograph: portrait of Fanny Davenport. [cover of sourvenir booklet?]
1	11		Small handbill-The Harris Road Show
1	11		Personal invitation for a Jenny Lind concert
1	11		Autograph, C. Carr [?], circa 1846?
1	11		Autograph, Dan Rice [2], undated
1	11		Autograph, Effa Majette
1	11		"Descriptive List of Bernard's Circus Specialties": Chas. Bernard, Riverside, Savannah, Ga., 1937
1	11		UPI wire dated June 11 [ny]-11 year old bit by baboon at Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros Circus
1	11		Written matter-quotes from individuals, No ascertainable connection to writer, Quotee, subject
1	11		Handbill-Sims Greater Shows, Prescott Ontario, August 5, 1933
1	11		Handbill-C.F. Zeiger United Shows, Corpus Christi TX, 2 November 1931
1	11		Handbill-Van Ault's Arcade [Cetlin and Wilson Shows], Winter Quarters, 13 December 1939
1	11		Handbill-Doc El Vino Family Wonder Show, nd
1	11		Letterhead-Lee Bros. Show
1	11		Letterhead-Billy Fee Wild Animal Shows
1	11		Letterhead-A.G. Barnes Circus
1	11		Booklet: "The Elephant's Love or Zenobia's Infidelity; presented with the Compliments of C. I. Hood & Co., proprietors of Hoods Sarsaparilla, Lowell, Mass.", Ca late 19th century ?
1	11		Story with ads and promotional testimonies for the product-no place
1	11		Booklet: "Thrilling Stories about Snakes and Snake Charmers: Illustrated, no Date nor place
1	11		Stocklist-U. S. Tent and Awning Co., 1920 season. "New and Second Hand Tents and Paraphenalia"
box	folder
Request box
4	1		Program, "Revue Folies Bergéres," French Casino, New York City, circa 1935
4	1		Souvenir Program, B. F. Keith's New York Hippodrome, 1924
4	1		Souvenir Program, Keith-Albee's New York Hippodrome, 1925

 

2. Performers
box	folder
Request box
2	1	Buffalo Bill - Greeting card from Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show (Full color on Cardstock, 8 x 12)
2	1	Buffalo Bill - newspaper clippings (photocopies from originals)
			Covers period from late 1890's to his death In 1917 & includes AP release, dated 14 September 1914, to be released in the Event of his death
2	12	Buffalo Bill - Historical Sketches and Programmes, 1893, 1899
2	2	Mr and Mrs. Tom Thumb [Mr. And Mrs. Charles Stratton] - carte de visite photographs (The Thumbs and Their Child; Mrs. Thumb)
2	2	Mr and Mrs. Tom Thumb [Mr. And Mrs. Charles Stratton] - Currier and Ives lithograph depicting the Thumbs marriage, 1863 February 10 (color, 7 x 9 original)
2	2	Mr and Mrs. Tom Thumb [Mr. And Mrs. Charles Stratton] - Matted photograph
2	3	Minnie Larned – Cabinet photograph - Wheaton, IL
2	3	Minnie Larned – Letters, 1881-1893
			Most are related to early life and provide no information on career in the circus.
2	5	"Prince Mungo" (2 in costume, one out)
2	5	Carte de visite: "Commodore Nutt & Miss Minnie Warren", ca 1868
2	5	Carte de visite: " Leopold Kahn "Admiral Dot" (identified on reverse)
2	5	Cabinet photo : Modjeska, ca 1889
2	5	Florence Harris Mardo, equestrienne. Autographed to Max Haugh
2	5	Kukla Fran and Ollie Burr. Autographed to Mischa de la Motte
2	5	Fran Burr & ?. autographed to Larry
2	5	Violet & Daisy Hilton, signed on original plate
2	5	Scene shot from a production of "Annie Get Your Gun"
2	5	Scene shot from a production of "Fixer Dugan", RKO 1939, press release
2	5	Bob Baker's Marionettes, dated on obverse, press release?, 16 June 1952
2	6	Unidentified
			A collection of unidentified pictures. Subjects include performances, Performers, animals, trainers, parades etc.

 

3. Printed Material
box	folder
Request box
2	7	Matrices
			A collection of heavy cardboard matrices, used to produce images in Printing. Collection includes images of animals in performance, clowns and other performers. Several ad formats, including ads for Sells-Floto, Downie Bros., World Bros. Some identified and/or dated, most ca 1930s
2	8	Sheet Music: "Herr Cline's Dance"
			A piece entitled "Herr Cline's Dance: with Variations for the Piano forte". Philadelphia: Printed for R. H. Hobson, 1828? Six pp; picture of Rope Walker On title page
2	9	Sheet Music: Musical: "Rings in the Dust"
			A two act operetta. Vocal Score and Libretto. Estelle Merryman Clark-Libretto. Palmer John Clark-music. Chicago: Gamble Hinged Music Co., Nd Eight characters: Three Choruses. A Circus owner fights the foreclosure Of his circus, 112 pp
2	10-11	Newspaper Clippings, 1928-1963

 

4. Oversized items

box

folder

Request box

3

1

Pine Ridge News

3

1

"Chatter from around the Whitetops". Two issues, v. 1 # 7-8, 1927 November-December

Published by the circus Fans Association.

3

1

Large format articles on "The Great Wallendas" tragedy, Life ?, nd, 1963

3

2

"The Merry Go Round Rag". Ralph Larsh. Chicago: Ralph Larsh, 1918 (Sketch of merry go round on cover., 6 pp)

3

2

"Oh! You Circus Day." Edith Maida Lessing and Jimmie V. Monaco. Chicago: Will Rossiter, 1912 (On cover-portrait of Maud Lambert)

3

2

"Circus Galop." Wm Groscurth. Boston: Oliver Ditsen Co., 1888 (On cover-equestrienne act.)

3

3

Barnum & Bailey - (2) large promotional newspapers. Both for performances in New Bedford, MA (One damaged by rodents.)

3

3

Barnum & Bailey - Official route, 1916 (large tri-fold format)

3

Barnum & Bailey - Daily Journal - Madison Square Garden advertisement, 1882

3

4

Cole Bros.-Clyde Beatty - Three page advertisement from the "Circuses" section of The Billboard, 1935 May 4

3

5

Forepaugh-Sells

Promotional newspaper for 7 June 1904 performance in New Bedford, MA

3

6

Ringling Bros. - Promotional newspaper for New Bedford MA show

Main subj is "Joan of Arc, New Spectacle". Also includes interesting Disclaimer on last page refuting charges of being a trust

3

6

Ringling Bros. - Red Wagon Annual, "A Circus Yearbook", 1899

Includes history of the Show, managers and staff for the year. Various articles on animals, many Photographs and drawings. Also includes a city by city diary of notable Events while en route.

3

7

John Robinson's Circus

A collection of daily report sheets for cars 2 and 3. Covers various months Within the season-no year noted, however. Forms indicate various Expenditures and accounts of lithograph postings for each stop en route, etc.

oversized_folder

Request oversized_folder

2B

Barnum & Bailey, New Bedford MA, 1894 June 9

2B

Flagg's New England Carnival Co [promotional: Haverhill MA]

2B

Howe's Circus [promotional; Falmouth MA]

2B

John Robinson's Circus [promotional]

2B

Downie Bros. Big 3 Ring Circus [promotional; Falmouth MA]

oversized_folder

Request oversized_folder

3B

Pill's Manikins-announcing afternoon performances

3B

Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey-announcing Clyde Beatty's Trained wild animal sensation

3B

Ringling Bros & Barnum and Bailey-general poster, depicts Equestrienne act

3B

Walter L. Main Shows, depicts bust of a clown, with inset photo of Main

oversized_folder

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1C

Karosu Circus and Review, Japanese. Depicts various acts and performers, 1930

1C

The Combination of the Barnum & Van Amburge Museum & Menagerie Co., & Dan Castello's Great Show

illustrated with Lots of promotions, including Md'le Pauline & the child wonder, Little Minnie; Mr Charles Fish, the Great American Equestrian etc. Atlanta, GA., November 1st and 2d, nd.