University of Southern California, Regional History Collection
Rodgers (Ralph) and Percy Turner Circus collection, 1930s-1980s
Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Ralph Rodgers and Percy Turner Circus collection
- Dates:
- 1930s-1980s
- Creators:
- Rodgers, Ralph and Turner, Percy, 1907-1984
- Abstract:
- The Ralph Rodgers and Percy Turner Circus Collection documents the collective interests of a circus model builder/ miniature circus owner and a real circus owner who became friends and whose circus memorabilia ended up with a mutual friend who donated them to USC. The collection contains ephemera, correspondence, photographs, books, records, costumes, and a large amount of circus model plans and drawings kept by Ralph Rodgers. A portion of the collection represents the history of the Percy Turner Circus, one of the first circuses owned by an African-American based in the southern California area.
- Extent:
- 76.0 Linear feet 71 boxes, 2 metal trunks
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
[Box/folder# or item name], Ralph Rodgers and Percy Turner Circus collection, Collection no. 0388, Regional History Collection, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection is comprised chiefly of Ralph Rodgers' circus memorabilia and materials related to circus model building. In addition to articles, newsletters, instructions, and photos on model building, Rodgers' own drawings, notes, and photographs are included in the papers. His correspondence with well-known circus performers such as Diamond Jim Parker and John Strong document his close ties to the circus world where he formed many long-lasting friendships. A small portion of the collection relates to Percy Turner, a friend of Ralph Rodgers who had his own circus for a brief time in the 1950s. Rodgers and Turner presumably met through John Strong, a well-known circus performer who had his own circus and is well-represented in this collection's ephemera.
As described in the biographical note on Ralph Rodgers, the large circus artifacts--the actual circuses-- were dismantled and divided up among Rodgers' sons and their families after his death. Fortunately, there are many photographs in this collection which document Rodgers' own miniature circuses as well as the circuses he worked with during the months that he "ran away to join the circus" in his fifties.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The Turner Brothers Circus (aka Turner Brothers Dog and Pony show) was created by Percy Turner in 1958. (There are Articles of Incorporation for the Turner Bros. Dog and Pony Show showing a date of June 5, 1959.)
Percy Turner was, by trade, a sign painter in the area of San Diego, California. He and his family had always wanted to have their own circus, so in 1959 they formed their own. They found a local "angel" who was willing to bankroll them. They leased the animals through some contact Turner had in the Paul Eagles Circus Luncheon Club up in Los Angeles. They had a lion, a tiger, two ocelots, an elephant, and several camels. There were clowns, acrobats, a high-wire artist, a dog act and horses, but the Turner family were the only Black members of the troupe. Percy and his wife Joy said that they had never had any Black applicants for jobs in their circus.
The Turners left their successful sign-painting business in Pacific Beach to tour the California coast and were widely successful with audiences. Unfortunately, they had no circus experience and the show was forced to close after they discovered their advance agent was skimming the profits. (Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 24 Feb 1998.) Percy Turner went back to sign painting and later lettered some trucks for Circus Vargas when they were in Southern California. Percy Turner kept hoping to find someone else who could provide the financial means to allow him to take out another circus, but his failing health and increased costs prevented him from ever touring again. And though the Turner Bros. Circus officially closed for good on July 4, 1959, Percy and Joy Turner continued to entertain their friends "circus-style"--erecting the cookhouse tent in the backyard for all their local fans, surrounded by the remnants of the dog and pony show that were in various states of repair around the sign shop. Percy Turner died in 1984.
Ralph Rodgers, whose "day job" was as a gas service man for San Diego Gas & Electric, was an avid circus model builder and lifelong circus devotee. He spent his lifetime learning about the circus, following all the circuses--figuratively and later literally-- and becoming friends with many of the well-known circus performers and clowns of the day, many of whom were also model-builders.
Ralph Rodgers' wife, Mary Ann, was supportive of her husband's hobby and also worked with him and attended conventions with him. They had four sons: Patrick, Kevin, Michael, and John-- all of whom had model circuses named after them. The circuses were created in the Rodgers' backyard in El Cajon and reflected Ralph's desire to preserve the form and spirit of the circus during its heyday of the 1920s and 30s.
When Ralph Rodgers passed on in 2006, his sons tried for about a year to place the main Rodgers Bros. circus in a museum. They contacted all of the circus museums in the United States in addition to a couple of circus model museums, but could not generate any interest in their father's circuses. They speculate that one of the reasons may be the sheer number of circus model builders that existed at one time, although the numbers have dwindled like most hobby crafts have.
Michael Rodgers also mentioned that when he and his brothers were growing up, they visited many circus model builders conventions and saw many of the model circuses of their father's friends such as Jim Parker. Many of the models and circuses they saw were "picture perfect" and looked more factory manufactured than the circuses that Ralph Rodgers built out of chiefly "found" materials. Since he was a serviceman for the San Diego Gas and Electric Company, his job afforded him many opportunities to enter vacated homes to check the gas lines and also salvage materials that could be used to build his circuses. For example, the majority of the older circus wagons were constructed from wooden Venetian blinds. Rodgers built all his wagons and train cars from found wood; he also carved all his own circus people and most of the animals. He fashioned the wagon hardware and other parts from tin coffee cans. He would paint toothpaste tube caps, put wire handles on them, and--voila--water buckets. Every year for two weeks in the spring (rain or shine), Rodgers and his sons would set up the circus in the backyard for all the neighborhood kids, dogs, cats, etc. to enjoy and so, over time, the circus took on the look of a working circus. Though some model builders looked down on Rodgers' creations, the model builders who were also "real" circus people admired and appreciated how realistic the Rodgers circuses were.
When the Rodgers sons failed to find an appropriate museum or host for their father's circus, they chose to honor their father's wish-- which was to take it to the desert and burn it if no one wanted it as one complete circus. The circus filled a 10' x 24' storage unit and, while the family did not actually take it out to the desert and burn it, they met at the home of Michael Rodgers along with their nieces and nephews and divided up what they wanted to keep. Then they burned the rest of the stuff while toasting their father through the night, thus folding up the Big Top for the last time.
Images of Rodgers' circus can be viewed online at: http://dreamingincircus.com/media/rr-circus/rr-circus.htm
- Acquisition information:
- Donated to USC by Duncan Smith in 2010. Duncan Smith was a friend of both Ralph Rodgers and Percy Turner.
- Processing information:
-
This collection was processed with the assistance of Tiffany Chu.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- African American business enterprises--California--San Diego--Archival resources
Amusements--California--History--Archival resources
Circus wagons--Archival resources
Circus--California--La Jolla--20th century--Archival resources
Circus--California--Lakeside--20th century--Archival resources
Circus--California--Los Angeles--20th century--Archival resources
Circus--Florida--Sarasota--20th century--Archival resources
Clowns--Archival resources
Popular culture--California, Southern--History--20th century--Archival resources
Audiotapes
Clippings
Correspondence
Costumes (character dress)
Drawings
Ephemera
Magazines (periodicals)
Phonograph records
Photographs
Postcards
Posters
Slides (photographs)
Videotapes - Names:
- Big Apple Circus. -- Archives
Circus Model Builders International. -- Archives
Circus World Museum (Baraboo, Wis.). -- Archives
Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus. -- Archives
Cole Bros. Circus. -- Archives
Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. -- Archives
Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Combined Shows. -- Archives
Sells-Floto Circus. -- Archives
Wenatchee Youth Circus. -- Archives
Evans, Merle -- Correspondence
Hayden, Robert, Dr. -- Archives
Jacobs , Lou, 1903-1992 -- Correspondence
Kreischer, Lou -- Correspondence
MacDougall, Robert -- Correspondence
Parker, Jim, 1938-2003 -- Archives
Posey, Jake, b. 1863 -- Correspondence
Rodgers, Ralph -- Archives
Strong, John, d. 1992 -- Correspondence
Turner, Percy, 1907-1984 -- Archives
Wallenda, Karl -- Archives - Places:
- La Jolla (San Diego, Calif.)--History--Archival resources
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- 2012
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-03-14T03:49-0700
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
- Terms of access:
-
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Box/folder# or item name], Ralph Rodgers and Percy Turner Circus collection, Collection no. 0388, Regional History Collection, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
- Location of this collection:
-
Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library, Room 209
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0182, US
- Contact:
- (213) 740-5900
- Restrictions:
-
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
- Terms of access:
-
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Box/folder# or item name], Ralph Rodgers and Percy Turner Circus collection, Collection no. 0388, Regional History Collection, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
- Location of this collection:
-
Special CollectionsDoheny Memorial Library, Room 209Los Angeles, CA 90089-0182, US
- Contact:
- (213) 740-5900
Contents
Circus Model Building
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This series is the heart of the Ralph Rodgers and Percy Turner Circus collection as it consists of the illustrations, notes, diagrams, etc. of Ralph Rodgers himself in the making of his miniature circuses.
Contents
Notes, Plans, and Drawings
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This subseries consists of Ralph Rodgers' own notes and drawings for his model circuses. Many of the diagrams have mathematical calculations related to size and scale of the wagons, tents, people, etc in the miniature circuses.
Publicity
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This small subseries contains flyers and other ephemera advertising the Rodgers Bros. Circus.
Plans & Instructions
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This subseries consists of printed circus model plans and instructions-- some commercial and some drawn by other individuals and photocopied. They consist of construction plans for circus wagons, cages, audience seating, and complete circuses.
Ephemera
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This subseries consists of ephemera related to Ralph Rodgers' hobby as a circus model builder--particularly stencils, signs, and logos he used for the models, as well as receipts he kept from purchases he made at hobby stores and other places.
Correspondence
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This series is comprised of correspondence between Ralph Rodgers and his friends and family, as well as a small amount of buisness and professional items. At least half of the letters to Ralph Rodgers are from Jim Parker who was a clown with Ringling Brothers, circus model builder, and close friend of Rodgers. A small amount of the total correspondence consists of letters to other people other than Ralph Rodgers.
Contents
Letters to Ralph Rodgers
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This subseries consists of two boxes of correspondence to Ralph Rodgers and a few items addressed to both Ralph and Mary Ann (his wife). Some of it is business-related such as form letters from the Circus Hall of Fame and the Chamber of Commerce in Peru, Indiana. One folder contains thank-you notes from school groups and other organizations who "toured" Ralph Rodgers' miniature circus in his back yard in El Cajon, California. The bulk of the series, however, consists of personal correspondence from friends--mainly other circus enthusiasts--including "Diamond Jim" Parker, a fellow model-builder-- but also a famous clown and circus historian who kept in frequent contact with Rodgers.
Contents
Al G Barnes Ring
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Circus Model Builders
Allstate, 1997
Summary
- Dates:
- 1997
Amend, Rege, 2002
Summary
- Dates:
- 2002
Borders, Gordon, 1958-1964
Summary
- Dates:
- 1958-1964
Burger, Bill, 2001
Summary
- Dates:
- 2001
Caldwell, Jim, 1932-1991
Summary
- Dates:
- 1932-1991
Background
- Scope and content:
-
"Load Lists"
Carnival, 2003
Summary
- Dates:
- 2003
Carson and Barnes, 1959-1997
Summary
- Dates:
- 1959-1997
Carver, Gordon, 1971-2002
Summary
- Dates:
- 1971-2002
Circus Chimera
Circus Hall of Fame, 1998-2002
Summary
- Dates:
- 1998-2002
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Peru, Indiana
Circus Vargas, 1981
Summary
- Dates:
- 1981
Circus World Museum
Clown College, 23 July 1976
Summary
- Dates:
- 23 July 1976
Cook, Russell E., 6 November 1960
Summary
- Dates:
- 6 November 1960
Dean, Frank, 1981
Summary
- Dates:
- 1981
Evans, Merle, 15 May
Summary
- Dates:
- 15 May
Ghirard, Kent
Greeting Cards
Hayden, Robert "Doc", 1982-2002
Summary
- Dates:
- 1982-2002
Heist, Walter G., 13 February 1958
Summary
- Dates:
- 13 February 1958
Houck, Ralph and Fay
Klos, Walter
MacDougall, Bob & Pauline, 1982-2006
Summary
- Dates:
- 1982-2006
McMurray, Dean
Miller, Kenneth, 1977
Summary
- Dates:
- 1977
Miscellaneous Thank-you Notes
Moreland, Eugene, 1973
Summary
- Dates:
- 1973
Parker, Jim (1960s), 1960s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1960s
Parker, Jim (1970s part 1), 1970s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1970s
Parker, Jim (1970s part 2), 1970s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1970s
Parker, Jim (1980s), 1980s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1980s
Parker, Jim (1990s), 1990s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1990s
Parker, Jim (2000s), 2000s
Summary
- Dates:
- 2000s
Parker, Jim (dates unknown)
Pat Kelly Ring, 2006
Summary
- Dates:
- 2006
Reproductions
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1967-1982
Summary
- Dates:
- 1967-1982
Rodgers, Kevin
Ralph Rodgers to Family, 1978-1979
Summary
- Dates:
- 1978-1979
Ralph Rodgers to Jim Parker, 2002
Summary
- Dates:
- 2002
Rodgers Family
Rounds, Frank, 2003
Summary
- Dates:
- 2003
Russell, Ed, 6 December 1968
Summary
- Dates:
- 6 December 1968
Smith, Duncan & Irene, 18 October 1977
Summary
- Dates:
- 18 October 1977
Southern Sawdust, 1962
Summary
- Dates:
- 1962
Turner Bros. Circus, 1977
Summary
- Dates:
- 1977
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Irene & Duncan Smith Joy & Percy Turner
Waldon, Tony, 1980-1985
Summary
- Dates:
- 1980-1985
Miscellaneous
Other Letters
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This subseries consists of letters to other recipients from many different people, including Ralph Rodgers himself. Many of the letters from Ralph Rodgers are those to his wife and son in the late 1970s when he "took off to join the circus." In them, he describes the daily activities of the circuses with which he associated as well as his homesickness and love for his wife, "Baby Doll." Most of the other letters are to clown Lou Kreischer from several different people including renown clowns Mark Anthony and Lou Jacobs.
Contents
To Buck from Russel Tully, 1958
Summary
- Dates:
- 1958
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Circus Model Builders
To Dave Fulwiler from U.S. Naval Hospital, San Diego, 1967
Summary
- Dates:
- 1967
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Lou Kreischer Clowns
To Lou Kreischer from Tim, 1980
Summary
- Dates:
- 1980
To Lou Kreischer from Mark Anthony, 1974
Summary
- Dates:
- 1974
To Lou Kreischer from Merle Evans, 1966
Summary
- Dates:
- 1966
To Lou Kreischer from Lou Jacobs, 1969-1972
Summary
- Dates:
- 1969-1972
To Lou Kreischer from Elsie Jung, 18 May 1965
Summary
- Dates:
- 18 May 1965
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Note from aerialist and equestrian Elsie Jung thanking Kreischer for his condolences regarding the death of her husband, noted clown Paul Jung. (Jung was found murdered in his hotel room during a Ringling Brothers engagement at Madison Square Garden in April 1965).
To Lou Kreischer from Jake Posey, 1953
Summary
- Dates:
- 1953
To Lou Kreischer from Richard Rouse (Mother Goose Parade Assoc.), 1973
Summary
- Dates:
- 1973
To Lou Kreischer from M.L. Snyder, 1967
Summary
- Dates:
- 1967
To Lou Kreischer- Misc., 1970
Summary
- Dates:
- 1970
To Lou Kreischer and Andy Kennedy from Edgemoor Employee's Club, 1967
Summary
- Dates:
- 1967
To Zula Ralph from Various, 1940s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1940s
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This folder contains documents and ephemera pertaining to Zula Ralph, all dated in the 1940s. There is a letter from the Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers of America asking "Mr. and Mrs. Ralph" for the address of their son, James G. Ralph. Also included in this folder are several letters and applications from the San Diego County Department of Public Welfare, a letter from the American Red Cross, and several greeting cards.
To Percy Turner from Ralph Rodgers, 1976
Summary
- Dates:
- 1976
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Short note to Percy Turner from Ralph Rodges with Turner's check being returned to him with "thanks"-- but they didn't really need the money for the dinner that they had.
To Mr. Shields from Robert Good, 1955
Summary
- Dates:
- 1955
Publications
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This series consists of magazines, souvenir programs, coloring books, newsletters, etc. arranged alphabetically, mostly by name of circus. Newspapers are included in the series "Clippings."
Contents
Aahmes Shrine Circus, 1951
Summary
- Dates:
- 1951
Al G. Barnes and Sells-Floto, 1938
Summary
- Dates:
- 1938
Al G. Barnes Big 4 Ring Wild Animal Circus
Al Kader Shrine Circus, 1953, 1956, 1957
Summary
- Dates:
- 1953, 1956, 1957
Al Kelly & Miller Bros. Circus, 1963, 88
Summary
- Dates:
- 1963, 88
American Circus Calendar, 1990-2006
Summary
- Dates:
- 1990-2006
American Circus Posters, 1978
Summary
- Dates:
- 1978
American International 3-Ring Circus
American Youth, 1974
Summary
- Dates:
- 1974
Amusement Business, 1963-71
Summary
- Dates:
- 1963-71
Animal-Book
Animal Kingdom, Oct/Nov 1974
Summary
- Dates:
- Oct/Nov 1974
Argosy, 1961, 1962
Summary
- Dates:
- 1961, 1962
Atlas of World History, 1997
Summary
- Dates:
- 1997
Bandwagon, 1946 - 2005
Summary
- Dates:
- 1946 - 2005
Barnes Bros. Circus, 1948
Summary
- Dates:
- 1948
The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth - Libretto
Beckmann & Geretty Shows, 1940s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1940s
Beggs Wagon Co.
Bentley Bros. Circus, 1989
Summary
- Dates:
- 1989
Big Apple Circus, 2002-2003
Summary
- Dates:
- 2002-2003
Big International 3 Ring
Big John Strong Circus
The Billboard, 1941
Summary
- Dates:
- 1941
Bolshoi Circus, 1970
Summary
- Dates:
- 1970
Book of Spiels and Stunt Promoter
Boys Life, Nov 1981
Summary
- Dates:
- Nov 1981
Buffalo Bill's Wild West, 1971
Summary
- Dates:
- 1971
Collier's, July 20, 1941
Summary
- Dates:
- July 20, 1941
Canadian International 3-Ring Circus
Canadian Tire Presents Gong Gong
Carousel, 1975-2001
Summary
- Dates:
- 1975-2001
Carson & Barnes Circus
Circo Atayde Hnos., 1964, 1966
Summary
- Dates:
- 1964, 1966
Circo Union, 1938
Summary
- Dates:
- 1938
Circus!
Circus America
Circus Coloring Book
Circus Hall of Fame
Circus Life in Pictures
Circus Model Builders, 1960, 1968
Summary
- Dates:
- 1960, 1968
The Circus Modeler, Sept - Oct 1945
Summary
- Dates:
- Sept - Oct 1945
The Circus Monthly Illustrated, Sept 1, 1961
Summary
- Dates:
- Sept 1, 1961
Circus Report, 1972-2004
Summary
- Dates:
- 1972-2004
Circus Review, 1953, 1956, 1957
Summary
- Dates:
- 1953, 1956, 1957
Circus Trains Trucks & Models
Circus Vargas, 1976-95
Summary
- Dates:
- 1976-95
Circus World Museum, 1963-93
Summary
- Dates:
- 1963-93
Circus World Museum- calendar
Classic Toy Trains, Nov 2004
Summary
- Dates:
- Nov 2004
Climax, Jan 1961
Summary
- Dates:
- Jan 1961
Clown Alley, 1955
Summary
- Dates:
- 1955
Clown Calendar, 1969
Summary
- Dates:
- 1969
Clyde Beatty Circus, 1961-
Summary
- Dates:
- 1961-
Clyde Beatty - Cole Bros. Circus, 1936-2003
Summary
- Dates:
- 1936-2003
Cole Bros. Circus, 1939-2004
Summary
- Dates:
- 1939-2004
Cristiani Bros. Circus
The Desert Song, 1948
Summary
- Dates:
- 1948
Echo, April 1964
Summary
- Dates:
- April 1964
Edgewater Beach Hotel, 1960
Summary
- Dates:
- 1960
Egypt Temple Shrine Circus, 1994
Summary
- Dates:
- 1994
Emmett Kelly, Jr. Calendar, 1990, 1993, 1995
Summary
- Dates:
- 1990, 1993, 1995
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Three color calendars featuring famous clown, Emmett Kelly, Jr.
Esquire, July 1971
Summary
- Dates:
- July 1971
Eugene Shrine Club Polack Bros. Circus, 1955, 1958
Summary
- Dates:
- 1955, 1958
Focus on the Family, 2002
Summary
- Dates:
- 2002
Ford Truck Times, 1973
Summary
- Dates:
- 1973
Franzen Bros. Circus Coloring Book, 1984
Summary
- Dates:
- 1984
Friends, 1953
Summary
- Dates:
- 1953
Gauge Rail-Roading
Gibsonton Circus, 1989, 91
Summary
- Dates:
- 1989, 91
Good Old Days, July 1990
Summary
- Dates:
- July 1990
Great American Circus, 1989
Summary
- Dates:
- 1989
Great Circus Parade
The Great Moscow Circus, 1994-1995
Summary
- Dates:
- 1994-1995
Grotto Circus, 1954-1956
Summary
- Dates:
- 1954-1956
Guideposts, July 1983
Summary
- Dates:
- July 1983
Holiday, July 1950
Summary
- Dates:
- July 1950
Home & Highway, 1954
Summary
- Dates:
- 1954
Hoxie Bros. Circus, 1980
Summary
- Dates:
- 1980
International 3-Ring Circus, 1976-80
Summary
- Dates:
- 1976-80
[Japanese Publications]
Jungleland Coloring Book
Kaye Bros. Indoor Circus
King Bros Circus, 1947, 1950
Summary
- Dates:
- 1947, 1950
The King O Pole, 1957, 1960
Summary
- Dates:
- 1957, 1960
Kiss me Kate
Knie
Liberty, 1937, 1947
Summary
- Dates:
- 1937, 1947
Life, 1941-1980
Summary
- Dates:
- 1941-1980
Background
- Scope and content:
-
8 April 1946: "Life Visits the Circus in Florida"
9 February 1962: "High Tension, High Wire, Great Wallendas: Will They Make It?" (part by Karl Wallenda)
30 March 1962: "Tiny World of Big Top: A Model Circus That Has Everything" (2 issues)
20 February 1970: "The Funniest College on Earth" by William Zinsser
March 1980: "The Mighty Mickey: A Great Old Pro Burlesques It Up On Broadway" by Jim Watters and Gregory Heisler (photographer)
The Life of Tom Mix, 1936, 1937
Summary
- Dates:
- 1936, 1937
Lionel, 1974
Summary
- Dates:
- 1974
Little Circus Wagon, 1957-2006
Summary
- Dates:
- 1957-2006
Look, 1953-1954
Summary
- Dates:
- 1953-1954
Background
- Scope and content:
-
28 July 1953: "Circus Story"
26 January 1954: "Safari" by Ernest Hemingway
29 June 1954: "Circus Girl"
LuluTemple Shrine Circus, 1942
Summary
- Dates:
- 1942
Magic Coloring Book
Martin Bros Trained Animal Circus
Mechanix Illustrated, Aug. 1938
Summary
- Dates:
- Aug. 1938
Midian Temple's Shrine Circus, 1946
Summary
- Dates:
- 1946
Mike's Model Shop Calendar, 1984
Summary
- Dates:
- 1984
MISC. A - B
MISC. C
MISC. D - I
MISC. J - S
Model Circus Builders
Model Railroader, July 1946
Summary
- Dates:
- July 1946
Mountain Gorillas in the Zoological Garden (San Diego Zoo), 1931-1940
Summary
- Dates:
- 1931-1940
National Geographic School Bulletin, April 1967
Summary
- Dates:
- April 1967
National Geographic World, Sept. 1982
Summary
- Dates:
- Sept. 1982
National Wildlife, 1974
Summary
- Dates:
- 1974
Notre Dame vs. Great Lakes, Nov. 3, 1943
Summary
- Dates:
- Nov. 3, 1943
The Old West, May 21, 1990
Summary
- Dates:
- May 21, 1990
Orange Show, 1964
Summary
- Dates:
- 1964
Oregon Electric Railway, Oct. 23, 1955
Summary
- Dates:
- Oct. 23, 1955
The Outdoor Showsman, 1969
Summary
- Dates:
- 1969
The Pickle Family Circus
Polack Bros. Circus, 1946-1973
Summary
- Dates:
- 1946-1973
Polack Bros. Shrine Circus, 1943
Summary
- Dates:
- 1943
Popular Science, 1933, 1937, 1940
Summary
- Dates:
- 1933, 1937, 1940
Picture Post, Jan 11, 1947
Summary
- Dates:
- Jan 11, 1947
Post, 26 October 1963
Summary
- Dates:
- 26 October 1963
Background
- Scope and content:
-
"Soviet Circus Wows the U.S.A." by Bill Ballantine
Railroad, April 1956
Summary
- Dates:
- April 1956
Railroad Magazine, 1946
Summary
- Dates:
- 1946
Railroad Model Craftsman, Sept 1970
Summary
- Dates:
- Sept 1970
Readers Digest, March 1976
Summary
- Dates:
- March 1976
Ready Made Signs for Safety
The Reithoffer Dynasty, circa 1978
Summary
- Dates:
- circa 1978
Background
- Scope and content:
-
2 copies of "A New Ride Reference Book."
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus- Braille
Background
- Scope and content:
-
16- page booklet in Braille. Title and description on the front cover: "Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Presents the 100th Edition of THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH, Produced by Irvin Feld and Kenneth Feld, RED UNIT, Embossed by National Brailled Press, Boston Massachusetts."
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1936-2005
Summary
- Dates:
- 1936-2005
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows (Calendar), 1987
Summary
- Dates:
- 1987
Robbins Bros. Circus with Hoot Gibson, 1938
Summary
- Dates:
- 1938
Roberts Bros. Circus, 1991-1994
Summary
- Dates:
- 1991-1994
Royal American Shows
Rudy Bros. Circus, 1964
Summary
- Dates:
- 1964
Russell Bros Big 3-Ring Circus, 1942
Summary
- Dates:
- 1942
Saga: The Magazine for Men, May 1962
Summary
- Dates:
- May 1962
Sarasota International Circus Festival & Parade, 1992-97
Summary
- Dates:
- 1992-97
Sawdust Trail, 1949
Summary
- Dates:
- 1949
Show Business Illustrated, Oct. 1961
Summary
- Dates:
- Oct. 1961
Showfolks of Sarasota, 1978-95
Summary
- Dates:
- 1978-95
Shrine Circus, April 1948
Summary
- Dates:
- April 1948
Shrine Club Polack Bros. Circus, 1953
Summary
- Dates:
- 1953
Southern Sawdust, 1962-79
Summary
- Dates:
- 1962-79
Star Circus Supplies Catalogue
Statet Farm Calendar, 1973
Summary
- Dates:
- 1973
Taronga Park
Texaco Calendar, 1967, 1972
Summary
- Dates:
- 1967, 1972
Tom Mix Circus
The Train Yard, July/August 1992
Summary
- Dates:
- July/August 1992
True: the Man's Magazine, August 1955
Summary
- Dates:
- August 1955
Vecko Tournalen
Wallace Bros. Circus
Wenatchee Youth Circus, 1968-77
Summary
- Dates:
- 1968-77
The White Tops, 1933-95, 2001-2002
Summary
- Dates:
- 1933-95, 2001-2002
Wild West, December 1996
Summary
- Dates:
- December 1996
Wisconsin Dells Territory, 1981
Summary
- Dates:
- 1981
Yankee Patterson Benefit Circus, April, 1941
Summary
- Dates:
- April, 1941
Zooznooz, 1964-82
Summary
- Dates:
- 1964-82
0-Gauge Rail-Roading, June, 1992
Summary
- Dates:
- June, 1992
101 Ranch Wild West Circus
The 1994 Indoor Circus Spectacular
Subject Files
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The files in this series are organized into two chief subseries: by name of circus and by topic. Within each subseries, the files are arranged alphabetically. The circus files contain articles, clippings, ephemera, etc. pertaining to specific circuses such as Clyde Beatty or Ringling Brothers. The subject files consist mainly of articles and ephemera on topics such as circus animals, clowns, etc. There is some overlap with the series called "Clippings" so both series should be consulted if researching a particular circus or topic.
Contents
Circus Subject Files
Contents
Al G. Barnes Circus
Big John A. Strong Circus
Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show
Carson & Barnes Circus
Circus Vargas
Clyde Beatty Circus
Clyde Beatty & Cole Bros. Circus
Cole Bros. Circus
Cristiani-Wallace Bros. Circus
Culpepper & Merriweather Circus
Europorama
Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus
Hoxie Bros. Circus
Hunt Bros.
James Bros.
Kelly & Miller Bros. Circus
Kreischer Bros. Circus
King Bros.
Lewis Bros. Circus
Mills Bros.
Moscow Circus
Pickle Family Circus
Polack Bros. Circus
P.T. Barnum
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (1 of 3)
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (2 of 3)
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (3 of 3)
Roger Bros.
Sells-Floto Circus
Shrine Circus
Turner Bros. (1 of 16)
Turner Bros. (2 of 16)
Turner Bros. (3 of 16)
Turner Bros. (4 of 16)
Turner Bros. (5 of 16)
Turner Bros. (6 of 16)
Turner Bros. (7 of 16)
Turner Bros. (8 of 16)
Turner Bros. (9 of 16)
Turner Bros. (10 of 16)
Turner Bros. (11 of 16)
Turner Bros. (12 of 16)
Turner Bros. (13 of 16)
Turner Bros. (14 of 16)
Turner Bros. (15 of 16)
Turner Bros. (16 of 16)
Topic Subject Files
Contents
The American Circus Corporation
Animals
Brochures
Carla Wallenda Fan Club
Cartoons
Circus Acts
Circus Fans Association
Circus Hall of Fame
Circus Historical Society
Circus History
Circusiana
Circus Model Builders (1 of 3)
Circus Model Builders (2 of 3)
Circus Model Builders (3 of 3)
Circus Organizations and Societies (Misc.)
Circus World Museum (1 of 2)
Circus World Museum (2 of 2)
Clowns
Jungleland
Knott's Berry Farm
Miniature Carousel Builders (1 of 2)
Background
- Scope and content:
-
White binder, newsletter titled "Horse Tales"
Miniature Carousel Builders (2 of 2)
Background
- Scope and content:
-
White binder, newsletter titled "Horse Tales"
Miscellaneous
Old Milwaukee Days
Peru, Indiana
Posey, Jake (1 of 5)
Posey, Jake (2 of 5)
Posey, Jake (3 of 5)
Posey, Jake (4 of 5)
Posey, Jake (5 of 5)
Ringling Museum
San Diego
Tickets- Misc. (A-J)
Tickets- Misc. (L-W)
Tickets- Misc. (Single Tickets)
Clippings
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This series is comprised of articles, ads, etc. clipped from magazines and newspapers as well as a few entire newspapers such as The Daily Californian (1978, 1986). Like the subject files, the clippings files are organized both by circus and by topic, in additiion to some complete newspapers and several scrapbooks.
Contents
Newspapers
Contents
The Daily Californian, 14 January 1986
Summary
- Dates:
- 14 January 1986
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This newspaper is a complete edition, with the front section (and front page) featuring an article on Ralph Rodgers and his miniature circus replicas, part of one which is depicted in a photograph. The second page features a photograph of Ralph Rodgers himself and includes the story of how he, after he retired from San Diego Gas & Electric, actually ran away to the circus for a few months. 3 copies.
The Morning Oregonian, 3 Nov 1905
Summary
- Dates:
- 3 Nov 1905
The Asahigraph, 25 Nov 1925
Summary
- Dates:
- 25 Nov 1925
- Language:
- Japanese
Background
- Scope and content:
-
24- page pictorial newspaper in Japanese with a few English captions.
Clippings Organized by Circus
Contents
Adam Forepaugh Show
Al G. Barnes Circus
Al G. Barnes & Sells-Floto Combined Circus, 18 & 19 November 1938
Summary
- Dates:
- 18 & 19 November 1938
Al G. Kelly & Miller Bros.
Allen Bros. Circus
The American Crown Circus, 1998
Summary
- Dates:
- 1998
Arthur Bros. Circus
Barnum & Bailey
Barnum's Kaleidoscope, 2000
Summary
- Dates:
- 2000
Background
- Scope and content:
-
UTC La Jolla Jan 19-Feb 11, 2000 "On the 19th of January Kevin and I searched all over La Jolla Show and never found--think they cancelled the date"
Beers-Barnes Circus
Bentley Bros. Circus
Big Apple Circus, 2000
Summary
- Dates:
- 2000
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Stage Show May 30-June 4, 2000
Big John Strong, 1968-1995
Summary
- Dates:
- 1968-1995
Campbell Bros. Circus
Carla Wallenda Circus
Cheval Theatre, 4 October 2001
Summary
- Dates:
- 4 October 2001
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Equestrian Extravaganza! Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
Contents
Carson & Barnes Circus, 1966-1995
Summary
- Dates:
- 1966-1995
Christy Bros. Circus
Circus Chimera, 2000
Summary
- Dates:
- 2000
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Lemon Grove, CO November 1 & 2, 2000
Alpine, CA February 24-26
Circus Royale
Circus USA
Cirque Du Soleil, 1987-2004
Summary
- Dates:
- 1987-2004
Cirque Eloize, 2002
Summary
- Dates:
- 2002
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Escondido Performing Arts Center October 24-27, 2002
Cirque Ingenicux, 1998
Summary
- Dates:
- 1998
Background
- Scope and content:
-
San Diego, CA November 25-29, 1998
Contents
Circus Vargas, 1979-2003
Summary
- Dates:
- 1979-2003
Cristiani Bros. Circus
Background
- Scope and content:
-
San Diego, CA September 4-6, 1958
Clyde Beatty Circus
Clyde Beatty Railroad Circus, 1956
Summary
- Dates:
- 1956
Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus, 1966-1995
Summary
- Dates:
- 1966-1995
Cole Bros. Circus
Background
- Scope and content:
-
El Mira, NY June 10-?, probably early 1940s
Culpepper & Merriweather Circus
Downie Bros. Circus
Dream Clown Circus, 1991
Summary
- Dates:
- 1991
Fern Street Circus
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Balboa Park, San Diego, CA May 27-June 4
Franzen Bros. Circus
Gainesville Community Circus
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Texas
Golden Bros. Circus
Gollman Bros., 1910
Summary
- Dates:
- 1910
The Great Moscow Circus, 1994
Summary
- Dates:
- 1994
Background
- Scope and content:
-
San Diego, CA Wednesday October 12-Sunday October 16, 1994 "A very remarkable show"
Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus
Hoxie Bros. Circus
Hunt Bros.
International Circuses
Jett's Petting Zoo, 1970
Summary
- Dates:
- 1970
John A. Strong
Jordan International Circus, 1993-1995
Summary
- Dates:
- 1993-1995
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Lakeside, CO November 3-5, 1995 Al Bahr Shrine
Kaye Continental Circus
Kelly-Miller Bros. Circus
King Bros. Circus
Lemon Bros. Circus
Liebel's Circus
Mighty Haag Circus
Miscellaneous Circuses
Monroe Bros. Circus
Plunket Bros. Circus
Polack Bros. Circus
Polack Bros. Circus-Rudy Bros. Circus
Ralph Rodgers
Reid Bros. Circus
Rice Bros.-Allen King Circus
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1939-2005
Summary
- Dates:
- 1939-2005
Robbins Circus, 7 October 1938
Summary
- Dates:
- 7 October 1938
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Tampa, FL
Roberts Bros. Circus
Roller Bros. Circus
Royal American
Royal Lipizzan Stallion Show, 1970
Summary
- Dates:
- 1970
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Sports Arena July 7-9, 1970
Russell Bros., 1940s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1940s
Sells-Floto Circus
Sells and Grey Circus
Sparks Circus
St. Louis Shrine Circus
Tom Mix Circus
United Nations Circus, 20 April 1963
Summary
- Dates:
- 20 April 1963
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Manchester, GA
Vidbel Olde Tyme Circus
Wallace Bros. Circus
Buffalo Bill's 101 Ranch Wild West Show
Zerbini Circus
Clippings Organized by Topic
Contents
Accidents
Animals
African-Americans
Amusement Parks
Cartoons
Circus Animals
Circus Ads
Circus Bands
Circus Memories/History
Circus Organizations
Circus Pages
Circus People
Circus Performers
Circus Routes
Circus Wagons and Trains
Clowns
Cowboys
Festivals and Fairs
Hawaii
Joining the Circus
Jungleland
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous (1930s)
Miscellaneous (1940s)
Models and Model Builders
Rodger Bros. Circus
Sideshows
Wallendas
Wild Animal Shows and Parks
Women
Scrapbooks
Contents
A: Al G. Barnes; Al G. Barnes-Sells Floto
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Wagons, Trucks
Wagon Lists, Loading Lists
History
Tent Info
R.R. Cars
General Info
B: Barnum; Barnum & Bailey
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Wagons, Trucks
Wagon Lists, Loading Lists
Parade Lists
History
Tent Info
R.R. Cars
General Info
D: Dailey Bros.; Downie Bros.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Dailey Bros:
Wagons, Trucks
Wagon Lists, Loading Lists
History
Tent Info
R.R. Cars
General Info
Downie Bros:
Wagons, Trucks
Wagon Lists, Loading Lists
History
Tent Info
R.R. Cars
General Info
Banner Lines
R: Robbins Bros.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Wagons, Trucks
Wagon Lists, Loading Lists
History
Tent Info
R.R. Cars
General Info
Newspaper Photographs 1 & 2
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Photograph album-style scrapbooks with black pages. Newspaper photos of circus performers and circus scenes from the 1930s.
Newspaper Photographs 2
Newspaper Photographs 3, 1950s-1960s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1950s-1960s
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Soft-cover (paper) scrapbook of mainly loose clippings of magazine and newspaper articles and photos. Clippings were kept within the pages of the scrapbook rather than dispersed to clipping files by circus or topic in order to preserve the context and time period in which they were collected.
Newspaper Photographs 4, 1950s-1960s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1950s-1960s
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Soft-cover (paper) scrapbook (missing back cover) containing newspaper photos, ads, and short articles pertaining to the circus. Circuses represented include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Clyde Beatty, Big John Strong, James Bros., King Bros., Cristiani Bros., and Bell Bros.
Newspaper Photographs 5, 1930s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1930s
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Fragile scrapbook with very brittle & crumbling pages. Most of the pages consist of newspaper photographs of circus animals, performers, and circus scenes from the 1930s. Some of the pages have pencil and crayon drawings of circus wagons and other structures, presumably drawn by Ralph Rodgers. There are many loose clippings near the back of the scrapbook (not glued to the pages).
Photographs
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This large series consists of 7 boxes of photographs and negatives, and 22 photo albums. Most of the photo albums are not labeled and are given artificial numbers for the purpose of matching the location of the photo album with its descriptive information. The photographs which are in files rather than in albums are organized by topic or circus, with "sets" of photographs kept together as they were in their original envelopes whenever possible. The files are arranged alphabetically.
Contents
Photo Albums
Contents
Photo Album "1", 1970s (Most)
Summary
- Dates:
- 1970s (Most)
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Most of the photos are in plastic photo pages in a green 3-ring binder. Pages at the back are green scrapbook pages with photos glued directly onto the paper. Most of the photos are candid color photos of circus events and animals (1970s?); the business card of Lou Kreischer is in one of the photo pockets. There are some black and white 8 x 10 photos in the album also including many of clowns. One of them is autographed to "Lou" by Diamond Jim Parker. Most of the 8 x 10 photos as well as those pasted on green paper are of clowns.
Photo Album "2", 1908-1946
Summary
- Dates:
- 1908-1946
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. The first twenty-six photos appear to be of a Ringling Brothers circus parade in 1909. People are riding horses, elephants, and camels in the parade. There are nine small black and white photos of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus in 1920. Next, there are 12 parade photos of the Ringling Bros. Circus in 1908 taken in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The following 20 photos depict the ruins after a fire of a RB & BB circus in Hartford, Connecticut in 1944. The last 13 photos in the album are RB & BB circus wagons in Greenville, South Carolina in 1946.
Photo Album "3", 1900-1942
Summary
- Dates:
- 1900-1942
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos affixed to black paper. The first group of 12 photos is labeled "Christy Wagon Set." The next 14 photos are labeled "World Jungle Compound Set: Thousand Oaks, CA." The following 4 photos are of Al G. Barnes circus wagons in 1934. The remainder of the album consists of photos from the Forepaugh & Sells Bros. Circus (circa 1900), Cole Bros. Circus (1942), and the Sells-Floto Circus (undated, but starring Tom Mix).
Photo Album "4", 1930-1973
Summary
- Dates:
- 1930-1973
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album consists of two green 3-ring binders with plastic photo pages. The photos are pasted onto black paper. The photos are of different types of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus wagons. There are several sheets of folded paper tucked into the front pocket of the first green binder (Album 4 part 1). Most of the photos in the album are labeled--the papers contain a key for this labeling system and give a description and a date for each photo.
Photo Album "5", 1916-1943
Summary
- Dates:
- 1916-1943
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. The first eighteen photos are of Al G. Barnes circus wagons, animals, and signs, taken in 1939. The next twenty-four photos, taken in 1934, depict Al G. Barnes wagons, signs, and elephants. Two of the photos in the set show a tent being set up. Then there are thirty-nine photos from 1935 of Cole Bros. as well as Cole Bros. with Clyde Beatty Circus wagons and signs. The set also includes several photos of animals. The following nine photos depict a 1939 Cole Bros. circus and parade. Then there are eleven photos of LaTena Circus horses and wagons in Ithaca, New York on May 19, 1916. There are three photos of Howe’s Great London Circus, all from 1920, in different states: Carlisle, PA; Sikeston, MO; East Port, ME. Then there are ten photos of horses dragging Sparks circus wagons and people at Sparks Circus in Ithaca, NY in 1916. The next photo page contains a letter handwritten on lined notebook paper. The letter is dated 1943 and is two pages long; the second page has writing on both sides. It was written by F.M. Farrell to J.A. Shields in Ithaca, NY and appears to be a response to a request for photos of LaTena and Sells-Floto circuses. The writer also describes a 1923 Al G. Barnes and a 1943 Cole Bros. show he saw. After the letter, there are forty-four photos from 1917 in different New York and Massachusetts cities. They show R.T. Richards circus performers, animals, and wagons. Next, there is one photo of what appears to be an advertisement for a Howe’s Great London show in Haverhill, Massachusetts, taken in 1920. There are nine Sells-Floto photos from Ithaca, NY in 1919. The last set of photos in the album are of Hagenbeck-Wallace wagons in 1934.
Photo Album "6", 1927-1938
Summary
- Dates:
- 1927-1938
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. First, there are seven photos of Campbell Bros. performers, animals, and advertisements. Then there are twenty-four photos, including some of Cole Bros. trains, horses, and performers. The next fifteen photos depict Arthur Bros. trains, train cars, and tents. Next, there are thirty-five photos of Al G. Kelly and Miller Bros. trucks, animals, and performers. There is a set of thirty-five photos of Robbins Bros. wagons containing animals or on trains. The next set, from 1927, also depicts the Robbins Bros. Circus in what seems like a parade. The set also includes a few photos of animals and of wagons being unloaded from trains. Then there are six photos of Sells-Floto wagons in Long Beach, CA. There are thirteen photos of Hagenback-Wallace wagons in Long Beach in 1938. The last eight photos in the album show a Robbins Bros. parade.
Photo Album "7", 1922-1946
Summary
- Dates:
- 1922-1946
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. The first photo page contains a two-sided handwritten 1946 letter from Charles Philip Fox to J.A. Shields regarding a photo trade agreement. There seem to have been several photos of various circuses (including Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Hagenbeck-Wallace, Al G. Barnes and Sells-Floto) enclosed with the letter. The first eleven photos are of spectators, animals, and wagons at a Cole Bros. Circus in 1937. Then there are twenty-five photos of Hagenbeck-Wallace wagons, horses, and a parade. Next are sixteen photos of a 1923 circus parade. There are eight photos of John Robinson Circus workers in 1922. The following eight photos depict Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus horses in 1936. These photos are labeled “from CP Fox” and are presumably some of the photos mentioned in the letter at the front of the album. After that, there are twenty-two photos from 1922 of a Sparks Circus parade and wagons, camels, zebras, and elephants. Then there are eighteen photos from 1925 of Sells-Floto clowns, performers, and spectators. The last fourteen photos are of a Sparks Circus parade.
Photo Album "8", 1939-1969
Summary
- Dates:
- 1939-1969
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. All of the photos depict Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey train cars and tractors. There are a few sheets of paper tucked into the back of the binder. These papers use the letter-number labels handwritten on the photos to match each photo with a description and a date.
Photo Album "9", 1929-1937
Summary
- Dates:
- 1929-1937
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. The first thirty-six photos are of Al G. Barnes circus animals, mostly elephants, horses, zebras, and camels. Then there are fifteen photos from 1937 of Al G. Barnes and Sells-Floto wagons that contain animals. The next sixty photos are of the Al G. Barnes and Sell-Floto Combined Circus, taken in approximately 1929. Most of the photos in this set are of wagons.
Photo Album "10", 1903-1946
Summary
- Dates:
- 1903-1946
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. The first set of photos is from 1938. They depict Robbins Bros. wagons on trains, people watching the trains getting unloaded, and a circus parade. The next twenty-one photos, from 1946, are of Clyde Beatty train cars and elephants. Then there is a set of twenty-six photos, some of a Clyde Beatty and Russell Bros. performance, others of circus trucks and animals. The following set of photos is of the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1914. Most of these photos depict performers on horseback and horses pulling wagons. There is also what seems to be a holiday card from 1951 with a photo of the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1903 on it. Then there are five photos of a 1913 Gentry Bros. Dog and Pony Show; a photo of Ringling Bros. horses pulling a wagon in Cincinnati, OH in 1917; a photo of an 1897 parade with lots of elephants, labeled “Adam H. Paul”; and a photo from 1922 of Howe’s Great London horses and a wagon.
Photo Album "11", 1917-1948
Summary
- Dates:
- 1917-1948
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. The first seventy-one photos are from 1945. They consist of Dailey Bros. advertisements, trains, circusgoers, performers, and elephants. The next twelve photos were taken at Fair for Britain in 1948 and the Terrell Jacobs Circus in 1942. These photos are mainly of elephants, performers, and the circus tents. Next, there are two photos of Robbins Bros. wagons and a Clyde Beatty train, taken in 1938. Then there is one 1922 photo of a Gollman Bros. circus. There are two photos from 1935 of the Rice Bros. Circus, then three photos of a Downie Bros. parade and trucks. There is one 1941 photo of what appears to be a Cole Bros. float. The following three photos were taken in 1924 and are of Sells-Floto animals and wagons. The next two are photos from 1926, of a wall of Christy Bros. advertisements. There is a blank page, then three photos of a Barnum & Bailey parade and train at Birmingham, Alabama in 1917. Next are two 1938 photos of Al G. Barnes and Sells-Floto train cars in Tennessee. Then there are six photos of Budweiser horses in San Diego in 1947. Lastly, there are six photos from a fair in 1946 that are not associated with any particular circus.
Photo Album "12", 1915-1938
Summary
- Dates:
- 1915-1938
Photo Album "13", 1910-1942
Summary
- Dates:
- 1910-1942
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos affixed to black paper. The first sixty-two photos are of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus from 1933 to 1938. Most are of wagons, and a few are of animals, mostly teams of horses. The next forty-two photos depict Robbins Bros. trains, wagons, and animals in 1938. Then there are fifteen photos of a 1939 Cole Bros. Circus parade. After that are three photos of what seems to be a Col. Palmers parade. Next are twelve photos of Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill’s Great Far East Show. There are ten photos of a 1910 Yankee Robinson parade and some clowns. The last twenty photos are of the Terrell Jacobs Wild Animal Circus, taken in Ontario, Canada in 1942. They show elephants, campers, wagons, and the entrance to the circus.
Photo Album "14", 1937-1941
Summary
- Dates:
- 1937-1941
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos affixed to black paper. The first thirty photos are mostly of Cole Bros. train cars in 1941. The next twenty-eight photos are mostly of 1937 Cole Bros. wagons. One of them depicts a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey wagon. The following twenty-five photos depict 101 Ranch Wild West advertisements, trains, animals, and wagons. Then there are eleven photos of Al G. Barnes and Sells-Floto trains, wagons, and elephants, taken in 1937. Lastly, there are fifty photos of Al G.. Barnes trains, wagons, and horses.
Photo Album "15", 1936-1952
Summary
- Dates:
- 1936-1952
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos affixed to black paper. At the beginning of the album are two typed sheets of paper that appear to be a Cole Bros. inventory list of wagons and animals from 1944 and 1939. The first five photos are of Clyde Beatty performers. Then there are twelve photos, mostly of Cole Bros. workers and train cars. Next are eight photos of a hippo named “Puddles” taken in 1943 in San Diego, CA. Then there are nine photos of Cole Bros. elephants, camels, and horses in Wausau, Wisconsin in 1939. The following set of fifteen photos depicts a James M. Cole Circus parade in the same city, also in 1939. Then there are fifteen more photos of the Cole Bros. Circus in 1947, mostly showing trucks. There are twenty photos of Wirth Circus performers in Allentown, PA in 1947. Next are fourteen photos, mostly of Sparks Circus trucks and performers in 1947. After that, there twelve photos of the Holland Dutch Classic Circus in Allentown, PA in 1942, then nine photos of the Prof. Geo Keller Wild Animal Act in 1944, also in Allentown, PA. There are two typed pages of what appear to be lists of photographs, dated 1939 and 1936. After that are sixteen photos of the Cole Bros. Circus in Marshfield, WI in 1939. There are twelve photos, mostly of lions and tigers performing in a large cage from the Terrell Jacobs Wild Animal Act in Atlantic City, 1941. The following seven photos are of the Jack Hoxie Circus in 1937. There are twenty photos depicting the Col. Tim McCoy Real Wild West show. Then there is a typed list of what appear to be descriptions of photographs. Next, there are twenty-six 1952 photos of King Bros.-Cristiani trucks and a parade. Then there are eight photos of the Wallace Bros. circus and performers in 1944. Then there are photos of animals and spectators from the Parker-Watts Circus in 1939, the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus in 1937, the Dailey Bros. Circus in 1947, and finally the Clyde Beatty Circus in 1945.
Photo Album "16", 1899-1937
Summary
- Dates:
- 1899-1937
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos affixed to black paper. There are several lists of descriptions of photos available for sale tucked into the front pocket of the album. The first six photos in the album are of women on horses, from the Cole Bros. Circus in 1935. Next are fifteen photos of a Sparks Circus parade in 1927. Then there are fifteen photos of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus in Decater, IL. There are two photos from the Terrell Jacobs Circus in 1912. Next are fourteen photos of 1938 Hagenbeck-Wallace elephants, tents, and trains. The following twenty photos are smaller, mostly of Al G. Barnes animals. Then there are six 1912 photos of Howe’s Great London show in Ontario. There are eight photos of the Buffalo Bill show in 1911, then five of Forepaugh and Sells Bros. tents in 1910, three of the Ringling Bros. Circus in 1913, and three of the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1912. There is one photo each of a 1934 Hagenbeck-Wallace animal wagon; a 1929 Sparks Circus in Milwaukee, WI; Walter Main Circus flats being unloaded in 1918; Gollmar Bros. elephants in 1910; 101 Ranch Wild West Side Show spectators in 1911; and a 1910 Howe’s Great London tent. Then there are three photos of the John Robinson Circus in 1899 and 1901, one photo of 1914 Sells-Floto spectators in California, and finally three photos taken in Birmingham, AL of a Barnum & Bailey wagon and spectators in 1913 and 1901.
Photo Album "17"
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages. On the bottom half of each page in the album is one photo of a circus wagon. The top half of each page contains a detailed description of the wagon typed on yellow paper. There are many types of wagons from various circuses represented in this album.
Photo Album "18"
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a 3-ring binder with a tan pebbled-sand print on the front, edge, and back and the word TECHITE in red on the front and edge. It contains plastic photo pages and color photos affixed to black paper. The first twelve photos are of performers in the Wenatchee Youth Circus in Wenatchee, WA. Then there are sixteen photos of The Pickle Family Circus performances. The rest of the photos are all of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the San Diego Sports Arena. Most are of performances, and there are some photos of clowns and some of the parking lot.
Photo Album "19", 1926-1937
Summary
- Dates:
- 1926-1937
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos affixed to black paper. The first seven pages are of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey train cars and correspond to some of the lists of descriptions that are tucked into the front pocket of the album. However, several of the lists of photo descriptions do not appear to match any of the photos in the album. After the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey photos, there are thirty-nine photos of Al G. Barnes & Sells-Floto advertisements, trains, and wagons. Then there are another twenty-one photos of Al G. Barnes & Sells-Floto turcks, trains, and wagons in 1937. The following set of photos depicts Clyde Beatty-Russell Bros. Circus trucks and animals. Next, there are forty-six photos of a 101 Ranch Wild West parade. The last set of thirty photos shows Sparks Circus animals and wagons in 1926.
Photo Album "20", 1960s (Most)
Summary
- Dates:
- 1960s (Most)
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This album is a white 3-ring binder. Photos are glued onto black paper. Subjects of photos include circus aerialists, clowns, acrobats, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus wagons, Circo Bell's Hnos. wagons, A.G. Barnes circus wagons, Diamond Jim Parker, Westgate Park in San Diego. Many of the 8 x 10 black and white photographs of clowns are autographed to Everett M. Smith. Most of the photographs appear to be from the early 1960s.
Photo Album "21"
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This red three-ring binder consists of 27 double-sided black photo pages of 4 x 5 color photos, most of them appearing to be from one particular circus show., most likely Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. The photos depict clown acts, aerialists, acrobats, animal tricks, people riding elephants, etc. Some of the last few pages consist of photos which have been "tagged" with names: Lou Jacobs, Jim Parker, etc.
Photo Album "22"
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Scrapbook-style photo album with black pages and adhesive "corners"; many photos loose. All black and white photos, most unidentified. Several of Cole Bros. and Clyde Beatty's circuses-- mainly photos of wagons, tents, and animals.
Prints and Negatives
Contents
Aerialists and Trapeze Artists
Al G. Barnes Circus, 193[?]
Summary
- Dates:
- 193[?]
Al G. Barnes and Sells-Floto Circus, 1934, 1938
Summary
- Dates:
- 1934, 1938
Al G. Kelly & Miller Bros. Circus, March 1961, December 1971, October 1979
Summary
- Dates:
- March 1961, December 1971, October 1979
Allen Bros. Circus, 1985
Summary
- Dates:
- 1985
Alohaland Circus
American Continental
American Showtime Circus, January 2, 1989
Summary
- Dates:
- January 2, 1989
Animals
Arthur Bros. Circus
Atayde & Circo Union [MEXICAN]
Bailey Bros.
Barnum & Bailey Circus
Barnum's Kaleidoscope, May 1999
Summary
- Dates:
- May 1999
Bentley Bros. Circus
Beverly Park, Los Angeles, CA, 1950
Summary
- Dates:
- 1950
Big John Strong, November 1962, 1981
Summary
- Dates:
- November 1962, 1981
Bob Hunting's Circus, 1894
Summary
- Dates:
- 1894
Bob MacDougall Models
Bud E. Anderson's American Victory Circus, 1945
Summary
- Dates:
- 1945
Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, 1893
Summary
- Dates:
- 1893
Capell Bros. Circus, 1979
Summary
- Dates:
- 1979
Captain Osa Barada
Carnivals, February 10, 2001
Summary
- Dates:
- February 10, 2001
Carnival Museum
Carson and Barnes Circus, December 1967, 1993, 1997
Summary
- Dates:
- December 1967, 1993, 1997
Christy Bros. Circus, October 1967
Summary
- Dates:
- October 1967
Circo Atayde Hermanos
Circo Tihany
Circus Chimera
Circus Circus Casino
Circus Eos [CANADIAN], 2002
Summary
- Dates:
- 2002
Circus Hall of Fame, 1947-1956, 1971, 1981
Summary
- Dates:
- 1947-1956, 1971, 1981
Circus Hall of Fame Wagons, 1971
Summary
- Dates:
- 1971
Circus Lithos
Circus Model Builders Convention, 1972
Summary
- Dates:
- 1972
Circus Promo, 1981
Summary
- Dates:
- 1981
Circus Vargas, 1974-1990s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1974-1990s
Circus Wagons
Circus World
Circus World Museum, July 1966, January 1969, 1990
Summary
- Dates:
- July 1966, January 1969, 1990
Circus Vargas, 1987. 1992
Summary
- Dates:
- 1987. 1992
Clowns
Clowns - Ernie "Blinko" Burch
Clowns - Jake Posey
Clowns - Lou Jacobs
Clowns - Mark Anthony
Clowns - Ringling Bros.
Clowns - Zapateen and Nikoleen
Clyde Beatty Circus, 1945-1956
Summary
- Dates:
- 1945-1956
Clyde Beatty & Cole Bros. Circus, 1965-2002
Summary
- Dates:
- 1965-2002
Clyde Bros. Circus, 1966
Summary
- Dates:
- 1966
Cole Bros. Circus, July 1, 1945
Summary
- Dates:
- July 1, 1945
Cristiani Bros. Circus, October 1968
Summary
- Dates:
- October 1968
Frank Crumrine Circus Crafts
Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, March 1988, April 4 1996
Summary
- Dates:
- March 1988, April 4 1996
Dailey Bros. Circus, 1945, 1948
Summary
- Dates:
- 1945, 1948
Dam Bros.
Dodson's Imperial Shows
Downie Bros. Circus
East County Fair, early 1960's
Summary
- Dates:
- early 1960's
Europeroma Circus
Foley & Burke Shows/Carnival, 1949
Summary
- Dates:
- 1949
Franzen Bros. Circus
Frisco-Morton Circus
Funtastic Shows
Gentry Bros. Circus, 190[9?], 1921
Summary
- Dates:
- 190[9?], 1921
Gollmar Bros. Circus, 1947
Summary
- Dates:
- 1947
Goodman Shows
Great American Circus, March 4 1987, October 8 1988, 1991
Summary
- Dates:
- March 4 1987, October 8 1988, 1991
Hagen Bros
Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, 1962, 1967, 1968, 1969
Summary
- Dates:
- 1962, 1967, 1968, 1969
Hanneford Circus, 1992
Summary
- Dates:
- 1992
House on the Rock
Howard Bros. Circus
Howe's Great London
Hoxie Bros. Circus
Hoxie and Great American Circus
James Bros. Circus
James E. Strates Carnival, 2000-2001
Summary
- Dates:
- 2000-2001
James E. Strates Shows, 1971
Summary
- Dates:
- 1971
John Pawling Circus Ring
John Ward Shows
Jordan International, 1990, 1993
Summary
- Dates:
- 1990, 1993
Jungleland, Thousand Oaks, CA, 1964
Summary
- Dates:
- 1964
Kay's Circus, November 1967
Summary
- Dates:
- November 1967
Kelly-Miller Bros. Circus, July 1961
Summary
- Dates:
- July 1961
Kings Bros. Circus [MEXICAN]
King Bros. & Cristiani Circus, May 23, 1953
Summary
- Dates:
- May 23, 1953
Knott's Berry Farm
Circus Lithos
Bob MacDougall Models
Miscellaneous Photos
Model Builders and Models, 1980-1998
Summary
- Dates:
- 1980-1998
Naughtin's Bears
Negatives Misc.
Norris and Rowe
Oscarian Brothers, 1983
Summary
- Dates:
- 1983
Pacific Ocean Park, Santa Monica, CA
Parker Bros. - Jim Parker
Paul Eagles' Circus Luncheon
Photo Album Pages
Photo Sets, 1970s-1980s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1970s-1980s
Background
- Scope and content:
-
There are seven envelopes of color snapshots in this box-- kept together with the rolls of negatives that originally accompanied them in ziplock bags. The subjects consist mainly of circus wagons from one or more circuses or parades. The first two envelopes contain photos from a circus at Navy Pier in Chicago in what appears to be the 1970s.
Polack Bros. Circus
Reithoffer
Rex Williams, 1985
Summary
- Dates:
- 1985
Rimwood Circus, 1992
Summary
- Dates:
- 1992
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1945-1995
Summary
- Dates:
- 1945-1995
Ringling Circus Museum
Robbins Bros. Circus, 1930s, 1960s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1930s, 1960s
Roberts Bros. Circus, 1981-1996
Summary
- Dates:
- 1981-1996
Rodgers Bros.
Rodgers Bros. Circus, 1946-1954
Summary
- Dates:
- 1946-1954
Royal American Shows, 1986, April 2 1994, 1998
Summary
- Dates:
- 1986, April 2 1994, 1998
Rudy Bros. Circus, March 1962,1977
Summary
- Dates:
- March 1962,1977
Sarasota, Fla. Circus Parade, 1989
Summary
- Dates:
- 1989
Sarasota Showfolks Circus, 1988
Summary
- Dates:
- 1988
Sarasota Street Parade, 1989
Summary
- Dates:
- 1989
Seil-Sterling Circus, 1937-1938
Summary
- Dates:
- 1937-1938
Sells & Gray Circus, 1964, April 1972
Summary
- Dates:
- 1964, April 1972
Sells-Floto Circus, 1915, 1920-1929, 1928, July 1964
Summary
- Dates:
- 1915, 1920-1929, 1928, July 1964
Semon's Chimps
Siebrand Circus & Carnival, AZ (McDonald Elephant Act), 1951
Summary
- Dates:
- 1951
Circo Tihany
Toby Tyler Circus
Turner Bros. Circus, 1957-1958
Summary
- Dates:
- 1957-1958
Von Bros. Circus, 1965
Summary
- Dates:
- 1965
Walker Bros. Circus, October 21 1995, 1998
Summary
- Dates:
- October 21 1995, 1998
Wallace Bros. Circus, 1922, 1940
Summary
- Dates:
- 1922, 1940
Wallace & Clark Circus, 1960
Summary
- Dates:
- 1960
Wallenda Circus, 1993
Summary
- Dates:
- 1993
Weber Bros. Circus, 1959
Summary
- Dates:
- 1959
Western-Pacific Carnival
Williams-Althoff Circus, 1970
Summary
- Dates:
- 1970
Slides
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Most of the slides in this series came from boxes which had some identification -- usually the name of a circus. Those that did not have identification were grouped in loose topics such as "circus wagons" or were put in folders as "Unidentified."
Contents
Chicago- Views and Circus Parade
Circus Hall of Fame
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Sarasota, Florida
Circus Museum, 1966 July 6
Summary
- Dates:
- 1966 July 6
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Baraboo, Wisconsin
Circus Parade
Circus Parade #1, 1966 July 4
Summary
- Dates:
- 1966 July 4
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Circus Parade #2, 1966 July 3
Summary
- Dates:
- 1966 July 3
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Lake Front, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Circus Vargas, 1979
Summary
- Dates:
- 1979
Circus Wagons, 1966 July 3-8
Summary
- Dates:
- 1966 July 3-8
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Milwaukee Lake Front, Wisconsin
Milwaukee Parade
Old Time Circus
Parade Slides- Chicago
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1970
Summary
- Dates:
- 1970
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1979
Summary
- Dates:
- 1979
Background
- Scope and content:
-
San Diego, California
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1979
Summary
- Dates:
- 1979
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1979
Summary
- Dates:
- 1979
Ringling Bros, Clyde Beatty, Cole Bros.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Portland, Oregon
Ringling Bros., Graham Bros., James Bros.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Los Angeles, California
James Bros: San Diego, California
Royal American Shows
Unidentified
Audio-Visual Materials
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Audio-visual materials in this collection range from old-fashioned reels of film and filmstrips to computer disks. Descriptions for the audiocassette tapes, reel-to-reel audiotapes, and some of the videotapes were taken from notes written on the boxes or the tapes themselves. Information for the film reels, filmstrips, phonograph records, computer disks, and the commercial videotapes was copied from the commercial box or album cover. All of the items are circus-related, with much of the audio materials consisting of circus and parade music.
Contents
Audiocassette Tapes
Contents
100 Birthday Performance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
Barnum's Kaleidoscape, 1999
Summary
- Dates:
- 1999
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Feld's Under Canvas Show
Calliope Music
Calliope Music
Calliope Music
Background
- Scope and content:
-
A: Calliope Music, Circus Music
B: Old Calliope Music at the Fair, Singing Ringmaster Harold Ronk
Circus Family
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Del Molinas
Circus Music, 1977
Summary
- Dates:
- 1977
Background
- Scope and content:
-
1: Ringling Bros.
2: Barnum & Bailey
Circus Parade, 1980 July 5
Summary
- Dates:
- 1980 July 5
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Baraboo, Wisconsin
Circus Sounds, 1981 May 23
Summary
- Dates:
- 1981 May 23
Background
- Scope and content:
-
1: Circus Sounds
2: Payoff for Ward Hall and Jay Marshall, 22 May 1981
Circus Tapes
Background
- Scope and content:
-
A: Circus Tapes
B: Foreigner Circus
Circus Vargas: West Covina, CA, 1976 April 5
Summary
- Dates:
- 1976 April 5
Background
- Scope and content:
-
8 PM
Circus Vargas: Carlsbad, CA, 1977 May 16
Summary
- Dates:
- 1977 May 16
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Opening Night. Mr. Cliff Vargas announcing 1st half. Lights go out. Patron has heart attack in box seats. Side show in San Diego.
Circus Vargas: Carlsbad, CA, 1977 June 16
Summary
- Dates:
- 1977 June 16
Background
- Scope and content:
-
1: Circus Vargas
2: Side Show Blow Off and Performance
Vargas: San Diego, 1978
Summary
- Dates:
- 1978
CV [Circus Vargas], 1980
Summary
- Dates:
- 1980
Vargas, 1980
Summary
- Dates:
- 1980
Clyde Beatty, 1978
Summary
- Dates:
- 1978
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Roger Boyd- Rossi Band
Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros
Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros: Miami, FL, 1974 December
Summary
- Dates:
- 1974 December
Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros: Pensacola, FL, 1993 October 2
Summary
- Dates:
- 1993 October 2
Cole Bros Circus: Akron, OH, 1948
Summary
- Dates:
- 1948
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Bandmaster: Henry Keys, Announcer: Harry Thomas
Cole Bros Circus Band
Background
- Scope and content:
-
A: Charlie Scharlbaum- Cole Bros Circus Band. Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Band 1940 with Merle Evans as bandmaster.
B: Hope and Crosby sing their best.
Cristiani Bros Circus Under Canvas, 1959, 1955
Summary
- Dates:
- 1959, 1955
Background
- Scope and content:
-
1: Cristiani Bros Circus Under Canvas 1959
3: Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus Under Canvas 1955. Miami, FL.
Cristiani Bros Circus Under Canvas
Background
- Scope and content:
-
2: Cristiani Bros Circus Under Canvas 1959
European Circus
Fitch Bandwagon-NBC, 1943 April 18
Summary
- Dates:
- 1943 April 18
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Merle Evans- Ringling/Barnum Band
Gatti-Charles Circus, 1976 June 13
Summary
- Dates:
- 1976 June 13
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Sunday Matinee. Civic Auditorium. San Francisco, CA.
The Greatest Show on Earth
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Side 3 & 4
Highlights of Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Background
- Scope and content:
-
With Ben Vereen
King Bros Circus, 16 March 1973
Summary
- Dates:
- 16 March 1973
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Tallahassee, FL. 4 piece band. 4:00 PM matinee. Midway-sideshow-performance.
King-Cristinani Circus Performance, 1953
Summary
- Dates:
- 1953
Main Street Band Plays Circus, 1993 December
Summary
- Dates:
- 1993 December
Movie GSOE [Greatest Show on Earth]
Parade
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Blue Show, 1976
Summary
- Dates:
- 1976
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Opening spec
1. Polar bear got trained by Ursula Bottche
2. Elvan Bales motorcycle act
3. Bare Back Riders- Side two
4. Clowns
5. King Charles Troupe
6. Micki- smallest man
7. Teeter board
8. Berde Horses
9. Single Trapeze
RBBB: Long Beach, CA
Background
- Scope and content:
-
#1 of 2
RBBB: Long Beach, CA
Background
- Scope and content:
-
#2 of 2
RB+BB: Long Beach, CA
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Kevin and Ralph.
Ursula Bottecher and polar bears act
Perch act
Elephants: Red, White, Blue Rampage
High wire
Flying trapeze
Closing spec.
RB+BB Circus Under Canvas: Miami, FL, 1955 November
Summary
- Dates:
- 1955 November
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Sides 1 & 2
RB+BB 1955 Performance: Miami, FL, 1955, 1973
Summary
- Dates:
- 1955, 1973
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Part 3 of RB+BB 1955 Miami, FL. Also includes Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros 1973 Springfield, OH.
RB+BB 1955 Performance: Miami, FL, 1955
Summary
- Dates:
- 1955
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Merle Evans. Under canvas- big stars. Trevor Bale, Pinto Del Oror, Takeo Usia, the Nocks & Wendenys, Marion Shubert, Charlie Miyoshi, Josephine Bersoni, Highwire & UNOS [?]
Ringling, 1973
Summary
- Dates:
- 1973
Ringling, 1973
Summary
- Dates:
- 1973
Ringling: Long Beach, CA, 1975
Summary
- Dates:
- 1975
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Sides 3 & 4
Ringling: Long Beach, CA, 1975
Summary
- Dates:
- 1975
RB+BB: Long Beach, CA
Ringling Bros- Blue, 1984
Summary
- Dates:
- 1984
Background
- Scope and content:
-
With Barbara Mandrell as host
Screamers- Circus Music
Background
- Scope and content:
-
A tribute to Merle Evans
Slitz Circus Parade
Background
- Scope and content:
-
40 Horse Hitch
Sounds of the Circus, 1999
Summary
- Dates:
- 1999
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Circus Marches. South Shore Concert Band. Richad Whitmarsh.
Sousa Marches, 1985
Summary
- Dates:
- 1985
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Boston Pops Orchestra. Arthur Fiedler, conductor.
Reel-to-Reel Audiotapes
Contents
A Christmas Carol, 1939
Summary
- Dates:
- 1939
Circus Vargas, 16 May 1977
Summary
- Dates:
- 16 May 1977
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Opening Nite- Carlsbad, CA.
Cliff Vargas announcing 1st half- "Lights Go Out- Patron Has Heart Attack"
Side Show- Opening & Closing- San Diego, May 15
Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros Circus, 1 August 1973
Summary
- Dates:
- 1 August 1973
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Charles Schlarbaum. Springfield, OH.
Cole Bros, 1948, 1962
Summary
- Dates:
- 1948, 1962
Background
- Scope and content:
-
A lot of old circus music on this tape.
Side 1: Cole Bros 1948. Henry Kyes, Bandmaster. Harry Thomas, Director.
Side 2: Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey 1962 Program.
Last part Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey 1940 circus music
Cristiani Bros Circus, 1959
Summary
- Dates:
- 1959
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Master Tape
Cristiani Bros Circus, 1959
Summary
- Dates:
- 1959
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Daviso Duped on both sides
GSOE [Greatest Show on Earth] Movie Soundtrack, 1970-1973
Summary
- Dates:
- 1970-1973
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Side 1: GSOE Movie Soundtrack.
GSOE, L.A. Preview (July 1970)
GSOE, Preview (20 January 1971)
Side 2:
Geo Plimpton ABT TV Clyde Beatty Circus (2 February 1971)
GSOE Preview, Blue (27 February 1972)
GSOE Preview, Red (23 February 1973)
King Brothers Circus, 16 March 1973
Summary
- Dates:
- 16 March 1973
Background
- Scope and content:
-
First part of tape bad, have patience.
4:00 PM Matinee. 4 piece band. Tallahassee, FL.
Midway-Sideshow-Performance.
Leccion 2: A donde van?
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Ejercicios: Imitacion, Preguntas y Respuestas, Aplicacion, Reconstrucion, Naracion
Maryland Ave School
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Both sides.
Side 1: Circus Music. Continuous (repetitive) circus band music for PTA carnival use, etc.
Merle Evans, 1946-1950
Summary
- Dates:
- 1946-1950
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Side 1: Merle Evans- Concert Lot of Oldies.
(Has music for Altoff tiger and horse act. Also, two songs played a lot on Dailey Bros Circus 1946-1950)
Side 2: Circus (old 78's)
Mills Bros Circus, 1948-1963
Summary
- Dates:
- 1948-1963
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Circus (RBBNB 1962, Cole 1948, Grott 1960, Mills 1963)
Side 1:
Mills Bros Circus (1963)
Elephants
Polack Bros Calliope (1963)
Polack Bros Circus (1959)
Henry Kyes, Director
Grotto Circus. Cleveland. (1960)
Carl Stern, PM Radio Show
Grotto Circus (1959)
Merle Evans, Director
Poem- Col. Harry Thomas
Side 2:
Cole Bros Circus (1948)
Henry Kyes, Director
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey (1962)
Merle Evans, Director
Old Clyde Beatty Movie
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Side 1:
Shirley Temple
Ed Sullivan Salutes Irving Berlin
Side 2:
Finian's Rainbow
Old Clyde Beatty Movie- Track 2
RBBB- Artistic Gadfog
Old Time Radio
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1955
Summary
- Dates:
- 1955
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Time cut from original tape:
Nock
Moroski horses
Hawaii
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1955
Summary
- Dates:
- 1955
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Reel 1, 2 sides.
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1955
Summary
- Dates:
- 1955
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Reel 2, 1 side.
Good, starts with Charlie Moroski Liberty Act.
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1951-1962
Summary
- Dates:
- 1951-1962
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Side 1:
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Evans (1962)
2nd half Ringling Bros 1951 Album
"Roll out the Sky" TV Show- Charles Van Dorn
The Cristiani Family on Cristiani Bros Circus
Polack Bros Circus. Henry Kyes, Cond/Dick Slayton. Cleveland (1951)
Announcer-Soundtrack-GSOE [Greatest Show on Earth] CB De Mille[?]
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus Performance, 1966
Summary
- Dates:
- 1966
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Los Angeles, CA. Sports Arena.
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus Performance, 1966
Summary
- Dates:
- 1966
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Master tape. Los Angeles, CA. Sports Arena.
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, 27 July 1968
Summary
- Dates:
- 27 July 1968
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Inglewood, CA. The Forum.
Running time: 2 hrs, 31 mins.
Ringling Bros Circus Highlights 1968, 22 March 1963
Summary
- Dates:
- 22 March 1963
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Mike Douglas, MC.
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, Red Unit, 1975
Summary
- Dates:
- 1975
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Red Unit. Performance.
Long Beach, CA. 8:00 PM. 2 hrs, 45 mins.
(Wolfgang Holimair repeated side 2)
Tribute to Merle Evans, 17 March 1974, 1971
Summary
- Dates:
- 17 March 1974, 1971
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Side 1:
Tribute to Merle Evans- 4 records
Side 2:
Tribute to Merle Evans- cont'd
Circus Clown Calliope (one side of record)
Watchee Youth Circus Band (1971)
Unidentified
Background
- Scope and content:
-
3 reels of unidentified audiotape: 2 7-inch reels and 1 5-inch reel. Reels were left in their original boxes.
Videotapes
Contents
119th Edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1989 May 15
Summary
- Dates:
- 1989 May 15
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Great Circuses of the World, 1989 July 2
Big Apple Circus- New York, 1988
Summary
- Dates:
- 1988
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Box says "Big Apple Circus--New York, Christmas Show 1988. Actual tape says "Circus Kinoshita--Kyoto, Japan, Feb 26, 1987, Great Circuses of the World."
Bob's Train Layout, 2003 February
Summary
- Dates:
- 2003 February
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Before Feb. 2003 (54 mins)
After 2nd floor addition (7 mins)
Buffalo Bill's Wild West, 1994
Summary
- Dates:
- 1994
Background
- Scope and content:
-
2-tape set
Carson & Barnes Circus, 1997
Summary
- Dates:
- 1997
Background
- Scope and content:
-
1997 Carson & Barnes Circus (Run Away with C&B)
Wayne Franzen Memorial on CNN TV (1997 May 10)
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey special on "48 Hours" (1997 May 22)
Circus Movies from Kent Ghirard, 1982-1984
Summary
- Dates:
- 1982-1984
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Circus movies from Kent Ghirard put on video and copied by Jim Parker for Ralph Rodgers 1988 June 13-- Happy viewing Ralph.
Baraboo (1982)
Carson & Barnes (1982)
Circus World in Florida (1982)
Franzen Bros. Circus (1984)
Circus World Museum (1984)
Ringling Centennial Parade (1984) Baraboo
Parker Collection
Circus Vagabonds, 1996 January 14
Summary
- Dates:
- 1996 January 14
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Various old time tent shows including Cole Bros. Circus train and lot scenes, copied 1996 January 14.
Dory Miller's Funeral, 1989-1999
Summary
- Dates:
- 1989-1999
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Dory Miller's Funeral (1999)
Assorted circuses (1989) Merriweather, Culpepper, Franzen Bros., Kelly-Miller, Hanneford, Great American Circus
Duggan Bros.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Arnold Maley CFA Tent No. 116. Atlanta, Georgia with Joe Bradbury-- video #5
Emmett Kelly Jr's Circus, 1981
Summary
- Dates:
- 1981
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Starring Anthony Newley as the Ringmaster. Featuring Loretta Swit.
George Hubler International Circus, 1952
Summary
- Dates:
- 1952
Background
- Scope and content:
-
George Hubler's Personal Tour, summer of 1952. Clyde Beatty Circus, World's Greatest Trained Wild Animal Show, Last Great 15 Car Railroad Show. Extra: 2nd Edition, contains stills of original Sparks Wagons and last draft horse team with Clyde Beatty.
Great American Carnivals, Vol. 1
Hagenbeck-Wallace, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros.
John Wayne in Circus World, 1964
Summary
- Dates:
- 1964
Background
- Scope and content:
-
2-tape set
Moscow Circus on Ice
Old Circus Scenes from 1920s, 1920s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1920s
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Very old 1920s + Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Cole, Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus scenes. Copied 1988 July 13 by Jim Parker.
Old Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, 1938-1940
Summary
- Dates:
- 1938-1940
Background
- Scope and content:
-
1938-1940s with Joe Bradbury. 1991.
Old Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Tape, 1933
Summary
- Dates:
- 1933
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1940-1960
Summary
- Dates:
- 1940-1960
Background
- Scope and content:
-
1940s, 1950s, 1960s, Vol. 2.
Copied 1991 May from Jim Parker's collection.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1950s
Summary
- Dates:
- 1950s
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey 133rd Edition Souvenir Video, 2003
Summary
- Dates:
- 2003
Robbins Bros. Circus with Hoot Gibson, 1938
Summary
- Dates:
- 1938
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Season Highlights for 1938
Cole Bros. Circus and Clyde Beatty's Gigantic Trained Wild Animal Exhibition, Hagenbeck-Wallace, Col. Tim McCoy's Read Wild West and Rough Riders of the World
Sleepless in Sarasota
Background
- Scope and content:
-
George Hubler
Son-of-Mud Shows, Vol. 2
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Wallace Bros, Dailey Bros, Austin Bros, Cyde Bros, Bud C. Anderson, Victory Circus, Cole Bros, Kelly-Miller 50's, Clyde Beatty Railroad, King Bros, Arthur Bros, Austin Bros, Russell Bros, Stevens Bros, Famous Cole, Mills Bros, Grand Old Opry Circus, and more, more, more...
Souier[?] Circus
Toby Tyler Circus Documentary, 1994
Summary
- Dates:
- 1994
Background
- Scope and content:
-
American International Entertainment Corporation (Dick Garden) October 1994
Tommy Hanneford Circus with Mark Karoly, 1957
Summary
- Dates:
- 1957
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Ward Hall Side Show
Weird Homes TV Show- Jim Parker's place
Film reels
Contents
Al G. Barnes, 1937
Summary
- Dates:
- 1937
Background
- Scope and content:
-
8 mm, 5 inches diameter. Non-commercial reel.
Behind the Big Top, 1943, 1967
Summary
- Dates:
- 1943, 1967
Background
- Scope and content:
-
8 mm, 5 inches diameter. Copyright Warner Bros. Pictures, 1943; Adaptation @ copyright United Artists Corporation, 1967.
Circus Jamboree
Background
- Scope and content:
-
8 mm film, 5 inches diameter. Castle Films.
Circus Thrills: Great Acts of the Center Ring
Background
- Scope and content:
-
8 mm, 5 inches diameter. Castle Films.
Downie-Barnett Circuses, 1935
Summary
- Dates:
- 1935
Background
- Scope and content:
-
8 mm film, 5 inches diameter. Plain box (non-commercial).
Fun at the Circus
Background
- Scope and content:
-
8-mm film, 3 inches diameter. Castle Films, Produced by United World Films, Inc.
The Greatest Show On Earth, 1952
Summary
- Dates:
- 1952
Background
- Scope and content:
-
8 mm film, 5 inches diameter. Film by Cecil B. DeMille, starring Charlton Heston, James Stewart, Betty Hutton. Volume 1 and 2 (2 reels).
King of the Jungle
Background
- Scope and content:
-
8 mm, 5 inches diameter. Film with Buster Crabbe. Castle Films.
Filmstrips
Contents
Circus Family
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Five Families
SF 90
Produced by Scholastic Magazines, Inc.
Greatest Show on Earth
Phonograph Records
Contents
America - Steam Calliope Concert
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Side 1: "America - Steam Calliope Concert Side 2: "American - Steam Calliope Concert
Brass Whistles Somers Steam Calliope
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Record only; no cover. Cuca Record. Sauk City, Wisconsin.
Calliope Capers
Background
- Scope and content:
-
By Juanita Beck, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Circus
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Band Conducted by Merle Evans - Bandmaster 4 Record Set Set C-58 Columbia Records
Circus Band
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Directed by Russell Darr. Clyde Beatty and Cole Bros. Under the Big Top.
Circus Calliope
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Two record set. 1974
Circus Calliope
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Recorded by Paul R. Eakins' Gay 90s Village, Inc. Artists: Gene Crump and Ted MArtin. 1972
Circus Carnival Calliope
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Featuring the Circus Calliopes at Paul Eakins' Gay 90s Village. Sikeston, Missouri. 1961
Circus Favorites
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Sauk County Circus Band, directed by Frank L. Van Epps. "A Day in Old Milwaukee" circus parade.
The Circus is in Town!
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Carl Stevens' Marching Band.
Circus Music
Summary
- Extent:
- 2 copies
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Band, conducted by Merle Evans.
Circus Spectacular
Summary
- Extent:
- 2 copies
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, directed by Merle Evans.
Circus Time
Summary
- Extent:
- 3 copies
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Band, conducted by Merle Evans.
Clayton County Windjammers Holiday, Volume 1
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Jacket only; no record. Duggan Bros. Tent 116, Circus Fans Association of America presents Merle Evans.
Clayton County Windjammers Holiday, Volume 2
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Duggan Bros. Tent 116, Circus Fans Association of America presents Merle Evans.
The Clown and the Kids
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Words and Music by Tony Velona. Arranged by Artie Beck. Jazz Philharmonic of Sofia. The original sountrack from the motion picture starring Emmett Kelly, co-starring Kathy Dunn and Burt Stratford.
County Fair
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Ken Griffin at the Organ.
"Over the Waves."
"Whispering."
"Black Beauty March."
"Beer Barrel Polka,"
""In the Grand Old Summertime."
"I'm Confessin'."
Crazy Calliope Music
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Featuring Margie Meinert at the Wurlitzer Steam Calliope. 1957
A Day at the Circus with "Mr. Singing Ringmaster"
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Featuring Harold Ronk of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Arranged and conducted by Noel Regney. 1962
De Wayne Bros Circus Presents Circus Melodies
Background
- Scope and content:
-
De Wayne Bros. Circus Circus Melodies Harry J. Jenkins - Circus Organist Side 1: 1. Calliope 2. Overture 3. The Trampolinists 4. Trapeze Artist 5. Military Ponies 6. The Clowns 7. The Aerial Ladders Side 2: 1. Overture 2. Trained Dogs 3. The Elephant 4. Trained Ape
An Evening with Merle Evans, Part 1
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Record only; no cover. Mid-west Band and Orchestra Clinic and the "Old Pro's" Band. Recruited by Paul Yoder. 1968
An Evening with Merle Evans, Part 2
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Record only; no cover. Mid-west Band and Orchestra Clinic and the "Old Pro's" Band. Recruited by Paul Yoder. 1968
Jim Dale in the new musical Barnum
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Directed and staged by Joe Layton. Produced for records by Cy Coleman and Mike Berniker. 1980
The Magic World of Circuses and Clowns
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Featuring Robert Q. Lewis as the narrator. Narration written by Richard Kleiner. Music by The Circus Band under the direction of Hank Sylvern.
March Along Polka Style
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Schell's Hobo Band
Merle Evans in the Center Ring
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Record only; no cover. Presented by Duggan Bros. Tent #116
Music from the Big Top
Background
- Scope and content:
-
With Merle Evans and his all-star band. Arranged by Merle Evans.
The Ol' Calliope Man at the Fair
Summary
- Extent:
- 2 copies
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Sande & Greene Fun-Time Band. Created and produced by Bob Sande and Larry Greene.
Old Time Circus Calliope
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Record only; no cover.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Band
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Conducted by Merle Evans.
Samuel Bronston's Circus World
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Music composed and conducted by Dimitri Tiomkin
Screamers Circus Marches
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Frederick Fennell conducting the Eastman Wind Ensemble.
A Tribute to Merle Evans
Background
- Scope and content:
-
An Anthology of Circus Music New England Conservatory Series 5 Record Set
Walt Disney's Story of Toby Tyler in the Circus
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Narrator: Henry Calvin.
Computer Disks, 2001
Summary
- Dates:
- 2001
Contents
Greatest Show on Earth, 2001
Summary
- Dates:
- 2001
Background
- Scope and content:
-
CD-ROM disk of "The Greatest Show on Earth" by JumpStart Learning System.
Ephemera
Background
- Scope and content:
-
There are a few truly ephemeral items in this series such as circus decals and popcorn boxes, but the majority of the series consists of colorful circus posters of many different circuses spanning at least five decades. Many of the older ones are in poor condition due to their previous storage but were kept for their rarity or the short-livedness of the circus such as the Dailey Bros. Circus in the 1940s.
Contents
Decals
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Silver Springs, Florida; Circus World Museum (2)
Sarasota, Florida; flag, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (2 sheets, total of 4 stickers)
Postcards
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This small box of postcards contains mainly circus-related cards, some addressed and some unaddressed. There are also 26 postcards, grouped together in one envelope the way that Ralph Rodgers kept them, of European images such as locations in France, Austria, Germany, etc. These cards were sent from clown Jake Posey to his wife between 1900 and 1908 when he was traveling with the Barnum & Bailey circus and they were both in Europe.
Popcorn Boxes
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Two cardboard popcorn boxes-- James Bros. Circus, and King Bros. Circus/ Sells and Gray
Coca-Cola Advertisement
Magazine posters and pictures
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Three large folded color posters; several small pictures torn from magazines and calendars. Most circus or animal-themed.
Miscellaneous
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Membership cards for Ralph Rodgers and other small miscellaneous cards.
Sign- Big John Strong Circus
Stationery
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Unused writing paper and envelopes with various circus addresses and logos: Clyde Beatty--Cole Bros. Circus, Monte Carlo Festival Cirque Spectacular, Culpepper-Merriweather Circus, Hamid Circus Royale, Royal Rajah Circus, Circus Model Builders and Owners Association, The Great Hippodrome, The John Pawling Circus, The American Circus Corporation, California Circus Corporation, Big John Strong, Karland's 3-Ring Magic Circus, Circus Vargas, Circus Historical Society, Bell Bros. Circus, Circus Fans Association of America, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Jake Posey, Circus Genoa.
Certificates, 1957-1998
Summary
- Dates:
- 1957-1998
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Four membership certificates awarded to Ralph Rodgers:
1) Circus Historical Society, 1962
2) Circus Model Builders and Owners Association, 1957
3) World War II Memorial Society, 1997
4) Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, 1999 (with form letter from Thomas A. Pouliot, Commander-in-Chief)
Posters
Contents
Al Bahr Shrine Circus
Al G. Kelly & Miller Bros. Circus
Al Kader Shrine Circus
Barnum and Bailey Circus
Bentley Bros. Circus
Big Apple Circus
Big John Strong Circus
Buffalo Bill's Wild West
Carson & Barnes Circus
The Circus
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Attatched to cover.
Sells-Floto Super Circus: 2nd Biggest Show on Earth, Sells-Floto Super Circus, The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Forepaugh & Sells Brothers, Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, Ringling Bros: Big Bingo, Ringling Bros
The Circus (laminated posters)
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Laminated.
Sells-Floto Super Circus: 2nd Biggest Show on Earth, Sells-Floto Super Circus, The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Forepaugh & Sells Brothers, Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, Ringling Bros: Big Bingo, Ringling Bros
Circus Chimera
Circus Circus
Circus Vargas
Clyde Bros.-Cole Beatty Circus
Cole Bros. Circus
Cristiani Bros. Circus
Cristiani Wallace Bros. Circus
Dailey Bros.
Egypt Temple Shrine Circus
El Zaribah Shrine Circus
Ford Bros. Circus
Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus
Hoxie Bros. Circus
International All-Star Circus
James Bros. Circus
Jordan World Circus
Jungleland Circus
Kay Bros. Circus
King Bros. Circus
Las Cruces Shrine Circus
Miscellaneous Posters
Background
- Scope and content:
-
May all your days be circus days, Southwestern College (x2), West Coast Shows
Miller-Johnson Circus
Moscow Circus
Old Time Circus Posters
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Ringling Bros., Adam Forepaugh & Sells Bros., The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, Al G. Barnes Circus, The Great Adam Forepaugh Shows
Pickle Family Circus
Ringling Bros. Circus
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Rudy Bros. Circus
Sells-Floto Circus
Sells & Gray Circus
Turner Bros.
Artifacts
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The materials in this series consist mainly of small items such as souvenir patches and exhibitor ribbons from model builder conventions. There are a few plaques, frames, and metal circus signs, but most of the true circus model artifacts did not come with the collection.
Contents
American flags
Background
- Scope and content:
-
9 small American flags
Ball-point pens
Background
- Scope and content:
-
13 ball-point pens with erasers: Big John Strong (5); Pat Rodgers and Rodgers Bros. (8)
Button pins: Carson & Barnes
Background
- Scope and content:
-
2 circular yellow buttons for Carson & Barnes
Cloth sign: Al G. Barnes
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Hand lettered and drawn sign for "The Al G. Barns Big 3-ring Wild Animal Circus. The show thats differnt." [sic]
Patches
Background
- Scope and content:
-
6 patches: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey (3); Al G. Barnes Ring (3)
Plaques & Frames
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Framed picture of a clown in a blue hat, yellow shirt, and red cape holding a white dog in one arm and pointing at it with the other.
Plaques:
"Elephant Brass Band" (Ringling Bros., World's Greatest Shows)
"Twelve Different Kinds of Music" (depicts three teams of horses dragging three wagons)
Man standing on back of black horse. A crowd and a man on a stand holding a ring in background.
Newspaper print (International Allied Shows! Great London Circus. Electric Light!)
"Jumbo" (P.T. Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth & the Great London Circus combined with Sanger's Royal British Menagerie & Grand International Allied Shows. Depicts a crowd of children on the back of an elepahnt. Large plaque.)
Patriotic circus wagon (large plaque, green/gray background, no words)
Pocket buttons
Background
- Scope and content:
-
12 white metal pocket buttons with the words "We're going to the Shrine Circus" and pictures of a hippo, giraffe, tiger, and man's head.
Rodgers Bros. Circus: Sign
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Raised white wooden letters on orange cardboard background.
Ceramic Clown Head
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Painted ceramic clown head. Three dimensional, but the back is flat and has a metal ring, presumably for hanging on a wall. The face is flesh colored. Red nose, cheeks, and hair. Yellow and green hat and neck ruffle.
License Plate: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Background
- Scope and content:
-
White metal license plate with red and blue stripes bordering the top and bottom. The numbers "1776" and "1976" run vertically down the left and right edges. In the middle of the plate, there's a yellow blob with "Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus" in blue letters. Other words on the plate: "The greatest show on Earth," "Bicentennial Edition," and "The greatest nation on Earth". There's a horse and rider outlined in blue near the left side and a small parade of elephants, people, and horses in blue near the bottom.
Metal Sign: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
Name badges and ribbons
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Most ribbons/badges indicate Circus Model Builders conventions with names of Ralph Rodgers or Mary Ann Rodgers. One ribbon is for Louis W. Kreischer, Circus Historical Society National Convention, 1949.
Playing cards: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Deck of playing cards in plastic box. Has the words "Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey, Circus World" and a picture of two lions.
Sign: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
Souvenir Pencil & Flag
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Long souvenir pencil with felt Ringling Circus Museum pennant attached.
American Flag
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Small American flag on 18" stick.
Tents
Trunk
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Metal red circus trunk with the lettering "Turner Bros. Dog and Pony Show."
Trunk
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Large red metal trunk with lettering "Rodgers Bros. Circus."
Costumes and Textiles
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This series is comprised of a few articles of "circus clothing" and some large textiles that may have been used as banners or blankets. It is not known who wore the clothing consisting chiefly of jackets, capes, and a pair of yellow pants. Also included in this series are a few cloth (felt) pennants.
Contents
Costumes
Contents
Carson & Barnes Cap
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Trucker-style cap, yellow in front with red mesh and a red rim. Has the words "Carson & Barnes, America's largest wild animal, Circus. Under the biggest big top on earth." There is a tiger depicted in the middle. A yellow braid runs along the bottom of the front part of the cap, and the red rim has a thin yellow strip along the edge.
Red Cape
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Red satin (?) short cape with gold trim and a metal clasp. Two slits at sides, presumably for arms. Large ruffle attatched to top. The entire cape forms a semicircle when spread out.
Red Cape
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Red satin short cape with gold trim and two metal clasps at collar. Slits in sides, presumably for arms. Large ruffle attatched to top. The entire cape forms a semicircle when spread out.
Red Jacket
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Red cotton jacket with yellow trim and metal buttons. Patches on the back and side.
Red Jacket
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Red cotton jacket with yellow trim and metal buttons. Brownish stains near hem and on sleeves. Then number 19 is stamped in black on the inside, near the collar.
Red Jacket
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Red cotton jacket with yellow trim and metal buttons down right side. Trim extends up back in two lines along seams. Sections of the trim on the bottom right and front left edges have been replaced in a paler yellow. Small patched hole on upper back.
Red Military-style Jacket, metal buttons
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Red jacket with black military-stlye embellishments down the front and on sleeves. Black stripe around the waist, sleeve edge, and collar. Plastic black buttons down left that would be hidden when jacket is buttoned. Two metal buttons on right side and two on shoulders. Two black triangles on back. A broken yellow circle stitched on left chest area.
Red Military-style Jacket
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Red jacket with black military-stlye embellishments down the front and on sleeves. Black stripe around the waist, sleeve edge, and collar. Two black triangles on back. Plastic black buttons down left that would be hidden when jacket is buttoned. The second button is broken. A full yellow circle stitched on left chest area. Tan lining on inside side panels and in sleeves. Lining has a pocket on the right side with a black label: De Moulin Bros. & Co. Many moth holes.
Red Military-style Jacket
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Red jacket with black military-stlye embellishments down the front and on sleeves. Black stripe around the waist, sleeve edge, and collar. Two black triangles on back. Black plastic buttons down left that would be hidden when jacket is buttoned. The second button is broken. Tan lining on inside side panels and in sleeves. Patches on sleeve edges. Metal clasp at collar.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Cap
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Red trucker-style cap with white mesh. Has a circular patch with the "Greatest Show on Earth" logo in the center, surrounded by the words "Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus." The bottom side of the rim is green.
Yellow Pants
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Dark yellow/gold velvety pants, with two lines of metal disks sewn in near the hems of the pant legs. Lining is a grayish-brown color. The lining material extends above the velvety material and incorporates a drawstring and a metal clasp.
Other Textiles
Contents
Large RBB&B cloth
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Large piece of cotton (?) cloth printed with a repeating pattern of three clown heads surrounding the "Greatest Show on Earth" logo and the words "Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus." The background is blue with white stars. The top edge of the cloth is sewn down, the bottom edge is folded over and daped down with duct tape, and the side edges are unfinished.
Small RBB&B cloth
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Rectangular strip of cotton (?) cloth. Same pattern as the large RBB&B cloth, but cut to frame two clown heads, the "Greatest Show on Earth" logo, and the words "Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus." Less faded than the large RBB&B cloth.
Taylor Ball/Peacock cloth
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Rectangle of cloth with unfinished edges. Across the top are the words "World's Greatest Show" and across the bottom are the words "Taylor Ball Amazing Shows." The design also includes images of two peacocks, a clown, an ox (?), a dog/goat(?), and two people on a bicycle. The background is brown.
Miscellaneous Pennants
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Five felt pennants.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (small, red background, red and yellow words)
Famoso Circo Union: Mexico (small, red background, white border, white words)
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (large, blue border, lion)
Circus Vargas (large, white, blue words)
Jordan World Circus (large, light blue)
Pennant: Culpepper & Merriweather
Background
- Scope and content:
-
White pennant with the words "Culpepper & Merriweather Great Combined Circus" and images of a clown, an elephant, and a man's head in a top hat.
2 large red and blue textiles
Background
- Scope and content:
-
2 large red and blue brocaded pieces of fabric-- possibly parts of tents or blankets for animals?