Under the Marquee
Under the Marquee is your best source for the latest developments in circus history! Circus history is the focus of our blog and our e-newsletter, the Advance Car. Content is curated and vetted by knowledgeable circus historians.
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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey – 1956
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Poster - Philadelphia This familiar poster of clown Felix Adler in alternative makeup was used during the final appearance that Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey made under canvas in Philadelphia in the spring of 1956. After...
Clyde Beatty Hamid-Morton Circus – Palisades Park – 1958
Bruce Davidson took many photos of the "Clyde Beatty Hamid-Morton Circus" during its Palisades Park stand in 1958. Most of the photos were taken in the backyard, but this picture was taken under the big top - evidently at the conclusion of a clown gag. To me it looks...
Clyde & Harriet Beatty – 1945
This photo of Clyde and Harriet Beatty was taken in 1945 at the corner of Washington and Hill - the famed Los Angeles showgrounds that will hosted dozens of circuses from the 1890s until 1955. Clyde Beatty gave hundreds of performances at the lot at Washington and...
Christy Bros. – “Noah’s Ark” – 1924
In 1924 George Christy started featuring a spec titled "Noah's Ark" as part of his show. Not only was it a great way to display the animals in his menagerie, but the religious theme was also a draw to the circus when it was in the Bible-belt. When the show was in...
Hagenbeck-Wallace Forepaugh-Sells Circus – Sideshow Tickets -1935
One person's trash is another person's treasure... These sideshow tickets from the Hagenbeck-Wallace Forepaugh-Sells Circus of 1935 were never meant to saved and shown to fans of circus history around the world...but here they are, 85 years after they WEREN'T used......
The Great Adam Forepaugh Show – trade card – ca.1884
Collecting trade cards was a popular hobby in the late 19th Century, and although it wasn't the primary method of advertising, circuses did respond to the craze by issuing a number of fine cards to promote their shows. This particular card was printed by the Courier...