This iconic lithograph was used in 1925 to promote not only the magnitude of the circus, but also the fact that on the morning of circus day there would be a “free show” as the trains unloaded in the local railyards. This city on wheels usually traveled in four...
This is the story of “Princess Wenona,” a rival of Annie Oakley and one of the great trick shot artists of the Wild West era. First of all, despite the billing, she wasn’t a Sioux princess at all. Her real name was Lillian Smith and she began shooting competitively...
When this one sheet was used to promote the Hagenbeck Wallace circus of 1934, it was truly a wild animal show . . . and if you had attended you would have seen 31-year old Clyde Beatty in the center ring with not only lions – but also “Jungle-Bred Royal Bengal...
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, historical and biblical spectacles were seen on many circuses. At that time some clergy still considered traveling shows to be immoral, and by embracing a biblical theme the ministers had to at least acknowledge that the...
In the early spring of 1938 New Yorkers were seeing enormous posters with only four words “The Terror is Coming” It was a teaser campaign for Gargantua, the fierce gorilla that John Ringling North had acquired a few months before. Gargantua, along with big game hunter...
Over the past few years several vintage circus billpostings – “daubs” – have been uncovered as remodeling or demolition is done on buildings throughout the United States. This Ringling Bros daub from 1910 was uncovered in 2007 in the tiny...
