Friday, April 29, 2011

Regarding carvings


This response came from a good friend. Obviously, we all learned something from this. Thank you so much for helping to tell the tale correctly.
Bob


The Blog magicians must have changed the methodology by which comments can be posted on your and Buckles blogs, so what I wrote yesterday about calliopes never got posted.

The two steam calliopes you illustrated were not the source of the Terrell Jacobs cage carvings.

The long calliope was that from the 1903 Luella-Forepaugh Fish Wild West, which went to Gollmar Bros. 1903-1916 and then James Patterson through 1922. George Christy bought it and shortened it and in that form it served him through 1930, then Cole 1935-1937 and Robbins 1938. It was scavenged for carvings for the 1939 Cole calliope that burned in February 1940. A few fragments from the Christy-era body survive today.

The other calliope you illustrated was one of the Gentry 1902 twins. That one ended up on the Gentry unit that went to the King brothers in the 1920s. It served them through 1930 and eventually the wagons went to George Christy. He sold them off to various places, with the calliope going to magician Karland Frischkorn, who converted it into a semi trailer. In that form it exists today at Peru, IN.

The calliope that served as the source of the Jacobs carvings is the one in the attached view. It was the other 1902 Gentry twin. It ended up in the possession of Mugivan & Bowers in the late 1910s and was converted into an air calliope in the 1920s. It last served on the 1934 Hagenbeck-Wallace outfit. You can probably find several photos of it in service then, as well as on JR in the 1920s.

You can see the wagon in the attached view taken at the Peru quarters wagon shed, sometime 1935-1941, source unknown, but I think there's one like it from Koford. You will note that the carved mask is missing at the top rear area, along with other pieces. The residue was burned in November 1941.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Regarding carvings



This is the best view I can find. The lion medallion carving in the center came from one of these Gentry Bros. calliopes. The very end carving on each end came off of the Queen's cage as shown below. The carving is right above the bars. While I had found this carving earlier today, I was graced with an email that confirmed this fact from a very good friend. Many Thanks!

Regarding carvings



This old Gentry Bros. Calliope was photographed in 1930 at the Christy Bros. Winter Quarters. The lion head at the top from this calliope or the one below is the central carving on the third Terrell Jacobs cage.

Regarding carvings




If you double click this, it will enlarge. The center most carving is the biggest difference between this one and the one above.


Regarding carvings

This photo was taken on the Strates Shows in 1951 in Hamburg, NY. I was given some help last night in trying to identify where the carvings came from. You can double click the images to enlarge them. It appears that the second cage in this line carries some of the carvings from the Queen's cage as shown below.

The Third cage has a lion head medallion in the middle of which I have a better picture. I just haven't found where those carvings came from. Two of the scroll work carvings on the third cage did come from the cage below.



Regarding carvings

This is known as the Queen's Den or cage on the Sells-Floto Circus. This photo comes from the Bandwagon July / August 1974 issue on page 9. This is very similiar in construction to the one a couple pictures below. Both were built by the Bode Wagon Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Regarding carvings



I could be wrong but this photo taken in 1947 strongly resembles the carvings of the cage below. What say you?

Regarding carvings



This is the Sells-Floto tiger cage as taken in 1908. This photo is found in the book Circus Parades by Chappie Fox on page 125. I would submit that this is the majority of the carvings from this skyboard that are on the Terrell Jacobs cage shown above.

More Austin Bros. Circus

These photos are all marked Canton, IL. but I don't have the exact 1945 date for them. This wagon looks pretty shabby.

More Austin Bros. Circus



More Austin Bros. Circus



More Austin Bros. Circus



More Austin Bros. Circus



More Austin Bros. Circus



More Austin Bros. Circus

Friday, April 22, 2011

Austin Bros. - 1945

The 1945 edition of Austin Bros. Circus featured the cage act of Terrell Jacobs. Owned by Ben Davenport and Harry Hammill, this was the Dailey Bros. 2nd unit. The show only went out this one year.

Austin Bros. - 1945



Austin Bros. - 1945



Austin Bros. - 1945



Austin Bros. - 1945



Austin Bros. - 1945



Austin Bros. - 1945



Tuesday, April 19, 2011

More Cottage designed wagons



This ticket wagon is so small, the teller had to sit in a chair because he couldn't stand up. Anyway... going a long with the other postings, while the John Robinson's 10 Big Shows had a fantastic collection of cottage cages, other shows tried their hand at it also. Here are just a few of the other show's wagons.


If you have any photos of any wagon with a roof that isn't "Normal" please email me at fivetiger@shtc.net I would love to see your photos.

More Cottage designed wagons



This 1926 Gentry Bros. cage was photographed by J.V. Leonard and graced page 17 of the Sept, Oct. Nov 1961 issue of Bandwagon.

More Cottage designed wagons



This little Leonard Bros. Circus cage was on the road in 1956. I've been told they had two of them but this is the only photo I have seen.

More Cottage designed wagons




This cute little pony wagon was built in the winter quarters of Pawnee Bill's Wild West in 1901 - Harry Bock photo

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Cottage Cages

Cottage cages as described by Richard Conover, noted circus historian, was a cage with anything other than a flat roof. The John Robinson's 10 Big Shows exemplified this idea to the max. when they created 30 distinctly different cottage cages for their 1906 parade. I've been researching them as much as possible for a good while now.


Would anyone have any photos they could share with me in my research of these cages? Remember there were odd shaped roofs on wagons and cages both on many shows at the turn of the century. If you have any photos and could share them, please email me at fivetiger@shtc.net

Cottage Cages

This Richard Conover photo was used in his book, "Give 'em a John Robinson." This was two of the pony sized cottage cages.

Cottage Cages

There were at least 5 different twenty foot cottage cages built. Two were built in 1896 / 1897 for the John Robinson's 10 Big Shows and one went to the Ringling show in 1898 and then three more were built to replace them between 1898 / 1899 and 1901.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Walter L. Main - 1904

WALTER L MAIN Parade List and Rules as Issued During 1904 The following is the parade list and rules of the parade as Issued by Walter L. Main on March 21, 1904. Hobby-Bandwagon is indebted to this grand old man of the circus for this valuable information from his files. The number before each entry is the number of horses used which totaled 142 horses. Parade List (1, Section, No; 1. Owen Doud, Marshal; (1) Horse Adonis and Trap, Henry Pullman, leader and layer-out of parade', (2) Mounted Knights; (8) Blacks, on Big Band wagon; (10) Five Peru cages, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 with banners on four, last one Continental Band on top; two Llamas led or driven; two year old camel led, child rider; (4) Santa Claus wagon, carrying baby camel, and Rose Monroe playing bag pipes; boy to attend camel, young lady driver if possible; mother camel; No. 7 cage drawn by 4 camels. (1) Burlesque automobile, (hurde mule); (6) No. 89, Tableaux, lady drum corps on top; (2) No. 8, cottage cage; (2) No. 9, cottage cage; (2) No. 10, cottage cage; (2) No. 11, Den. cage striped hyenas; (2) No. 6 Flower den.; (2) Mrs. Hocum (Tandem); (1) Section No. 2, R. H. Dockrill, marshal. (10) Lady riders Zig Zag, 1, 2, 3, 4; (2) clown band; (2) Jack & Jill mule, tandem, with clown and monkey riding Jack; (1) led pony, monkey rider; (1) Hocum pony; (8) Ponies on 4. pony cages, 12, 15, 23, 24; Cape cart, lady and gent riders; (6) No. 91, tableaux—Coon band. (4) Ostrich den No. 16, 3 elks inside with elk emblems, pictures, etc., all over; (4) Big Den with one baby and two male and female leO'pards; (4) Big Den with two Bengal tigers, and two black leopards closed on open; (4) Big den, one big male, and two female lions inside. One lady in high chair, and one 2-year old lion chained at one end of the top, and one full grown sheep at the other end; (1) Bugler, British; (8) English soldiers, two abreast, kakai suits, first one on .the right carry English flag. 06) New South Wales lancers, two abreast; (10) mounted band, in Boer band suits, black coats, white pants; (6) Boers two abreast first one on right to carry Boer flag; (4) Mules on stage coach, Boer suit for driver, who must be the oldest driver with show, and gray if possible. Tie any old trunk •on rear for parade only. Inside must be filled with people, no matter whether men, women or children, and one or two men on tpo with guns; (2) Gatling gun, 2 or 4 men on seats, man riding nigh horse, all in uniform. (2) Two-horse chariot, lady driver; (4) four-horse chariot, gent driver; herd of elephants, single file, lady riding on largest in howdah; bandliers on three; (4) calliope; (2) Trambeline, worst harnest with show, straw hats on horses, and old Dutch blinds sure; (1) Dr. Stull, supt. parade. Rules Of Parade Superintendents must see that tops of cages and tableaux, etc. are cleaned every day before parade. Last of parade must be back on show grounds at 11 o'clock. Route Rider of parade will give orders what time parade starts. Equestrian Director will have "Call" blown 20 minutes before the time of getting ready. If any vehicle breaks in parade, pull to one side and after fixed •up, get in anywhere, but do not stop the parade. Every employee that is not in parade and is not active on the Lot, must be all along the line of parade telling people to look out for their horses. In case of storm coming up while parade is out, and orders are given to break ranks, want any and all employees that are down street to take off plumes, banners, wardrobe, etc., and keep them in some dry place until the storm is over, and the riders have the right —Page 6—Hobby-Bandwagon, December, 1947 According to this Walter L. Main parade list from the CHS website, they had three cottage cages. I suspect one of these is in the next post. Does anyone have photos of these they could share with me? email me at fivetiger@shtc.net What are the 5 Peru cages listed in the order?

Walter L. Main - 1904


This photo was recently found on eBay. This is referred to as a cottage cage with a variety of architecture angles, turns, etc. in the roof. The seller told me the train cars said Wal... Main on them. This particular cage shows up on the Al G. Barnes Circus in 1912. I think this is one of the three cottage cages listed above in the Walter L. Main 1904 parade.


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Al G. Barnes over the years.


And what do my wondering eyes behold? Tis zee pipers band mates on top o'er the wagon. 1924 Parade. To one of our favorite fellow bloggers, Jim, where are you, I can't quite make ya out in the fine photo?

Al G. Barnes over the years.

This was the 1924 Big Show band under the direction of Charles Redrich.

Al G. Barnes over the years.


Cage #119 was filmed in 1928 by Bob Bernard at the Baldwin Park, Ca. WQ.

Al G. Barnes over the years.


This is a 1928 photo by Bob Bernard in Baldwin Park, CA. The Melrose title had been used in a recent movie. ( Does anybody know which movie this was in? )

Al G. Barnes over the years.


This is a 1928 photo by Bob Bernard.

Al G. Barnes over the years.

The ticket wagon taken in 1931 in Los Angeles, CA.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Minneapolis Animal Law

STARTRIBUNE - Minneapolis

Article by: KATHERINE LYMN , Star Tribune Updated: April 6, 2011 - 5:59 PM


Piccadilly Circus was to come to Minneapolis in May, but a 2008 law means it needed a permit to bring its wild animals into town.


For the first time since tightening rules regarding circus animals, Minneapolis has denied a circus's request to bring wild animals to town. Using regulations enacted in 2008, the city this week denied Piccadilly Circus a permit to bring its animals to the Minneapolis Convention Center on May 14 and 15. The Sarasota, Fla., circus had asked to bring an elephant, a pair of kangaroos, eight ponies, a monkey and two lemurs. Dan Niziolek, manager of Animal Care and Control for the city, on Monday denied the application, and on Wednesday a City Council committee rejected the circus's appeal. The matter goes before the full council April 15. In a letter to the company, Niziolek said the circus didn't apply the required 90 days in advance of the event and did not provide required veterinary care records or filing fee. Piccadilly also added the monkey to its roster after it first applied. The 2008 rule changes increased the application fee five-fold, to $750, and more notably required that before a Minneapolis event, an animal control official must travel to inspect the animals at the owner's expense. Niziolek said the inspections are both to ensure diseased animals don't come in contact with Minneapolis residents and that the city isn't associating with companies that abuse their animals. Piccadilly Circus secretary John Whitfield on Tuesday wrote to the city that a representative from the convention center would speak for the circus at Wednesday's Public Safety committee meeting, but that did not happen. Whitfield said Wednesday that he didn't know whether the circus owner would further attempt to overturn the city's decision. Committee Chair Don Samuels said it would not be fair to force city staff to jump through hoops in just a month and a half to finish the inspections. Katherine Lymn is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune.

Saturday, April 09, 2011

Smoky Mountain Amusements


Smoky Mountain Amusements is a two unit operation in the Carolinas. They brought this unit to a Church parking lot in town this week. This is the big Office trailer. The show is very clean with all matching vinyl awnings on the games stands and bally cloths. Not knowing for sure, it looked like it was all new.

Smoky Mountain Amusements


This trailer built roller coaster is always a crowd pleaser with the kids.

Smoky Mountain Amusements

Kiddie bumper cars.

Smoky Mountain Amusements

The swings (here) , the Scrambler and the Freedom in the next photo are the only items that aren't kiddie rides.

Smoky Mountain Amusements


Smoky Mountain Amusements

A beautiful paint job.

Smoky Mountain Amusements


This kiddie carousel was the oldest unit on this show.

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Circus World Museum


Let the spectacle begin: Circus World performance season filled with new acts.

Brian D. Bridgeford, News Republic Posted: Tuesday, April 5, 2011


The new performance season at Baraboo's Circus World historic site promises to be exciting with the return of a horse-and-rider act, trapeze artist, acrobats, magician and clowns, says the performance director. The Circus World grounds and exhibits will open to the public April 18. The performance season will begin May 21, said David SaLoutos, who performs as the circus' singing ringmaster. One bright spot this year is the return of trick rider Heidi Herriott, who began her performance career at Circus World during the 1960s, he said. "We haven't had horses for a number of years here at Circus World, and a female equestrian in particular," SaLoutos said. An added element that is expected to boost interest is the new circus movie "Water for Elephants," featuring Reese Witherspoon in the lead role as a circus equestrian. The film will premiere April 22. The museum provided historic circus wagons, photographs, documents and advice to the filmmakers. Circus World is preparing to open an exhibit on the movie next month, SaLoutos said. Herriott said her parents were animal trainers and performers at Circus World. It gave her and her three sisters a chance to perform in a variety of ways. "My parents had performing animals and we assisted with the animal acts," she said. "I used to ride the elephants; we had little pony carts." "For us, it's where we started performing in little ways," she said. "Then my parents got a chance to perform with Ringling Brothers, the largest circus in the country, and it took us away from Baraboo. "My sisters and I still consider Baraboo where we grew up," Herriott said. SaLoutos said in addition to Herriott's riding act, the circus also will welcome the return of David Rosaire and his Perky Pekes trick dog act. "They were a crowd-pleaser,' he said. "It's just hilarious." From Belarus, the acrobatic pair of Slava and Kristina will present a comedic hand-balancing act, SaLoutos said. Kristina also will perform a hula-hoop act and Slava performs a rola-bola show, balancing on rolling metal cylinders. Circus World also will debut a new trapeze act by Hannah Crist, sister of illusionist Tristan Crist. Since 2008, she has been studying aerial routines in preparation for this summer's performance season. Hannah will perform with her brother in the Ring of Illusions magic show and in a comedy magic performance created by Tristan Crist. Once each day, Hannah Crist also will perform the "Slide for Life" over the turbulent Baraboo River, said SaLoutos. "We'll actually have two clowns this summer. Neal Skoy (Roger the Clown) and the other is Greg Parks," he said. "He's another veteran of Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus." They will also have two different elephant acts, SaLoutos said. SaLoutos said Herriott's daughter, Cassidy, will lead the Kids' Interactive Circus performance. She also will participate in the Ring of Illusions magic show, incorporating an aerial act into the magic show. "Nobody does just one thing at Circus World," he said. Herriott said she is leading a life in the circus while being married and raising the third generation of Herriott family circus performers. While family life as circus performers has its problems, she said, it is like being a family of farmers. "Everybody understands from an early age what it's like to be a team player, to have responsibility, to be part of something bigger than yourself," she said. "Frankly, I think it's a lesson a lot of today's kids in today's world could use." Herriott said the Circus World show's aim is to present something for the whole family. "I think we've got a real nice lineup this year. Very fine," SaLoutos said. "I want to see everybody at the circus."