Sawdust and Spangles: July 2012

Friday, July 27, 2012

Harry Thomas

I received a message from Gary Thomas tonight telling me his brother Harry is in the hospital and facing surgery for cancer on Saturday. The family asked for all of your prayers.

( I found this photo on circusanonymous.blogspot.com )

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Peru Circus Parade - Bill Prickett Photos

Circus man and good friend Bill Prickett, in Illinois, was kind enough to share many parade photos from last Saturday's Big Circus Parade in Peru, Indiana. This is just one of the many things to enjoy next year at the Circus Historical Society Convention. Thanks Bill!

Peru Circus Parade - Bill Prickett Photos

This is interesting. The side carvings are off of a carousel.

Peru Circus Parade - Bill Prickett Photos

That is a Bison inside the cage.

Peru Circus Parade - Bill Prickett photos

Peru Circus Parade - Bill Prickett Photos

I don't remember this one. I guess my memory is fading.

Peru Circus Parade - Bill Prickett photos

This is a nice cottage cage re-creation.

Peru Circus Parade - Bill Prickett photos

This is the Greatest Show on Earth Movie float.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Peru Circus Parade - Bill Prickett photos

Peru Circus Parade - Bill Prickett Photos

Peru Circus Parade - Bill Prickett photos

Was this the old Baggage wagon that Ollie Miller had in his backyard?

Peru Circus Parade - Bill Prickett photos

Isn't this the old Gentry Bros. Calliope from the turn of the century?

Peru Circus Parade - Bill Prickett photos

This is Billy Morris with two of the Carden International elephants, Vickie and Betty.

Monday, July 23, 2012

The Parade that wasn't

The last circus parade to roll through the streets of Milwaukee under the Schlitz Old Milwaukee Days Banner was in 1973. However, plans were in the works for 1974 as the Schlitz Circus Parade printed a 1974 calender with the dates of the Parade on it which would be featuring the 40 horse hitch on the fourth of July. For reasons unknown to me, the 1974 parade never happened.

Robert Uihlein, who had put so much money into the Museum's train and wagons let alone the poster collection, died in Nov. of 1976 thereby ending all chances of the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Co. sponsoring the parade anymore.

Circus Parade - # 1

When Baraboo decided to put together a circus parade, they went to the vault and reworked a couple classic posters for the Baraboo Circus Parade. This is one of them from 1980.

Circus Parade - # 2

Since the Schlitz Old Milwaukee Days had ended after the 1973 tour, years had passed when Baraboo decided to host the circus parade itself. This is from the 1980 Parade.

Circus Parade - # 3

With nothing happening for several years since the Parade ended in Milwaukee after the 1973 showing, Chicago got in on the action and had the huge Gala for two years beginning in 1981. This poster was also done on a foil paper that is just gorgeous but doesn't photograph very well due to the foil reflectons.

Circus Parade - # 4

This is from the second year of the Parade in Chicago.

Circus Parade - # 5

This is from the 1984 Parade in Baraboo. There wasn't a Parade in Milwaukee and the one in Chicago didn't happen again.

Circus Parade - # 6

When the Great Circus Parade ended in Milwaukee after the 2003 tour, the parade was held in Baraboo for two more years.

Circus Parade - # 7

This is one of the two posters they used in Baraboo in 2004.

Circus Parade - # 8

This was the last big Parade held in Baraboo. Some of the wagons were used again this past weekend in a much smaller parade according to the brochures we were given. I've not seen any photos yet.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Change of Locations

Let's just put the show up over here. Come on! Follow me!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Colonel Tim McCoy

I've been asked by a friend to offer a Tim McCoy package on eBay this week. Included is this amazing two sided letter written by Tim McCoy to his friend. As an "A" List Movie cowboy, show owner and matinee idol, everyone knew who Tim McCoy was from the 1930's through the early 1960s at least.

This handwriiten letter is very unique in that he writes his Tim McCoy name in a question in the letter but then signs it simply as Tim as a letter going to a friend. Far more than just a star-studded autograph, this is a treasure of a lifetime. Also included in the package is a letterhead from the Tim McCoy show, a Press photo and a complete 1938 White Tops with Tim McCoy on the cover.

You can find the auction at http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-Tim-McCoy-Package-a-Chance-of-a-Lifetime-/261069532018?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc8f4eb72

Colonel Tim McCoy

You can double click to enlarge this.

Colonel Tim McCoy

Monday, July 16, 2012

New Models by Bill Prickett

Our good friend Bill Prickett has been busy in the workshop again, this time turning out the Cole Bros. Shop building in HO Scale. You can double click the photos to enlarge them.

New Models from Bill Prickett

Nice work Bill!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

CHS letterheads

The discussion came up today about some letterheads the CHS has used over the years. Here are a few different ones.

CHS letterheads

CHS Letterheads

Monday, July 09, 2012

A Couple other Route Books

You might watch eBay but you haven't seen this Route Book on there more than a time or two. This is the 1937 Cole Bros. Circus. It includes the 1935 and 1936 routes along with all the expected information in this 112 page book. I'm selling this for a friend. $85.00 firm. You can buy it on my website at www.thecircusworld.com

I also have a very rare 1892 Adam Forepaugh Route Book for sale on my website.