Sawdust and Spangles

Silas Green Minstrels Poster

2012-01-27T15:59:00.002-05:00

Here's a Silas Green Minstrels Show Poster I have on eBay this week.

Odd Lot #1

2012-01-27T15:56:00.002-05:00

The Silas Green Minstrels sleeper in the 1920's.

Odd Lot #2

2012-01-27T15:54:00.002-05:00

Elwin Strong's Rep Show ad from the early 1920's.

Odd Lot #3

2012-01-27T15:53:00.001-05:00

From 1921, George C. Roberson's Rep Show.

Odd Lot #4

2012-01-27T15:51:00.000-05:00

Circa 1920, Jethro Almond's Moving Pictures Show cars.

Odd Lot #5

2012-01-27T15:49:00.001-05:00

This is about 1915 and other than an Uncle Tom's Show, there isn't anything else labeled on it.

Floyd King likes Pink

2012-01-25T07:17:00.004-05:00

I guess Floyd King's use of the color pink is comparable to Hoxie Tucker using Purple.

Floyd King likes Pink

2012-01-25T07:17:00.002-05:00

Floyd King likes Pink

2012-01-25T07:15:00.001-05:00

Floyd King likes Pink

2012-01-25T07:14:00.001-05:00

Floyd King likes Pink

2012-01-25T07:13:00.002-05:00

Honest Bill's Show

2012-01-23T15:07:00.002-05:00

This is a magnet from a poster reproduction that I have.

Honest Bill's Show

2012-01-23T14:54:00.002-05:00

I had a real nice opportunity to meet Mike Ragan last night via email. He has a Facebook page called Quenemo, Kansas 66528. On it are a couple Lucky Bill photos and they are gathering some memories as well. Honest Bill Newton was Lucky Bill Newton's son. This letterhead is from my collection.

Honest Bill's Show

2012-01-23T14:51:00.003-05:00

Here's one letterhead in my collection.

Jungleland / Louis Goebel's

2012-01-19T22:10:00.005-05:00

Louis Goebel acquired a great deal of the former Hagenbeck-Wallace circus after it went bust in California. About the only thing they managed to sell of were the railroad cars. Art Lewis bought the majority of the train cars and most of the rest were sold for scrap.

Louis Goebel was enterprising and diversified. He used animals in film work and took the circus equipment to the studios as well. Here are several Al Halpren photos taken of the former Hagenbeck-Wallace wagons.

Can you identify which title was used where?

Jungleland / Louis Goebel's

2012-01-19T22:10:00.002-05:00

Jungleland / Louis Goebel's

2012-01-19T22:08:00.005-05:00

Jungleland / Louis Goebel's

2012-01-19T22:08:00.002-05:00

Jungleland / Louis Goebel's

2012-01-19T22:07:00.002-05:00

Jungleland / Louis Goebel's

2012-01-19T22:06:00.002-05:00

A very young Clyde Beatty - 1928

2012-01-18T23:12:00.002-05:00

These three photos are all marked 1928. What say you?

A very young Clyde Beatty - 1928

2012-01-18T23:11:00.002-05:00

A very young Clyde Beatty - 1928

2012-01-18T23:09:00.002-05:00

Where are our Beatty experts? Does this look like 1928 to you?

Go meet Tony Steele!

2012-01-16T22:54:00.003-05:00

If you double click this it will get larger. Tony Steele is such a great guy. Just going to hear him tell a story or two is worth the trip.

More Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-14T16:54:00.003-05:00

Here are a few more Wild West Letterheads from my collection to go with all the great posters that Chris Berry has been sharing on his Facebook page called circusposters and with Buckles blog also.

More Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-14T16:53:00.005-05:00

More Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-14T16:53:00.002-05:00

mor

2012-01-14T16:52:00.004-05:00

More Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-14T16:52:00.002-05:00

More Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-14T16:51:00.005-05:00

More Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-14T16:51:00.002-05:00

More Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-14T16:50:00.002-05:00

More Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-14T16:49:00.001-05:00

Feld case upheld

2012-01-13T18:37:00.002-05:00

Feld Entertainment, Inc. Prevails, Yet Again, in Eleven Year Old Case Brought by ASPCA and Other Animal Special Interest Groups

Final Ruling Rejects Efforts by the ASPCA and Other Animal Special Interest Groups to Reverse Prior Legal Victories for Feld Entertainment, Inc.

VIENNA, VA – Jan. 11, 2012 – Feld Entertainment, Inc. announced today that a federal appeals court unanimously re-affirmed the judgment entered on behalf of Feld Entertainment, Inc. at trial and on appeal.

Feld Entertainment, Inc., the producer of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus. , won the lawsuit that was originally filed more than a decade ago by animal special interest groups who ultimately sought to outlaw elephants in the circus. After losing at trial in 2009 and losing a unanimous appeal in October of 2011, the plaintiffs attempted to seek re-hearing which was rejected by the appellate court today.

Today’s ruling leaves the appellate court’s October 2011 ruling intact. The three judge Circuit Court panel had previously affirmed the trial court’s determination that plaintiff and witness Tom Rider, a former barn man for Ringling Bros., was “essentially a paid plaintiff and fact witness who is not credible.” The appellate court stated: “it is undisputed that between March 2000 and December 2008, [lead plaintiff] Rider received at least $190,000 from the organizational plaintiffs in this lawsuit, as well as from an organization run by plaintiffs’ attorneys.” The October 2011 appellate ruling went on to affirm the trial court’s finding that: “the primary purpose for the payments was to keep Rider involved with the litigation.”

The court also rejected the claims of Animal Protection Institute (API)/Born Free, which, despite a six and half week trial, was unable to prove it had a right to be in court.

“Today’s decision clears the way for the resolution of Feld Entertainment’s claim for attorneys’ fees,” said John Simpson, lead counsel for Feld Entertainment. He also noted that “our client was forced to spend more than $20 million to defend this manufactured case, which was dismissed on the same grounds nearly eleven years ago in 2001.”

Background of Case

Today’s denial of rehearing upheld the unanimous decision, by the three judge panel comprised of Circuit Judges David S. Tatel, Merrick Brian Garland and Janice Rodgers Brown, affirming the December 2009 trial court decision issued by U.S District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan of the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia in ASPCA, et al., v. Feld Entertainment, Inc., No. 03-2006 (D.D.C.). After a six and a half week trial in Spring 2009, the trial court ruled for Feld Entertainment, Inc.

Additional information on this litigation, including Court filings and elephant care information can be found online at http://www.ringlingbrostrialinfo.com/. Information on the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation is available online at http://www.elephantcenter.com/.

Ringling Bros.’ Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. appellate team was led by John M. Simpson and included Jonathan S. Franklin, Michelle C. Pardo and Mark T. Emery.

About Feld Entertainment

FeldEntertainment, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live family entertainment that lifts the human spirit and creates indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment’s productions have appeared in more than 70 countries and on six continents to date and include Disney On Ice, Disney Live!, Feld Motor Sports, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®.

Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-13T09:33:00.006-05:00

Chris Berry has been running some great old Wild West posters on his circusposters blog so I thought I would send out a few of the Wild West Letterheads I have. Enjoy!

Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-13T09:33:00.002-05:00

Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-13T09:32:00.002-05:00

2012-01-13T09:31:00.003-05:00

Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-13T09:31:00.002-05:00

Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-13T09:30:00.005-05:00

Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-13T09:30:00.002-05:00

Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-13T09:29:00.002-05:00

Wild West Letterheads

2012-01-13T09:28:00.001-05:00

Campbell Bros.

2012-01-11T22:00:00.003-05:00

Here are a few "Oversize" letterheads that I have. I really don't understand why a larger piece of paper was used, but they are too large for any sheet protectors or to place in any albums. Saving them was apparently a big problem also as they all have some damage on the edges where they have pushed against something else.

Banard Bros.

2012-01-11T21:59:00.002-05:00

Sells-Floto

2012-01-11T21:58:00.002-05:00

Unfortunately, this one has lost a small piece at the top due to it's size.

Letterheads

2012-01-09T23:15:00.003-05:00

I've always enjoyed collecting letterheads. Wish I would have started 40 years ago. They are about the only thing I have collected as I never had any room on the road and now the house is full, so there still isn't much room. This one is from Floyd and Howard King's 1929 Cole Bros. World Toured Shows.

2012 CHS Convention - June 13 to 16th in Baraboo, WI.

2012-01-07T07:08:00.004-05:00

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!

To Make the CHS Convention as attractive as possible, a special room rate of $66.00 (not including room tax) per night has been negotiated with the Clarion Hotel, 626 Highway 12, Baraboo, WI 53913, 608-356-6422. To ensure getting your reservation at this very busy popular tourist area, call early and ask for the special CHS rate.
Rooms will be going fast as we are expecting a huge turnout again this year.

Boas Bros. Circus - 1968

2012-01-06T23:13:00.002-05:00

Here are two more photos from Jack Silar. This is the Rev. Don Brewer and Melanie. Don has written several articles on the Circus Fans website about the Boas Bros. and Circus Kirk tours.

Boas Bros. Circus - 1968

2012-01-06T23:10:00.002-05:00

Another one from Jack. "The Gentleman in the ticket box is my Grandfather: LC "Charlie" Bridgen."

The Stuart Thayer Prize

2012-01-04T15:33:00.003-05:00

You can double click this to enlarge it. All of you CHS members have it coming in your Bandwagon. Mine arrived today. Stuart Thayer was unquestionably the finest circus historian we ever had when it came to circuses in the 1800's. This is an amazing tribute to great Circus Historian in wanting to keep the preservation of the American Circus History alive and growing.

http://www.circushistory.org/ThayerPrize.htm

Winter Mixer

2012-01-02T09:10:00.002-05:00

You can double click this to make it larger. It is a fantastic day with fellow circus folks. If you can make the effort to be there, it is well worth your time and troubles.

Winter Quarters Activity - 1968

2012-01-01T22:42:00.003-05:00

Here are some great photos from the East Berlin, PA. winter quarters of the famed Boas Bros. Circus before it became Circus Kirk if I remember right. The winter quarters by spring and winter was also the Doc Boas family farm. Jack Silar was kind enough to send these to me tonight. Thank you so much Jack.

Wasn't Rev. Donald Brewer around there then? He lives in Toledo, Ohio now.

Winter Quarters Activity - 1968

2012-01-01T22:41:00.002-05:00

John Lower and Bob Sanetrik (sp)

Winter Quarters Activity - 1968

2012-01-01T22:40:00.005-05:00

Mr. Jim Nordmark at work.

Winter Quarters Activity - 1968

2012-01-01T22:40:00.002-05:00

Winter Quarters Activity - 1968

2012-01-01T22:37:00.002-05:00

Winter Quarters Activity

2012-01-01T08:13:00.003-05:00

The Winter Quarters is full of activity in 1974 at the East Berlin, PA. home of Circus Kirk. The Center Poles are up as a bale ring top but in 1975, this orange and blue striped beauty would be converted to a push pole top.

Winter Quarters Activity

2012-01-01T08:12:00.002-05:00

Winter Quarters Activity

2012-01-01T08:11:00.002-05:00

Winter Quarters Activity

2012-01-01T08:10:00.003-05:00

I don't think the straight job in the middle went on the road in 1974 with the new semis added.

Winter Quarters Activity

2012-01-01T08:09:00.002-05:00

Winter Quarters Activity

2012-01-01T08:07:00.002-05:00

Your horse trailer is our donniker.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T12:17:00.002-05:00

May 2012 be filled with fun, action, and excitement. From our winter quarters to yours,

Happy New Year!

Remember This?

2011-12-27T13:53:00.003-05:00

I'm guessing these three RBBB gift wraps came out about the same time as the ornaments, around 1982.

Remember This?

2011-12-27T13:52:00.002-05:00

Remember This?

2011-12-27T13:51:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T16:24:00.001-05:00

2011-12-23T22:59:00.002-05:00

This has nothing to do with the circus, I realize, but it has everything to do with awe and wonder which is what the audiences enjoy in attending a circus performance.

This magnificient photo is a naturally occurring atmospheric phenomena. The picture was captured near the Idaho and Washington border. The event lasted almost an hour. The clouds have to be a cirrus form, at least 20,000 feet in the air, with just the right amount of ice crystals and the sun has to hit the clouds at precisely 58 degrees.

Just another amazing blessing from our Lord. A prelude of things to come!

Bevell's Hardware in Blackstone, VA.

2011-12-21T15:25:00.003-05:00

Good friends Robert and Jean Spivey slipped over to Blackstone to see the great train display again this year and sent us these pictures. It is set-up entirely different this year than in years past. It's all "O" Gauge. Not only is the display great but the walls are lined with his railroad collection. This is a great thing to see. It's up until January 8th then it gets taken down until next Thanksgiving again.

Bevell's Hardware in Blackstone, VA.

2011-12-21T15:23:00.002-05:00

Bevell's Hardware in Blackstone, VA.

2011-12-21T15:21:00.002-05:00

Bevell's Hardware in Blackstone, VA.

2011-12-21T15:19:00.002-05:00

Bevell's Hardware in Blackstone, VA.

2011-12-21T15:17:00.002-05:00

Bevell's Hardware in Blackstone, VA.

2011-12-21T15:15:00.002-05:00

Bevell's Hardware in Blackstone, VA.

2011-12-21T15:13:00.002-05:00

Bevell's Hardware in Blackstone, VA.

2011-12-21T15:10:00.001-05:00

Head Bros. Circus

2011-12-20T07:03:00.001-05:00

Sad News!

2011-12-20T04:34:00.004-05:00

( a 1994 photo - courtesy of Bill Prickett )

Herberth Edward Head Jr. was born in Owensboro , Kentucky on August 17, 1925, the son of Herberth Sr. and Henrietta Lanham Head. Herb's younger sister Mary Inez joined the family in 1927. Herberth married Wilma Louise Carrico on August 21, 1948. Herb and Wilma had five children: Herberth III, Kenneth, Jeanine, Sharon, and Kathleen.

For 35 years, Herb played the America steam calliope in the annual Great Circus Parade held each summer since the 1960s in Chicago , Milwaukee , or Baraboo , Wisconsin. Herb had the great pleasure of helping Homer carve the front carvings on the America during the major rebuild of the parade wagon. With only four days till load out in Baraboo, Homer and Herb worked side by side completing the carvings on the front of the wagon before getting some paint on it and watching it roll. Herb also played The Henry Ford's John Robinson calliope at events in Greenfield Village during the 1950s.

Being a huge circus model builder, Herb re-created the Cole Bros. Circus in 1" scale known as Head Bros. Circus. Complete with 12 flatcars each 6 feet long, 5 stock cars and 7 coaches that hauled 50 wagons, his show was uniquely displayed in his back yard, Model Builder Conventions and at thew Ringling Museums in Florida and the Circus World Museum in Baraboo.

Herb had been a long time member of the Circus Historical Society. He carried the number 120, having joined sometime prior to 1944. ( I don't have a Bandwagon going back that far ) He was also a long time member of the Circus Model Builders.

Herberth E. Head Jr. passed away December 15, 2011, survived by his wife Wilma, children, Herberth III, Kenneth (Lisa) Head, Jeanine (Glenn) Miller, Sharon (Randall) Ward and Kathleen (Jeffrey) Berliner. Herb is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

2011-12-18T15:58:00.001-05:00

As the year end is rapidly approaching, it's still not too late to make a tax-deductible donation to the Circus Historical Society, Inc. As a 501c3 Non-Profit organization, we are dedicated to the preservation of Circus History. You may send your tax deductible donations made out to the Circus Historical Society to:

Bob Cline - CHS Sec. / Tres.

2707 Zoar Road,

Cheraw, SC 29520-4133.

Christmas Cards from Freddie Daw

2011-12-16T06:12:00.005-05:00

Here are a few Christmas Cards from Patrick Wentzel's collection that were made by Circus Model King, Freddie Daw.

Christmas Cards from Freddie Daw

2011-12-16T06:12:00.002-05:00

Christmas Cards from Freddie Daw

2011-12-16T06:11:00.002-05:00

Christmas Cards from Freddie Daw

2011-12-16T06:10:00.002-05:00

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-14T23:08:00.002-05:00

Here are a few more from Steve Flint's great collection.

I would like to ask a general question. Who was producing these fine Christmas Cards at the time? Were the Litho companies diversified into cards as well as letterheads and posters?

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-14T23:07:00.002-05:00

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-14T23:06:00.002-05:00

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-14T23:05:00.002-05:00

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-14T23:02:00.002-05:00

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-14T23:00:00.002-05:00

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-13T21:33:00.003-05:00

Here are a few more Christmas Cards from the Steve Flint collection.

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-13T21:32:00.002-05:00

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-13T21:31:00.002-05:00

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-13T21:30:00.002-05:00

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-13T21:28:00.003-05:00

The Al G. Barnes / Sells-Floto Circus from 1937.

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-13T21:27:00.002-05:00

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-12T17:54:00.005-05:00

Steve Flint was kind enough to email me several Christmas Cards in his collection. Here are three of them from the 101 Ranch Wild West Show.

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-12T17:54:00.002-05:00

More Christmas Cards

2011-12-12T17:53:00.002-05:00

Today is the day!

2011-12-11T07:30:00.004-05:00

I was thinking that if most of you leave right now, you could be here in time to drive thru tonight and enjoy the wonderful story of CHRISTmas!