Jim Peterson's Blog

Greetings from ye ol' south. In a mind boggling display of mind over matter, which boils down to if you don't mind, it doesn't matter, Mr. Pied Piper of the Midwest has conducted an experiment beyond all proportions of scientific and existential imaginations to prove beyond any shadow of a doubt, although I doubt anyone would even think of doubting him, that the sheer magnitude of a computers inner workings is not worthy of a Ham and Grape jelly sandwich.

As a result of this type of scientific adventure, Jim has decided against posting any further comments on his well recieved blog until he and his computer make up with each other. Further information specifically states that Jim is fine, the computer is not.

Thus, ends the latest broadcast of Hot off the presses news coverage. Back to our original program already in progress!

Windjammers Unlimited - Merle Evans 2 CD set

A TRIBUTE TO MERLE EVANS A Two CD Anthology of Circus Music
The New England Conservatory Circus Band, Conducted by Merle Evans
A remarkable 2 CD anthology containing 43 circus music gems as recorded by the New England Conservatory Circus Band featuring Harvey Phillips. Originally recorded in 1970 and released on LP records, the sensational band is conducted on these recording by Merle Evans himself. Includes an informative 16 page booklet with information about the music and performers. This outstanding 2 CD set has been produced through the cooperation of the New England Conservatory, the Windjammers Unlimited and Walking Frog Records. A must hear for all circus music enthusiasts!

If you love good crisp Circus Music, this is one of the best to hear. I just got in a shipment of them at my Circus Store http://www.thecircusworld.com

The Washington Winds - Circus Days CD

The Washington Winds conducted by Edward Petersen
Incomparable recordings of 25 all-time circus favorites performed to absolute perfection by the exceptional Washington Winds. The arrival of the greatest show on earth to town was always the highlight of every child's year. These recordings will help you feel like you're back "under the big top".

Again this is now available at my Circus Store http://www.thecircusworld.com

Partners at work!

I have recieved untold amounts of inquiries "What's Jim doing?" I'm sure many of you know that my blogmaster mentor, co-conspirator, and comic relief guy has been silent for a few days now. I am here to report to you that despite the vicious unsubstantiated rumors that he has gone to the State Fairs of other states to preten..., practice, oops, I mean to play his pipes, he scoffs at those stories and says Fiddaddle, and Harr. He is still in Milwaukee, fully decorated and ready for the big Halloween contest coming up at http://poles2engine.blogspot.com/ and preparing for a long winters night by showing his beloved how to use a snow shovel, ( shoveling snow cuts deeply into the Blog time ) making sure there are enough blankets in the house and in particular close by. Did I report it all right Jim?

Introduction to the Circus Poster Exhibit at the Big "E"

This is actually the beginning of this entire series. As you can see from the following posters, this was an incredible display of posters, some of which haven't been seen in many, many years. I told Chris Berry that I photographed every poster that was there as I had no idea if I would ever see half of them again. While I didn't publish them all here on my blog, I provided what I considered to be the best of the group. ( if you double click the image, it should enlarge for you to read it.)

Poster Exhibit at the Big "E"

This beautiful poster is a 1/2 sheet flat that was produced by the Strobridge Litho Co. This poster was provided by Emily Parkinson.

Chris Berry Poster Collection at the Big "E"

This one sheet flat was made by the Erie Litho Co.

Chris Berry Poster Collection at the Big "E"

This one sheet flat was produced by the Donaldson Lithograph Co.

Chris Berry Poster Collection at the Big "E"

This 1/2 sheet flat was made by the Erie Litho Co.

Chris Berry Poster Collection at the Big "E"

This vibrant one sheet flat was produced by Erie Litho Co.

Chris Berry Poster Collection at the Big "E"

This is a one sheet flat as produced by the Erie Litho Co.

Barnum & Bailey posters at the Big "E"

This amazing 1894 two sheet flat poster was made by the Strobridge Litho Co. It features the Ethnological Congress in the giant midway of the menagerie. This is part of the Chris Berry Collection. This entire exhibit was made possible by Greg Parkinson Enterprises. You may or may not know about Chris Berry. He has known the Parkinson family for years so the assembling of a project of this magnitude was easily fixed with Chris supplying a great majority of the posters for this exhibit. Chris heads up ABC Radio news and travels quite extensively which has helped his locating posters to add to his collection. He is a Circus Historical Society member and has his own blogsite at http://circusposters.blogspot.com/ where he offers simply for trade many great old Circus posters. I have a link for him below simply titled Circus Memorabilia for trade.

Barnum & Bailey posters at the Big "E"

This wonderful poster is a one sheet flat printed in French by the Strobridge Litho Co. for the 1902 season of Barnum & Bailey's European tour. It is part of the Chris Berry collection.

Barnum & Bailey posters at the Big "E"

This beautiful poster was produced by the Strobridge Litho Co. for the 1900 season of Barnum & Bailey's European Tour. It is printed in German. This is part of the Chris Berry collection.

Barnum & Bailey posters at the Big "E"

This fine piece is a One sheet flat produced by the Strobridge Litho Co. for the 1900 season of Barnum & Bailey's European tour. It is printed in German. This is part of the Chris Berry Collection.

Barnum & Bailey posters at the Big "E"

This one sheet flat was produced by the Strobridge Litho Co. for the 1900 Barnum & Bailey European tour. It is printed in German. This is from the Chris Berry Collection.

Barnum & Bailey posters at the Big "E"

This incredible 2 sheet upright was produced for the European tour by Strobridge Litho Co. but was never used. It is printed in French. The folds still showed behind the glass. Courtesy of the Chris Berry collection.

Barnum & Bailey posters at the Big "E"

This is from the Chris Berry Collection. It is a 1/2 sheet flat produced by the Strobridge Litho Co. and used during the 1913 season.

Barnum & Bailey posters at the Big "E"

This beautiful poster is part of the Chris Berry Collection. It is a one sheet flat produced by the Strobridge Litho Co and used during the 1915 season.

Barnum & Bailey posters at the Big "E"

This fine poster is from the Chris Berry Collection It is a One sheet upright produced by the Strobridge Litho Co for the 1909 season. Sorry, I couldn't avoid the glare of the lights no matter what angle I took it from.