Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Poster Exhibit at the Big "E"




This incredible 2 sheet flat poster was produced in 1894 by the Strobridge Litho co. for Barnum & Bailey's "Greatest Show on Earth". It was provided by Mr. Paul Ingassia. Many of you may know Mr. Ingrassia as a CHS member, former Director of the Great Circus Parade for years and a major spokesperson of the OABA animal fund.

Poster Exhibit at the Big "E"

This is a one sheet upright from the Erie Litho Co for the 1932 Sells-Floto Circus. This poster was on loan from the Paul Ingrassia Collection.

Monday, September 29, 2008

The Circus Museum at the Big "E"

Fairgoers can enjoy the Circus Museum, located in the Hampden County Building, featuring miniature scale recreations of circus wagons, carousels and carnival midways, acrobats, a side show announcer, hand-painted banners and memorabilia as well as a hand carved replica of Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus tent show in 1946.

The Circus Museum at the Big "E"

This Leon Washburn original poster was produced by the Donaldson Lithograph Co. While the colors are not very brilliant, the poster was just exquisite. This one would be pre-1900 as Leon Washburn was out of business by 1900 having sold almost everything by then.

The Circus Museum at the Big "E"

The Circus Museum at the Big "E" is a permanent facility with a full 1/4" scale layout of the old Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey show and many showcases with a 3/4" scale parade, acts, the Midway, cookhouse, and the train loading. This showcase is for Dave Merrifield's trapeze under a Helicopter routine.

History of the Big "E"

The Eastern States Exposition, known as the Big "E" has a fascinating history behind it. You can read all about it at http://www.thebige.com/about_history.html This short series of Eastern States Exposition poster photos were taken inside the Brooks Administration Office at the Fairgrounds.

History of the Big "E"


History of the Big "E"


History of the Big "E"


History of the Big "E"


History of the Big "E"

This was a real nice three poster set all framed together. It wasn't dated but there are more days to the Fair than in the 1958 poster so I'm guessing these were from the 1960's.

Wednesday at the Big "E"


Wednesday was a full day at the Big "E" Fair. The morning began with a bus delivering the CHS attendees to the front door of the Hanneford Big Top where a full breakfast was served. Also in attendance was the CFA Wayne McCary tent, model Builders and OABA members.

Wednesday at the Big "E"


This is the interior of the Hanneford Cannobia tent. Speaking to the crowd after breakfast were Wayne McCary, Paul Ingrassia, Robert Johnson from the OABA, and Dan McGinnis of the CFA tent.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Big "E" Super Circus


The Big "E' Super Circus was a one hour show performed three times a day for the 17 day run. Opening the show was Johnny Peers with his comedic capers followed by the Flying Pages. Johnny Peers did three or four turns. A Dog act was presented but was not Johnny Peers. Also not shown in a photograph but well worth the memories was a couple of young ladies from Armenia who did a contortion act where one bent her self over backwards and laid herself flat on a table and worked herself into a glass box which was no more than a 24" x 24" x 24" cube. The second young lady then did the same thing and manuevered herself into the box already containing the first young lady so that both of them were contained in this glass box. Truly a fine exhibition.

Big "E" Super Circus

As many of you know, getting good quality photographs in spotlight conditions isn't very easy. This act was simply titled "Fusion". I have seen statue acts before but this couple was incredible. When she bent over backwards in high heels no less, and he then did a hand stand on her, the entire audienced winced in agony. They were fantastic!

Big "E" Super Circus

This amazing show was complimented by the grace and dazzling beauty of Sylvia Zerbini and her horse / lyre routine.

Big "E" Super Circus


The elephant act featured four of the Carson & Barnes elephants.

Big "E" Super Circus


Big "E" Super Circus


Big "E" Super Circus


Hagenbeck Wallace Posters at the Big "E"

The Big "E" was blessed to have this amazing Circus Poster display in the New England building as assembled by Greg Parkinson Enterprises. Chris Berry was the largest provider of posters for this exhibit. So today, I offer you 6 Hagenbeck Wallace original posters found on the grounds at the Big "E" Fair in West Springfield, Massachusetts. If you don't know about him, Chris is a fantastic collector of circus posters and has his own website at http://circusposters.blogspot.com
I have a link below for his site at Memorabilia for Trade.

Hagenbeck Wallace Posters at the Big "E"

Again the white spots are glare from the overhead lights. This one sheet was printed by Erie Litho Co. and used in 1933. This was from the Chris Berry Collection.

Hagenbeck Wallace Posters at the Big "E"

These next four posters were all found in the Circus Museum which is a permanent display at the Big "E" Fair. Unfortunately they were all above our heads and the lights glared through the glass.

Hagenbeck Wallace Posters at the Big "E"


Located in the Circus Museum.

Hagenbeck Wallace Posters at the Big "E"


Located in the Circus Museum.

Hagenbeck Wallace Posters at the Big "E"


Found in the Circus Museum.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Thursday, September 25, 2008

CHS Convention at the Big "E"

This beautiful Stinson Bandorgan was one of two found on the Fairgrounds. Also to be truly enjoyed by all was the background music on the Fairground speakers which played Circus music all day long.

CHS Convention at the Big "E"


This 8 up hitch was provided by the Hallaman Co. the Wagon is a reddish / orangish and the horses were trimmed in orange ribbons. The Budweiser Hitch was here also.

CHS Convention at the Big "E"

Bob Commerford's petting zoos were set up in two different locations with one Asian elephant at one end of the grounds and their African elephant at the other end.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

CHS Convention at the Big "E"


There was a travelling Sea Lion exhibit at the Big "E". The semi was a huge glass walled water tank with the two sea lions. The front had a large performance stage and big pool on the side also. Photo ops with a Sea Lion were also available.

CHS Convention at the Big "E"

Henry Bush was kind enough to introduce me to Susan Rix today. We had a nice visit.

CHS Convention at the Big "E"

The 2008 recipients of the Walk of Fame award at the Big "E".

CHS Convention at the Big "E"

Wayne McCary ( in the jacket ) has inducted the Flying Pages into the Big "E" Walk of Fame after the 1 PM show today.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

CHS Convention

Unfortunately a couple pictures did not turn out. We enjoyed hearing from Tom Dunwoody of the International Circus Hall of Fame in Peru, Indiana, Robert Sugarman gave a great history on the Flying Cavarettas, President Robert Sabia provided some early Circus on film, Pat Cashin provided some great Clowns videos and John Polacsek spoke about the Circus on film in the National Archives.

Tonights banquet included guest speaker Mr. Wayne McCary of the Big "E". In appreciation of all he has done for the circus industry for all these years, The Circus Historical Society has graciously donated $300.00 in Wayne McCary's name to the OABA.

CHS Convention

Dr. Eric Metcalf gave a presentation on "Reaching the audience of the 19th century, Tours and circuits."

CHS Convention


I gave my presentation today on the Campbell Bros. Circus. This courier for the 1909 season opener in the Kansas City Convention Hall was provided by President Robert Sabia.

CHS Convention

Circus World Museum Director Steve Freese gave up to the minute details of the Museum's happenings and the preparations for the Great Milwaukee Parade next year on July 12th.