Baraboo - Tuesday

This 1898 John Robinson Route Book comes from when the Ringling Bros. leased the John Robinson circus for the season.

Baraboo - Tuesday

This is just one of the amazing posters in the CWM Library.

Baraboo - Tuesday

After leaving the Library, I took a quick trip down Water Street and photographed a few of the Historical Buildings plaques.

Baraboo - Tuesday

Baraboo - Tuesday

The Office Building has not been opened to the public yet.

Baraboo - Tuesday

Some of the buildings plaques are removed right now during some of the restoration processes.

Baraboo Tuesday

The Strategic Planning Sessions began Tuesday afternoon. This involved a wonderful facilitator named Jenny Erickson from the University of Wisconsin - Baraboo Extension who had submitted homework to all the Trustees all winter long.

These sessions engaged all the Board of Trustees to address our strong points, our weaknesses, etc and to eventually begin a more structured direction to address anything that comes along.

Baraboo - Monday

It's going to be a great day. This is a day I've been looking forward to for a long time. I get to spend the entire day in the Research Library. In addition to some great research, some of the greatest circus historians will be dropping in as well.

Baraboo - Monday

Louis DelMoral is here with three of Carson & Barnes elephants.

Baraboo - Monday

Here's the completely rebuilt US Bandwagon. Based on a handful of carvings that John Zweifel had saved from the Sarasota WQ, the wagon was built new from the ground up. Once built, it was valued at more than the Two Hemispheres Bandwagon when the train was insured to go to Milwaukee.

Baraboo - Monday

This is one of the beautiful carving displays inside the shop building. What did the carvings come off of? I don't know. I'll have to do some asking around on this one.

Baraboo - Monday

Here is the former Royal American Shows Giavoli Band Organ which still gives concerts during the day.

Baraboo - Monday

This is one of the four corporation cages that exists here at Circus World Museum.

CHS trip - 2012

It is almost time for the Circus Historical Society's convention. I'm heading in to Wisconsin having left South Carolina early Sunday Morning. There's almost 120 registered for the Convention, the largest in years.

CHS trip - 2012

Oh looky... I'm getting close!

CHS trip - 2012

Guess What? The Gala of Chefs is the largest fundraiser the Circus World Museum has each year. My fortune brought me in the night of the Gala and almost all of the wagons were setting outside in a 90 degree evening. The largest crowd in the event's history had over 600 people attend.

CHS trip - 2012

The great part of being at the Gala was all the various food vendors. I got this photo before the crowds really started getting overwhelmed.

CHS trip - 2012

Another photo of the Gala crowds.

CHS trip - 2012

This metal carousel horse was a creation made just for the special live auction. It brought about $1000.00.

CHS trip - 2012

The cork sale was a great success again. Anyone could buy a cork for $10.00 which then had a number on it that matched a bottle of wine. That bottle of wine may have been a $8.00 version or a $125.00 a bottle version. Luck of the draw!

CHS trip - 2012

Many of the performers then put on a show lead by Circus World Museum's illustrious ringmaster, David Saloutas!

CHS trip - 2012

Heidi Herriott presented her trained pony on stage.

Baraboo, here we come!

It is almost show time. All roads are leading to Baraboo, Wisconsin this week. My plane leaves early tomorrow morning. I understand downtown will even have the arrows out. Safe travels to all.

Baraboo, here we come!

Don't miss the Circus WALL of Fame beside the courthouse!

Baraboo, here we come!

Circus World Museum houses the largest collection of antique circus wagons anywhere in the world!

Baraboo, here we come!

Visit the historic Al Ringling Theater. It will take your breath away!



Baraboo, here we come

What a great tribute to the fine art of clowning. Greg and Karen DeSanto are great hosts.

Baraboo, here we come!

There is circus history all over this town.

Circus Kirk - 1974

Alan Shultz was one of the Trombone players on the Kirk band in 1974. He was able to convert a cassette recording of the August 7, 1974 performance in McKees Rock, PA. This video is over an hour long and gives just a great example of the Biggest Brass Band of the All Student travelling CIRCUS KIRK.

I have Pat Conway as the Musical Director on Baritone.
Other members of the band included Robert Ray on Tuba, Jeff Remaly and Alan Shultz on Trombones, then the other band members I have names of but don't remember which instrument they were playing include Phil Elkins, William Lowden, Mike Williams and Steven Cramer.

I received this from Robert Ray today - Phil Elkins and William Lowden were trumpet, and Steven Cramer was drums. Howie Hoff played french horn but I seem to remember he left the show some time in August.....Pat was playing baritone If I remember correctly.

Sells and Gray - 1974 - # 1

The Sells and Gray Circus was based out of Deland, Florida in the 1960s and 1970s. The Sells and Gray photos are dated without you even knowing it. Whatever the number is on the Annual tour, is the year. The 74th annual tour is 1974.

While I was out on Circus Kirk, my dad was photographing the Sells and Gray Circus.

Sells and Gray - 1974 - # 2

Sells and Gray - 1974 - # 3

Sells and Gray - 1974 - # 4

Sells and Gray - 1974 - # 5

Sells and Gray - 1974 - # 6

Sells and Gray - 1974 - #7

Sells and Gray - 1974 - #8

Sells and Gray - 1974 - #9

Anyone recognize the handler?

Sells and Gray - 1974 - #10

Sells & Gray - 1974 - #11

Walking Niagara Falls

I had the opportunity to do something today that I haven't done in quite a long time. We went to a couple antique shoppes today. Lo and Behold I found this very nice stereo card of Signorina Maria Spelterini crossing the Niagara Rapids. I knew there was a website for Niagara Falls daredevils and their histories so I went there to see what I could find as this woman has baskets on her feet.

I would love to ask Herbie Weber, did you know about this?

Signorina Maria Spelterini became the first woman to ever cross the Niagara River gorge on a tight rope.


Spelterini was a 23 year old buxom 150 pound beautiful woman of Italian descent. She made her debut on July 8th 1876 performing a successful crossing using two and a quarter inch wire located just North of the lower suspension bridge ( presently the Whirlpool Bridge). Maria Spelterini soon proved herself equal to those tight rope walkers that preceded her.

On July 12th 1876, Spelterini crossed wearing peach baskets strapped to her feet. On July 19th 1876, she crossed blind folded. On July 22nd 1876, Spelterini crossed with her ankles and wrists manacled.

On July 26th 1876, Maria Spelterini made a farewell crossing. She never performed any more in Niagara Falls. Her personal life remains a mystery. The date and place of her death are unknown.



July 1, 1876

A Lady to Cross the River on a Single Rope

The great sensation of the present day in the amusement world is the projected trip across Niagara River of a young lady, lately arrived from Europe, and known as the Signorina Maria Spelterini. This young artiste arrived in New York about two months ago, and has since been quietly making preparations to accomplish the feat that gave Blondin a world wide reputation.

During her stay in the city the Spelterini gave two representations at Jones' Wood, and perform feats on the high rope 100 feet above the ground that at once convinced the spectators of her perfect right to cucomiums, she has received from the European press.

Some well-known managers who were present at her initial performance freely express the opinion that she excelled in grace and daring any artiste that has ever visited this country. A Herald reporter paid Miss Spelterini a visit yesterday afternoon, and in the course of a conversation learned the following facts:

She was born Livorno, Italy and made her first appearance in public with her father's company when she was three years of age. She performed until she reached the age of 10 upon the tight rope and then commenced the slack-wire and the rolling globe. In the two last acts, she achieved a brilliant success, performing for two years in Berlin and Vienna.

In 1871, she went to Russia had made such a great success upon the high rope that she adopted that branch of her profession entirely and gave it her sole attention. She is gifted with wonderful nerve, combined with cool daring, and during her entire career, she never made a single mistake, although on several occasions, she was only saved from accident by great presence of mind.

In 1873, when performing in Surrey Gardens, London, on the day the Alexandria Palace was destroyed by fire, she was standing on a platform waiting to commence her act when the rope broke. The shock threw down the pole on the other end. The one supporting the platform on which she stood rocked violently as her assistant was jumping about and about to throw himself off, but she caught him by the hair of his head and made him stand still until assistance was brought, and they both landed on terra firma safe and sound.

On one occasion, when performing at night in Jersey at the height of 125 feet over the Bay, a violent thunderstorm arose, frightening everybody in the vicinity, but she went through her performance with the lightning flashing all around her and never for a moment lost her presence of mind. Last year, at Oporto Portugal, she was advertised to carry a boy across on her back, a distance of 200 feet, about 80 feet from the ground. The boy disappointed her, and she carried her brother across, a gentleman weighing 170 pounds.

Speaking of Niagara, the Spelterini does not regard the feet as anything at all extraordinary, as walking across the river does not display the artistes nerve half as much as the different performances that she proposes to give on the rope. If sufficient strain can be got on the rope so as to stretch it tolerably straight. She will be able to give her entire repertoire and, in any case, if the rope can be properly guyed she will perform some 10 or 12 different acts.

The rope is now being manufactured in the city, and when completed, will measure 1000 feet and weigh 1,700 pounds. It will require 1,000 pounds of guys to keep it fairly steady. The rope will be stretched across the Niagara Rapids about 200 feet below the Rail Road Suspension Bridge and 800 feet on each bank of the river will be enclosed and arranged with scats for the accommodation of spectators. The Erie, New York Central, Great Western, Canada Southern, and other roads will run trains at excursion rates to accommodate the visitors anxious to pay a visit to the falls and see a woman crossed the Rapids on a rope, a feat never before attempted.

The first performance will be given on July 1, Dominion day at 4 PM and the second at the same hour on July 4, in honour to the Centennial celebration.

Signorina Spelterini and her brother left last night for the International Hotel, where she will remain during her stay at Niagara Falls.

Which came first?

I received a very nice email the other day from the grandaughter of Neal Bose. She has given me permission to to pass on her information and the general question of which came first, the letterhead or the Collier's cover which is dated 1931?

The artwork, which was done by my grandfather, Neal Bose, also appeared on the front cover of Collier's Magazine. Neal was a commercial artist and not connected with circuses but my other grandfather, Al Merrihew, was a traveling musician who was, at one time, the band leader for Potter & Rice Amusement Co. and was part of the Executive Staff of the Cosmopolitan Amusement Co as their Musical Director. Both companies organized carnivals.



Neal Bose's artwork was probably chosen or commissioned for the cover of this May 23, 1931 issue because it contained a circus article titled, "All in the Family." The introduction to the article reads, "The circus family is the base of the show. It is the center of that loyalty and heroism that bring to each performance an undercurrent of vital drama. And the American circus dynasties are dying. Mr Cooper introduces you to the survivors."

Courtney Riley Cooper ( 1886 to 1940 ) wrote the Buffalo Bill Biography with Louisa Cody in 1919, Lions and Tigers and Everything in 1924 and the Annie Oakley biography "Woman at Arms" in 1927. He was also the writer for 19 different films including one called Sawdust in 1923.

Which came first?

The Schell Bros. Circus was owned by George Engesser and operated under that title from 1929 to 1936. When was this letterhead originated? Does anyone have one with a date on it to know when it was being used?

Lou and Frosty

This is Master Clowns Lou Jacobs and Glenn "Frosty" Little at the RBBB Clown College reunion show in 1987 as filmed by Kevin Starr.

The Miller-Woodcock elephants

There is a familiar looking prop hand in the background also.

Clyde Beatty in Rochester WQ

I am amazed at how close the general public is allowed to stand next to the arena. The Black leopard jumping through the fire hoop is something I haven't known of Clyde Beatty before. Ol' Whitey, what do you think?

Cole Bros. Circus - Should be 1946

Jerry Cash was nice enough to let me know about this fairly recent video to be placed on You tube. The counter in the middle is a bit annoying but it is a great film. Pay close attention to the cookhouse dishes.

Five Graces Bandwagon

This is the original configuration of the Five Graces bandwagon. Built in 1878 by the Fielding shops in New York for the Adam Forepaugh Show, this amazing photo was taken Sept. 9, 1879 in Northfield, Vermont. The globe telescoped into the wagon for transportation purposes.

Five Graces Bandwagon

This is the Five Graces hooked up to the 40 horse hitch in 1897 on the Adam Forepaugh and Sells Bros. Circus. It would then go to Europe on the Barnum & Bailey tours from 1898 to 1902 being pulled by the 40 horse hitch in the parades, daily.

Five Graces Bandwagon

This certainly isn't the best photo I could hope for but none the less.......... You can see the flat top of the wagon exists above the carvings and doesn't yet have the cut out design of the wagon on the top.

Five Graces Bandwagon

This is a P.M. McClintock photo labeled as the 1890s which puts it on the Adam Forepaugh and Sells Bros. Circus if its after 1895 or just the Adam Forepaugh show if its before 1895. Note the baggage wagon wheels. There weren't any decorated sunburst wheels being used. This is a good photo in that it shows the inside painted white with the gold carved statues.

Now let's jump ahead about 50 years.

Five Graces Bandwagon

Here it is sitting at the Peru Winter quarters in 1941. Wagons were being burned left and right. The fact that a hnadful of wagons were handpicked to survive is just a miracle at this point in time.

Five Graces Bandwagon

The Five Graces like all other parade vehicles had seen their better days. What still existed was allowed to basically rot away as no show needed a parade wagon by the 1950's. Having been at the Sarasota WQ for about several years, it was listed in a bill of sale dated June 12, 1961 when the basic majority of stuff still at the Sarasota WQ was sold to "Circus Enterprises" a company owned by William W. Perry and Jack Goodman for $10,000.00. This once in a lifetime sale bought the Five Graces, Lion and Snake Tableau, Lion and Gladiator, Elephant Tab, bell wagon, another Bandwagon, the Carl hagenbeck Lion tab, plus lots more cages, wagons, railroad cars and tons of circus equipment as being scrap metal at best. It was then acquired by the Museum of the American Circus. This is now known as the Ringling Museums of Art, the Circus Museum being a part of the complex.
For those that followed the dispersal of the RBBB equipment you'll remember hearing about Goodman's junk yard. Note the owner of Circus Enterprises, above.

Five Graces Bandwagon

A well distributed postcard from the Ringling Museums during the 1960's shows the great Parade vessel in vivid color.

Five Graces Bandwagon

Alone in all its greatness, the Five Graces was exhibited inside the main Hall of the Ringling Museums in 2006 when the Circus Historical Society Convention was in Sarasota.

It has since been moved into the new exhibit wing.