From Dom Yodice #1

Chuck, They were glockenspeils as you suggested. They were used for three years, 1950 being the first(as shown in the photo). In 1951 they removed the side scrolls. They were used for the last time in 1953 after having added three more keys. I have sent Buckle's two photos. One is of the aerial ballet in 1951 showing them on the webs along with the pineapples. The other photo is of the one I have in my collection. All the best, Dom

From Dom Yodice #2

Well, when I was on the Big Show....#1

I remember some guy making that crack to my Dad on the Kelly-Miller show years ago and he said, "Lets just see what you can do while you're here!"

Well, when I was on the Big Show....#2

Well, when I was on the Big Show....#3

Well, when I was on the Big Show....#4

Well, when I was on the Big Show....#5

Well, when I was on the Big Show....#6

Well, when I was on the Big Show....#7

Well, when I was on the Big Show.... #8

Well, when I was on the Big Show.... #9

Well, when I was on the Big Show.... #10

Well, when I was on the Big Show.... #11

Well, when I was on the Big Show.... #12

From Dave Price

"PRINCESS WEE WEE!"

From Chic Silber

For Jim Zajicek Coney Island Sideshow Circa 1908.

2009 Calendar #62 (From Buckles)

"Building plastered with Ringling Bros. posters, Manchester, New Hampshire, 1911."

2009 Calendar #63

"Crowd swarms ticket seller, 1956."

2009 Calendar #64

"Edward J. Kelty photograph under the big top, RBBB, 1935."

2009 Calendar #65

"A full house, RBBB, 1931."

Inset.

"I was wondering what that butcher was peddling. At first I thought he was a bug man but it turns out to be post cards. Little Bob Stevens told me that he once butchered on the show and the only Chinese required was  to bag a couple hundred pounds of peanuts every day. He added that to give an idea the size of the tent, on the QT one of the butchers would go down town each morning and pick up a case of pre-ordered Sweets. Then during the matinee come-in, after tipping a couple of ushers, they would work a small section of the audience. He added that Sam Gumpertz might be standing in the front connection and have no idea that a candy pitch was being held in the back end blues!"

2009 Calendar #66

"Edward J. Kelty photograph of RBBB Circus at Madison Sq. Garden, 1931."

2009 Calendar #67

"View of the aerial ballet inside Madison Sq. Garden, RBBB, 1950's."

2009 Calendar #68

"The Webb Brothers practice their perch-pole balancing act, c1915."

2009 Calendar #69

"Showgirl Marie Maximo riding a camel, RBBB 1930."

2009 Calendar #70

"Star equestrian Dorothy Herbert practices he famous "layback", RBBB 1932-34".

2009 Calendar #71

"Aerialist Eileen Lary poses in the back yard, Cole Bros., 1936."

2009 Calendar #72

"Crossdressing wire walker Herbert "Berta" Beeson", RBBB 1920's."

2009 Calendar #73

"Performer at her trunk, 1920's."

1964 Program #1 (From Buckles)

Fair Program #2

We had a big jackpot just prior to opening, Concello decided against a dirt ring and opted for a concrete surface. We later learned that this would eliminate the need for the prop crew to move a stage in and out. After a few complaints from me and Tommy Hanneford he came up with the plan to put in a dirt path just inside the ring curb about six feet wide for the horses to run on. Nobody was satisfied and I never could understand why Concello even involved himself since he was leaving as soon as the first ticket was sold anyway. Finally Mrs. Woodcock grew weary of the discussions and I was terrified when without warning I observed her and Mr. Concello in a heated debate, I was prepared for the worst but we wound up with a dirt ring.

1964 Program #3

1964 Program #4

1964 Program #5

1964 Program #6

1964 Program #7

1964 Program #8

1964 Program #9

1964 Program #10

1964 Program #11

1964 Program #12

I got a call from Dobrich saying that the publicity photos we had sent were unsatisfactory for poster enlargement and have more taken immediately. So on a cold, blustery morning we went out behind the bull barn in Hugo and came up with this. They blew it up to about 6'x3', then framed and surmounted it with the JRN Continental Circus logo and placed out front along with the other artists. Despite being very heavy, it somehow got mixed up with my stuff when we left, not long ago I donated it to the Ringling Museum. Don't know what they ever did with it.

1964 Program #13

Fair Pix (From Chic Silber)

As I recall this show failed in many regards I don't think it finished the 1st season as scheduled Didn't Art Concello put it together for North The location across the expressway on the side with the amphitheater was a big problem I had a full fair pass & a parking permit as the company I was working for was contracted to work on several pavilion's theatrical elements The Schaeffer Beer pavilion had a fantastic (pitch till you win) buffet that was discounted with our fair ID's so I was a repeat offender Them wuz the dayz.

Fair Pix #2

"To the best of my knowledge, John Ringling North never set foot in the place" Buckles

Fair Pix #3

Fair Pix #4

1964 NY WORLD'S FAIR CONTINENTAL CIRCUS A European one ring circus was assembled under a white and yellow vinyl structure that seated 5000. Star acts, recruited from all over the world, ranged from acrobats to chimpanzes who played musical instruments. The American performers on the international roster included the Flying Alexanders. Members of the English Hanneford family performed equstrian feats. There were several animal acts including elephants and a gorilla that did bicycle tricks. A parade marched from the circus building through the fairgrounds twice a day. An added attraction was a Circus Museum. The candy striped pavilion had exhibits from the famous Ringling Circus Museum in Sarasota, Florida. The displays reconstructed the history of the circus, from the chariot contests in ancient Rome's Circus Maximus to the present, with emphasis on the flamboyant Barnum and Bailey period at the turn of the century. Admission to both circus and museum was $1.00. The failure of the Continental Circus left a large vacancy in the amusement Area for the 1965 season. The answer was the underwhelming Continental Park, a collection of a few rides and several animals.

Fair Pix #5

Same site minus the top 1965 season.

NY Worlds Fair #1 (From Buckles)

This is 1964 in front of the same barn seen in the lower left hand corner of the previous picture.

NY Worlds Fair #2

"I clipped this out of the Times. The mono-rail passed right over the elephants, it was whisper silent!.

NY Worlds Fair #3

"Last minute hurrying was observed by AB's camera as the Continental Circus was about to open at the New York World's Fair. The big, round, one-ring tent was in place as it had been for weeks and work was being completed on the seating. Outside the tent, general manager Lloyd Morgan was overseeing the installation of one of Paul Eakins' organs into the RBBB #129 wagon, for ballyhoo use. The trio involved in a sidewalk discussion are aerialist Fay Alexander, booker Al Dobritch and Art Concello."