Monday, July 23, 2007

Ringling Bros. animal dens #3


Scan10098, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

That looks somehow familiar

Anonymous said...

Better you then me, my friend. My best wishes. Wade Burck

Anonymous said...

Guys, this was the way the early animal men presented cats in the ring, in a "working cage." It was pushed into the ring, or perhaps viewed at the side, with the keeper entering the cage. Read George Conklin's book if you want to learn about the experience. Before the railroad show era, such cages were generally small, carriage-like. Later shows had larger and somewhat decorated "working cages." The name originated with the performance action. You can see keepers inside the cage in photos of Burr Robbins, Sells-Barrett and many others. The Ringling vehicle was surely assembled by the Moellers, likely utilizing corner statues from Forepaugh. The style is like their series of tableau cages.

Casey McCoy Cainan said...

I see, what appears to be the tail of a horse in front of the wagon. Did guys actually ride in these wagons, with the cats? It just seems like it wouldn't work out so good to do that.

Anonymous said...

yes it sure looks like it is a parade ,horses tail, reigns, & driver
also notice man is seated (for stability,maybe) and the male lion is braced with his butt to the front wall and bars to his right shoulder

GaryHill said...

There is a driver with the reins in his hands also. Jewell and I would sometimes sit inside the cage with all the cats on their seats.None would come down without being asked, but I don't know if I would ride in a cage with more than one cat at a time? Tho Kenneth the motorcycle rideing lion liked to ride in or on anything. He would ride in the passenger side of my "Jimmy" with his head out the window. Jewell had to sit in the back seat.