Elephant "Bosco"

Dear Mr. Woodcock, I am a circus lover and I research in the circus history of my country, perhaps I write a book someday.... Now I am looking for information about the elephant Bosco. Bosco arrival at Buenos Aires in 1887, acquired by Frank Brown (or the Carlo brothers?) in Germany to Carl Hagenbeck. Bosco was a very intelligent elephant (he performed in the ballet “Amor” in 1886 at the Milan opera theatre alla Scala) and remained some years in Argentine in the Frank Brown circus with a great popularity, after return to Germany and according to the Hagenbeck book “Beasts and Men” was sold to the US. Once I have seen in your blog a picture of a elephant called Bosco, can be he himself? If you have some data or pictures that can be useful for my research I will be remained very thankful. You have a wonderful blog that I see every week, sometimes are included some ancient pictures of Argentine performers (the last was Yacopis…) If you need everything of this far coin of the word, please lest me know. I thank for your aid and I congratulate for your blog and excuse my English…! César Ortega La Plata. Argentina PD: Richard Flint give me your e-mail…

Barbershop Float 1951

Barbershop Float 1951, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, Here's another photo of the 1951 Barbershop Float. It shows a little better angle of the clown in the chair. Maybe it will help to identify him. It does look like Myron Orton though. Dom Yodice

To Greg DeSanto

Scan10353, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This is a relative of mine, Myron Orton, who clowned on the Ringling Show for many years up until they closed under canvas. His brother Gordon worked one of the show's liberty acts. The clown in question on the Barber Shop float looks a bit like him but by 1951 he was probably too old to climb up there. Since we both shared the same Orton disposition and sense of humor, I'm sure he was quite humorous.

Nelliephant 1925 (From Robin Estes)

Nelliephant 1925, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Nelliephant: 1925 April 22, 1925. Washington, D.C. "Nellie, pet of Johnny J. Jones Circus." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. J.J. Jones Exposition Submitted by Anonymous Tipster on Thu, 06/26/2008 - 10:13pm. I recall Johnny J. Jones Exposition Shows. It was a railroad carnival show, not a circus, and had many Canadian playdates with Winnipeg as one of their favorite spots. J.J. Jones Shows were still going strong well into the 1950's ... thanks from an ex-carny.

From Buckles

Scan10352, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The Johnny J. Jones Expo purchased the three Sun Bros. Circus elephants in 1919 "Alice", "Gyp" and "Sue" where they remained thru 1931, the year "Sue" died. The other two were sold to Ray Rogers, owner of Barnett Bros. Circus in 1932. ALICE 1903-18 Sun Bros. Circus 1919-31 Johnny J. Jones Exposition 1932-39 Barnett Bros. Circus 1940-43 Wallace Bros. Circus 1944-60 Beers-Barnes Circus (Died in 1960 at winter quarters)

Johnny J. Jones Exposition #1

Scan10345, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The following lay-out appeared in a 1932 copy of "Circus Magazine" despite the fact that the show no longer carried elephants.

Johnny J. Jones Exposition #2

Scan10350, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Johnny J. Jones Exposition #3

Scan10349, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Johnny J. Jones Exposition #4

Scan10348, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Mrs. Johnny J. Jones

Scan10351, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. "Mrs. Johnny J. Jones, widow of the late owner, has become president of the reorganized show company which is known as the Johnny J. Jones Exposition Inc. with two partners, J.L. Murray and Edward J. Madigan. J.L. Murray is general manager of the operating department for the corporation while Edward J. Madigan, for 18 years with the show, is vice president."

From Bolivia

P6290062, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This was taken in our dining room this afternoon, after our lunch together in celebration of our day. Left to right are: Tom Henehan, Larry Kenning, Ray Finch, then me Frank Dolphin, Ken Moody, Al Patrick and John Gorski. Mike Gillgannon, who is not a Maryknoll priest, took the picture.

Starting to look better already! Week #8

originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Today's weight............238 lbs. Net loss......................18 lbs.

Charles W. Cushman Photographs

Scan000011154, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

No. 148- RBBB in Chicago 1951

P04996, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. July 20, 1951 "Pinito Del Oro"

No. 149- RBBB in Chicago 1951

P04995, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. July 20, 1951 "Lou Jacobs"

No. 150- RBBB in Chicago 1951

P04993, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. July 20, 1951 "Ringling Bros. barber shop"

No. 151- RBBB in Chicago 1951

P04994, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. July 20, 1951 "Ringling Bros. spec float"

No. 152- RBBB in Chicago 1951

P04992, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. July 20, 1951 "Ringling Bros. in Chicago"

"Jumbo" #19 (From Donovan Glyn)

19, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

"Jumbo" #20

20, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

"Jumbo" #21

21, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

"Jumbo" #22

22, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

"Jumbo" #23

23, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Post Card Update.

Scan10345, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Frank Curry filled in some of the blanks on this picture. He said it was taken in the 1920's by photographer Ralph R. Doubleday and identified the ladies as: 1. Bea Kernan 2. Prairie Rose 3. Mabel Strickland 4. Flo Randall (Princess Mohawk) 5. Ruth Roach 6. Kittie Canutt (Mrs. Yakima Canutt) 7. Prairie Lilly Allen More of these photos can be seen on Doubleday's Cowgirl's: Women in the Rodeo.

From John Francis Dolphin

Dear Members of Circus Ministry Tomorrow I celebrate 49 years at Maryknoll. I want to thank you for being part of my life. Frank (Bolivia)

Post Card #1

Scan10338, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Post Card #2

Scan10339, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Hand written on the back: Lillian Smith B and B "The Snake" "A provocative title. I wonder if that describes the act or a remark from a catty rival." Buckles

Post Card #3

Scan10340, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Breir Troupe

Post Card #4

Scan10346, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Post Card #5

Scan10343, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. My dad wrote on the back "Medicine Show".

Post Card #6

Scan10347, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Mailed to Springfield, Illinois from Riverton, Wyoming. "Hello Old Scout, This is some kind of round up at Cheyenne. I came over to riverton last night, some great place if you don't care what you say. Well be good. (name scratched out)

Post Card #7

Scan10341, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Addressed to: Mr. Orrin Davenport 5026 W. Madison St. Chicago, Ill U.S. America "Dear Pal Kido, I am sailing about June 8 and hope to be able to see you some where in the good old States. Pal Kido from Frank."

Post Card #8

Scan10344, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Addressed to: Mrs. Victoria Davenport New York City Barnum & Bailey Show (Post marked 1911) "My dear child, Just a few words to tell you to write me next week at Milwaukee at the Brystal Theatre. We have been here 2 days and got your 2 letters. Our house is so nice but we have no one to live in it to look after it. I would love to have someone use it. God bless you. Aunt Minna

Post Card #9

Scan10342, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Addressed to: Mrs. Adele Bedini Artist New York 264 W. 38th Street Americk "John R wants to engage him. I never seen better horses and what they do. Ask Mr. R when you see him and give him our compliments." Unsigned

Al G. Kelly & Miller Bros. 1949

Scan10327, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. D.R. and Kelly Miller showing off their first imported elephants in the Fall of 1949. "Barbara" was named after D.R.'s daughter, "Kay" for Kelly's daughter Karen Kay and "Jenny" in memory of their mother.

Al G. Kelly & Miller Bros. 1950

Scan10325, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Bill Woodcock now in charge of the elephants and two of his recruits, Fred Logan from Biller Bros. Circus and George Williams from the Dailey Show after having trained seven young elephants the previous winter, "Jenny", "Kay", "Barbara", "Hattie" "Anna May", "Norma" and "Sally".

Al G. Kelly & Miller Bros. 1951

Scan10326, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. High level staff meeting in the back yard. Possibly a discussion regarding more baby elephants.

Miller-Woodcock Elephants #1

Scan10328, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Bill Woodcock and "Lydia" (named after Obert Miller's wife) for the forthcoming Miller-Woodcock elephant act to make it's debut with Siebrand Bros. Circus & Carnival in 1952.

Miller-Woodcock Elephants #2

Scan10332, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Bill Woodcock with "Anna May", "Fanny" and "Lydia" visiting Paul Van Pool at his "Few Acres" Ranch in 1952.

Miller-Woodcock Elephants #3

Scan10329, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. With Herb Walters' Cole & Walters Circus 1953. Lee Crawford, Bill and Babe Woodcock. "Jess", "Daisy", "Mabel", "Norma", "Anna May", "Fanny" and "Lydia".

Miller-Woodcock Elephants #4

Scan10331, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Woodcock family in 1953 with newly enlisted truck driver and tub roller fresh out of High School.

Miller-Woodcock Elephants #5

Scan10333, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Michigan State Fair in Detroit 1953. Your humble servant in the foreground.

Miller-Woodcock Elephants #6

Scan10336, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Orrin Davenport Shrine Circus at Regina, Saskatchewan in 1954. "Lydia" on the clothes line.

Miller-Woodcock Elephants # 7

Scan10330, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Rudy Bros. Circus at El Monte, California 4-26-58. Babe and Bill Woodcock with "Anna May", "Lydia" and "Sadie".

To Dave Price

Scan10334, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. How about the people who sent my dad these two final items?

Billposters Supreme

Scan10335, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Sells-Floto Advance Cars #1

Scan10316, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The only dated picture in today's set, April of 1907. This was the first season "Sells" was added to the title and despite litigation, was made possible by the engagement of Willie Sells, an adopted son of one of the Sells brothers.

Sells-Floto Advance Cars #2

Scan10317, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. These bill posters were a self-contained community traveling ahead of the show. Standing in the vestibule are cook, porter, etc.

Sells-Floto Advance Cars #3

Scan10318, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Sells-Floto Advance Cars #4

Scan10319, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Sells-Floto Advance Cars #5

Scan10320, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Sells-Floto Advance Cars #6

Scan10321, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.