Monday, November 09, 2009

Barnum & Bailey #8


SAVE0077, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Harry Mooney's musical elephants.

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

There's a 1909-dated Barnum & Bailey poster for this act with the line "Elephants that play real music in time and tune." It may have been used in 1910; perhaps someone can check the programs. In addition to blowing the horns, the bulls also had bell-laden ankle cuffs. The poster portrayed themringing handbells and also forming a three piece combo, as well as taking care of the ladies' capes in a "gallant" manner. Anthropomorphized skits must have been popular at this time. See the American Heritage circus book, page 95, for a view of a piece for a Ringling pachyderm brass band.