Wednesday, June 09, 2010

THIS WAY TO THE BIG SHOW #2


Scan10078, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Posted by Buckles at 6/09/2010 05:51:00 AM

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

The auto thrill rig and Fighting the Flames stage setting means that this is Forepaugh-Sells, about 1906.

09 June, 2010 07:46
Richard Reynolds said...

Wasn't the dark canopy for a number where a horse rode up on an inside platform which dropped away at the approprite moment. Or, was it for a statue act with the canopy being lifted at the dramatic moment.

09 June, 2010 17:46
Dick Flint said...

Isn’t this is a Charles Bernard (later Bob Good) circulated photo? I’ve seen it with identifying text written at the bottom but do not have a copy myself. I believe the rider in the ring with the horse is William Wallett. Unfortunately, I do not have a 1906 Forepaugh-Sells program either (anyone want to help plug a gap in my collection???) so I can’t attest as to what the black curtain might be for. It is tall, maybe 15+ feet, when compared to the sidewall and other reference points.

Folks may wish to enlarge the image to see the ring curbs—tall and narrow rather than the blocky thickness to which we are accustomed. There’s a lot else that is interesting in this photo: the gas jets with their mantles over each ring, pedestal for a ground wire act, etc. But it is probably the only tent interior view with a fighting the flames act for there are other views showing auto thrill act rigging.

Great series of 1941 Ringling photos today! Color and aerial views of the lot, a rare combination! And thanks, Richard, for your always informative and detailed commentary.

Dick Flint
Baltimore

09 June, 2010 20:23
Buckles said...

My Dad wrote on the back:
4-Paw-Sells Bros. 1906
William Wallett Sr. gentleman principal rider.
Rigging for the somersalting automobile.
Scenery for "Fighting the Flames" spectacle.
Shroud for the statuary act.

09 June, 2010 22:20

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