From Buckles #2

Scan10559, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. As near as I can figure out, since this elephant is not wearing a harness, she has been called over to give this stalled truck a shove so it can pull the cage away from the runs.

From Hal Guyon

jjjones5, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, I found this picture of The Oriental & European Circus on the Johnny J. Jones Carnival, taken in 1937. does anyone know anything about the circus, was it produced by the carnival or booked on from another show. It looks like a large personal for a carnival back end show. I am just trying to keep any information on circuses that I can. Too bad my Dad is gone, I remember him talking about the old J.J. Jones Shows, I think that Clyde Beatty had a circus on the carnival at one time, but never heard anything about this one. Thanks, Hal Guyon

Hobby Elephant (From Ed Connolly)

Hobby Elephant, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles: I am writing to you because of your interest in elephants. I am an avid circus fan, and have been a Circus Model Builder for over 35 years. Several years ago, my wife and I bought a condo in the Glen Oaks section of Sarasota. As far as we can tell, our apartment is about where the old elephant barns were. To make a long story short, later that summer I bought what I call a Hobby Elephant in an antique store on Clark Road in Sarasota. The owner said he had bought the toy at an estate auction in Sarasota. It appears to have been carved out of a single block of wood and is quite something to see. I am attaching a picture, and am hoping that you or some of your friends can tell me the history of this piece. It quite large and heavy, and obviously was ridden by children. Thanks you for your time. Ed & Kathleen Connolly

African Lion Safari #1

Chuck 009, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Hi Buckles, We had a male Asian elephant born on July 15th. The mother is Mali from the Syracuse Zoo and the father is Rex. We named him "Chuck" after Chuck Doyle the director of the Syracuse Zoo. He weighed 235lbs and stood 34" tall at birth. He is the first 3rd generation Asian elephant born in North America. His grandparents are Targa and Indy and his great grandparents are Vance and Birka, quite a pedigree. He is doing very well and Mali is an excellent mother. Charlie Gray

African Lion Safari #2

baby chuck 003, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

African Lion Safari #3

baby chuck 013, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Henry Schroer

Scan10558, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Hi Buckles, How can I upload a picture on to your Web Log? Henry Good to hear from you. Try: bucklesw@tampabay.rr.com Buckles

John Robinson's Circus 1929 #1

Scan10545, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I remember when the origin of this show in the 1800's was in debate and Dick Conover got the last word with a publication of a booklet. Maybe Dick Flint could elaborate. The title was very well known, particularly in the South and several show owners lusted for it's use with such titles as "Don R. Robinson" and "Famous Robinson" the latter owned by Jerry Mugivan and Bert Bowers. On March 6, 1916 Mugivan and Bowers finally succeeded in buying the show from the Robinson family and immediately sold the equipment to Ben Wallace since all they wanted was the legitimate rights to the John Robinson name, They still owned the show in 1929, now the American Circus Corporation but by this time lacked the prestige of the Corporation's Hagenbeck-Wallace and Sells-Floto Circuses. AMERICAN CIRCUC CORPORATION 1929 Sells-Floto Circus- 30 cars (Zack Terrell Mgr.) Hagenbeck-Wallace- 30 cars (C.D. Odom Mgr.) Al G. Barnes Circus- 30 cars (S.L. Cronin Mgr.) John Robinson Circus- 25 cars (Jess Adkins Mgr.) Sparks Circus- 20 cars (Henry B. Gentry Mgr.)

John Robinson's Circus 1929 #2

Scan10546, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

John Robinson's Circus #3

Scan10547, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

John Robinson's Circus 1929 #4

Scan10548, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

John Robinson's Circus 1929 #5

Scan10549, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

John Robinson's Circus 1929 #6

Scan10551, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

John Robinson's Circus 1929 #7

Scan10552, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

John Robinson's Circus 1929 #8

Scan10553, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

John Robinson's Circus 1929 #9

Scan10554, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

John Robinson's Circus 1929 #10

Scan10555, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

John Robinson's Circus 1929 #11

Scan10556, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

John Robinson's Circus 1929 #12

Scan10557, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

The full figured gentleman's weigh-in Week #13

Scan000011194.MOD, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Today's weight............234 lbs. Net loss......................22 lbs.

From James Zajicek

8140~Evil-Clowns-Posters, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Barbara and Parley

Scan10532, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Two more people up to no good!

We're on the wrong lot!

Scan10544, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I think this undated picture was taken shortly after I took delivery on "Toto" and "Mac". David Mannes, Billy Bouthellier, Gary Jacobson, Buckles, Fred Logan, Ben Williams and Mike Aria. At first I thought it was Shannon standing in front but on closer inspection I see that it's Gary's step-son "Handy Andy".

From Helen Billitti

Scan10543, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I received this picture yesterday of my dad with "Anna May", "Fanny" and "Lydia". From their size I'd say it was taken in 1953 the year he opened with Herb Walters.

Franck Buck - Norman Rockwell Painting.

Franck Buck - Norman Rockwell Painting.1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. From Henry Penndorf Frank Buck was truly "larger than life". Do you remember the CBS Television series, "Bring 'Em Back Alive"? It only lasted one season, from September 1982 to May 1983. A total of eighteen episodes. It was aired on Tuesday nights from 8:00 to 9:00 P.M. The show was set in Singapore, and starred Bruce Boxlietner as Frank Buck. From YouTube, and for a smile, a! vintage commercial for the show. (The clip only lasts nine seconds).... YouTube - Coming Soon To CBS (1982) Growing up I had, and still have somewhere, the Classics Illustrated Comic Book "Bring 'Em Back Alive". Classics Illustrated published a few Frank Buck stories in addition to "Bring 'Em Back Alive" (#104), including "Fang and Claw" (#123), and "On Jungle Trails" (#140). American Artist Norman Rockwell even painted a portrait of Frank Buck. There is even a Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville, Texas,.. Frank Buck Zoo - Noth Texas' Zoo Stay Well, Henry

Cast - Bring 'Em Back Alive. (1982)

Cast - Bring 'Em Back Alive.2 (1982), originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Frank Buck Classic Comics.1

Frank Buck Classic Comics.1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Frank Buck Classic Comics.2

Frank Buck Classic Comics.2, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Frank Buck Classic Comics .3

Bring 'Em Back Alive - Classic Comics #104, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

From Gary Hill

!cid_X_MA1_1217714313@aol, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Went into Dallas today with my son and saw the Red Show. Found Joe Frisco on the floor before the show started and he came out afterward to visit. He looks good and said to say Hello to ya Capt. Bello, also commented how much he enjoyed the years on Big Apple with you! Here is a photo of Joe and me that my son took with my cell phone.

Paulina Schumann #1 (From Raffaele De Ritis)

PAULINA1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The Government of Catalunya (Spain) announced in Barcelona that Paulina Schumann will be the recipient of the 2008 National Award of Culture, "for her outsanding career achievement as dancer, acrobat, animal trainer, high school rider" and for becoming a "circus icon of 20th century". Paulina Andreu-Rivel (b.1926) is the daughter of legendary clown Charlie Rivel, then marrying late Albert Schumann. She was the first after WW II to renew the concept of presentation in liberty horses and high school with themed act, modern music from movies or classic, the most luxurious costume changes and the use of theatrical lighting or smoke effect. Is from the Schumann style that took inspiration the modern horse presentation style of Knie, Gruss, etc. She was the star of London winter seasons, with Mills at Olympia then at Harringay's arena. Last time I visited Paulina was in the last fall at her home in Spain: she is very well, with strong energy and a wonderful memory.

Paulina Schumann #2

PAULINA2, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Paulina Schumann #3

paulina_benny_1963, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Sleeping Beauty 1954 (From Dominic Yodice)

Sleeping Beauty 1954, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Here are the 6 main floats from the 1954 spec-"Dreamland". More will follow from other seasons in both color and black & white. John G. hope you like them. Dom Yodice

Calliope 1954

Calliope 1954, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Old King Cole 1954

Old King Cole 1954, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Scheherazde 1954

Scheherazde 1954, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Payoff 1954

Payoff 1954, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. "I rode the South Shore Line from South Bend to Chicago to see the show this year. For some reason I don't recall much about the spec despite the fact that a 12' tall Hamburger Mary should be difficult for a 19 year old to forget." Buckles

Shangri La 1954

Shangri La 1954, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

RBBB Chicago 1954

SAVE0821, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. On this day I watched the elephants while my folks went over to see the show. George Piercy, Bill Woodcock, Tom Parkinson and Arky Scott. Ken Whipple kneeling.

From Hal Guyon

Scan10542, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. LAST WORD REGARDING “BIG MARY” By Ruth Pieper, Erwin Tennessee Big Mary of the Sparks World Famous Shows became known as Murderous Mary on September 12, 1916 in Kingsport, Tennessee - when she killed a new bull keeper hired just a couple of days before in St Paul, Virginia. A crowd of local people had gathered for the towns first County Fair and Sparks Show. Mary was advertised as the “ Largest Living Land Animal On Earth - 3 Inches Taller Than Jumbo And Weighing Over 5 Tons” So that her gruesome killing of “Red” after a matinee performance, was seen by young and old alike. Fear triggered pandemonium, “ kill her, kill her” was the cry and 24 hours later, Big Mary was hung by a train derrick of the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railroad in Erwin, Tennessee. It would seem that Erwin, had condemned Big Mary. For it was here, at the main office of the C. C. & O Railroad that they would have a train derrick coming in to do the hanging. It was deemed the safest and most humane method of execution for that time and circumstances. The C. C. & O. Tracks were laid through rugged terrain of the Blue Ridge Mountains south of Erwin, over the Appalachian Range into North Carolina which followed the Toe River. The C. C. & O. Advertised in the Johnson City Staff newspaper, “ Special train Leaving Johnson City September 10 (1916) to Flooded District of Blue Ridge Mountains near Altapass, N.C. . - See the devastation of the Floods of July 15 and 16.” It was still wet season in September. In order to have the train derrick available to travel south in case of more wash outs, the railroad company decided not to send the train derrick some thirty miles north to Kingsport. On Wednesday September 13, 1916 the Sparks Show arrived in Erwin to perform their matinee and the dramatic task. It was to remain etched in the minds of Erwin ever since. Mainly because a C. C. & O. railroad employee, T. K. Broyles Jr. Had the presents of mind to capture this historic event with his box camera. It became a dimly lite photograph of the hanging that occurred late in the afternoon of a cloudy day. That photo was to prove the first hanging of an elephant in the United States and to perpetuate this local history. Photo from Buckles

Louis E. Reed #1

Scan10533, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Today's pictures concern Mr. Reed's earlier years with the Sparks Show. LOUIS REED 1898 Walter L. Main Circus (elephant hand) 1907 Barnum & Bailey (elephant hand) 1912-23 Sparks Shows 1924-25 Sells-Floto Circus 1926-41 Adele Nelson Elephant Act (Mrs. Louis Reed) ("Myrtle", "Tillie" and "Jennie" were imported 6/7/26 and over the following fifteen years were featured in Vaudeville both in the US and Europe) 1942-48 Dailey Bros. Circus 1949-50 During this brief period of time Louis Reed trained an incredible number of young elephants, five for Hamid-Morton (Siam, Delhi, Bombay, Mysore and Calcutta) five for Hunt Bros. Circus (Chandre, Sita, Rani, Muna and Dinu, these were trained on the road) three for Biller Bros. (Margie, Betty and Lillian) and "Jean" for Terrell Jacobs. Being well past his prime, he would solicit the aid of Smokey Jones who was always ready for an adventure. 1952-54 Ringling-Barnum Quarters (He finished his career training elephants for the Ringling Show, seven for the 1953 season and twenty for the 1955 season.) Mr. Reed died suddenly in 1960 while standing before the mirror shaving. Smokey and I once discussed what the E. in his name might stand for and we decided it must be "Elephant".

Louis E. Reed #2

Scan10534, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Mr. Reed can be seen second from right in this group of vested gentlemen.

Louis E. Reed #3

Scan10536, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Louis E. Reed #4

Scan10535, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Since this picture includes "Mary" in the center (Sparks first elephant), it would be dated 1916 or earlier. The two punks are "Ollie" and "Mutt" and at left is either "Topsy" or "Queen". MARY 1893-16 John H. Sparks Circus (Killed Walter Eldridge at Kingsport, Tennessee 9/12/16 and was strangled by means of a railroad crane the following day.

Louis E. Reed # 6

Scan10537, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Louis E. Reed # 5

Scan10538, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. These last four pictures would have been taken in 1918 or later since they include "Babe", "Bonnie" and "Myrtle" acquired from the defunct J. Augustus Jones', Cole Bros. Circus. This is the same "Babe" whose head was mounted on the wall of Kelly Miller's estate in Hugo 35 years later.

Louis E. Reed #7

Scan10539, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. "Topsy" and "Queen".

Louis E. Reed #8

Scan10540, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Mr. Reed certainly bears the look of authority, seen here riding "Topsy". I might add that that she was one of the three elephants given to Frank Buck by the Ringling Show at the close of the 1938 season in lieu of back wages "Topsy", "Frieda" and "Yasso" and appeared in his 1939 NY Worlds Fair Exhibit. TOPSY 1906-12 Campbell Bros. Circus 1913 Cole Bros. Circus (Al G. Campbell) 1914-31 Sparks Circus 1932-38 Ringling-Barnum Circus 1939 NY Worlds Fair (No final record)

Louis E. Reed #9

Scan10541, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.