Louisville Zoo #8

DSC_0087, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Louisville Zoo #9

DSC_0152, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Texas Morning #1 From John Goodall)

!cid_X_MA2_1223560013@aol, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. THE FAWN LOOKS SO SMALL....... .......

Texas Morning #2

!cid_X_MA1_1223560013@aol, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. After the horses moved on, the doe came for her fawn. So all is well--in case you were wondering.

From Sue Lenz

!cid_X_MA1_1223566737@aol, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Subject: Global Warning! Just thought you all might like to know what's really causing the problem...

"Wicked"

Scan10817, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Chic Silber was kind enough to send me this audio from the show that currently keeps him hopping around the world. On the subject of "wicked" the Publix scale just dropped the hammer on me, I have added two pounds over the past week, one reason being my wife's belated birthday party held at Dalilah's place Sunday. Week #23......Today's weight 233 lbs..........Net Loss 23 lbs.

1925 Flying Melzers

1925 Flying Melzers, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Hi Buckles: Attached are a couple of photos of a Saginaw, Michigan based flying act called The Flying Melzers or The Flying Melzoras. I have not seen any photos of them on your Blog, They worked from the 1920's to the 50's. I worked with them from 1951 until they quit in 1956. the 1925 photo is from left to right Raymond Thomas (son) Jane Thomas (mother) Melzer Thomas (father) Jess Deteiller, Harry Kruger, Paul Garee, Melzer (Buster) Thomas Son Regards Barry Miller

Barry Miller, Bill Lake,Ray Thomas,Ann Thomas 1950's

Barry Miller, Bill Lake,Ray Thomas,Ann Thomas 1950's, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

To Jim Z.

Scan10816, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I always thought it was Bob Top and Edna...Am I going senile?? Jim Z. "To further complicate matters, stamped on the back of this picture: Bob Top and Co. SKATING IN THE SKY Rt.1 Box 130 Inverness, Fla. U.S.A." Buckles

From Raffaele De Ritis

affiche, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The poster and the list of the acts of 33th Monte Carlo Festival. Chijovs, high wire Karl Ferdinand Trunk, poneys Trunk, farm animals Mayorov, clown Duo Spiral, hand to hand Cirque du soleil - Alegria, russian bars Giona, high school Romain Cabon, silks Vivancos – jugglers (Russia) Roger Falck, tigers Elvis Errani, elephants Fujian Troupe, Lazos Troupe Pyongyang, flying trapeze Troupe Pyongyang, russian swing Gipsy Gomez, hula hoop Val de Fun, clown (being the new stage name of Valery Serebiriakov) Wolfgang Lauenburger, dogs Constantin Muraviev, comedy german wheel Tr’Espace, diabolos A chinese perch act Zebras Troupe, acrobats (Russia) Efremkina, aerial lyra Dany Daniel, rola-bola Duo Sorellas, double trapeze A riding cossack act

Polar Bear Pyramid (From KLSDAD)

PolarBearPyramid, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I somehow missed the circus movie "The Big Show" when it came out in 1961 in C i n e m a s c o p e! (Guess someone thought 9 years were enough to wait after "The Greatest Show On Earth" in 1952.) I read it opened at the Palace Theater in NYC to middling reviews. Thoroughly enjoyed watching Cliff Robertson and Esther Williams "swimming upstream" through the movie over last weekend. (She only appears once in a bathing suit and dives into a pool and backstrokes in a 15 second sequence, but beautiful in each frame.) The end titles mention Circus Krone in Munich being used for the movie. The highlight of the film is the polar bear display. Wonderful!! The end titles list the display as "Doris Arndt and the Ice Bears". Perhaps some of you were in the film!! Thought you might enjoy these clips from the movie. Regards.. klsdad

Liberty Horse Display

LibertyHorseDisplay, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Hippo

Hippo, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Liberty Came lDisplay

LibertyCamelDisplay, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Elephants Ready For Spec

ElephantsReadyForSpec, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

More on Inflatables! #1 (From Mike Naughton)

600_Ringling, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Great idea, this one or similar one was in front of Robarts Sarasota when the Gold played in 2007. Now that is a traffic stopper!

More Inflatables! #2

Bello_with_Bello, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The Bello inflate for Ringling; the first time I saw these type of inflates was the Gold Unit at Robarts in Sarasota. That kind was an inflatable billboard and you knew the circus was in town. A great idea! In the past folks did their shopping downtown and walked by all the stores with paper in the windows; lots of labor to place that paper. Now you can just inflate the inflate and as the public drives on their way to shop at the mall, the potential customers see the inflate. Whatever it takes to sell those tickets, the government doesn't send us a check to entertain the children of America. Hmmm. maybe I should have a few SHRINE CIRCUS inflates made and lease them to the Shriners for the week previous to their engagements; no initial investments on the Shriner's part, no fuss, no storage, no maintenance, different rotating inflates from year to year. This could be the new elephant ride of the 21st century.

From Dick Flint

W, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Clownron's comment under the photo of Jimmy Brisco carrying his "lion" that it was a great place to sleep on a 3-show day brought to mind this photo of the way most folks on Ringling catch some sleep between shows back of the curtain. Dick Flint Baltimore

From Mike Naughton

PA030105, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Visitors to the NEW CIRCUS VIDBEL THREE CIRCUSES REPRESENTED ON ONE CIRCUS LOT, friends and colleagues have a great visit. MJ (l) and Elizabeth(r), The Naughton Sisters from Yankee Doodle Circus visit with "Uncle" Ian M. Garden, Jr. from Canada's Garden Brothers Circus at the NEW CIRCUS VIDBEL. Ian announced the all-star line-up and presented his Welsh Ponies. Ian and family head to Sarasota after the Vidbel run. Elizabeth is Ian's goddaughter. The Vidbel show has a solid line-up of top-notch acts. Great Job! Mike Naughton Circus Vidbel is closing its new generation of the "Original Olde Tyme Circus" this weekend in New York. The three week inaugural tour opened in New Jersey. The show is a power-house and thoroughly entertaining. Ian Garden, Jr. announcer and liberty ponies, the Martin Alvarez Family with teeterboard, cradle and hula-hoops, Gennady and Svetlana with 2 comedy spots and their juggling/skip rope specialty seen on Big Apple, Mike Ashton Family risley with 2 year old Cheyenne, Suzanne Vidbel cloud swing, the Pat Davison Family with rola bola and unicycles. Mike Ashton and Wynn Murrah sound like a six piece band. At the end of the show on Friday night Henry Bush, cfa personified, presented a bouquet of roses to Suzanne. Both matinee and evening shows had plenty of fans from the New England area. Both shows had enthusiastic patrons and the evening show graced Suzanne's cloud swing with a standing ovation. Joyce Vidbel and several friends attended the matinee. After many years I ran into Ralph Steinherr, the father of Jennifer and Suzanne. Welcome back Circus Vidbel and all the best to Mike and Suzy from the Mike Naughton Family and the Yankee Doodle Circus. Mike Naughton

Beatty-Cole #1 (From BJ)

CBCBi, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Don't remember what year these were taken, or who took them.-BJ

Beatty-Cole #2

CBCBl, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Beatty-Cole #3

CBCBk, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Beatty-Cole #4

CBCBo, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Beatty-Cole #5

CBCBn, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Beatty-Cole #6

CBCBm, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Beatty-Cole #7

CBCBj, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Beatty-Cole #8

CBCBe, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Beatty-Cole #9

CBCBc, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Beatty-Cole #10

CBCBh, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Beatty-Cole #11

CBCBg, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This is "Sid" and her last year on the Beatty Show was 1969 which might help date these pictures. SIDNEY 1925-34 Wm. P. Hall Farm (Named after one of Hall's daughters) 1935-38 Cole Bros. Circus 1939-42 Beatty's Elephant Act 1943 Beatty-Wallace Circus 1944 Beatty-Russell Circus 1945-56 Clyde Beatty Circus 1957-69 Beatty-Cole Circus 1970-72 King Bros. Circus (Died in 1972)

Beatty-Cole #12

CBCBf, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I was told that on very muddy lots "Sid" was used to spot the cannon. On one occasion she was making the turn onto the front track, half asleep, scavaging for whatever grass might be available or perhaps a Cracker Jack box when suddenly the cannon discharged and "Sid", now wide awake and on a dead run, took it down the front track and out the front door. Probably untrue but it made a good story anyway.

Beatty-Cole #13

CBCBb, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Beatty-Cole #14

CBCBd, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Beatty-Cole #15

CBCBa, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

From Walt King

Scan10810, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Dear Buckles: You do a hell of a job on your blog ! Us show bums up north certainly appreciate all the work you put in ! TOM HENDRICKS of Toledo, Ohio a popular circus fan and circus historian is VERY sick. He has had two serious operations and is completely bedridden. Could you put his address on your blog so many circus friends might send him a note or a card of good wishes. Thanks and keep up the good work. Barb and Walt King Tom Hendricks, Rm. 135. Orchard Villa. 2841 Mundeng Dr., Oregon, Ohio. 43616

Track Lights

Scan10815, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The recent remarks about Mr. Silber's lighting brought this picture to mind.

Arson Suspects Apprehended!

Two in custody in arson at Circus World Museum State Journal staff BARABOO — Two people were taken into custody Thursday morning in connection with arson at Circus World Museum earlier this week, said Baraboo Police Lt. Robert Sinden. The two — Kory Evert, 20, and a 16-year-old male — face tentative charges of arson, criminal damage to property and trespassing. Sinden said the charges cover not only the Circus World Museum fire, which damaged an exhibition housing rare circus wagons, but other incidents of graffiti in Baraboo. Sinden said the suspects were identified with the help of information from the Crimestoppers tip telephone line. Both were released pending a court appearance.

Walruses #1 (From Richard Reynolds)

!cid_X_MA1_1223580143@aol, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Around 1908 or so Carl Hagenbeck had a trained female walrus (shown here). He claimed she was the only one ever tamed and taught to perform tricks. When she was two years old she weighed 380 pounds and consumed 70 pounds of boneless fish a day; and a year later not less than 100 lbs. satisfied her. Supposedly she was sent to a zoo in Romania, but where would that have been? From all I can tell the Bucharest zoo was not in existence that far back - -perhaps a private place? World War I and the resulting collapse of the German economy devastated the Hagenbeck firm. The great Stellingen Tierpark closed on 3 October 1920 and was not reopened for three and a half years. A long article, “Hagenbeck’s Closes Its Doors” appeared in Billboard, 18 Dec. 1920, p. 92. It detailed the appalling animal losses from hunger and cold caused by wartime conditions, among which were: “… the entire Hagenbeck stock of seals…, likewise one of the great prizes of the Stellingen collection, a remarkable trained walrus, the last of its kind in captivity.” That would have been a successor to the one pictured above. Hagenbeck was a pioneer in keeping walruses and had many of them over the years. In his book, >>Beasts and Men<< (English translation, 1910), he mentions receiving three youngsters in October 1907 and another five in September 1908, all eight of which he kept together in the Arctic Panorama at his Stellingen Tierpark. He devotes much time to describing how difficult it is to keep walruses in captivity, a persistent problem until recently as Jim Alexander mentioned in a recent walrus comment on the blog. Notwithstanding the difficulty keeping them, in 1908 Hagenbeck tried to talk the Ringlings into buying a walrus. In a letter dated October 29, 1908 Hagenbeck wrote the Baraboo brothers as follows >>I am sure you could keep him (walrus) alive just as well as your Hippopotamus, as a walrus, if he has got his water, can stand more heat than any other animal. The heat will not kill him but you must be careful in winter that he does not catch cold. My walrus are staying summer and winter in the open air, and they are always to be found where they have got the best of sun. If you can get them enough fish, such as haddocks or bluefish or other large sorts of fish, which they must have without bones and in small pieces, then you can keep them alive years and years.<< [Letter in Pfening archives] This was a case of questionable sales ethics because Hagenbeck had just written in his book how difficult they were to keep. Wisely, the Ringlings did not bite on the walrus. True one could probably be hauled around (perhaps for a short time) in a big hippo wagon with a bathing tank. However, they are fond of fully submerging in a pool much deeper than the shallow ones in hippo cages. That would not bode well for life on the road. Moreover, the specialized diet would be too tricky for a field show to manage and likely would not be cost effective vs. the exhibition value. For sure a circus walrus would require a keeper who did nothing but look after him and his specialized needs.

Walruses #2

!cid_X_MA1_1223580406@aol, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This is another photo, presumably of the same Hagenbeck trained walrus. Note the sea lion. Jim Alexander earlier mentioned that Sea World had used trained walruses for 25 years and that the first one, a female named Flo, had come from St.Louis zoo. In September 1984 I saw a 1,500 pound female named “Slow Poke” perform at Sea World’s seal show in Orlando. She wrapped up the act by bursting out onto the stage and flopping into the water filled moat that separated stage from audience. Using her front flippers, she then boosted herself up on the edge facing the crowd whereupon she spit a mouthful of water all over those sitting in the first few rows. That drew a great laugh and much applause. As expected, most of the show consisted of California sea lions doing turns both on the stage and in the water. However, it included another novelty for me, namely, two trained North American river otters. Breeding walruses in captivity has proved difficult. The first walrus bred and born in USA (or anywhere as far as I know) was a pup born to “Petula” at Marineland of the Pacific, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. at 7:10 a.m. on 20 May 1975. I saw mother and pup there on 14 September 1975. At the time Marineland had 2-1 additional adult walruses that, together with the calf’s mother, were captured in May 1961 in the Bering Straits. One of the adult males had a fine set of tusks and mama “Petula” had a single tusk.. I mention this because captive walruses often have little or no tusks and are thus shown without the adornment which make them so spectacular. I believe they must wear them down on the walls or bottoms of their pools, similar to the way Indian rhinos wear down their single horn to nothing. Since that 1975 success a number of additional walruses have been born here in America that have survived. Sea World, San Diego got the walruses from Marineland, Palos Verdes when it closed in 1987 (the land became too valuable and was sold to developers). A walrus was born in S. Diego the same year. Another birth took place in S-World, S. Diego in 1993. Then in 2007 a pup was born at the NY Aquarium on Coney Island. These survived, but others did not. In Europe, the only walruses births of which I am aware (two of them) took place at the Dolphinarium at Harderwijk, Netherlands, one in 1995 and the other in 2003. Should one want to see walruses today in America, here's where to go - -Sea World (San Diego, San Antonio, and Orlando), Six flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, CA; New York Aquarium, Coney Island; Quebec Aquarium; Indianapolis Zoo; and Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Tacoma, WA.

Walruses #3

!cid_X_MA1_1223580877@aol, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Here is Carl Hagenbeck with 7 walruses in the Arctic Panorama at his Stellingen (Hamburg) zoo. This would be about 1908. Given the high cost of feeding them, little wonder that he wanted to sell one to the Ringlings.

Walruses #4

!cid_X_MA1_1223586660@aol, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Antje arrived at Hagenbeck's famed Animal Park, Hamburg on Nov 10, 1976. She was acquired through the central Soviet Russian animal dealership in Moscow. She had the all time longest tusks of any captive walrus, and was the most popular animal at the zoo. She died on July 17, 2003, after 26 years and 8 months at Hagenbeck's - -the world longevity record for a captive walrus. [Photo from Herman Reichenbach, Hamburg]

Rhino mom and baby #1 (From Paul Gutheil)

rhino mom and baby 1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. FOR YOUR AND PERHAPS OTHERS IDLE CURIOSITY. BEST AS ALWAYS PAUL ALL SHOTS TAKEN IN BRONX ZOO "AWHILE" AGO.

Rhino mom and baby #2

rhino mom and baby 2, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Statue of Bessie

statue of bessie, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cat Lifters #1 (From Henry Penndorf)

Wolfgang Holzmair.11, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Wolfgang Holzmair Hi Bill, From your archives (Thursday, September 6, 2007), the picture that clownron was referring to, Jimmy Briscoe's spoof of Wolfgang Holzmair's lion carry. Besides the "lion carry" there was a second picture on that date of Jimmy Briscoe, carrying a stuffed tiger. Also from your archives, a picture of Wolfgang Holzmair's lion carry. The lion carry that also made an impression me was done by the Hungarian Lion Trainer, Sandor Komlos, who not only carried a lion on his shoulders, but also his wife. (This picture again, is from your archives) Stay well, Henry

Cat Lifters #2

Jimmy Briscoe.1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Jimmy Briscoe 1

Cat Lifters #3

Jimmy Briscoe.2, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Jimmy Briscoe 2

Cat Lifters #4

Sandor Komlos.1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Sandor Komlos

From Raffaele de Ritis

copertina_circo, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. 580 pages- More than 300 b/w illustrations - 36 colour plates Chronological tables – index of 1400 performers and circuses Hundreds of notes and full international bibliography The text is in Italian language Price: 47 Euro Isbn : 978-88-7870-317-9 One of the most detailed existing studies on the world circus history From the oriental traditions to the Renaissance fairs; from the early equestrian pioneers to the golden age of the circus buildings; from the cultural influence of the American circus to the great European big tops; from the origins of the Soviet circus to Cirque du Soleil and the avant-gardes… This italian work, after five years of research, considers all the major circus studies of the recent years and from the past, attempting a complete survey of "the greatest show on earth". The book considers the artistic and social aspects; details the developments of the circus techniques; the birth of the great circuses around the world; the economic and industrial issues; the development of the space, from the circus building to the modern big top; details the intricacy of the legendary dinasties; the relationship of the circus with the other art forms throrough the centuries. Every aspect is detailed with hundreds of bibliographical notes from international resources, books and magazine. Fully illustrated, the book is published by the prestigious Bulzoni from Rome, Italy's leading house for theatrical and movie studies. Even for the foreign reader, a reference book and an invaluable instrument of research in circus history. Raffaele De Ritis is a writer and director. He created projects with Cirque du Soleil, Soviet State Circus in Moscow, Togni family, the Circo Price in Madrid, La Biennale di Venezia, Spoleto Festival and Monte Carlo Princess Grace Theatre. He directed Barnum's Kaleidoscape for Ringling bros. and Carnevale! For Big Apple Circus. De Ritis is the consultant of Rai state TV in Italy for circus projects, and was member of the Circus Commission at Italy's Ministry of Culture. Former editor of italian circus magazine "Circo", he is author of hundreds of international articles about circus, theatre and movies. As teacher, he give courses for the University La Sapienza in Rome, the Accademia del Circo, the European Federation of Circus Schools. His previous book is Illusionismi (2004), an history of theatrical conjuring. TO PURCHASE THE BOOK: - Online on one the main italian web bookshops: www.ibs.it http://libri.dvd.it www.libreriauniversitaria.it www.webster.it www.unilibro.it - From the publisher (cash on delivery): www.bulzoni.it/novita.asp Tel 00 39 06.491851 bulzoni@bulzoni.it Shipping costs: Italy 3 Euros / Europe 9.20 Euros / America 16.70 Euro

Great Moscow Circus #1 (From Henry Schroer)

Moscow, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Just came back from Australia where I help Harry Weber to open his new show, "The Great Moscow Circus", in association with Michael Edgley. This is Harry`s third show, two in New Zealand and now one in Australia. His Brother Rudi has a show called " Weber Circus" in Australia and all shows having great success. Greetings from down under Henry Schroer

Great Moscow Circus #2

Moscow11, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.