From Joey Ratliff

Barnum&Bailey+RinglingBros-Animals, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. From Chappie Fox's poster book. "A lot of people have found this picture appealing, myself included, and have had this old gentleman scrolled down one side of their stationery." Buckles

Wolong Earthquake #1 (From Richard Reynolds)

!cid_X_MA1_1224177973@aol, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Wolong was the epicenter of the monster 7.9 earthquake that hit the Sichuan Province of China on May 12. It killed some 70,000 people. Wolong is also the location of the giant panda research and conservation center. When the quake struck, there were 63 giant pandas at the center. Luckily only one seems to have been killed. These captivating photos show the staff feeding some of the young ones right after the quake.

Wolong Earthquake #2

!cid_X_MA2_1224177973@aol, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Isler Greater Shows 1935

Scan10829, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Ringling Barnum COMBINED TITLE SHEET (1919)

Ringling Barnum COMBINED TITLE SHEET (1919), originally uploaded by bucklesw1. From Chris Berry While doing some research today I came across this great little item on a long forgotten incident that happened at Madison Square Garden. (I have attached a photo of a poster that is no doubt similar to those which led young Vincent astray on that spring day nearly 89 years ago...) MISSING BOY WAS AT THE CIRCUS Father Takes Home Son Who Wanted to Train Elephants New York Times - April 8, 1920 Resplendent in the bright uniform of a circus attendant, Vincent Valenzano, 16, stood on the edge of the arena in Madison Square Garden last night watching with rapt wonder the "amazing aerial exhibitions" "performing pachyderms" "wonderful wire walkers" and all of the other things alluringly announced in the pink circus posters all over town. The smell of the sawdust, the blare of the band and the hooplas of the horseback riders filled him with contentment - a contentment of the moment unspoiled by the disquieting fact that members of his family were probably looking all over for him since he shook the dust of 413 First Avenue from his feet on March 24 and hit the sawdust trail. The show was nearly over and Vincent, with the other attendants, was hurrying to the arena for the hippodrome races when he felt a touch on his arm. It was John Ringling, one of the proprietors of the circus. Vincent's heart gave a bound. He had confided to one of the circus managers his ambition to be an elephant trainer and had asked that Mr. Ringling be approached on the subject. Now, doubtless, Mr. Ringling had decided to give him a chance. He saw his name in big letters on the program, and -- "Sonny," the circus proprietor was saying, "why did you run away from home?" Vincent's heart sank as he saw behind Mr. Ringling his brother-in-law, Anido Cocchi, and a police lieutenant. His game was up. The big letters on the program were far away. "All right, I'll go home", he said. "But when I get a little bigger -- " Anido cut him short and went with him and Mr. Ringling to the paymaster's office where Vincent got his back pay. "I thought that is where we would find you," Anido said as they left the Garden. "Marie heard you had been all day looking at those circus posters. We have been to the circus twice before but we couldn't tell you from the other attendants. Then we got Lieutenant Treanor, of the Welfare Bureau of the Police Department and he suggested we try again."

Cheerful Gardner, Polack Bros. (From Joey Ratliff)

cheerful10, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Good evening Buckles, I was informed that Thursday Oct. 16th is National Boss' Day. Here are some bosses that I would like to honor. Thanks . Joey

-Sidney Rink, Al. G. Barnes

Sid Rink, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

-Walter McClain, RBBB

Walter McClain4, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

-Hugo Schmitt, Leonard Bros.(?)

hugo5, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

-Fred C. Logan, Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros.

logan0, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

- William H. Woodcock,

bill woodcock2, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

-Joe Frisco, Jr. ,RBBB Red Unit

frisco, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

-William Woodcock, Jr. ,RBBB Blue Unit

buckles4, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Received this yesterday from the Neptune Society!

Scan10829, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Maybe they know something I don't.

Carl Hagenbeck Tierpark (From Ken Kawata)

Scan10828, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Hagenbeck pilgrimage Gentle rain kept falling, but the temperature was mild. For several days in late August 2008 I was a house guest of Herman Reichenbach, a noted zoo historian in Hamburg, Germany. I asked if he could give me a tour of historical sites related to Carl Hagenbeck, he gladly obliged and we were off to his birthplace. "It's a pity you weren't here a few years ago," he noted, adding that the house in which Carl had been born was run down and had to be demolished recently. There is a plaque on a building. This is where, in 1848, his fish-monger father, another Carl, began animal trading business. Nearby there is the former site of their menagerie in the heart of the famous red-light district. It did not appear that the current building was the original. The rain slowed down a bit, and we moved to the site of the Hagenbeck Tierpark (animal park) from 1874 to 1902. Actually it is a small lot (estimated to be 7,000 square meters, or roughly one and a half-acre) in a residential area, now occupied by a school and other buildings. This is where large mammals, such as elephants, giraffes and lions were kept, some of them performed, for nearly three decades before the opening of the legendary zoo in Stellingen. You can imagine how it was with the sounds of elephants trumpeting, lions roaring and the smell from the animals. These three locations are within an easy walking distance in a densely populated area, not far from the harbor. It was time to visit Carl Hagenbecks Tierpark, and we took a subway. When the zoo was in the planning stage, this area was a wide spread of potato patches in the outskirts of Hamburg. The zoo, opened in 1907, became a sensation with a revolutionary exhibit system; in fact Carl Hagenbeck left a profound influence in the twentieth century zoos, not only in the area of animal exhibitry but also in animal husbandry, not to mention the circus world and animal trade business. Herman and I walked through the new gate. After the recent redesigning the much-photographed elephant gate, which escaped the heavy bombing by the Allies, is now inside the park grounds. The statues of Carl Hagenbeck and his father still stand, as if talking to us in the now-steady rain. But I was anxious to take a view of the legendary African panorama which, fortunately, was not destroyed during WWII. The familiar image of the panorama from the old black-and-white photos changed a bit, as trees have masked the edges over the last century and a half. In this panorama, at the bottom level lies a flock of flamingos; up on the next level are the animals of the plains such as the zebra; lions, the predators of those animals, reside up on the next level and on the very top are mountain goats on the rocky hill. All these animals are separated from the viewing public by moats, dry or wet, but not by metal bars or wire mesh. The use of artificial rocks and plants to soften the reality of captivity is breath-taking. Moreover, the public walkways in all levels are skillfully hidden and you cannot see fellow visitors on other levels. The designer's tactful calculation of the sight line in this see-through, multi-moat exhibit is still remarkable. This is a shrine for anyone interested in zoo design or zoo history in general. Standing in front of the African panorama on that rainy afternoon, the oft-told story came to mind: Zoos around the world tried to copy the Hagenbeck-style design over the years, but the original still commands the supreme position. Today the Hagenbeck family is the king of the circus world no more, animal trading business has faded away world-wide, and zoos have made dramatic improvements in many areas internationally. However Carl Hagenbeck's legacy continues to impress upon those of us who can appreciate his position in history. Ken Kawata "I scanned this charming picture from a Tierpark souvenir guide book that my dad had received from someone long ago." Buckles

From John Whitfield

Buckles, Can you put a notation on your blog. Any fans living in the New York area. Vazquez opens at Shea Stadium for a month stand in early November (7th). The state has approved the cats and elephants but the local Parks Dept doesn't feel they should work. They need some input to the Parks dept as in phone calls, letters, etc. Thanks, John

"Snowshow" (From Brian Liddicoat)

untitled, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. LIMITED RUN - MUST END JANUARY 4 It's SNOWING! Seen by audiences in over 80 cities around the world, SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW ON BROADWAY is a magical theatrical experience that is now thrilling New York audiences with the unbridled hilarity - and the unexpected poignancy - of the art of clowning with stunning spectacle and awe-inspiring visual images and fantasy. "THIS SHOW IS HOT, HOT, HOT! EXQUISITE! BREATHTAKING!!" - Entertainment Weekly "ENORMOUS FUN! I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!" - Terry Teachout, The Wall Street Journal "TOUCHES THE HEART, TICKLES THE FUNNY BONE!" - The New York Times "GENUINELY MAGICAL!" - Gordon Cox, Newsday Beginning November 24, bring this page to the Helen Hayes Theatre Box Office, 240 West 44th Street (Between Broadway and 8th Avenue) Box Office Hours beginning November 24: Mon - Tues 10 AM to 6 PM, Wed - Sat 10 AM to 8 PM, Sun 10 AM - 6 PM "Reminds me too much of the Shrine date in Flint, Michigan". Buckles

Clyde Bros. Circus 1956 #1

Scan10827, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Clyde Bros. Circus 1956 #2

Scan10823, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The World's Newest Wild Animal Act presented by Jules Jacot.

Clyde Bros. Circus 1956 #3

Scan10824, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The one and only ERIS.

Clyde Bros. Circus 1956 #4

Scan10819, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The Sensational Kays.

Clyde Bros. Circus 1956 #5

Scan10818, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Irv, Jimmy and Carmen.

Clyde Bros. Circus 1956 #6

Scan10826, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. 1956 Program.....HOWARD W. SUESZ- Owner......TOM PARKER- Business Manager No. 1- Opening Overture No. 2- Grand Entree No. 3- Kings of the jungle presented by JULES JACOT No. 4- THE BOUNCING BUDDIES......Trampoline......THE ZANYS No. 5- THE VALERIES on the high double trapeze. No. 6- Jugglers- WILFRED MAE TRIO.....SENOR MIQUELITO.....THE HENDERSONS No. 7- Clowns No. 8- LEONA'S PETS......HOWARD'S PONIES......PAT'S CANINES N0. 9- ERIS The man who stands on one finger. No. 10- Clowns No. 11- HOWARD PICKARD and his performing sea lion. No. 12- THE FOUR BUMPS comedy acrobats. No. 13- THE ANTALEKS- World's greatest high perch act. No. 14- THE SENSATIONAL KAY'S on the high wire No. 15- THE FLYING LAVALS No. 16- BABY ELEPHANTS- Siamese Triplets No. 17- Clowns No. 18- The fabulous Cycling- WHIZ KIDS No. 19- MARKO the chimp trained by LOU HENDERSON No. 20- Clowns No. 21- ST.LEON TROUPE Teeter-board artists No. 22- CAPT. ART BURWELL and his Liberty Horses No. 23- AERIAL SPECTACLE- The lovely bespangled ladies of the air in a thrilling, sparkling climax to a wonderful show.

Clyde Bros. Circus 1956 #7

Scan10825, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. "Daisy Mae" Presented by Harry Pickard

Clyde Bros. Circus 1956 #8

Scan10822, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The St. Leon Troupe "Australian Artists of the Teeter-Board"

Clyde Bros. Circus 1956 #9

Scan10821, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. "Mary", "Sue" and "Ruth". I think the names came from Mrs. Ruth Suesz and daughter Mary Sue.

Clyde Bros. Circus 1956 #10

Scan10820, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Clyde Bros. Circus 1956 #11 (Back Cover)

Scan10828, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

From Robert Perry

Jenny,Robert & Kate, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, Jenny Robert & Kate Simpson Great granddaughters of aunt Dorry Nelson nee Perry at her funeral in Sydney on 9th oct 08 ps these girls could be our next tennis hopefuls. Robert Perry Australia

To Henry

Hi Buckles! I was wondering if you could put me in touch with Henry Schroer. I saw on your Blog that he was just in Australia and saw “Michael Edgley’s Great Moscow Circus” while he was there. Christine and I leave for Sydney in three weeks and we’d like to see it while we’re down under. I want to ask him where I can get their route. If you’re uncomfortable giving me his email address you can give him mine and ask him to contact me. david.chabira@cirquedusoleil.com Thank you so much. David Chabira Technical Director “O” Cirque du Soleil - Bellagio Desk: (702) 693-7750 Cell: (702) 324-2544 Fax: (702) 693-7768 mailto:david.chabira@cirquedusoleil.com

From Buckles

In response to the recent Beatty-Cole pictures and comments made, todays Blog contains nine photos from Joe Giordano as well as the first five of thirty sent in by Eric Beheim.

CB-CB Bannerlines #1 From Joe Giordano)

Clyde Beatty Cole Bros CBCB65 -010, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles The other day Paul H was hoping some color photos of Beatty-Cole bannerline trucks would surface. I was able to dig out a few from 1960 to 1970. I also included a couple shots of the Hippo and Snake show trucks from the 60's.

CB-CB Bannerlines #2

Clyde Beatty Cole Bros CBCB60-001, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Photo CBCB60-001- This shot of the Hippo Pit show is from 1960. Thought the bust of a Hippo mounted above the sky board is kinda interesting. This truck number was #22. The Hippo bust was gone by 1962.

CB-CB Bannerlines #3

Clyde Beatty Cole Bros CBCB62 -004, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Photo CBCB62-004 and CBCB62-005 - Both from 1962.

CB-CB Bannerlines #4

Clyde Beatty Cole Bros CBCB62 -016, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Photo CBCB62-016- The back side of one of the bannerline trucks, 1962

CB-CB Bannerlines #5

Clyde Beatty Cole Bros CBCB65 -009, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Photo CBCB65-009 and CBCB65-010 - By now you have cracked my filing code (I hope). Both are from 1965.

CB-CB Bannerlines #6

Clyde Beatty Cole Bros CBCB66 -006, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Photo CBCB67-001- This one was taken in 1967.

CB-CB Bannerlines #7

Clyde Beatty Cole Bros CBCB67-001, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Photo CBCB67-001- This one was taken in 1967.

CB-CB Bannerlines #8

Clyde Beatty Cole Bros CBCB70 -008, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Photo CBCB70-008- This shot is from 1970. I found this to be interesting as the show was still promoting "Clyde Beatty's Animal Collection" 5 years after his death.

CB-CB Bannerlines #9

Clyde Beatty Cole Bros CBCB62 -005, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Beatty-Cole late 1960's #1 (From Eric Beheim)

CBCB-1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The recent batch of Clyde Beatty -Cole Bros. photos reminded me that I have set of 30 commercially-produced 35mm color slides that were taken on the show circa the late 1960s. I bought these 25 years or so ago when Blackhawk Films was closing out its 35mm slide sets, so these have been out of print for at least that long. I'll send them in 6 sets of five each.

Beatty-Cole late 1960's #2

CBCB-2, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. CBCB-2

Beatty-Cole late 1960's #3

CBCB-3, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. CBCB-3

Beatty-Cole late 1960's #4

CBCB-4, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. CBCB-5

Beatty-Cole late 1960's #5

CBCB-5, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. CBCB-5

To Fr. John Francis Dolphin

!cid_000501c92d3a$fd6cf860$0402a8c0@MAXIMUS, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Billy Graham was returning to Charlotte after a speaking engagement and when his Plane arrived there was a limousine to transport him to his home. As he prepared to get into the limo, he stopped and spoke to the driver. 'You know' he said, 'I am 87 years old and I have never driven a limousine. Would you mind if I drove it for a while?' The driver said, "No problem, have at it." Billy gets into the driver's seat and they head off down the highway. A short distance away sat a rookie State Trooper operating his first speed trap. The long black limo went by him doing 70 in a 55 mph zone. The trooper pulled out and easily caught the limo and he got out of his patrol car to begin the procedure. The young trooper walked up to the driver's door and when the glass was rolled down, he was surprised to see who was driving. He immediately excused himself and went back to his car and called his supervisor. He told the supervisor, "I know we are supposed to enforce the law... But I also know that important people are given certain courtesies. I need to know what I should do because I have stopped a very important person." The supervisor asked, Is it the governor?" The young trooper said, "No he's more important than that."' The supervisor said, "Oh, so it's the president." The young trooper said, "No, he's even more important than that." The supervisor finally asked, "Well then,who it it?" 'I think it's Jesus because he's got Billy Graham for a chauffeur!"

Louisville Zoo #1

08-05-21_Elephant baby-06, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Louisville Zoo #2

ElephantBaby and Dave-3, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Louisville Zoo #3

DSC_0019, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Louisville Zoo #4

DSC_0008, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Louisville Zoo #5

DSC_0044, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Louisville Zoo #6

DSC_0064, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Louisville Zoo #7

DSC_0068, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.