Cole Bros. 1940 rolling stock #3

Scan12638, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I'm guessing that #65 is a big top canvas wagon, you hard core circus fans can correct me. In any event this looks like a pretty good load and should have been one of the first units mounted with rubber wheels.

Cole Bros. 1940 rolling stock #4

Scan12639, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cole Bros.1940 rolling stock #5

Scan12640, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Looks like the stake driver wound up with what was left.

Cole Bros.1940 rolling stock #6

Scan12641, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cole Bros. 1940 rolling stock #7

Scan12642, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cole Bros. 1940 rolling stock #8

Scan12643, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cole Bros. 1940 rolling stock #9

Scan12644, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cole Bros. 1940 rolling stock #10

Scan12645, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This is the elephant horse "Circus" tied to the menagerie wagon. At the State Fairgounds in Louisville where the show wintered after the Rochester fire, the US Government was experimenting on horses in an effort to develop a temporary substitute for blood in the event of war. I was told that afterward, some were given to the the show, all were shorn completely hairless. Years later I remember "Circus" still didn't have much of a tail.

Cole Bros. 1940 rolling stock #11

Scan12646, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cole Bros. 1940 rolling stock #12

Scan12647, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cole. Bros. 1940 rolling stock #13

Scan12648, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Today's Quiz!

Scan12649, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. What are these guys doing?

From Fr. Francis Dolphin

2445193707_f1287d19dc, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Dear Members of the Circus ministry, carnival and car racing: I am writing to you to find out if there was a celebration of the death of Jimmy James Plott? I have heard no news on this and I believe that something was going to happened during these months in the Sarasota area. Also I am wondering what has happened to the son of Gunther Williams who was with Ringling and I believed has retired?? What has happened to the animals that he had? I would like some news on these two questions if at all possible. Frank Dolphin, Maryknoll Missioners Cochabamba, Bolivia

From Jim Cole

Trapeze artist dies after falling Staff Report Published: Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 9:50 p.m. A circus performer from Sarasota has died after falling 25 feet during a trapeze routine in a circus show earlier this week. Tito Montoya, who performed with the Walker Bros. Circus based in Sarasota, fell during a show Monday in Summerville, S.C. A video of the performance shows Montoya clinging to a swinging high bar by his knees when he flings himself backward to another bar. He missed the other bar, however, and fell about 25 feet as audience members screamed, said a circus spokeswoman. Montoya was hospitalized with brain damage and later died. There was no safety net and Montoya had performed the routine in a performance earlier that day, said Saschi Meluzzi, a spokeswoman for Walker Bros. Montoya was an experienced trapeze artist who had performed that stunt hundreds of times, Meluzzi said. Montoya's family members traveled to South Carolina to be with Tito after the accident, she said.

From Jeanette Rix

Ursula Bottcher 1978, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I just got an e-mail from Dresden, Germany. Ursula Bottcher passed away today. The e-mail also asked if I could tell Donna. I think they are talking about Axel's wife, I know they were friends. Would you be able to do this? I have been in touch with Ursula via e-mail and we spoke often. I will miss her ~ Jeanette Photo from Jim Cole

From Don Covington

ftl126508SMALL, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has officially broken ground for what will be the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom Theme Park – Fantasyland. Just look at the images from the 1/4 inch dimensional model… it’ll be remarkable when completed. There will be four Disney classic-inspired areas or neighborhoods to explore. And one of the most unique offerings in those neighborhoods will be new interactive Storybook adventures with your favorite Disney princesses. And parents take note…Dumbo the Flying Elephant, a beloved MK Attraction, will take center stage on its own new mini land with the addition of a second attraction. You’ll be invited to take part in a series of interactive experiences inside an air-conditioned three-ring circus tent. The expansion project is scheduled to be completed in 2013.

Billy Barton and Mae West (From Paul Gutheil)

billy barton and mae west, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles: I probably sent you the attached photo of Mae West visiting Billy on the Pollack show in the early '70's already, but no harm no foul. Billy loaned me the negative. He had lots of Mae West stories told in his own inimitable way. Paul

From Bud Copeland #1

JAGER, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Hea Buckles ; I went to Peter Max's Opening last night & IT WAS LIKE The Fouth of July or New Years Eve in NYC in Tampa with a 600 Groovy Chicks & Uptown Characters schmoozen & Looken About - Peter IS A DINNAMO OF A DUDE ( your age ) & Really A Shrude Charactor & His Artwork IS REALY STRICKING - he's there again today from 1 pm to 3 pm Buddy

From Bud Copeland #2

Maria Lauericella, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Maria Lauericella

Russian Circus #1 (From Don Covington)

1551_04_4, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Simon Eliasson / The St. Petersburg Times Elephants are the star of the latest show at St. Petersburg’s Bolshoi Circus. Enormous elephants, bears driving cars, and more traditional acrobatics performed at dizzying heights are all elements of “The mystery of the giant elephants” — the latest show to premiere at St. Petersburg’s Bolshoi State Circus on Feb. 12. “It is definitely a success,” said Alexander Chervotkin, the new show’s director. “Every show since the premiere has been packed, and this new concept obviously doesn’t frighten an audience that is usually conservative,” he said. The circus, built in 1878, was one of the first stationary circuses of its kind in Russia. The project was initiated and financed by the Italian horse trainer Gaetano Ciniselli, a celebrated circus name in Europe at the time. The circus has not been out of action ever since, with the exception of a couple of years during World War II.

Russian Circus #2

1551_04_3, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Russian Circus #3

1551_04_1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Tito Montoya 1986 (From Jim Cole)

Tito Montoya 1986, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. At this writing, Wed. March 3, at 7:30 PM, there is some confusion and conflicting reports as to the condition of injured aerialist Tito Montoya. There are reports that he passed away last evening (March 2), and there are also reports that he remains in a coma in critical condition in a South Carolina Hospital. Tito was severely injured in a fall from a swinging single trapeze last Sunday while performing with Walker Bros. Circus in South Carolina. A video tape of the accident has been posted on-line, and those familiar with aerial acts have told me that it looks as though he had shortend his trapeze ropes (due to a low building), and his timing was off when he went for a one knee catch. It also appears as though he had hung the trapeze off a frame for a basketball hoop in a YMCA gym. There were EMS personnel on the scene almost immediately, and he was air-lifted to a nearby trauma level medical facility where he underwent emergency brain surgery. There was an on-line news report yesterday morning ( March 2) that his condition had been up-graded to "stable". Perhaps by the time this photo is published, there will be an accurate and confirmed report. This photo was taken of Tito Montoya in 1986, while performing on the Toby Tyler Circus with his family's flying trapeze act. Tito had recently appeared at the Showfolks Circus in Sarasota last Dec, and performed a swinging cloud swing act.

Mabel Hall and "Charlie" (From Buckles)

Image0006modified, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. My dad wrote on the back of this card: "Mabel Hall and "Charlie" with Thos. Hargreaves Shows early 1900's. The daughter of Geo. (Popcorn) Hall and the wife of Wm. Campbell." CHARLIE 1903-07 Hargreaves Show 1908-12 Geo. W. Hall Family (Died in 1912 at Evansville, Wis. quarters) Wish I had more info on this elephant. I have heard that he came from the Ringling Show but I can't imagine those Dutchmen parting with a specimen like this. Buckles

Mabel Hall and "Charlie" #2

Scan12609, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Typed on the back by an unknown source: "Miss Mabel Hall with Charlie on the Thos. Hargreaves Circus. She was billed as "The only lady elephant trainer in the world" and Charlie was billed as "Columbus the largest elephant in captivity." (Information from Frank Hall)

Mabel Hall and "Charlie" #3

Scan000010149, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Mabel Hall and "Charlie" #4

Scan12629, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Mabel Hall and "Charlie" #5

Scan12631, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Mabel Hall and "Charlie" #6

Scan12633, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

George W. Hall Elephants

Scan12632, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Typed on the back of this picture by an unknown source. "Col. Geo. W. Hall's elephants about 1894. From left to right: Baby Palm (Pearl?), the big elephant next to trainer, Fatty Shea, is Gypsy or Empress. This is the elephant that killed Jimmy the Bum in Chicago with Harris Nickel Plate Show. Next elephant is Queen. Empress is the elephant that crippled up Col. Hall many years ago, leaving him lame for the rest of his life. I saw Gypsy push eleven cars loaded on a level track. (Information from Frank Hall) This conflicts with the information I have. QUEEN (O'Brien Queen) 1870 J.N French Circus 1871-87 John "Pogey" O'Brien Circus 1888-90 Clark Bros. Circus 1992 Ringling Bros. Circus 1993-95 George W. Hall Shows 1896-01 Harris Nickel Plate Shows 1902 Gollmar Bros. Circus 1903-09 Sells & Downs Circus (Killed Robert White in 1885 with the O'Brien Show while in Phila. Quarters) I remember Walter Jennier telling my dad of some of Queen's escapades while on the Nickel Plate Show. Wish I had paid closer attention. Buckles

"Pearl" #1

Scan12634, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. "Popcorn" George Hall Circus 1899. "Pearl" with Frank E. Hall at right.

"Pearl" #2

Scan11051, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Frank E. Hall with "Pearl" on Wintermute & Hall's Circus 1917.

"Pearl" #3

Scan11052, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. "Elephant "Pearl" with Hall Wagon Shows circa 1915.

Sparks FIGHTING FOREST-BRED MALE LIONS

Sparks FIGHTING FOREST-BRED MALE LIONS, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. From Chris Berry: This poster dates from the 1920s when the Sparks Circus was still under control of Clifton and Charles Sparks. In November of 1928 H.B. Gentry (one of the "Gentry Bros") purchased the "Sparks Circus" from them and while they didn't know it at the time, Gentry was merely acting as an agent and two months later he sold the show to Jerry Mugivan and the American Circus Corporation. Charles Sparks was furious as he swore he would never sell his show to Mugivan. Of course later that same year (1929) John Ringling acquired the Sparks Circus when he purchased the American Circus Corporation -giving him control of 10 circus titles, 150 additional railroad cars and over 2000 animals. The Sparks Circus train left Ringling's Sarasota winter quarters for its final tour under the control of the Ringling organization in April of 1931. In an efficiency move the Sparks railroad cars were hooked to the back of the Ringling-Barnum train for a trip north in April. The smaller show was unhitched in Pennsylvania for its tour. At the end of the season the show was brought back to Sarasota. The Sparks title was briefly resurrected in 1946-47 for a show operated by James Edgar and staffed by a group of circus vets including Arnold Maley and Victor Robbins. That version of Sparks Circus started on trucks and actually transitioned to rail in 1947. The title, however, was shelved forever when the show closed on September 7, 1947 in Tacoma, Washington.

Sparks Shows #1 (From Buckles)

SAVE2770, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Sparks Shows #2

SAVE2760, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Sparks Shows #3

Scan12625, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Sparks Shows #4

SAVE2659, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Sparks Shows #5

Scan10540, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Sparks Shows #6

Scan11719, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Sparks Shows #7

Scan12624, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Sparks Shows #8

Scan12622, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Sparks Shows #9

Scan12626, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Sparks Shows #10

Scan11720, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Sparks_TRAINED_WILD_ANIMALS

Sparks_TRAINED_WILD_ANIMALS, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. From: Chris Berry This particular poster dates from the late 1920s an era when the Sparks Circus (1894-1931) was known for its wild animal acts. According to a review of the show from the October 12, 1926 "St. Petersburg Times" Sparks Circus carried what was described as one of the largest groups of tigers in the country - 11 of them were in the menagerie, two of which were less than two months old.

Circus Bartok, 1970 #1 (From Jim Cole)

Circus Bartok, 1970 #1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. 1970 Circus Season, part 2

Circus Bartok, 1970 #2

Circus Bartok, 1970 #2, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Circus Bartok, 1970 #3

Circus Bartok, 1970 #3, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Circus Bartok, 1970 #4

Circus Bartok, 1970 #4, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

From Paul Gutheil #1

button with bobby and clown, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. A photo (on a souvenir button) I have from a visit to the Bartok Show in 1971. This is my son but I can't recall the clown's name. Hope your birthday was on a caliber of the GSOE. Best to all from Diane and me. Paul

From Paul Gutheil #2

bartok 1971 perf sched, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.