Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Great Wallace Shows early 1900's


I sometimes find the people in these old pictures more interesting than the subject matter. These are well dressed enough to be on their way to church rather than walking thru a circus menagerie. In this window to the past, everyone wears a hat, even the candy butchers at left.

I'm late this morning I wasn't informed that Patrick had to be at school an hour earlier and to further complicate matters, the first ice on the windshield this winter.

Posted by Buckles at 2/14/2006 07:44:00 AM

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought you might have forgoten what day this is and had to make a mad dash hoping the shops were open this early.

14 February, 2006 08:18
Anonymous said...

It's interesting how prosperous eras,geographic locations etc. influence style & such. I've noticed a similary in some of your past photos of what seams to me the American Victorian Era,1895 - 1910 ( the industrial age )?. Also " the Camera " especialy in that era was constructed more portable - from its original tripod style, was a tool or toy for the elete, documenting there lifes and activities. You obvisly have an astounding colection of exelent photography throughout its existance - no less documenting " the American Circus Legacy " so extraordinarly.( A personal collection compatiable to that of the Smithonian in W. D. C. )Thank you again for sharing these photos and there documentation.

14 February, 2006 08:48
Buckles said...

With many years of experience, that matter was taken care of yesterday.
Red and yellow tulips.

14 February, 2006 08:57
Anonymous said...

We have to remember that these folks didn't have movies or the radio yet. The circus was a special day for most of our grand and great grandparents. All of the Sunday school shows had huge name recognition. When the Ringling's controlled their show,Barnum & Bailey,and the 4-Paw/Sells they had seating for 10,000 plus each show. And history tells us that with the 3 shows,they did put 60,000 patrons in their seats each day.
enjoy the photos,
P.Holmes

15 February, 2006 01:13
Anonymous said...

U have anymore photo's of the olde menageries?Circa 1890-1919?
Do they even have them in big tents anymore?
Use to be they have down the center in a line, the convicts(Zebra's)
and the Humps(Camels).
Thats back when there just wasnt too many zoo's here in America,so people were more facinated to be seeing these different animals.

18 February, 2006 17:27
Buckles said...

My family goes back to 1853 in the circus business and accumulated a vast collection of circus material.
I estimate maybe 15,000 photos in a variety of subjests, mostly elephants since that is what my father and I trained.
Tomorrow will be lion acts.

18 February, 2006 19:26

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