| Before cities were encumbered with telephone poles and overhead electrical cables, some circus parade vehicles were tiered like wedding cakes that would telescope down inside themselves when not in use. |
Saturday, September 15, 2007
St. George & the Dragon
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2 comments:
This image is printed backwards. It was one of a series of photos taken at the Forepaugh quarters in Philadelphia as part of an attempt to sell off various vehicles from the Adam Forepaugh circus. Adam had passed away and Bailey bought the show. This equestrian arrangement was the top piece of the circa 1882, Fielding-built St. George and the Dragon telescoping tableau, with figures carved by Thomas White. After it was split, both pieces went to the Ringlings in late 1890. This float served them until they sold it off to John H. Garrett, for one of his Rice Bros. ventures. It went into oblivion thereafter. The bottom became the "Lion Tableau" and served as the lead Ringling bandwagon through 1903, and thereafter as a second bandwagon. Later it was on Christy and Cole and is now at Baraboo. The one photo missing from the Philadelphia series is a view of the Lion Tableau, as re-configured by the Philadelphia people.
Note, however, that the Museum version is a complete reproduction.
Dick Flint
Baltimore
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