Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Ringling_Barnum_PAT_VALDO_WHITE_FACE_CLOWN_(1955)

From Chris Berry

When the Ringling-Barnum trains rolled into Klamath Falls, Oregon 54 years ago - August 30, 1955 - the people of that fair city probably didn't realize it was the last time that they would see the Greatest Show on Earth visit their town under canvas. This poster is a classic image of the grand old man of the circus - Pat Valdo - who started his circus career in 1902, first as a clown and then of course in a variety of managerial roles starting in the 1920s and continuing until his death in 1970. This particular poster was one of the last to be produced for Ringling-Barnum by the famed Strobridge Litho Co (though the only acknowlegement of the printing company is a printer's union "bug" in the lower right hand corner).

Posted by Buckles at 9/01/2009 06:27:00 AM

7 comments:

Harry Kingston said...

Chris,
As always thanks for your detailed information on the poster.
I learned something new today as I never knew that the Valdo poster was a Strobridge. I thought the last ones Strobridge did for Ringling was the great ones in 1938 when John Ringling North took over the show.
This is where the blog is great as we learn something new for us fans that love the circus.
Harry

01 September, 2009 13:57
Henry Schroer said...

My Dad was a good friend of Pat Valdo in the old days and when I told him that I was going to the USA to Ringling he told me to make sure to look up Pat and give him hes regards. When I arrived in Venice in November 1968 I ask Manfred Doval if he knew Pat Valdo and he said: Pat Valdo is better known around Circus folks then any of the Ringlings. He took me upstairs in the arena and Pat Valdo still had a Office up there and he said to me: "I knew you where coming and was wondering if you are related to Hans Schroer". He had not seen my Father for more than 50 years and still remembered him like if it was yesterday.

01 September, 2009 16:34
Frank Ferrante said...

Henry - What a GREAT first impression to leave you with and I'm sure that your showing Pat the respect of extending your Dad's regards meant a lot to him as well. ~frank

01 September, 2009 18:31
Anonymous said...

I always enjoyed the kicker at the top of the date tab. It doesn't get any better that this. Is the a Butler idea?
Bob Kitto

01 September, 2009 19:16
Jeff Darnell said...

As a clown turned "traditional" offset lithographer, I'm in awe of the work of those who went before me with both ink and greasepaint!
I'd love to offer my Heidleberg press to the circus arts aficionados out there who have printing needs.
Lord knows we need to keep the presses running!
The changes in our industry are not that dissimilar to those in the circus industry. Shorter attention spans and technology seem to be a common thread we share.
Seriously, we'd love to work on projects that require our "skills of the trade" to promote the art and preservation of all things "circus" in print!
Sincerely,
Jeff Darnell
aka "JD"

01 September, 2009 21:44
Richard Reynolds said...

Interesing that RBBB posted lithos in 1955 in Oregon. I had not thought they did so anywhere that season.

The bill car was not used in 1955 as they went to other forms of advertising.

I did not see any of them in advance of the date here in Atlanta in November, 1955.

Now, I did see that very Valdo poster here in 1954. In fact I have a photo of it. It is one of the ones with many sections or sheets and took up an entire outdoor advertisg billboard.

I can never get straight the terms used by the billposters for the different sheets. Sorry about that ole Whitey.

02 September, 2009 17:22
Ole Whitey said...

Richard:

I cannot account for the lack of lithos in Atlanta, but my impression has always been that the show continued to have a bill crew, just not the car. As you may know even prior to the car being dropped, a number of the billers drove overland anyway and just used the car as a place to sleep and store the paper. It was where the car manager laid out the routes and made up the hods etc.

04 September, 2009 22:42

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