Sells_Floto_SEA_ELEPHANT_(1932)_half_sheet_flat_-_linen

Sells_Floto_SEA_ELEPHANT_(1932)_half_sheet_flat_-_linen, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. From Chris Berry John Ringling actually purchased TWO "Sea Elephants" (Goliath and Colossus) from the Hagenbeck zoo in 1928. At the end of the '29 season the larger of the two (Goliath I) died and "Colossus" was renamed "Goliath" and traveled with Ringling-Barnum in 1930 and 1931. For the 1932 season "Goliath" trouped with Sells-Floto and this great litho was used to promote the attraction. In 1933 it was shipped to Chicago for the Hagenbeck-Wallace opener, but did not travel on any circus after that.

To Erik Jaeger

Scan000010967, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. BLANCHE 1925-26 Wm. P. Hall Animal Farm 1927-31 Robbins Bros. Circus (Fred Buchanan) 1932-34 Wm. P. Hall Animal Farm 1935-50 Cole Bros. Circus 1951-56 Kelly-Morris Circus 1957 Benson Bros. Circus 1958-60 Various Morris Family Units (Died in 1960) This is my dad and "Blanche" who was half grown when imported in 1925 and already broke for harness and other work related efforts. Beautiful specimen and very gentle and although she didn't perform in the ring she did quite an act in the morning unrolling canvas under the direction of Billy Cox. She had a knack of unrolling it in a straight line by shoving the bale over with her front feet if it started to drift to one side. Seemed to come natural to her. Billy later worked an act for Rex Williams on the Beatty Show for quite a while and finished his days here at Busch Gardens. Buckles

From Jerry Lee

DEAR BUCKLES COULD YOU PUT THIS IN YOUR DAILY LETTER WELL ITS THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN THE SHOWFOLKS CIRCUS IS ON DECEMBER12 AT SHOW TIMES AT 2.00 AND 7.00 PM. THE ANNUAL FLEA MARKET IS ON THE 13TH OF DECEMBER AT THE CLUBHOUSE. BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED AND THE BAR WILL OPEN AT 12.00 NOON COME ON DOWN AND JACKPOT A BIT LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL. JERRY LEE KLINEFELTER 941-920-3032

From Dave Price

PosRBgoli, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

RBBB Back Yard 1920-30's #1

Scan12415, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Hand written on the back of this well known picture is: "Esterina Repinsky of the famous Loyal-Repensky bareback riding troupe, atop her elephant "grandstand" behind the scenes of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus".

RBBB Back Yard 1920-30's #2

Scan12422, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. A few days back we were discussing elephant howdahs so I dug out these pictures. I can't make out if this is a double howdah or two singles standing side by side.

RBBB Back Yard 1920-30's #3

Scan12426, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. They used plenty of feathers in those days. You would think they would wilt after being exposed to the weather. Maybe in the wardrobe dept. they had a "feather man" who replaced them as they fell off or were eaten by an elephant.

RBBB Back Yard 1920-30's #4

Scan12425, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

RBBB Back Yard 1920-30's #5

Scan12424, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The expression on the lady's face, in this Bob Good photo, tells all. "I was told I would be a glamorous show girl when I joined this rag-bag!"

RBBB Back Yard 1920-30's #6

Scan12423, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. "Minnie" and "Dolly" appeared in spec as clown elephants and that's all they did. I have pictures of them at various ages and even a film clip of them when they were quite tiny doing the same thing. Slivers Madison told me that when they were transferred to the Barnes Show in 1934 they had to be trained from scratch. He said they didn't even know how to shit in the ring. Some of you might remember "Minnie" later from the Vargas Show.

RBBB Back Yard 1920-30's #7

Scan12428, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The stake bodied, flat bed wagon seen in the background here and in the previous picture was the vehicle used to "gilly" the elephant seal.

RBBB Back Yard 1920-30's #8

Scan12427, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. "Goliath" being moved on a soft lot from the menagerie area to the back yard for his parade around the big top track.

RBBB Back Yard 1920-30's #9

SAVE0628, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

RBBB Back Yard 1920-30's #10

Scan12420, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

RBBB Back Yard 1920-30's #11

Scan12429, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This bizarre assortment of howdys in the background must indicate the 1938 Frank Buck Spec. Stamped on the back: "Credit line must read- Photograph by Elizabeth R. Hibbs, 353 Fifth Avenue, New York City (for one publication only)". I learned my lesson after being recently harassed by the French Legal System.

Publicity Pix #1 (From Buckles)

Scan12415, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Publicity Pix #2

Scan12417, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Publicity Pix #3

Scan12416, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Publicity Pix #4

Scan12414, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Publicity Pix #5

Scan12418, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Publicity Pix #6

SAVE0567, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Publicity Pix #7

Rudi01, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Publicity Pix #8

Scan12420, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Publicity Pix #9

Scan12419, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Publicity Pix #10

Scan12421, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Publicity Pix #11

Scan12413, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

From Eric Beheim

Wonderland-1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Regarding the new musical WONDERLAND, and just to show that there is nothing new under the sun, on October 24, 1905, a show titled WONDERLAND with music by Victor Herbert and based on ALICE IN WONDERLAND and THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS opened in New York at the Majestic Theater. (During the out-of-town tryouts, it had been called ALICE AND THE EIGHT PRINCESSES.) The hit of the show turned out to be Rollo, an artificial horse operated by strings pulled by two men concealed inside it. Rollo’s expressions and gyrations stole the show. On the subject of ALICE IN WONDERLAND, it was also the title of the Ringling spec for 1967. It was later reused as the title for the spec presented by the Blue Unit in 1969 during its abbreviated tour.

Wonderland #1

Scan12422, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Barbara and I were guests of Chic Silber last night at the "Wonderland" premier which is a follow up of their previous success, "Wicked". We had a great time and enjoyed the show tremendously.

Wonderland #2

Scan12424, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Wonderland #3

Scan12425, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Wonderland #4

Scan12427, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Wonderland #5

Scan12428, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Wonderland #6

Scan12426, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Wonderland #7

Scan12429, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Wonderland #8

Scan12430, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Wonderland #9

Scan12423, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

"The Circus" (From Don Covington) Part 3

Equestrian Director, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Fred Bradna

Spec from back door

Spec from back door, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Medical wagon

Medical wagon, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Giant

Giant, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Leitzel tent

Leitzel tent, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Clyde Beatty

Clyde Beatty, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Tom Mix

Tom Mix, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Circus dogs

Circus dogs, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Clown alley

Clown alley, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Balancing act

Balancing act, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Roman races

Roman races, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

1934 White Tops (From Buckles)

Scan12412, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

TheGangsAllHere

TheGangsAllHere, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Ray MacMahon (Royal American Circus) asked me to scan and send to you for possible inclusion on the blog. Annual Showfolks of Sarasota cruise photos. The Gangs All Here (left to right): Patsy Jordan, Netta MacMahon, Willy Edelston, Thina Hansen in front of Ray MacMahon, La Norma Fox, John Hansen and Justa Towner enjoying an afternoon excursion at one of the tropical port of calls.

La Norma, Willy Edelston

La Norma Willy Edelston, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. La Norma and Willy Edelston entertain the patrons of the tiki bar with their energetic pole dance. Yes, pole dancing. Yes, La Norma and Willy were the highlight of the afternoon. Pole dancing at the Showfolks club could become the new thing. Mike Naughton

From Josip Marcan

happy-thanks-giving-turkey-fork-and, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.