Wednesday, January 20, 2010

From Jim Cole


scan0018, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Buckles, This photo was given to me the other day by Maureen Brunsdale, who is in charge of the circus collection at the Illinois Stae University's Library.

She is seeking information on it. Did I see this on the blog previously?

Jimmy Cole


"No this is new to me. Obviously some show making a Hospital appearance for the kids, like football players do today.
Even the band had to go."
Buckles

Posted by Buckles at 1/20/2010 06:05:00 AM

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Ringlings started to open in Chicago in the 1890s. It became a ritual through 1918, with the exception of 1909, when B&B opened in Chicago. Atwell started to do work for the Ringlings about that time, printing some negatives [then Atwell & Burke?--check his story in a back issue of White Tops] and then taking on new assignments.

The band jackets might be the best clue as to the approximate date. Chicago architectural photography will likely identify the location. The Chicago Tribune, on-line at ProQuest with key word searching, might reveal the full story about this benefit show.

20 January, 2010 10:52
Anonymous said...

Note the stick and banner means of defining the ring. That's the way it was once done. They would also "plow" up a ring curb, making it of earth. Riders prefered both to a fabricated curb, which was a greater evil in the event of a fall.

The vehicles in the street should also serve to bracket the earliest possible date of the circus. Imagine, a railroad show contracting with local truckers to haul their people, animals and properties from the Coliseum to this site.

20 January, 2010 10:57
Anonymous said...

Harry Atwell, God rest his soul!

Paul G.

20 January, 2010 16:08
Anonymous said...

This has to be very early spring or late fall by the way the people are dressed and the leafless trees.
Bob Kitto

20 January, 2010 18:52

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