Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Ringling Barnum MR&MRS GARGANTUA (1941)

From Chris Berry

This is another in a series of posters designed by the Norman Bel Geddes studios in the early 1940s. Again, no signature other than the Bel Geddes "G" logo - but the artwork has a similar "feel" to those executed by famed avant garde poster artist E. McKnight Kauffer who designed and SIGNED three spec posters and two program covers for Ringling-Barnum in the 1940s. Something that has always puzzled me about this particular litho is the reference to "For 80 Years, The Greatest Show on Earth". In 1941 it was actually about SEVENTY years since Barnum first used the famous slogan to promote his show.

Posted by Buckles at 2/03/2010 05:56:00 AM

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It might go back to the year that the man from Racine, WI put the thing on the train with flat cars.
Bob Kitto

03 February, 2010 18:57
Dick Flint said...

The 80th year reference made in 1941 likely refers to the Bailey antecedents in the title. The true lineage can be traced to the 1861-65 (Dan) Gardner & Hemmings show into which James E. Cooper buys an interest about 1864. Its the same title for 1866-67 except Dan Gardner trades ownership place with W.H. Gardner. For 1868-70, its Hemmings, Cooper & Whitby, then changes to Hemmings & Cooper for 1871-72, then to just James E. Cooper for 1873. Cooper & Bailey is the partnership beginning in 1874 until they merge with Barnum. So, this is in many real ways the 150th edition of the GSOE that opened this year! And, of course, the 200th birthday of PTB.
Dick Flint
Baltimore

03 February, 2010 21:09

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)