Monday, January 24, 2011

Dailey Bros. Train Unloading (c1944) One Sheet Flat (Linen)

From Chris Berry

Although manpower and supply shortages made it difficult for American circuses to operate during World War II, business was good as the economy was booming. Still, gasoline rationing along with a lack of trucks and parts made it difficult for smaller shows to travel. In 1944 Ben Davenport's Dailey Bros Circus made the move from 26 trucks to rails, which presumably could move the show more efficiently. Though not necessarily as attractive as other lithos of the era, this poster does convey the promise that a BIG show is coming to town - and in doing so the artist captured a moment in circus history.

Posted by Buckles at 1/24/2011 06:09:00 AM

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

The poster style reminds me of the general advertising styles of the 1950s, geometric abstract, primary colors, no blended shading.

There was a flurry of "end of war" rail outfits, Arthur Bros., Austin Bros., Dailey Bros., Russell Bros., and Sparks [1947], augmenting the previous RBBB and Cole Bros. None of Bros. outfits had anything more than single individuals or partners behind them---but the familial association must have resonated in the wartime and aftermath. It was the last great hurrah of the railroad tent circus era, which came to an end in 1956

24 January, 2011 10:19
Anonymous said...

Ben took a Mud Show and put it on rails. He took the tractors-trucks out from under trailers and put "Dolly Wheels" under them, so no need to build alot of railroad type wagons. Smart move at that time and very successful. Smart, tough showman. tanglefoot

26 January, 2011 08:41

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