Wednesday, April 03, 2013

From Chic Silber #2

7 comments:

Bob Momyer said...

Bill Ballantine has an interesting chapter on Heckler's Flea Circus that was in New York during the
'30s. Bill told me that the demise of the flea circus was the result of better public health. Less flop houses resulted in less human fleas that were superior to dog fleas because of their larger size. Interestingly,there seems to be an increase in flea circuses.
Bob Momyer

Bob Momyer said...

The mind is slipping, blame it on the cold Pennsylvania weather. The chapter on Heckler's Flea Circus is in Wild Tigers and Tame Fleas by Bill Ballantine.
Bob Momyer

Cindy Potter said...

APRIL FOOLS!!
:-)
Cindy Potter

Chic Silber said...


This story 1st ran in the Associated

Press on March 29th & I read about

it on the 30th so it was well before

the 1st of April Cindy

Ole Whitey said...

Bob M and Paul G(who commented under another pic): Be sure to read the newer book "Hubert's Freaks" by Gregory Gibson.

It combines the Hubert story with the search for valuable photographs.

Very interesting.

Cindy Potter said...

OK, but....R E A L L Y ???
:-)
CP

Unknown said...

I saw a flea circus only one time, (at least one with real fleas). He would bring out a flea to perform. Sometimes nothing would happen, (as the flea had gone to that great hound dog in the sky). The director would get out his magnifying glass, see he had a dead flea, and say “You’re not Fred! One moment Ladies and gentlemen.” He would then get another flea, double check that it was alive, and say, “There you are Fred! Now show our guests your amazing trick!”, and continue on with the show.
I must say I was amazed with the craftsmanship of the beautiful tiny props.
Don Bloomer