More Merle Evans #1 (From Buckles)

Scan11415, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I'm sure everyone has seen this picture of Mr. Evans in his Rube Show days with the Uncle Josh Spruceby Co.

More Merle Evans #2

Scan11418, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Someone sent these stamps to my dad.

More Merle Evans #3

Scan11417, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. For some reason you don't see many musicians with mustaches so it's always easy to spot Henry Kyes in the brass section. Henry was band leader on the Polack Show when we were there in the 1960's.

Lion tamer - Gibson, 1873 (From Richard Flint)

Lion tamer - Gibson, 1873, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, I just commented on the attached image in the comments section of the "From Buddy Copeland" posting. Perhaps you can crop the color bars off and run this with my comments. Been quite busy these last months but I hope to be able to contribute more soon. I have a group of Cristiani-Wallace images that i assembled for Mike Rice last summer that I am long overdue in sending but given the recent flurry on the old Crisitiani Bros. show, will try to get them off to you. I'm again teaching my circus class at Johns Hopkins--in fact, another class is tonight. Hope all is well. Dick

From Buddy Copeland

Scaned Photos0036.BMP, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Mr. Copeland's utterly fearless alter-ego scoffs in the face of death in the den if fury! Buckles

Elephant Art #1

Scan11411, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Quite good since this trick was only held for a matter of seconds, the artist was forced to do most of his work from memory.

Elephant Art #2

Scan11421, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Impressive looking tusker. I don't envy the artist who did all this detail on a very fidgitity subject.

Elephant Art #3

Scan11416, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This drawing looks incredibly accurate. "The Light Of Asia" was supposed to be Adam Forepaugh's answer to P.T. Barnum's white elephant "Toug Tou-log" during the 1884 White Elephant Wars. Legend has it that Barnum's authentic elephant was a disappointment since the public expected something as white as the driven snow. Forepaugh's elephant was better received since it was painted white. If that's the case, the elephant above would be "John" who later toured for many years with Forepaugh, 4-Paw-Sells, Ringling Bros. and finally with RBBB until his death in Sarasota 1/16/32.

Elephant Art #4

Scan11420, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The companies like Barnes & Carruthers would send out catalogs listing the acts available for fairs, parks, etc. Rather than use the pictures submitted by the performer, B&C might have an artist come up with something that might explain the trick more accurately. These next drawings are an example. I have explained this trick several times over the years but being relentless by nature I will do so again. The elephant would mount the teeter-board, walk forward and stop as soon as she had passed the fulcrum, forcing the opposite end down. Miss Nelson would then step on the board facing the elephant who on command would take one big step backward vaulting the lady as shown in the drawing.

Elephant Art #5

Scan11415 - Copy, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This drawing is one of three that explains plank walk from beginning to end so there would be no doubt in anyone's mind. The Dr. Pierre Bernard elephant act out of Nyack, NY. Surprisingly it looks exactly like the actual elephant, a male "Buddah" why they wouldn't use his photograph is beyond me. I have quite a few.

Elephant Art #6

Scan11424, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Titled the "Harmon Elephants" this was probably the name tagged onto a Wm. P. Hall act. The artist must be trying to explain the "foot exchanges".

Elephant Art #7

Scan11423, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. A description of the "Powers Elephants" barber shop.

Elephant Art #8

Scan11417 - Copy, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Following two were added to the "Wier Elephants" Ad.

Elephant Art #9

Scan11418 - Copy, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Elephant Art #10

Scan11419 - Copy, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I still have a satin pillow that bears the elephant and tiger at left that my mother put together by some sort of needle work. It must be 65 years old.

Mexico City 1973

Scan11377, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Chicago Tribune

Scan11422, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

From Sue Lenz #1

Martin Lacey, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Hi Buckles: Great seeing you and Barbara at Carol & Bill Hall's Luncheon last week. Enclosed a picture of Martin Lacey, The owner of “The Great British Circus” in the UK. I think Mr. Lacey should be commended on his decision to import an Elephant act from Germany to the UK despite all the Animal activists. By the reports I hear from England it certainly hasn't hurt the business as he is packing them in.

From Sue Lenz #2

The Queen, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Enclosed a photo of the Queen of England when she met Mr. Martin Burton owner of Zippo’s Circus and David Hibling artistic director from a special edition when Zippo’s Circus appeared at Buckingham Palace during a party to mark the 50th anniversary of the Coronation. So pleased that the Queen still supports the Circus.

From Sue Lenz #3

Sue & Bike on wire, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. On another subject, A photo of my Pigeon act taken in 1962.

From Sue Lenz #4

Norman, 2008, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Another of my ex, Norman Barrett taken last year 2008 while performing with Zippo‘s Circus in UK. Note the similarity in tricks 46 years later.

Big Apple in Atlanta! #1 (From Richard Reynolds)

!cid_X_MA1_1236031450@aol, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Stone Mountain (Atlanta) Georgia, March 1, 2009. I've been attending field shows for 72 years, but, on March 1st, I experienced a first - - a snow storm while under the big top - -Here in the "sunny South" no less. Photo by my daughter-in-law, Deanna Reynolds.

Big Apple in Atlanta! #2

!cid_X_MA1_1236031654@aol, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Our son Tim and his wife Deanna with their little girls, Ashlyn (left) and Katie.

Big Apple in Atlanta! #3

!cid_X_MA1_1236031921@aol, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Out oldest son Rich (4th) with his three - - little Rich (5th), Ansley (middle), and Mary, little Rich's twin sister.

More Circus Music #1 (From Eric Beheim)

Cricket LP, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This 12-inch long playing record was produced for the kiddie record market and consists of music from the 1959 Edition, including music JRN wrote for the production numbers. The cover features a nice montage of Steinmetz circus photos. Izzy Cervone conducts the band and Don Forbes is the announcer/vocalist. (When Izzy autographed this for me in 1967, his only comment was the North had written some “lousy music” that year.)

More Circus Music #2

Harold Ronk, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. We must not forget the Harold Ronk had his own solo LP album of circus songs. This one came out around 1962 and included music from the 1962 elephant number “Polkadot Polka.”

More Circus Music #3

London LP, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. CIRCUS SPECTACULAR was actually recorded in England with some sound effects recorded on location in this country. This proved to be a major disappointment to Merle Evans’ fans since the sound effects drown out the band in a few places! As a result, tuba player Harvey Phillips arranged for Merle to do the recordings with the New England Conservator of Music. From Buckles "I forgot to mention that I have been included in Prof. Schlarbaum's mailing list of tunes from the days before these type records. You first get information on the composer and the year it was written then from a blank screen the piece is played either by piano or band organ. Selections range from Friml's "The Firefly" to a little ditty called "The Alcoholics Blues". Plenty of early Irving Berlin stuff. A lot of harmony in those days, a lost art today."

From John Goodall

0302_elephantbirth_horz_03-02-09_B1_5AD34SF, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. . Doreen Harris scans Phoebe's belly as tech Lisa Bigelow and assistant curator Harry Peachey view the monitor. Aaron Kazmierczak keeps Phoebe calm. Think your pregnancy was tough? Imagine it lasting 22 months and ending with the delivery of a 300-pound baby. That's the reality for Phoebe, the Asian elephant who's about to deliver her second calf at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. But although the gestation period is long and the baby huge, Phoebe's not unlike pregnant humans in many ways. She has gained a bit too much weight, for one thing, said assistant curator Harry Peachey, who is in charge of the elephants. About 500 to 600 pounds would be optimal; she has packed on about 750. Her blood was tested weekly, then every other day. Soon, it will be tested every day to check her progesterone level. Doctors peek at the baby through ultrasounds at least once a week, gelling up Phoebe's belly to get a glimpse of a baby trunk, a clear heartbeat and maybe a rib or two. The baby's too big for doctors to see the whole package at once. To keep her well-toned for the birth, Phoebe's on an exercise regimen -- mostly walking -- with keepers. "We're all on pins and needles about the birth," said zoo veterinarian Michael Barrie. If all goes well, Phoebe's baby will be the second live elephant born in the zoo's history. Peachey said that only a handful of Asian elephants are born in North American zoos each year, and sometimes none at all. About a third die before age 10. So each birth causes quite a stir. "We've already started getting e-mails from people who want to know when she's delivering," Peachey said late last week as Phoebe strolled around her indoor living area. "People are fascinated with elephants." As soon as Phoebe's progesterone reaches a certain level, she'll be on a "mommy cam" so volunteers can watch her behavior 24 hours a day and alert keepers if they see signs of labor such as leg-stretching, lying down and getting up, lifting her tail and swatting her rear legs with her trunk. When veterinarians think delivery is a few days away, Peachey and several other keepers will start sleeping just outside the elephant quarters. "We're fairly certain the birth will be in the early morning," Peachey said. Usually, it happens between 2 and 4 a.m., he said. And it's usually quick: her hard labor with calf Bohdi, born in 2004, was just 20 minutes. This calf will be the third for Phoebe, who was born in 1987; she had her first at another zoo. Bohdi also is still at the Columbus zoo, as is his father, Coco. "She's young and healthy; we can expect this birth to go the same as the others," Peachey said. "It might very well be that we could leave her and come back, and there would be a baby, but that would be irresponsible of us." Phoebe will stand as she delivers. The calf will drop onto the floor, and keepers will remove it briefly to check its vital signs. Then, after making sure Phoebe is calm, they'll return the newborn and watch to make sure it nurses and can stand. If all is well, baby and mom will be back in their regular home about a week later, and both will be visible part of the day to visitors. Peachey expects plenty of them.

From Bob Cline #1

100_2955, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, This should be the album that Roger Smith was asking about. Bob

From Bob Cline #2

100_2953, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I could not find any date on this. The Album carries the catalogue code of DL 9058. Bob

From Bob Cline #3

100_2954, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The back cover of the Circus in Town album was filled with small pictures of the circus acts. The back cover opened up to reveal a cage act photo and some information on Merle Evans and a small story by Sverre Braathen of Madison, WI. who was a noted Circus Music Historian. Bob

Jon Pult #1

100_0315, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, A couple of album covers on the theme....the first "Circus Brass" a forgettable collection of tunes penned by John Ringling North, himself. I say forgettable, but a recording of Lovely Luawana Lady is always welcome. The second features a nondescript studio band (on the bottom left the words "recorded in Europe") named for the record label. It includes "Mosquito's Parade," a personal favorite and the version I used as the theme for my comedy radio show, "The Felicity Street Circus of the Air!" which ran for 70 episodes between 2003 and 2005. It was stopped , like many things, by Hurricane Katrina. We had recorded an episode on the Thursday before the storm that featured the introduction of "Stompo," an elephant we billed as having "The Biggest Feet That Walk The Earth!" Sadly, it never aired. Jon P.

Jon Pult #2

100_0319, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

From Buckles #1

Scan11412, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I'm surprised there is no mention of this record album. The jacket is actually a box so large that I can't scan the whole picture and within are 5 78RPM records of Mr. Evans conducting the New England Conservatory of Music band.

From Buckles #2

Scan11410, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Back side of the jacket.

From Buckles #3

Scan11413, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This booklet was included with the records that includes a number of photos I have shown in the Blog over the years.

From Buckles #4

Scan11414, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Back cover of the booklet.

From Buckles #5

Scan11416, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. While browsing thru a record store years ago, I came across an album of Mr. Phillips work. Reminded me of Fillmore's nickname "Prof. Huffinpuff!"

From Buckles #6

Scan11415, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cristiani Bros. 1958 Route Book #1 (Part 5)

Scan11395 - Copy, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cristiani Bros. 1958 Route Book #2

Scan11397, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cristiani Bros. 1958 Route Book #3

Scan11396, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Advance crew

Cristiani Bros. 1958 Route Book #4

Scan11399, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cristiani Bros. 1958 Route Book #5

Scan11403, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Steam Calliope

Cristiani Bros. 1958 Route Book #6

Scan11394, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Emmett Kelly was brought in to do advance publicity for the Chicago engagement and appeared in the performance as well.

Cristiani Bros. 1958 Route Book #7

Scan11400, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Concession Department

Cristiani Bros. 1958 Route Book #8

Scan11398, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cristiani Bros. 1958 Route Book #9

Scan11402, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cristiani Bros. 1958 Route Book #10

Scan11404, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cristiani Bros. 1958 Route Book #11

Scan11401, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Akron, Ohio, July 31- Aug. 1&2 The long jump from Evansville was a tough one. The route doubled the show back through Columbus, Ohio and Richmond, Indiana, earlier stands for the show. Rain on Thursday just about washed the big top out of the Rubber Bowl where it was set up. Menagerie and side show did better on the hard surface of the black top parking lot. The sky cleared on Friday however and the night show brought a straw house and a good 3/4 house in the afternoon. Saturday was good also and the Sponsor, the city of Akron, was well pleased. Side Show made a wonderful midway flash facing the huge Goodyear airship hangar.Kid Show did the best business here since the terrific Philadelphia date. Charlie Cox, who joined side show front in Chicago, closed to make the Wisconsin State Fair. The hipp truck broke down and didn't arrive until Friday. B.C. Davenport rejoined here. Belmonte Cristiani Jr. was baptized with Mr. and Mrs. Tony Diano on hand as God-parents. The CHS had a regional meeting on Friday, the group met in the back yard with personnel after the night show and viewed a color sound 16mm movie of the Cristiani Show, which had been prepared by the CHS. CHS Prexy Pfening spoke briefly and thanked the Cristiani family for their effort in return for returning many traditional circus features to the show this year and for the confidence they have shown in the future of circus business in America.