Hnos. Vasquez 2009 #26

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From Paul Ingrassia

As you would imagine there has been a lot of interest in funeral arrangements for the "Judge". His daughter Sally advised me today that the family had a service in Austin. All were present, including great grandchildren triplets and others. Hospice had very quickly provided a place for Dale and the family and he died surrounded by loved ones. They had the private service there,and a cremation. Evelyn and one of her children started to drive home to Sarasota today. Sally indicated Ev's desire is to have a memorial service and perhaps religious service in the Fall in Sarasota. I am sure that we will have plenty of advance on that event. For those who might wish to send a card or note to the Riker Family, the address is: Evelyn Riker 6973 W. Country Club Drive North #152 Sarasota, Florida 34243 Sorry all of this has been in pieces but I knew that Dale would want the people that get this note to know. Paul Ingrassia

Independence Day!

Scan11814, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. My wife is having new heavy duty windows installed all the way around the house which results me having to move all the stuff around in my room. In so doing I came across a small gray case about 6" x 2" which contained this medal awarded to our unit in Korea. Odd that it would turn up today of all days.

Hnos. Vasquez 2009 #1 (From Jimmy Hall ) Part 1

DSC01861, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, Here are a few shots of Circo H.Vasquez. I got to see part of the show. Got there a little late and did not get a chance to return. They sure have improved their show equipment since I saw them several years in the past. The tent was air cond. and you need it in Dallas this time of year. From the sound, lights and performance I will give a two thumbs up. One of the nicest road shows I have seen. J.C.Hall

Hnos. Vasquez 2009 #2

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Hnos. Vasquez 2009 #3

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Hnos. Vasquez 2009 #4

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Hnos. Vasquez 2009 #5

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Hnos. Vasquez 2009 #6

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Hnos. Vasquez 2009 #7

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Hnos. Vasquez 2009 #8

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Hnos. Vasquez 2009 #9

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Hnos. Vasquez 2009 #10

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Hnos. Vasquez 2009 #11

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Hnos. Vasquez 2009 #12

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Hnos. Vasquez 2009 #13

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From Dennis Younger

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Hunt Bros. Circus 1963 #1 (From Jim Cole)

scan0008, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Hunt Bros. Circus, 1963 taken by John Cutler. Jimmy

Hunt Bros. Circus 1963 #2

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Hunt Bros. Circus 1963 #3

scan0005, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. "Matt Laurish and Roy Bush". Buckles

Hunt Bros. Circus 1963 #4

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Hunt Bros. Circus 1963 #5

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Hunt Bros. Circus 1963 #6

scan0004, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. "My good friends Lee and Hazel Bradley". Buckles

Hunt Bros. Circus 1963 #7

scan0001, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Roy Bush and "Chandre". Buckles

Hunt Bros. Circus 1963 #8

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Hunt Bros. Cicus 1963 #9

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Hunt Bros. Circus 1963 #10

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From Paul Ingrassia

I am very sorry to advise that our good friend and stellar circus friend, Dale Riker died in a Austin, Texas hospital today around 1:00 p.m. He was surrounded by his family and died peacefully. The cause of his demise was apparently cancer that had been undetected, likely with the symptoms masked by other of his health problems. I talked to him two days ago and he asked that Jerry Hogan do a service, that a reception be held at Showfolks and that I write something about him. I told him I loved him and thanked him for the many good times we, he and I and Evelyn, have had over the forty plus years we have been friends.He actually said, "I guess I'll see you down the road." Jerry Hogan talked to Dale's daughter Penny who said that they will have a private family service in Austin and cremate the remains and return them to Sarasota. They are thinking of a memorial service then. I will report more to you when I know. Good Bye old friend. Rest in Peace....Paul Ingrassia

From Don Covington

michael-jackson, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Michael Jackson will soon be laid to rest. His funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was scheduled to move into the Staples Center to set up for their circus starting the following day but has been asked to postpone doing so for a few hours. Rumors are circulating that the circus is now on standby with the service being followed by a parade of elephants and circus performers, but Ringling Bros. has a different story. “We will not be taking part in the memorial service,” spokesperson Stephen Payne confirmed. “We are prepared to make any logistical changes with equipment and such to help out.”

From Chris Berry

Picture 003, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Sixty-two years ago this morning - July 2, 1947 - the people of Utica, New York were waking to the arrival of the Greatest Show on Earth. Among the performers on hand that day, Felix Adler, who is featured on this poster. Except for a stint in the army during World War I, Adler had been a part of the big show since 1914. One of the greatest clowns ever on the show, Adler had been fired the previous season by Robert Ringling - the son of Charles Ringling - who was President of the circus during most of the war years. Robert Ringling had objected to the fact that Adler was working for indoor circuses during the winter of '46 saying it was a contract violation, so after more than 30 years with the show, Felix was out. His banishment didn't last long however. A few weeks later, during the stand at Madison Square Garden, John Ringling North began a series of stock maneuvers that put him back in charge of the show. After taking control during the spring of 1946 one of the first things that North did was rehire Adler. This poster was originally designed, along with other bright and somewhat unorthodox poster images, by the studios of Norman Bel Geddes for the 1941 season. After the war it was reworked somewhat and continued to be used throughout the 1940s. Incidentally, it was about the time that the show was in Utica, during the summer of '47, that John Ringling North put into place a plan that would give him essentially total control of the circus, and bring Art Concello back as General Manager. By the time the show reached Atlanta in late October, North was firmly in place as President of Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey, a position he would hold for the next 20 years.

RBBB Big Top Brooklyn 1933 Lightened

RinglingBigTopBrooklyn1933Lightened, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I lightened the photo to see some of the detail. It won't go farther!! Most impressive to see the uniformed ushers at each stair entrance.. and others half way up!! Looks like there are persons on high stands in the "track". I think I count 20 rows of seats. Were these individual chairs? Seems there is a set-up in the center ring but seems too bulky to be a cage act. Any ideas?? My first circus was Ringling under canvas in 1946 - Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Don't know if these tent dimensions were still the same, but this photo brings back my "awe" and "amazement"!! AND.. to walk into this after the huge menagerie tent with "herds" of elephants and Gargantua and Toto!!!!!!!!! (I remember being impressed as much with the air- conditioned cages.) This "Brooklyn" belies the point that the current Ringling Coney Island show is the first under canvas in Brooklyn, doesn't it? (Plan to get out to Cole Bros Circus playing in a hangar at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn again in July.) Warm regards to all!! klsdad

From Capt. Snug

DSC00472, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The South Shore Circus Band played under the Big Top at the Kelly Miller Circus on the 25th of June in Berkley, MA before the evening performance. . The band played many circus marches under the direction of Director Richard Whitmarsh. http://www.euchronia.net/sotc/ The show was a wonderful one, with a cat act, flying trapese, bare back riders, elephants, dogs, etc. with a very appreciative full house. John Ringling North II has down a great job with this show.

Kool Aid Circus 1972 #1 (From Hal Guyon)

Kool Aid Circus 72-1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, I found this today while going through some old things of my Dad`s. It is from the South Carolina State Fair Grandstand Show. My Dad has 1972 written on the back. Hal Guyon

Kool Aid Circus 1972 #2

Kool Aid Circus 72-2, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I know that the Funny Ford was Fay Alexander`s and I`m thinking that the dog`s were Joanne Wilson`s. I was wondering if you could tell me about the elephants and who worked them. I also remember that one year they had the cannon act, but it`s not in this program. "These are the Hubert Castle elephants worked for many years by Burt Pettus and his daughter Sandy but in this instance pictured with Joanne Wilson. The elephants in 1972 were "Zetta", Peggy", "Jan", "Bunny" and "Marie". Buckles

Kool Aid Circus 1972 #3

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From Don Covington

King Pole 0001, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Holscher's Elephants on the cover of the latest King Pole Magazine!

From Margaret

EH, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Pictured above is the "Coney's Colossus" Elephant Hotel which was located on the site that would later become Luna Park. This tin & wood frame building was built by James Lafferty in 1884. The elephant stood 150 ft. tall and had 34 rooms, including a cigar stand in a rear leg. The structure burned in 1896. Margaret..

From Dave Price

Buckles26, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. What do you know about this picture? Hard to say. Either Beatty-Wallace or Beatty-Russell? Buckles

From Buckles #1

Scan11813, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Bill Woodcock and "Sidney" at Hall's Farm in 1926. She was named after Hall's oldest daughter. SIDNEY 1925-34 W. P. Hall Animal Farm- Lancaster, Missouri 1935-38 Cole Bros. Circus 1939-42 Clyde Beatty Elephant Act 1943 Clyde Beatty- Wallace Bros. Circus 1944 Clyde Beatty- Russell Bros. Circus 1945-56 Clyde Beatty Circus 1957-69 Beatty-Cole (Acme Circus Corp.) 1970-72 King Bros. Circus (Acme Circus Corp.) (Died in 1972)

From Buckles #2

Scan11812, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. "Sidney" with Clyde Beatty Circus 1946. Being worked by Whitey Linderman (Mysterious Whitey).

From Walt King

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RBBB 1957 Special Performance (From Pat Wentzel)

RBBBHersheyTicketGOP57, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, I read your blog everyday and have enjoyed the photos and information immensely. I have many vintage circus photos and have been meaning to share some of them with your blog. I wasn’t sure how to contact you with the images. Since Eric Beheim has posted many of his images I contacted him. The attached images are from a 1957 GOP event where The Republican Committee of Pennsylvania hosted a fund raiser featuring RBBB. Above is what I believe to be a ticket to the event. The description of the acts have a devilish political slant to them. I’m also including a scan showing the acts. If you would like I can scan the complete program and submit it. Patrick Wentzel Parkersburg, WV

RBBB 1957 GOP Program #1

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RBBB 1957 GOP Program #2

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Cristiani-Wallace 1963 #9 (From Jim Cole) Part 2

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Cristiani-Wallace 1963 #10

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Cristiani-Wallace 1963 #11

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Cristiani-Wallace 1963 #12

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Cristiani-Wallace 1963 #13

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Cristiani-Wallace 1963 #14

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Cristiani-Wallace 1963 #15

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Cristiani-Wallace 1963 #16

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