75th Hadi Shrine Circus #2

20081121-141926-pic-41696688_t220, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. A brown bear earns a high-five during "Castle's Performing Bruins and Derrick's Mountain Bears," an act in the 74th annual Hadi Shrine Circus.

Polack Bros. (Eastern) 1951 #1

Scan10990, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. From 1947 thru 1957 the Polack Show had two units, called Eastern and Western. Both shows had lengthy seasons but the preferred route was with the Western Unit. This is a program from the Eastern Show and you can see it is of lesser size, no cat act listed. When the expansion was made, the Powers elephants (show owned) went to the new unit (Eastern) and the newly purchased MGM elephants became a regular staple with the Western Show thru 1950. In 1951 the Tom Packs elephants, trained by Mac MacDonald, were the talk of the circus world, so much so that Louis Stern booked the act on the Western Unit for the 1951-52 seasons, after which Mac remained to train the Besalou elephants at Louie Goebel's place in 1954 and made their debut with the Western Show in 1954.

Polack Bros. (Eastern) 1951 #2

Scan10995, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Polack Bros. (Eastern) 1951 #3

Scan10992, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Polack Bros. (Eastern) 1951 #4

Scan10994, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Polack Bros. (Eastern) 1951 #5

Scan10996, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Polack Bros. (Eastern) 1951 #6

Scan10997, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Polack Bros. (Eastern) 1951 #7

Scan10998, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Polack Bros. (Eastern) 1951 #8

Scan10991, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Polack Bros. (Eastern) 1951 #9

Scan10993, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Polack Bros. (Eastern) 1951 #10

Scan10999, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This act was booked into the St. Louis Police Circus in the mid 1940's and my parents and I visited the show. For days my mother had told me we were going to see the MGM elephants that were in the Tarzan movies. I don't know what I expected to see but I remember being disappointed since it turned out to be just another elephant act. I was much more impressed with the Kimris air plane, in those days it was propeller driven in fact I still remember the music. I can't for the life of me recall the reason for us being in St. Louis at the time.

Charlie and Kitty Smith at CFA banquet Apr. 1, '08

Charlie and Kitty Smith at CFA banquet April 2008 #1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles: We are among the many who just got the sad news of Charlie's passing. We were privileged to be seated at the same table as Charlie and Kitty at this year's CFA convention banquet, Also at the table were Phipps and the late Bobby Hakes. Attached are two photos of Charlie and Kitty and a photo I took of the Smith's grave marker , it's right next to Gunther's, in the Venice Cemetery. I was surprised to see a mistake on Charlie's marker; if you look you will notice it reads in part RB&B trainmaster. I assume they left off Mr Bailey as an oversight. Caring thoughts to Kitty. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND ALL from Diane and me, Paul Gutheil

Smith headstone Venice Memorial Gardens

Smith headstone Venice Memorial Gardens, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

William "Billy" Merle Rodgers October 18, 1934 - November 24, 2008 RODGERS, William M. “Billy”, 74, of Gibsonton, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2008. A native of Orwell, OH, he had resided here for 40 years. He was owner of Pirates Treasure Cove, Gibsonton, a member of Sarasota Showmen’s Club, a life member and on the Board of Directors for the International Independent Showmen’s Assoc. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, David and Donna Rodgers, Madison, OH; nieces, Denise Sines and Debby Woodworth; nephews, Dave and Dean Rodgers and 11 great-nieces and nephews. Funeral Information Funeral services will be conducted 4:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 26, 2008, at Southern Funeral Care, 10510 Riverview Dr., Riverview, with the family receiving friends from 2:00 P.M. until service time. Interment will be in Orwell, OH. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Billy’s memory to a scholarship fund at the International Independent Showmen’s Assoc., P.O. Box 188, Gibsonton, FL 33534.

From Dave Orr

Good Morning.....Passing of Charlie Smith , RBBB Trainmaster and namesake of the Charlie Smith Tent...No further details...Our hearts and prayers go out to Kitty.....dpo

Christy Bros TIGERS 20-sheet (From Chris Berry)

Christy Bros TIGERS 20-sheet, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This is a 20-sheet billboard for Christy Bros circa 1925. Very few multi-sheets of this size survive from this era...and I don't believe that this particular poster (printed by Riverside of Milwaukee) was produced in a smaller format.

To my many Democrat friends!

Scan10989, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Since there will shortly be a change in the Washington, I have decided to return my Honest Bill Clinton doll to it's former place, suspended from the rear view mirror. It has always brought me good luck.

Christy Bros. 1926 #1 (From Jim Cole)

Christy Bros. 1926, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. These Christy Bros photos from 1926 & 1927 were taken in Newport, RI and came from the John Cutler collection. It is not known as to whether he was the photographer, since he would have been 13 & 14 years old at the time. It is possible however, I was taking my first circus photos at age 15. Jimmy Cole

June 27, 1926 Christy Bros. #2

June 27, 1926 Christy Bros. #1, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

June 27, 1926 Christy Bros. #3

June 27, 1926 Christy Bros. #2, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.