Circus collection, 1821-1985, 1865-1950 (bulk)

  1. Resources
  2. View Resource

ArchivalResource

Circus collection, 1821-1985, 1865-1950 (bulk)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/155489829

Variety of material pertaining to the circus in New York City. Of interest are inventories, last will and testament and related documents of John Scudder, proprietor of the American Museum, a theater, later purchased by P.T. Barnum, 1821-1832. Also, photographs of performers and acts, news clippings and obituaries, programs, souvenir magazines, sheet music, lithographs, postcards, and circus magazines. Limited amount of correspondence from Ringling Bros. Major circuses and performers include P.T. Barnum, Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, as well as Buffalo Bill and Tom Thumb. Major categories are clowns, freaks, circus schools, trapeze artists, animal acts, midgets, parades, wagons, and rodeos. Scrapbooks of Aerial Smiths, trapeze artists, consisting of printed material about other circus performers, many European. Also, route books which are land schedules of various circuses and famous shows, 1886-1964. Small amount of material for foreign circuses, especially European.

8.2 cubic ft.

New York State Historical Documents Inventory

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6876706

New York State Historical Documents Inventory

Related Entities

There are 10 Entities related to this resource.

Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Combined Shows

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w64k17bp (corporateBody)

Major international circus also known as "The Greatest Show on Earth". Originally competitors, Ringling Brothers purchased Barnum and Bailey Circus in 1907, and as a result of World War I locomotive fuel shortages, the two combined in 1919, giving the circus its present title. From the description of Collection, 1973-1979, 1976-1977. (Texas Tech University). WorldCat record id: 23196743 ...

Thumb, Tom, 1838-1883

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6mx394c (person)

Charles Stratton (1838-1883), stage name General Tom Thumb, was an American showman noted for his small stature. He was the first major attraction promoted by the circus impresario P.T. Barnum. He was not quite five years old when Barnum hired him for his museum, but Barnum publicized him as General Tom Thumb, an 11-year-old dwarf from England. He quickly became a celebrated figure in the United States and abroad. In 1863 Stratton married Lavinia Warren (1841–1919)—another of Barnum’s performers...

Barnum, P. T. (Phineas Taylor), 1810-1891

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6524q6z (person)

Phineas Taylor Barnum was an American showman, businessman and politician remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus (1871–2017) with James Anthony Bailey. He was also an author, publisher and philanthropist. Barnum became a small-business owner in his early twenties and founded a weekly newspaper before moving to New York City in 1834. He embarked on an entertainment career, first with a variety troupe called "Barnum's Grand Scientific and Musical The...

Buffalo Bill, 1846-1917

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6gq6x36 (person)

Buffalo Bill was employed as a scout by the United States 5th Cavalry, 1868-1872. In 1869 he participated in the Battle of Summit Springs, Colorado, in which the 5th Cavalry defeated Cheyenne Indians. From the description of Letter : Saint Louis, Missouri, to Joseph Witherspoon Cook, Greenwood, South Dakota, 1896 May 23. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702162229 From the description of Letter : Saint Louis, Mo., to Joseph Witherspoon Cook, Greenwood, S.D., 1896 May 23. (Unkno...

Barnum & Bailey.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6ms8k29 (corporateBody)

American Museum (New York, N.Y. : Established 1810)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6dg1hx2 (corporateBody)

Aerial Smiths.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6gx90wj (corporateBody)

P.T. Barnum (Firm)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w67m4wt7 (corporateBody)

Museum of the city of New York

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6517t5j (corporateBody)

The Works Progress Administration sponsored seven photographers for the Federal Art Project for specific projects in New York City. From the description of Works Progress Administration photographic negative collection, 1937-1939. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155487078 Incorporated in 1923 to collect objects which illustrate the growth and progress of New York City and to educate the public about the city's history. From the description of Records, 1927-1985. (...

Scudder, John.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65b0kkg (person)