Chipperfield's Circus (Established c1800)
Dates
- Existence: Established c1800
Biography
Chipperfield's Circus has its roots in the Thames Frost Fair of 1684, where James Chipperfield started to show performing animals. The tradition of working with wild animals has been the signature of the Chipperfield family ever since.
The tradition of dipping in and out of the fairground continued with James William Chipperfield Sr. (1775-1866), who worked as a bootmaker and theatre costume maker during the winter, and travelled the fairs during the summer with his performing animal shows.
Over the following decades, the family grew and the business expanded exponentially as the small fairground shows evolved into a circus. By the nineteenth century, Chipperfield Circus had become one of the best-known circuses in England and was touring widely with a menagerie of animals and teams of acrobats, clowns and animal trainers generated by the family. By the end of the Second World War, they could boast of having one of the largest circus in Europe.
Chipperfield’s Circus reached its peak of fame in the mid twentieth century, when siblings James ‘Jimmy’ (1912–1990), Richard ‘Dick’ (1875-1959), Marjorie (1916-1975) and John (1875-1978) became joined proprietors of the business.
In the 1960s led by Jimmy Chipperfield, the business expanded into drive through safari parks. They opened Longleat Safari Park in 1966, Windsor Safari Park in 1969 and Lambton Lion Park in 1972. In 1970 they helped start the Woburn Safari Park and in 1971 Blair Drummond Safari Park, and they also helped open Knowsley Safari Park. At the same time they provided and trained pets and circus animals for Hollywood movies.
Chipperfield Circus, stopped touring in 1990, only to return in 2010 as Charles Chipperfield Circus, an all human show, led by Charles Chipperfield, seventh generation of the family. Other members of the Chipperfield family have continued working for other circuses in the UK, Europe, South Africa and America.
Found in 146 Collections and/or Records:
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, c1900 - 1999
Scrapbook of black and white photographs and newspaper cuttings, relating to multiple circus and acts including Chipperfield's, Billy Smarts and Belle Vue, 56p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1952 - 1953
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings and photographs, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Bertram Mills, Jack Hylton's, Chipperfield's and Harringay's, 14p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1949 - 1971
Scrapbook of newspaper articles, black and white photographs and advertisments, many articles in Dutch, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Chipperfield's, Boswell's and Billy Smart's, 109p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1961 - 1964
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, black and white photographs, and correspondance, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Billy Smarts, Billy Russell's, Bertram Mills, Soviet State Circus and Chipperfield's, 108p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1935 - 1956
Scrapbook of photographs and newspaper cuttings, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Bertram Mills, Chipperfield's and Blackpool Tower, 260p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1934 - 1952
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Chipperfield's, Blackpool Tower, Billy Smart's and Bertram Mills, 202p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1937 - 1976
Scrapbook of posters, newspaper cuttings and photographs, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Chipperfield's and Billy Smart's, 48p.p
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1982 - 1983
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, relating to multiple circus and acts including Chipperfield's, Blackpool Tower and Austen Brothers', 41p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1987 - 1988
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings relating to multiple circuses and acts including Billy Smart's, Blackpool Tower and Chipperfield's, 41p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1955 - 1957
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings and black and white photographs, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Chipperfield's, Bertram Mills, Rosaire's, Billy Russell's, 45p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1954 - 1958
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings and black and white photographs relating to multiple circuses and acts including Chipperfield's, Rosaire's, Bertram Mills and Billy Russell's, as well as many pictures of Pekingese dogs, 46p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1986 - 1987
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Cross Brothers, Gandey's Circus and Chipperfield's, 40p.p.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1983 - 1984
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Robert Brothers, Chipperfield's and Gerry Cottle's, 25p.p.
Scrapbooks, 1963 - 1995
Scrapbooks compiled by Ron White containing advertisements for Scottish and north of England fairs and Chipperfield Circus.
Testo Family Collection
This collection comprises photographs, business records, articles, correspondence, newspaper cuttings, advertising material, family research and items of personal archive related to the Testo family history in the fairground and circus
Testo Family History Monographs, c1960 - 1989
The story of Felix Testot, Magician, and founder of the Testo family in England (with a brief history of his descendants up to 1993). A portion of the Testo Family History. Alfred Testo’s Career by ‘Golga’ Jeffreys (his daughter). The Chipperfields’ Story: being a summary of items in the history of the Chipperfield family from 1803 and the connections with the Testo family (Harriet Sophia Jeffreys and Vic Jeffreys). Typescript.
Thames Television Invites you to Chipperfield's Circus Programme, c1970 - 1979
Roy Hudd, ringmaster, Las Ballan, cycling troupe, Duo Nowinski perch act, Laner Brothers Wild West, Charlie Cairoli and company clowns, Gene Mendez high wire and animals. 4p.p.
Thames Television Invites you to Chipperfield's Circus Programme, c1970 - 1979
Roy Hudd, ringmaster, Markus with Rosita, balancing and strongman, balancing act, The Saltas trapeze, and animals, Charlie Cairoli and company clowns and animals, Signed by Roy hudd, 4p.p.
The Great Caucasian Circus Programme, 1945
Blue and white illustration of roaring lion's head within a circle and blue and white type on blue and white background on front cover, inside blue type programme, 2p.p
The New 1959 Production of Chipperfield's Circus Programme, 1959
Black type on white background with black zig-zag border, loose programme, souvenir booklet missing.