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Circus Pinder (Established 1854)

 Organisation

Biography

The story of Pinder Circus is a story of union and separation. The British branch of the circus was born out of the union of Selina Ord and Edwin Pinder. The Ord’s Equestrian Arena was founded by Thomas Ord in 1812. Thomas (b.1784) was the son of a reverend and joined the circus in c1798 after running away from home. After fourteen years working for other circus proprietors, Thomas founded his own circus The Ords Equestrian Arena, which soon became a household name in Scotland and the north of England.

Thomas died in 1859 aged 75 and his circus passed to his daughter Selina who continued with the business. In 1861 Selina married Edwin Pinder whose uncles, George and William Pinder were the founders of Pinders Circus in 1854. Upon his marriage to Selina, Edwin left his family to create the Ord Pinders Circus in Scotland. Meanwhile, the Pinders Circus started touring Europe where they gained great fame and eventually settled down in France, where the Pinder’s Circus remains to this day. Whereas the French branch of the circus did not maintain the Pinder family links, the Scottish branch remained a family affair.

The Pinder's Ord Circus also became very successful and could boast the delivered of three Royal Command Performances at Balmoral Castle for Queen Victoria in 1877, 1892 and 1898.

Edwin and Selina had five children, all of whom joined the family business or joined other British circus families through marriage, such as the Connors on the Isle of Man and the Fossetts.

Today Pinder’s Circus is managed by Edwin’s great great grandson, Eddy, his wife and their business partner Mike Lea.

Found in 52 Collections and/or Records:

Charles Taylor Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0069
Scope and Contents

The Charles Taylor collection is a fine example of Taylor’s of Wombwell printers’ posters, which highlight changes in printing techniques, fashion and taste within the popular entertainment industry. Included are examples of posters for pantomimes, fairs and circuses. The collection also contains handbills and other advertising material.

Dates: c1937 - 1989

Circus Films, c1950 - 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178D24.6
Scope and Contents

Copy of film on DVD showing circus scenes outside the tent, circus parade, trampoline acts, female aerial acts, acrobatics, clowning, wild animal acts, equestrian acts, dancing, tumbling, slack rope act, animal performance, city views and tents and buildings for Circus Krone, Pinders and Billy Smart Circus. Colour, silent.

Dates: c1950 - 1959

Circus Friends Association Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0122
Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a large library of books and journals, as well as archival material including posters, programmes, photographs, films, handbills, research material, scrapbooks, original artwork and many other items of ephemera relating to British, Irish and European circuses

Dates: 1795 - 2020

Circus Pinder Poster, 29 April - 1 May c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.110
Scope and Contents

Rosyths Fairground. Fossett, Rosaire and Pinder circus combined including The Maverick cowboy spectacular, Duo Ords Jugglers, amongst others. Blue, red and yellow type on white background with border.

Dates: 29 April - 1 May c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, 26 - 28 April c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.111
Scope and Contents

Haddington, East Haugh. Fossett, Rosaire and Pinder circus combined including The Maverick cowboy spectacular, Duo Ords Jugglers, amongst others. Blue, red and yellow type on white background with border.

Dates: 26 - 28 April c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, 22 - 24 April c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.112
Scope and Contents

Dunbar Countess Crescent. Fossett, Rosaire and Pinder circus combined including The Maverick cowboy spectacular, Duo Ords Jugglers, amongst others. Blue, red and yellow type on white background with border.

Dates: 22 - 24 April c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.113
Scope and Contents

Berwick upon Tweed. Fossett, Rosaire and Pinder circus combined including The Maverick cowboy spectacular, Duo Ords Jugglers, amongst others. Blue, red and yellow type on white background with border.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, 20 - 22 May c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.114
Scope and Contents

Kirriemuir. Fossett, Rosaire and Pinder circus combined including The Maverick cowboy spectacular, Duo Ords Jugglers, amongst others. Blue, red and yellow type on white background with border.

Dates: 20 - 22 May c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, 24 - 26 May c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.115
Scope and Contents

Brechin. Fossett, Rosaire and Pinder circus combined including The Maverick cowboy spectacular, Duo Ords Jugglers, amongst others. Blue, red and yellow type on white background with border.

Dates: 24 - 26 May c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, 6 - 8 May c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.116
Scope and Contents

Cupar Carthourgh. Fossett, Rosaire and Pinder circus combined including The Maverick cowboy spectacular, Duo Ords Jugglers, amongst others. Blue, red and yellow type on white background with border.

Dates: 6 - 8 May c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, 10 - 12 May c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.117
Scope and Contents

Newburgh. Fossett, Rosaire and Pinder circus combined including The Maverick cowboy spectacular, Duo Ords Jugglers, amongst others. Blue, red and yellow type on white background with border.

Dates: 10 - 12 May c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, 19 - 21 April c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.426
Scope and Contents

Berwick upon Tweed. Red type on yellow background.

Dates: 19 - 21 April c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, 22 - 24 April c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.427
Scope and Contents

Dumbar. Red type on yellow background.

Dates: 22 - 24 April c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, 29 April - 1 May c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.428
Scope and Contents

Rosyth. Red type on yellow background.

Dates: 29 April - 1 May c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, 26 - 28 April c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.429
Scope and Contents

Haddington. Red type on yellow background.

Dates: 26 - 28 April c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, 10 - 12 May c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.430
Scope and Contents

Newburgh. Red type on yellow background.

Dates: 10 - 12 May c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, 6 - 8 May c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.431
Scope and Contents

Cupar. Red type on yellow background.

Dates: 6 - 8 May c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, 20 - 22 May c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.432
Scope and Contents

Kirriemuir. Red type on yellow background.

Dates: 20 - 22 May c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, 24 - 26 May c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.433
Scope and Contents

Brechin. Red type on yellow background.

Dates: 24 - 26 May c1970 - 1979

Circus Pinder Poster, 31 May - 2 June c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.434
Scope and Contents

Stonehaven. Red type on yellow background.

Dates: 31 May - 2 June c1970 - 1979