Fossett's Circus (Established c1870 - 1879)
Dates
- Existence: 1870 - 1879
Biography
The Fossett family is one of the oldest circus families still in existence and one of the most prolific ones with branches of the family in England, Ireland and America.
The first itinerant performer of the family was the first Robert Fossett, who started making a living as a child selling almond rock in the streets of London in the early 1900s. He first became a showman performing with trained birds and ponies until he was able to run his own small family circus.
The second Robert Fossett, son of the first Robert Fossett, became one of the greatest bareback riders in the world. He continued travelling the family circus around England in the summer season, while in the winter, when travelling a tented show was unviable, he presented a static circus in a disused tunnel under the Thames.
The third Robert Fossett, son of the second Robert Fossett, followed his father’s footsteps to become a great trick rider. For some years he left his father's circus and travelled with Bostock's Circus and Menagerie around England and Ireland. Upon his return to England, he found the family business had been struggling and had to be saved by Lord George Sanger, who bought it at auction and gave it back to the Fossett family.
At this point Fossett Circus joined the Bostock brothers to present a combined show and menagerie. This arrangement continued successfully for several years with Robert Fossett as Ringmaster as well as presenting his celebrated riding act. Robert married Isabelle Bailey, daughter of the co-lessee of the Agricultural Hall, who joined her husband’s circus managing the finances. Robert and Isabelle had three children one of which was also called Robert (Bobby) who continued with the equestrian tradition, Bailey who trained wild animals and Mary who performed as a circus ballerina and dog trainer. By this time the Fossett Circus was a true family affair with parents, children, uncles and cousins involved in every performance genre and aspect of the business.
The circus prospered and grew after the Second World War gaining fame around the UK and Europe and becoming a source of trained animals to circuses around the continent as well as the film industry.
Towards the end of the 1958 season Bobby married Pauline Biddall, a wire walking artiste and the fifth generation of Robert Fossetts was born that year. Bobby died shortly after in 1959.
The Fossett circus continued operating through the twentieth century in England and Ireland with two branches of the business; Sir Robert Fossett’s Circus and Fossett Brothers Circus and continues into the twenty first century.
Found in 119 Collections and/or Records:
Den Curtis' Photographic Albums, 1936 - 1969
Photographic albums put together by Den Curtis, containing black and white photographs of circuses, performers and animals with annotations, including Sanger, Chipprefields, Bertram Mills, Smarts, Hoxie Bros, Blackpool Tower, Belle Vue, Robert Bros, Fossett and Luckens Continental Circus and others, also some loose photographs removed from the albums.
Fossett and Bailey Circus Programme, c1900 - 1999
Black type on off white paper, programme inside. Printed by R. J. Acford Ltd, Lennox Street, Bognor Regis, 2p.p.
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Bobo musical Clown, Judy horse with the Human Brain. Red and Black type on yellow background.
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Knife throwers, The White Yogi, Horses, Ponies. Red and blue type on white background.
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Rodeo, Bobo musical clown. Red and black type on yellow background.
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Rodeo, Bobo musical clown, Freda and Frenchi International Juggler.
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Rodeo, Bobo musical clown, Henleo Indian Fire Eater, Freda and Frenchi International Juggler. Red and blue type on white background.
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, c1965 - 1969
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. The Foscetti Sisters trapeze, Freda and Frenchi juggling act. Red and black type on yellow background. Contains illustration.
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, 28 May - 3 June 1979
Kidderminster. Red, yellow and blue type on white background.
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, 2 - 4 April c1970 - 1979
Print of dates and show times. Blue type on white background.
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, 2 - 4 May c1970 - 1979
Print of dates and show times. Blue type on white background.
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979
Red and blue type on yellow background.
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, 9 - 11 May c1970 - 1979
Print of dates and show times. Blue type on white background.
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, 1, 2 and 4 June c1970 - 1979
Print of dates and show times. Blue type on white background.
Fossett Circus and Ginnett and Fossett Circus Programmes, 1940 - 1980
Fossett Circus programmes including Jimmy Fossett's Circus, Ginnett and Fossett and Fossett Brothers Circus, containing black and white and colour photographs of acts and performers, text, programme and commercial advertising.
Fossett's and Bailey's Circus Programmes, c1900 - 1999
Fosset's and Bailey's Circus programmes including Sir Robert Fosset's Circus, Baile's Circus and Fossett and Bailey's Circus
Fossett's Circus Photographs, c1930 - 1949
Behind the scenes black and white photographs of circus performers and animals from Fossett's Circus, mostly original but some are modern reproductions.
Fossetts Circus Poster, c1980 - 1989
Illustration of lions and photo of boy tamer. Left blank for overprinting location and date.
Fossetts Circus Poster, c1900 - 1999
Ireland. Sponsored by Smarties. Colour illustration of clown juggling smarties, features stars from the Hungarian State Circus. Left blank for overprinting location and date.
Fossett's Circus Poster, c1980 - 1989
Portaferry, Ireland. Chy Fu Deys Chinese acrobatics. Contains colour illustration and black and white photograph.