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:
Fossett's Circus Poster, c1980 - 1999
Ireland. Colour illustration of clown and other acts. Left blank for overprinting location and date.
Fossett's Circus Research Material, c1900 - 1999
Two colour photocopies of Fossett's circus posters.
Fossett’s Famous Circus Programme, 1975
Zoko fire eating, Sword Swallowing, The Duo Shandra roller balancers supreme, Bobo and Toni-clowns, Carlos Michele knife throwing, Elvin Pohl Juggler, Marcus and Rosita Strongman, Family Koon Quam Chinese group and elephants, lions and crocodiles. Clown illustraion with photos, 4p.p.
Great Britain's Famous Sir Robert Fossett's Circus Programme, c1900 - 1999
Red and blue type on blue background and blue and white photograph of elepant standing on a ball on the front page, inside programme. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd, Bradford and the Winfield Press, Rugby, 2p.p.
Monographs, Articles, Manuscripts and Research Material, c1795 - 1999
Compilation of monographs, articles, manuscripts and a range of research material about circus companies and performers in the United Kingdom, Europe and other parts of the world by various authors, the research was mainly compiled by Hal Thomas.
Monte-Williams Collection
Research material by Pauline Tindale and a small amount of original archive related to Randall Williams and his descendants, including birth, death and marriage certificates and photographs.
Newspaper and Magazine Cuttings on Circus, 1897 - 2005
Newspaper Cuttings and Scapbooks, 1838 - 2007
A collection of newspaper cuttings on circus, circus proprietors and performers and scrapbooks containing newspaper cuttings, posters, programmes and other items of ephemera, covering mainly British circuses and venues such as Belle Vue and also some international circuses.
Original Artwork, c1800 - 2000
Original works of art including artists' prints, drawings, watercolours and paintings, and designs for circus posters.
Oversize Circus Poster Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1970 - 1979
Circus posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell.
Photographs and Postcards, c1800 - 1999
Black and white and colour photographs, negatives and photographic albums mainly containing images of British circus, circus performers, animals and circus personalities but also some menageries such as Bostock and Wombwell and other associated entertainments and non-British circuses taken by David Jamieson, Lindsay Temple, Den Curtis, Capt. Middleton, Jack Niblett and other photographers.
Pinder's Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for over printing location and date. Fossett, Rosaire and Pinder circus combined in the new 4 Pole Big Top. Red and black type on yellow background.
Plans, c1900 - 1999
Ring and seating plans for Chipperfield, Bertam Mills, Fossett, Smart and Robert Brothers Circuses.
Posters, c1937 - 1989
A collection of posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell for music hall and variety, circus, pantomime and fairgrounds.
Posters, c1887 - 2010
Circus, variety, pantomime and magic posters including Argyle theatre, Liverpool Empire, Blackpool Tower Circus, Robert Brothers, Austen Brothers, Sorcar, Vesta Tilley, Ken Dodd, Dan Leno, Florrie Forde and others.
Posters, c1800 - 2011
A wide range of British and international circus and menagerie posters ranging from the 19th to the 21st century including Astley's Amphitheatre, Pablo Fanque, Polito, Bostock and Wombwell, Ducrow, Cooke, Hengler, Sanger, Smart, Gerry Cottle, Bertram Mills, Chipperfield's, Robert Brothers, Fossett, Blackpool Tower, Billy Russell, Belle Vue, Great Yarmouth Hippodrome, Austen Brothers and many more.
Programmes, 1970 - 1981
Programmes for various British and international circuses including Billy Russell's, Blackpool Tower, Fossett's, Chipperfield's and the Toni Boltini's Circus.
Programmes, c1800 - 2019
A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.
Research Material and Monographs, 1797 - 1998, 2018 - 2021
Research material related to various fairground and circus families including Duffy, Randall Williams, King family, Dyson/Hough family, Fossett and others.
Robert Fossett's Circus Programme, c1900 - 1999
Black and white photocopy of original programme with female equestrian act in the centre on the front cover and programme inside, 2p.p.