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:
Sir Robert Fossett's Circus Wagons Scrapbook, 1969 - 1970
Scrapbook of writing, newspaper cuttings and photographs mostly relating to the restoration of ten Circus Wagons belonging to Sir Robert Fossett's Circus by The Circus World Museum, and their appearance in the Great Schlitz Circus Parade at Milwaukee, 52p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's Gigantic Circus and Zoo Programme, 1945
Black type on pink background with smiling clown's face in a circle in the centre with his hands held at either side of his head with a finger pointing upwards, programme in the centre. Printed by Reliance Printing Works, Keswick, 2p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's Gigantic Circus and Zoo Programme, 1947
Black type on green background with black and white photograph of elephant's head in profile in the centre on front cover, inside programme. Printed by Reliance Printing Works, Keswick, 2p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's Gigantic Circus and Zoo Programme, 1948
Black type and red illustration of lion's head on off white background on the front cover, inside programme. Printed by Reliance Printing Works, Keswick, 2p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's Gigantic Circus and Zoo Programme, 1949
Blue and red type on greenish background and red and blue illustration of elephant's head in profile on top section on front cover, inside programme. Printed by Reliance Printing Works, Keswick, 2p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's Mammoth Jungle Circus and Zoo Programme, 9 - 28 July 1962
Birmingham, various locations. Red and blue type on blue background with acts on the front and locations of performances and dates on reverse.
Sir Robert Fossett's Mammoth Jungle Circus and Zoo Programme, 1952
Black type on pink background and black illustration of lion's head in the centre on the front cover, inside programme with illustration of clown in the middle, also text and illustration of tiger seating on a circus platform on back cover. Printed by G. W. McKane and Son, Reliance Printing Works, Keswick, 2p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's Original Circus Programme, c1900 - 1999
The Park, Snaith, Saturday 19 October. Red and blue type on off white background and monochrome illustrations of circus acts on reverse with programme of perfomers and circus tent on the front. Printed by Parkes and Mainwarings, Ltd, Printers Coleshill Street, Birmingham.
Sir Robert Fossett's The Original English Circus Programme, 1953
Colour illustration of black panther leaping through a paper hoop on a blue background and red and white type on top section on the front cover, inside the story of Fossett circus, articles about the war years and other information, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text and programme in the centre. Printed by W. Chudley and Son Ltd, Holloway St. Exeter, 8p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's The Original English Circus Programme, 1954
Colour illustration of black panther leaping through a paper hoop on a blue background and red and white type on top section on the front cover, inside the story of Fossett circus, articles about the war years and other information, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text and programme in the centre. Printed by W. Chudley and Son Ltd, Holloway St. Exeter, 8p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's The Original English Circus Programme, 1955
Colour illustration of black panther leaping through a paper hoop on a blue background and red and white type on top section on the front cover, inside the story of Fossett circus, articles about the war years and other information, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text and programme in the centre. Printed by W. Chudley and Son Ltd, Holloway St. Exeter, 8p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's The Original English Circus Programme, 1956
Colour illustration of black panther leaping through a paper hoop on a blue background and red and white type on top section on the front cover, inside the story of Fossett circus, articles about the war years and other information, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text and programme in the centre. Printed by W. Chudley and Son Ltd, Holloway St. Exeter, 8p.p.
The Original Robert Fossett and Bailey Combined Circus and Menagerie Programme, c1900 - 1999
Black type on red background. Printed by Moody Bros. Ltd, Birmingham.
The Original Sir Robert Fossett's Circus Programme, 1936
Monochrome illustration of female equestrian act, clown and man riding elephant in blue over a yellow and red background on the front cover, inside programme in blue type on yellow background, 2p.p.
The Original Sir Robert Fossett's Circus Programme, 1935
Blue type on blue background with illustration of smiling clown's face in centre on blue on the front cover, inside programme. Printed by Parkes and Mainwarings Ltd, Printers, Coleshill Street, Birmingham, 2p.p.
The Original Sir Robert Fossett's Circus Programme, 1935
Blue type on blue background with illustration of smiling clown's face in centre on blue on the front cover, inside programme. Printed by Parkes and Mainwarings Ltd, Printers, Coleshill Street, Birmingham, 2p.p.
Tomorrow's Town Manuscripts, c1900 - 1999
A collection of circus poems by Zahrat, including poems about Chipperfields, Duffy's and Fossett Bros. Typescript and manuscript.
Various Items, c1800 - 2019
A range of circus related items related to Hassan Ali, Adha Issacs Menken, Barnum and Bailey, funeral items, illustrations of circus parades, circus tickets, discount vouchers and booking forms, circus themed stickers, famous clown clay models, circus themed jigsaw puzzles, circus model figures, comics books and children's books, Circus Friends Association related material, Montecarlo Circus Festival related items, Jesse Fossett's throwing knives and other items.
Various Showfamilies Biographical Material, 1799 - 1993
Research material relating to the Silvester/Sylvester, Wilson, Taylor, Fossett, Green, Proctor, Bland, White, Twigdon, Turner, Brown/Sivado, Codman, Layland/Leyland, Collins, Chapman, Barker, and Clark families, including birth, marriage and death certificates and census details.