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:
Chapman's and Fossett's Circus Scrapbook, 1938 - 1955
Scrapbook of posters, programmes, newspaper cuttings relating to Chapman's circuses, including Great London Zoo-Circus and Bingley Hall Circus until their closure, and Sir Robert Fossett's Circus, 61p.p
Charles Taylor Collection
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.
Circus Friends Association Collection
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
Circus Friends Association of Great Britain's Notes Scrapbook, 1953 - 1954
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings and photographs of The Circus Fans' Association Notes by 'Dicky Bird', 'The President' and 'The Hon Secretary', as well as articles on Billy Smart's, Chipperfield's, Rosaire's, Fossett's, Sanger's, Billy Russell's and Bertram Mills, 45p.p.
Circus Photographic Album, 1952 - 1954
Photographic album containing black and white photographs of circus, including tents, animals, performers, transport and people from various circus including Smart, Bertram Mills, Wilkie's, Chiperfield's and Fossett's and performers including Priscilla Keys, Togare, The Corinthians and The Bakers, some images are missing, 22p.p.
Circus Photographic Album, c1970 - 1989
Photograpic album containing colour photographs of a selection of British and European circuses including; Circus Barum, Hoffman, Moscow State Circus, Circo Medrano, Knie and Fossett's Circus and performers, 18p.p
Circus Photographs, 1910 - 1964
Circus Pinder Poster, 22 - 24 April c1970 - 1979
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.
Circus Pinder Poster, 24 - 26 May c1970 - 1979
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.
Circus Pinder Poster, 6 - 8 May c1970 - 1979
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.
Circus Pinder Poster, 10 - 12 May c1970 - 1979
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.
Circus Pinder Poster, 29 April - 1 May c1970 - 1979
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.
Circus Pinder Poster, 26 - 28 April c1970 - 1979
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.
Circus Pinder Poster, c1970 - 1979
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.
Circus Pinder Poster, 20 - 22 May c1970 - 1979
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.
Circus Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1965 - 1979
Circus posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell.
Circus Scrapbook, 1949 - 1961
Scrapbook containing newspaper and magazine cuttings on British and foreign circuses in colour and black and white, including Circus Medrano, Hunt Bros. Royal International Circus, Bertram Mills, Smarts, Fossetts, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey amongst others, some obituaries, wedding news and other articles on performers and circus news, 34p.p.
Circus Themed Watercolours, 1945 - 1960
Pen and ink and watercolour. Group of watercolours of circus tents and transport, including Fossett's, Rosaire, Reaneys, Reco Bros. Robert Bros., Chipperfields and Billy Smart.
Cyril Critchlow Collection
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.