Circus Friends Association of Great Britain (Established 1934)
Biography
The CFA, formerly known as the Circus Fans Association was stablished on Saturday 20th January 1934 in the ring of Bertram Mills Circus at Olympia, London by a group of enthusiasts. The CFA’s purpose remains the same as in its conception; to stimulate, foster and promote enthusiasm for circus and related performances as part of British culture.
During 1934, the pattern for CFA activities was established, with the formation of the library, the publication of The Sawdust Ring magazine and the first rallies, including ones to the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth and Blackpool Tower. The annual subscription at the time was one guinea for residents in a radius of 60 miles from London 'as defined by Automobile Association handbook', and half a guinea for those residing outside that area, in the provinces. 'For residents in the Colonies and foreign counties' the subscription was 7/6.
The first President of the CFA was Lady Eleanor Smith (1902-1945), the eldest child of the politician F. E. Smith. Lady Eleanor Smith was an author, a society reporter and cinema reviewer and worked as a publicist for circus companies.
Other notable presidents were; Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970), the most celebrated British impressionist female artist of all time and the first woman to ever be elected to the Royal Academy. The actor Sir Cedric Hardwicke (1893-1964), wine merchant and philanthropist Sir Walter Gilbey (1831-1914), theatrical manager and empresario Sir Charles B. Cochran (1872-1951), Sir William Savory (1882-1961), author Antony Hippisley Coxe and Commander W. J. Gerard.
The first five years of the CFA saw the firm establishment of the Association its activity, although it was active by Alfred 'Dickey' Bird. The post-war years were difficult but the CFA continued operating with the same aims and ambitions.
The library was started in 1937, as a gift of 30 books from A.C. McLachlan. Others titles were acquired by purchase or donation. It contains books on virtually every aspect of circus life from individual acts, to acts of Parliament, from erecting a Big Top, to the logistics of transporting circuses, works of fiction, photography and juvenile literature all of which help to create a greater understanding of the many contrasts in circus life; of the romance, tragedy, spectacle and hardships.
Notable authors who have contributed to the myth and legend of circus include Lady Eleanor Smith, who in 1945, donated all her circus books to the CFA, Ruth Manning-Sanders and Courtney Ryley Cooper, an American writer who, after having first joined a circus aged 16, went on to write crime books and ghost-wrote articles under J. Edgar Hoover’s name in the 1930s.
After the war lists of holdings were printed and distributed to members, who could borrow a book at a time by post. By the mid 1970s, the ‘Library Catalogue’ listed 525 books and a ‘Circusiana’ section was created for valuable books, for reference only.
The CFA continues maintaining the collection, ensuring its growth and establishing it as the primary, national collection of books on circus.
The CFA has also amassed one of the most fascinating and important collection of circus related material in the United Kingdom expanding over 200 years. This material has supported research and literature produced by its members over the years and has ensured that an important part of British circus history will be available for future generations of researchers and enthusiasts.
The association has always welcomed enthusiasts and circus artistes to it’s membership and has always produced a regular publication giving news, reviews and articles on circus artistes and personalities and reviews of British and foreign circuses. The current quarterly magazine King Pole, named after the masts, which support a circus tent, is regarded as one of the leading circus periodicals in the world.
The CFA continues to organise visits, formerly called rallies, for the members, to UK circuses and recognises the achievements of those involved in circus with special awards.
After almost 85 years in existence the CFA continues to flourish with membership being maintained in the region of 500 comprising both British and subscribers from abroad.
Found in 60 Collections and/or Records:
Circus Knie Advertising Material, 1953 - 1987
Advertising material for Circus Knie including their newspaper, containing extensive information on international performers and acts including Lilly Yokoi, Trubka, The Fratellis and the Flying Marilees, touring schedules and various souvenir brouchures for their zoo and menagerie, contain black and white and colour photographs with text and commercial advertising.
Cirque Surreal Souvenir Brochure, 2007
Gandey productions, Cirque Surreal Voyagers. Colour photographs of acts in a compass with a photograph of eart in the centre on a blue starry background on the front cover, inside introduction, colour photographs of acts with text and commercial advertising. Designed and Produced by Avalanche Creative Limited, 8p.p.
Elleano Troupe Aerial Act Advertising Pamphlet, 1962
Brown and off white photographs of aerial acts showing Charles Elleano, Armando Elleano, Les Elleanos and Armando et Josepho performing different aerial acts on the high wire, 2p.p.
Endresz Brothers Aerial Act Advertising Pamphlet, c1900 - 1999
Red and white photograph of the performers in mid-air on the front cover, inside red type and photograhs of Maureen Frances and the Endresz Brothers performing and photograph on back cover, 2p.p.
Garry and Ernie Noe-Noe Comedy Act Advertising Pamphlet, c1900 - 1999
Three fold pamphlet with black and white photograph of the act playing a saxophone on the front cover and black and white photographs of the artistes performing different tricks inside and tex.
Gerry Cottle's Circus Pamphlet, c1900 - 1999
Three fold pamphlet containing black and white photographs and various essays about Gerry Cottle's circus, the site of the circus, safety and comfort, animals and noise and nuisance.
Gerry Cottle's Circus Tour List, 1978 - 1979
Photocopy of map of Britian with reference numbers and key of locations of circus performances.
Great Yarmouth Hippodrome Leaflet, c1900 - 1999
Colour illustration of laughing clown's face on top left corner and showgirl in bikini seating on an elephant's head on centre right, over a blue background and yellow, red and black type on top section, on bottom section booking form and the hillarious Grumbleweed and other acts on reverse with colour photographs.
Gunga-Din Strongman Advertising Card, c1900 - 1999
Black and white photograph of man laying on his back and lifting 10 men on a plank of wood with his legs.
Henri La Mothe Diving Act Advertising Material, 1972
Igor Gridneff Ladder Balancing Act Advertising Pamphlet, c1900 - 1999
Red type on green card on the covers, inside black and white photographs of the artiste performing different tricks and text, 4p.p.
Leone and Tarnyia Trapeze and Swaypole Act Advertising Pamphlet, c1960 - 1969
Black and white portrait of the act in circle on top right corner and photographs of the acts on a pink background on the front cover and black and green type, inside black and white photographs and text, including list of past engagement venues, further information on back cover, 2p.p.
Minutes of Meetings and Accounts of the Association of Circus Propietors of Great Britain, 1933 - 1978
Bound books of minutes of meetings and accounts for years 1933-1942, 1943-1949, 1950-1978, contain some loose documents and correspondence and a booklet of rules for members and bundle of documents including minutes and accounts dated between 1932 and 1974. Manuscript and typed.
Minutes of Meetings and Accounts of the Circus Friends Association of Great Britain, 1934 - 1981
Bound books of minutes of meetings and accounts for years 1934-1937, 1937-1946 and 1946-1953 and bundle of documents including minutes and accounts dated between 1953 and 1981. Manuscript and typescript.
National Fairground and Circus Archive Collection
Contains thousands of posters, programmes, photographs, handbills, original documents, specialist journals, newspapers and a library containing publications on all the areas of collecting
Oaer Nonob Russian Clowning Act Advertising Pamphlet, c1900 - 1999
Black and white photograph of man wearing a cheff's hat on the front cover with white type on red background and colour and black and white photographs of performance scenes with text.
Palm Springs Follies Trade and Advertising Material, c1900 - 1999
Includes a three fold programme for the 6th season with brown and white photographs of performers and information as well as programme and commercial advertising, a three page press release, an A4 black and white poster and information related to Rogana equilibrist act, including an A4 Monte Carlo Sporting Club poster.
Pinders Circus Ticket Booklets, c1900 - 1999
Booklet of circus tickets containing duplicate tickets from No.3201 to No.3299 with prices for reserved seats, black type on off white background and off white covers and booklet of free tickets containing duplicate tickets in red type. Various sizes.
Plans, c1900 - 1999
Ring and seating plans for Chipperfield, Bertam Mills, Fossett, Smart and Robert Brothers Circuses.
Receipt, 1942
Receipt from Francis Edwards Ltd., for 'Thirteen Year with the Wild Beast of India' Hans Brick's material.