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 423 Collections and/or Records:
Lord George and Pops Sanger's Circus and Menagerie Programme, 1957
Cartoon illustration of a flying source with clowns, a lion and a bear and an animal trainer and ringmaster hanging from it on a step ladder over a circus tent in pink and black on a yellow background on front cover, inside programme and brief history of the Sanger circus on back cover. Printed by Hasting Printing Co., Portland Place, Hastings, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Circus Programme, 1949
Green and white illustration of laughing clown's face and paragraph by George Sanger on front cover, inside programme and Sanger circus facts and information on what happens before the circus comes to town on back cover. Printed by Willsons, Leicester, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Circus Programme, 1951
Green and white illustration of laughing clown's face and paragraph by George Sanger on front and programme on reverse.
Lord George Sanger's Circus Programme, 1952
Green and white illustration of laughing clown's face and paragraph by George Sanger on front cover, inside programme and Sanger circus facts and information on what happens before the circus comes to town on back cover. Printed by Willsons, Leicester, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Circus Programme, 1954 Christmas season
Sophia Ganderns' Pavilion, Cardiff. Colour illustration of laughing clown's face wearing a black top hat and red and black type on yellow background on front cover, inside black and white photographs of family members and text on the history of the Sanger circus, programme in the centre, black and white photographs of acts and the Royal family with text and commercial advertising. Printed by Priory Press Ltd., The Friary, Cardiff, 8p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Circus Programme, 1954
Red and white illustration of laughing clown's face and paragraph by George Sanger on front cover, inside programme and Sanger circus facts. Printed by Willsons, Leicester, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Grand Colosseum Circus Programme, c1908
Marron type on off white background with illustrations of circus performers along the right and left edges including, highwire walking, clowns, acrobats, animals and equestrian act, programme in the centre. Printed by Willson's Printers, Leicester, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Great Hippodramatic and Spectacular Circus Programme, c1800 - 1899
Lord John Sanger's Circus Programme, c1921
Black and white illustration of clown's torso holding a sign reading programme on the front cover and black type on off white background, inside 100 years of Sangers article with black and white photograph and programme as well as commercial advertising, on back cover article continues also with black and white photographs. Printed by Wiles and Co., Printers, 6 George Street, Richmond, Surrey, 2p.p.
Lord John Sanger's Circus Programme, c1927
Black and white illustration of clown's torso holding a sign reading programme on the front cover and black type on off white background, inside 106 years of Sangers article with black and white photograph and programme as well as commercial advertising, on back cover article continues also with black and white photographs. Printed by Wiles and Co., Printers, 6 George Street, Richmond, Surrey, 2p.p.
Lord John Sanger's Circus Programme, 1934
Green, black and white illustration of showgirl in the centre with the head of a laughing clown above her and two roaring lion heads on the bottom corners on the front cover, inside programme and after performance shows on back cover. Printed by Willsons' Leicester, 2p.p.
Lord John Sanger's Combined Shows Programme, c1920 - 1929
Black and white illustration of clown's torso holding a sign reading programme on the front cover and black type on off white background, inside programme and large black and white photograph of women holding lion cubs on back cover the Empire Zoo with illustrations, 2p.p.
Lucken's Circus Programmes, 1952 - 1968
Programmes for Lucken's Circus, Lucken's Mammoth Continental Circus, Walter Lucken's All Star Circus, Wally Luckens Circus and others, containing clown and equestrian illustrations on the front cover, inside programme, some black and white photographs of performers with text, some illustrations and commercial advertising.
Magical Tower Circus Around the World with Mooky Programme, 2005
Colour photograph of clown's head on top right holding the world with white gloves with cut outs showing circus acts through and the Tower on top of the world over a dark blue and starry background, introduction, colour photographs of performers and acts inside with text and photograph of the circus ring in the centre, 12p.p.
Manley's New Grand Palace Circus Programme, c1800 - 1899
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.
Moody Bros. Poster, c1800 - 1899
Colour illustration of male equestrian act doing a summer sole over a galloping horse with ringmaster in tuxido stood on the right and clown in stripy outfit stood on the left, over yellow background and orange border on the top section. Printed by Moody Bros., Regd. No. 26553, Birmingham.
Mr Grimaldi Print, 11 October 1820
Lithograph on paper by Wageman, printed by Blood and published by Mr. Charles Westmacott. Black and white illustration of bust portrait of man in suit.