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Circus Friends Association of Great Britain (Established 1934)

 Organisation

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 1288 Collections and/or Records:

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1964

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.198
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company clown, The Flying Marilees, Lilian Daniels and her polar bears, Konyot's chimpanzee rodeo, The Four Rodriguez, Circus Schumann's 12 Liberty horses presented by Billy Baker, Desmond and Marks, The Guttenbergs, Fuzzy-Ball Kaye and Tiny Tommy Gallaher, Kimi Yokoi, See-Hee Troupe, Bartschelly, Evelyn Hans and her poodles, Rudi Llata. Colour illustrations of clowns, a chimp dressed as a cowboy, a polar bear, the 4 Rodriguez, Kimi Yokoi and two poodles, main...
Dates: 1964

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1968

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.199
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and his Company clowns, Gerd Siemoneit's lions, tigers, leopards, pumas and panther, 6 Kludsky, Chy Bad Guy, The Four Rodriguez aerial acrobats, The Svenssons, Gabriella and her show dogs, Astralita, The Balcombes, Ivan Bratuchin and his Cossack riders, Concha and Concha, Giselle Palmas, Tower Circusettes, Desmond and Marks. Black and white photograph of a clown, type multicoloured on multicoloured background.

Dates: 1968

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1969

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.200
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Flying Marilees, Circus Franz Althoff's 7 tigers presented by Miss Yvonne, Circus Franz Althoff's elephants presented by F R Althoff, 8 Danish Tiger horses and ponies presented by F.R. Althoff, 6 Ferkos, 4 Castors, 4 Bertolas, jockey chimpanzees presented by Al de Jonghe, Toly M, Tower Circusettes, Desmond and Marks. Black and white photograph of a clown, type multicoloured on multicoloured background.

Dates: 1969

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1970

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.201
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Ruppert's bears, Valla Bertini Troupe, The Elwardos, Barbara Morris and her sea lions, The Svensons, The New Houdinys, David Rosaire and his Perky Pekes, Gerard Edon, Desmond and Marks, Freddie Kenton, Skating Sandras, The Charlies, Tower Circusettes. Small black and white photograph of a clown and black and white illustration of blackpool tower, type multicoloured on multicoloured background.

Dates: 1970

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1971

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.202
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company clowns, The Flying Alizes, Robert Bros elephants presented by Ivor Rosaire, Duo Dobritch, Three Villams, The Crazy Monroe, Arturo Segura, Jean Lemoine and Partner, Leigh Marsh and her poodle cocktail, Joan Rosaire and Goldy, Desmond and Marks, Jerry, Jimmy and Johnny, Tower Circusettes, Hungarian State Circus Four Syrius. Black and white photograph of a clown, colour illustrations of trapeze artists, an elephant, performing dogs in clothes, a horse and a water...
Dates: 1971

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1955

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.203
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul clowns, Harry Belli and his lions, Armand Guerre's musical sea lions, Scriplini and his chimpanzees, Trampo-Tempo, 5 Armandis, The Cuban Boys, 2 Berty Borest, Alcetty, 3 Orfatis, Wenzel Kossmayer with Knie's horses and 6 baby elephants, The Garlands, Traffic Lights, Giant and Midget presentations, Western playtime and Spanish Fiesta presented by Douglas Kossmayer, The Tower Circusettes, Frances Duncan. Colour illustrations of a clown, four chimpanzees, three lions,...
Dates: 1955

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1956

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.204
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul, Krone's tigers presented by Gilbert Houcke, Edith Crocker's bears, Five D'Angoly's, See-Hee Troupe, The Heltanos, The Zemgannos, Tom and Jerry, Theda Sisters, The Matanzas, Tibor Dog, Alexander's Revue, King Kong, Krone's Arab stallions, the golden horses Pegasus with the elephant Lony, Piebald stallions and Shetland ponies presented by Jozsi Vinicky. Colour illustrations of a clown, four tigers, a strongman, dogs on a slide, horses, a chimpanzee climbing a pole,...
Dates: 1956

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, c1950 - 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.205
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul and Company, Knie's sea lions presented by Miss Hella, Gilbert Houcke with the Royal Bengal tigers, Pierre Alizes with Jacques and Maryse, The Seven Ashtons, Roberto Chiesa and Partner, The 3 Peters, Baudy's greyhounds and monkeys, Knie's 12 black horses presented by Maurice Houcke, The Dorchesters with the 3 Scott Boys, Eileen, Jean, Anne and Hilary presented by Delbosq, The 3 Goetschis, The Balcombes, The Laconas, The Dorocinas presented by Delbosq, Jimmy Scott,...
Dates: c1950 - 1959

Blackpool Tower Circus Posters, c1930 - 1990

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R47.141-212
Scope and Contents

Posters for Blackpool Tower Circus including shows by Knie's Circus, Circus Krone, Circus Schumann, Bertram Mills Circus, Robert Brothers Circus and performances by Charlie Cairoli, Doddles, Coco the Clown, The Rosaires, Lilly Yokoi, Alfred Court, Vojtek Trubka, The Great Wallendas and Mary Chipperfield among others.

Dates: c1930 - 1990

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1948

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.33
Scope and Contents

Colour photograph of tiger tamer in cage with seven tigers on blue background on front cover, black and white photographs of performers and acts inside and programme in the centre, 4p.p.

Dates: 1948

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1967

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.34
Scope and Contents

Colour cartoon illustration of clown driving a car full of circus animals on orange background on front cover, black and white photographs of performers and acts inside with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 6p.p.

Dates: 1967

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1971

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.35
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of trapeze act in mid air over a green background with spot lights on the front cover, black and white photographs of the performers and acts inside with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 5p.p.

Dates: 1971

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1972

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.36
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of man in pink and white outfit on the floor and woman in blue outfit riding a rearing elephant on a blue background on the front cover, black and white photographs of the performers and acts inside with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 6p.p.

Dates: 1972

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1951

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.47
Scope and Contents

Black and white photocopy of programme.

Dates: 1951

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1950

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.57
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of a cartoon clown wearing blue trousers and red braces from behind holdind a can of paint and a brush on a red background on the front cover, inside colour photograph of Carlie Cairoli with Paul, black and white photographs of performers and acts and programme in the centre, 6p.p.

Dates: 1950

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1951

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.58
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of a cartoon clown wearing blue trousers and red braces from behind holdind a can of paint and a brush on a red background on the front cover, inside colour photograph of Carlie Cairoli with Paul, black and white photographs of performers and acts and programme in the centre, 6p.p.

Dates: 1951

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1952

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.60
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of a cartoon clown wearing blue trousers and red braces from behind holdind a can of paint and a brush on a red background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts and programme in the centre. Autographed by Charlie Cairoli and Paul, 4p.p.

Dates: 1952

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1958

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.64
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of a cartoon clown wearing blue trousers and red braces from behind holdind a can of paint and a brush on a red background on the front cover, inside colour photograph of Charlie Cairoli and showgirl, black and white photographs of performers and acts and programme in the centre, 6p.p.

Dates: 1958

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1962

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.68
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of cartoon clown and animals riding a rocket into space over the Blackpool Tower on a blue background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts, colour photogaph of Charlie Cairoli and showgirl and programme in the center, 4p.p.

Dates: 1962

Blackpool Tower Circus Programme, 1964

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.69
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of cartoon clown playing a large portable drum and animals around it on a black background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text and commercial adversiting, 4p.p.

Dates: 1964