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 1302 Collections and/or Records:
Hippodrome Super Circus Great Yarmouth Programme, 1985
Presented by Peter Jay. Colour illustration of smiley clown's face on top left, fountain on bottom left and wild animals and horse on bottom right, on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.
Hungarian State Circus Progamme, c1900 - 1999
Colour illustration of large clown's face on left hand side and various smaller circus acts including poodles, horses and elephants on a blue background on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text and space for autographs and programme on last page, all on a yellow background, 6p.p.
I Shall Not Have a Dry Rag On Sketch, 4 December 1924
Pen and ink sketch of a horse running away from a rider lying in a ditch in a field, signed by Kathleen.
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.
Important Announcement Proclamation, 12 March 1888
Announcement of speaches and appearances regarding the horse killing wolves at Lord George Sanger's theatre in London where Alpine Charlie captured the Siberian wolves. Navy blue type on off white background.
Inside Circus Krone and Inside the Soviet Circus Films, 1988 - 2000
International Circus on Ice Programme, c1900 - 1999
Cottle and Austen's Circus present the first ever tour of Great Britain. Blue and white illustration of a female ice skater jumping on the foreground, aerial acts and birds on the background and a circus tent on bottom left on the front cover, inside introduction and programme and questionnaire on reverse. Printed by E. Cheesman Ltd, Joseph Street, Barnsley, Yorks, 2p.p.
International Circus on Ice Programme, c1900 - 1999
Cottle and Austen's Circus present the first ever tour of Great Britain. Blue and white illustration of a female ice skater jumping on the foreground, aerial acts and birds on the background and a circus tent on bottom left on the front cover, inside introduction and programme and questionnaire on reverse. Printed by E. Cheesman Ltd, Joseph Street, Barnsley, Yorks, 2p.p.
International Circus Programme, 21 June - 9 September 1989
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth, 10th anniversary. Presented by Peter Jay. Colour illustration of smily clown face on top left, female aerial act in red bikini, white horses, elephant, lion, tiger and clowns' heads on the bottom and David Hibling wearing a red jacket and black top hat on his had on a blue background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.
International Circus Programme, 21 June - 9 September 1989
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth, 10th anniversary. Presented by Peter Jay. Colour illustration of smily clown face on top left, female aerial act in red bikini, white horses, elephant, lion, tiger and clowns' heads on the bottom and David Hibling wearing a red jacket and black top hat on his had on a blue background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.
International Circuses Programmes, 1936 - 1975
Various European circuses programmes from the Nederlands, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Canada, Bulgaria, Austrial, Africa, East Asia and other nations, including Tiroler Circus, Rebernigg Circus, Nederlands National Circus, Cirque National Suedois, Cirque Semay, Wirths' Circus, Jeserich Circus, Cirkus Louis, Cirkus Arena, Cirque Demuynck, Circus Heros containing colour illustrations and photographs on the front covers In various languages.
International Festival of Circus Programme, 1983
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Presented by Peter Jay. Colour illustration of smily clown face on top left, trapeze act, two bicycle riders and lady seating on elephant's head on an orange background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 10p.p.
International Super Circus '83 Poster, 1983
Peter Jay presents International Super Circus at Blackpool Tower and Dale Martin wrestling. Black and white illustration of Blackpool Tower, colour illustration of a clown, a tiger and a fountain, black and white photograph of wrestler Big Daddy, background blue and purple, type white, yellow and red.
International Super Circus '83 Poster, 1983
Peter Jay presents International Super Circus at Blackpool Tower and Dale Martin Wrestling. Black and white illustration of Blackpool Tower, colour illustration of a clown, a tiger and a fountain, black and white photograph of wrestler Big Daddy, background blue and purple, type white, yellow and red.
International Super Circus Programme, 1983
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth, Presented by Peter Jay. Colour illustration of roaring tiger's face on bottom right, smily clown face on top left and water fountain on bottom left on a blue background on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 6p.p.
International Super Circus Programme, 1982
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Presented by Jack and Peter Jay. Colour illustrations of circus acts including roaring tiger's face on top left, trapeze act, acrobatic troupe, elephants, horses, clowns, mermaides and ventriloquist with monkey doll on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 6p.p.
Irish Circuses Programmes, 1940 - 2006
Programmes for Irish circuses including James Brothers Circus, Courney Brothers Circus, The Great International Christmas Circus and Duffy's Circus, containing colour illustrations and photographs on the front covers, inside mainly programme, later items contain colour photographs of perfomers and acts with text.
Jack Niblett's Circus Sketches, c1929 - 1990
286 loose sketches and 6 sketchbooks of circus acts, animals and performers from various international circuses including Smarts, Bertram Mills and Robert Bros. by Jack Niblett. Pen and ink, felt pen, watercolour, pencil and pastel.
Jimmy Chipperfield's Circus World Programme, c1900 - 1999
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Black and white illustration of clown's face and circus animals in the centre, black and white type on red background on the front cover, inside introduction and historical background, black and white photographs of acts and perfomers with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 6p.p
Jimmy Chipperfield's Circus World Programme, c1900 - 1999
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Black and white illustration of clown's face and circus animals in the centre, black and white type on red background on the front cover, inside introduction and historical background, black and white photographs of acts and perfomers with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 6p.p.