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:
Major Russell Pickering Pastel, 1947
A skit sketch of Major Russell Pickering, animal carousel Circus Friends Association Olympia by Emmett Kelly. Red pastel sketch of a cartoon wolf's torso and head in a suit on brown paper.
Manley's New Grand Palace Circus Programme, c1800 - 1899
Manuscripts on Circus Topics, 1887 - 1899
Various documents including lists of circuses and acts, description of scene and list of towns with remarks.
Marks's New Equestrian Characters Print, c1800 - 1899
Etching, engraving and watercolour on paper, published by J. L. Marks, 91 Long Lane, Smithfield, London. Colour illustration of four equestrian acts, The Sailor's Return, The Greek Warrior, The Reaper and The Flower Girl.
Marks's New Equestrian Characters Print, c1800 - 1899
Etching, engraving and watercolour on paper, published by J. L. Marks, 91 Long Lane, Smithfield, London. Colour illustration of four equestrian acts, The Swiss Girl, The Alpin Hunter, The Life Guardsman and The Flying Dutchman.
Mary Chipperfield's Circus Poster, c1950 - 1999
Dudley, 24 April to 29 April. Colour illustrations of a tiger and a giraffe, background orange and yellow, type blue and black.
Mazeppa Print, c1800 - 1889
Woodcut on paper. Black and white illustrations of the Mazeppa poem, showing the portrait of a woman on top centre, Mazeppa tied to a galoping horse along the right and left edges and a jousting scene on the bottom edge.
Medrano Circus Programmes, 1934 - 1968
Medrano Circus programmes containing black and white photographs of performers and acts with information, illustrations, programme and commercial advertising, some contain hand written annotations.
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.
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.
Monographs on Circus, 1951 - 1978
Various circus monographs including Zehn Jahre Hamburger Zirjusfreunde, Prof. Deval's Wonder Circus, Retrospective de Cirque, Cirque Sabine Rancy, Cirques et Fetes Foraines, Circus Film Show, The Circus Lives and Grove Threatre Christmas Circus. Typescript.
Monte Carlo Circus Festival Photographs, 1981 - 1987
Colour photographs of Lindsay Temple at the Monte Carlo Circus Festivals posing with performers and next to Chipperfield tigers outdoors in a cage.
Montecarlo International Circus Festival Programmes, 1975 - 2019
Montecarlo International Circus Festival programmes, containing colour illustrations on the front covers, inside black and white and colour photographs of perfomers and acts with text and photographs of other events, introduction, programme and commercial advertising.
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.
Moscow State Circus, That's Entertaining, Gerry Cottle Circus, Chinese Circus, 20th Circus Festival and Cirque de Main Films, 1988 - 1997
Mr. Cooke Circus Poster, 9 November 1830
Mr. Ducrow as the Courier of St. Petersburgh Print, c1800 - 1899
Woodcut on paper published by R. Lloyd and G. Skelt. Black and white illustration of a man in uniform riding standing up on five horses and carrying seven flags.
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.
Napoleon Rancy and Sabine Rancy Circus Programmes, 1955 - 1976
Napoleon Rancy and Sabine Rancy Circus programmes, containing colour illustrations and photographs on the front covers, inside black and white photographs of perfomers and acts, some text, introduction, programme and commercial advertising.