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 1288 Collections and/or Records:
Newspaper Cuttings on Lord George Sanger's Circus, c1962
Newspaper cuttings about Baby Jumbo the elephant and Sanger Circus winding-up petition, attached to a programme see 178K43.585.
Newspaper Cuttings on The Great Carmo Circus, 1926 - 1966
Newspaper cuttings, including an article by Dame Laura Knight, pages from a scrapbook, photocopies of articles and two issus of Abra Cadabra magic journal.
Newspaper Cuttings Related to Circus and Performers, 1838 - 1947
Newspaper cuttings relating to circus and performers, including Barnum, The American Circus, The Alhambra Palace, Drury Lane Theatre, Pawnee Bill Wild West, Imre Kiralfy, Cirque Imperial de France, Zazel, The Theatrical Observer, The Graphic, The Illustrated London News and The Performer.
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.
Obituaries and Funeral Cards, 1911 - 2019
Obituaries and funeral cards for George Sanger, Dame Laura Knight, Billy Merchant and Carmen Rosaire among others.
Ohmy's Grand Circus Programmes, c1800 - 1899
Black type on colour paper with decorative border on most and colour illustration of a woman in a long white dress and green cape and black and white portrait photographs of Ohmy on two programmes, most of them for performances at Bolton, most of them 1 page, some three fold, one 2 pages.
One Ring Rules Them All Programme, 2001
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Colour photograph of eight sinchronise swimmers performing on the bottom of the page over a purple, red and blue background and a black and white star with the words one right rules them all around it above on the front cover, inside introduction, colour and black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.
One Ring Rules Them All Programme, 2002
Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth. Black and white star with the words one right rules them all around on top section on a blue, purple and black background on the front cover, inside introduction, colour photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre, 6p.p.
Order of the Burial of Death of Lady Eleanor Smith, 1945
Bound booklet in dark blue with gilt type on the front cover and gild edge on the pages containing introduction and order of burial.
Original Artwork, c1800 - 2000
Original works of art including artists' prints, drawings, watercolours and paintings, and designs for circus posters.
Our Call-Boy Presents Bertram Mills Circus Drawing, 30 December 1928
Overseas Circuses Research Material, 1900 - 1987
Notebooks containing listings of overseas circuses, their programmes, descriptions of the acts and newspaper cuttings. Created by Hal Thomas (David Harold Thomas). Manuscript.
Pablo Fanque Darby's Royal Tenting Company Poster, 1847
Palace Theatre Programme, Monday 19 October 1953
Chelsea. Hip Hip Zoo Ray Circus. Blue and white illustrations of circus acts in three dimensional segments on the front cover on a red background, programme in centre and commercial advertising, 4p.p.
Palace Theatre Programme, Week commencing Monday 26 January 1953
Hip Hip Zoo Ray Circus, presented by The Robert Brothers. East Ham. Red, white and blue illustration of three girls in Mexican hats dancing and written music notes and stars on the front cover, inside programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 4p.p.
Palace Theatre Programme, week commencing Monday 25 February 1957
Hip Hip ZooRay Circus, presented by Robert Bros. Leicester. Blue, pink and white illustration of nude woman holding a large music note dancing and smiling crescent moon, wearing a top hat on the front cover, inside programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 4p.p.
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.
Pantomime Print, c1900 - 1999
Brown and white lithograph of two clowns and a ballerina bowing.
Performers Directory and Other Research Material, 1900 - 1973
A collection of newspaper cuttings on circuses history 'The A, B, C, of the Show', a directory of circus performers and other essays and research including programmes and information about performers amongst others by Hal Thomas (David Harold Thomas). Manuscript and typewrite.
Peter Fox's Photographic Albums, 1938 - 1985
Photographic albums containing black and white photographs of circus and performers, some notes, programmes and newspaper cuttings compiled by Peter Fox.