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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:

Belle Vue Colossal Coronation Circus Programme, 1936 - 1937

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.448
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Photocopy of original programme in black and white, containing programme, photographs of performers with text, articles and commercial advertising, 5p.p.

Dates: 1936 - 1937

Belle Vue Gigantic International Circus Programme, 1946 - 1947

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.456
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Brown, grey and yellow illustration of equestrian act on white background with grey border on front cover, inside introduction, monochrome illustrations and black and white photographs with text on performers and acts, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 10p.p.

Dates: 1946 - 1947

Belle Vue Golden Jubilee Circus Programme, 22 December 1978 - 3 February 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.484
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Pink illustration of elephant walking upright with a circus flag on a blue background with white outline of circus acts on front cover, inside black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising. Printed by Hutton Hartley and Co, Ltd, Manchester, 12p.p.

Dates: 22 December 1978 - 3 February 1979

Belle Vue Grand International Circus Revue Programme, 1947 - 1948

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.457
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Black, white and red illustration of band girl on a bowing horse on a red background on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white illustrations and photographs of acts and performers with text including Billy Merchant, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 10p.p.

Dates: 1947 - 1948

Belle Vue Grand Victory Circus Programme, 1945 - 1946

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.455
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Three fold programme with colour illustration of two laughing clowns on top section, red and black in the centre and other circus acts on bottom section including animal trainer and equestrian act on a yellow background on the front cover, inside programme, black and white photographs of performers inclusing Hal Denver with text and red and black illustrations of circus acts on a yellow background on the right and bottom sections.

Dates: 1945 - 1946

Belle Vue International Circus Programme, 22 December - 3 February c1950s

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.466
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Colour illustrations of smilling clown's face and circus animals around the edges on a blue background and black, red, green and blue type on a yellow background on front cover, inside introduction, black and white illustrations and photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 18p.p.

Dates: 22 December - 3 February c1950s

Belle Vue International Circus Programme, 23 December 1976 - 5 February 1977

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.482
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Colour illustration of leaping tiger and woman in pink outfit on a blue and circus ring background on front cover, inside black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 23 December 1976 - 5 February 1977

Belle Vue International Circus Showtime Programme, 21 December 1972 - 3 February 1973

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.479
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Colour illustration of two clowns' torsos and four white horses galloping on a white and blue background on front cover, inside black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 21 December 1972 - 3 February 1973

Belle Vue International Circus Startime Programme, 21 December 1973 - 2 February 1974

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.480
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Colour illustration of herd of elephants performing on circus platforms on the background and female trainer wearing a red jacket, black top hat, black short and high black boots on a yellow background on front cover, inside black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 14p.p.

Dates: 21 December 1973 - 2 February 1974

Belle Vue International Circus Startime Programme, 20 December - 1 February c1970s

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.481
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Colour illustration of clown holding his red and yellow bowler hat up on his hand and wild west and elephant act on the background on front cover, inside black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 14p.p.

Dates: 20 December - 1 February c1970s

Belle Vue International Silver Jubilee Circus Programme, 1953 - 1954

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.463
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Colour illustration of laughing clown wearing a bowler hat with candles around it on a red, yellow, blue and white background on front cover, inside introduction, black and white illustrations and photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre, other short articles and commercial advertising, 18p.p.

Dates: 1953 - 1954

Belle Vue Mammoth Centenary Year Circus Programme, 1935 - 1936

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.447
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Red and black illustrations of circus acts, including ringmaster, equestrian act, clown, lion and seal on a brown background on front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 10p.p.

Dates: 1935 - 1936

Belle Vue Programme, c1900 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.443
Scope and Contents

Manchester, Christmas circus, 24 December to 23 January. Photocopy of original programme in black and white, 3p.p.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Belle Vue Programme, 1931 - 1932

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.445
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Photocopy of original programme in black and white, containing programme and commercial advertising, 2p.p.

Dates: 1931 - 1932

Belle Vue Programme, 1932 - 1933

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.446
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Photocopy of original programme in black and white, containing programme, photographs of acts and commercial advertising, 3p.p.

Dates: 1932 - 1933

Belle Vue Programmes, c1900 - 1999

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178K43.443-487
Scope and Contents

Belle Vue Circus programmes.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Belle Vue Royale Circus Programme, 1921

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.444
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Photocopy of original programme in black and white, containing programme and commercial advertising, 20p.p.

Dates: 1921

Belle Vue Winter Circus International Programme, 22 December 1977 - 4 February 1978

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.483
Scope and Contents

Manchester. Black, red and yellow illustration of roaring lion's head in a circle and head of ringmaster on a yellow background on front cover, inside black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.

Dates: 22 December 1977 - 4 February 1978

Benneweis Circus Programmes, 1950 - 1978

 File
Reference code: 178K43.636
Scope and Contents

Benneweis Circus programmes containing colour illustrations on the front covers, inside black and white and colour photographs of perfomers and acts with text, introduction, programme and commercial advertising.

Dates: 1950 - 1978

Bertram Mills Circus and Christmas Fair Programme, 16 December 1921 - 21 January 1922

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.489
Scope and Contents

Olympia. Colour illustration of clown in blue outfit with green duck on it, holding a whip on a yellow background and holding a white circle behind his head on the front cover, inside introduction, floor plan of circus and fair, black and white illustrations and photographs of scenes, performers and acts with text, short articles on rides and games and commercial advertising, 11p.p.

Dates: 16 December 1921 - 21 January 1922