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:
Sir Robert Fossett's Gigantic Circus and Zoo Programme, 1945
Black type on pink background with smiling clown's face in a circle in the centre with his hands held at either side of his head with a finger pointing upwards, programme in the centre. Printed by Reliance Printing Works, Keswick, 2p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's Gigantic Circus and Zoo Programme, 1947
Black type on green background with black and white photograph of elephant's head in profile in the centre on front cover, inside programme. Printed by Reliance Printing Works, Keswick, 2p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's Gigantic Circus and Zoo Programme, 1948
Black type and red illustration of lion's head on off white background on the front cover, inside programme. Printed by Reliance Printing Works, Keswick, 2p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's Gigantic Circus and Zoo Programme, 1949
Blue and red type on greenish background and red and blue illustration of elephant's head in profile on top section on front cover, inside programme. Printed by Reliance Printing Works, Keswick, 2p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's Mammoth Jungle Circus and Zoo Programme, 9 - 28 July 1962
Birmingham, various locations. Red and blue type on blue background with acts on the front and locations of performances and dates on reverse.
Sir Robert Fossett's Mammoth Jungle Circus and Zoo Programme, 1952
Black type on pink background and black illustration of lion's head in the centre on the front cover, inside programme with illustration of clown in the middle, also text and illustration of tiger seating on a circus platform on back cover. Printed by G. W. McKane and Son, Reliance Printing Works, Keswick, 2p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's Original Circus Programme, c1900 - 1999
The Park, Snaith, Saturday 19 October. Red and blue type on off white background and monochrome illustrations of circus acts on reverse with programme of perfomers and circus tent on the front. Printed by Parkes and Mainwarings, Ltd, Printers Coleshill Street, Birmingham.
Sir Robert Fossett's The Original English Circus Programme, 1953
Colour illustration of black panther leaping through a paper hoop on a blue background and red and white type on top section on the front cover, inside the story of Fossett circus, articles about the war years and other information, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text and programme in the centre. Printed by W. Chudley and Son Ltd, Holloway St. Exeter, 8p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's The Original English Circus Programme, 1954
Colour illustration of black panther leaping through a paper hoop on a blue background and red and white type on top section on the front cover, inside the story of Fossett circus, articles about the war years and other information, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text and programme in the centre. Printed by W. Chudley and Son Ltd, Holloway St. Exeter, 8p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's The Original English Circus Programme, 1955
Colour illustration of black panther leaping through a paper hoop on a blue background and red and white type on top section on the front cover, inside the story of Fossett circus, articles about the war years and other information, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text and programme in the centre. Printed by W. Chudley and Son Ltd, Holloway St. Exeter, 8p.p.
Sir Robert Fossett's The Original English Circus Programme, 1956
Colour illustration of black panther leaping through a paper hoop on a blue background and red and white type on top section on the front cover, inside the story of Fossett circus, articles about the war years and other information, black and white photographs of performers and acts with text and programme in the centre. Printed by W. Chudley and Son Ltd, Holloway St. Exeter, 8p.p.
Sketches of the Circus Photographic Album, c1985 - 1989
Lord John Sanger and Sons' Circus, featuring animals, carriages, workers and performers as well as Lord George Sanger on transit, parading and on circus site, contains some pen and ink drawins, photograph of Augustus Denton on front cover painting the circus, 12p.p.
Smart Circus Posters, c1946 - 1999
Billy Smart's and David Smart's Circus posters.
Smart Circus Programmes, c1900 - 1999
Smart Circus programmes, including Billy Smart Circus, David Smart Circus and Smart Circus Royal Performance Galas.
Smart Circus Research Material, c1950 - 1959
Two colour photocopies of Smart circus posters, one for Newport dated 1952
Spanish National Circus Programme, 2006
Colour illustration of flamenco dancer in red dress over a blue background and clown's face peaking from behind a curtain on top right corner on the front cover, inside introduction, colour photographs of acts and performers, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 10p.p.
Stars in der Menage, Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione, 22nd Paris Circus Festival and 25th Monte Carlo Circus Festival Films, 2001
Super Circus '84 Poster, 1984
Peter Jay presents All New Super Circus '84, at Blackpool Tower. The Rodogels, The Coco-Tots. Colour illustrations of a clown and an elephant, black and white illustration of Blackpool Tower, photographs of the Water Spectaculer, seven clowns and wrestler Big Daddy, main background red, type multicoloured. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd.
Super Circus '84 Poster, 1984
Peter Jay presents All New Super Circus '84, at Blackpool Tower. The Rodogels, The Coco-Tots. Colour illustrations of a clown and an elephant, black and white illustration of Blackpool Tower, photographs of the Water Spectaculer, seven clowns and wrestler Big Daddy, main background red, type multicoloured.
Super Circus '85 Poster, 1985
Peter Jay presents All New Super Circus '85, at Blackpool Tower. Colour illustrations of three clowns, sea lions, acrobats and a fountain, black and white illustration of Blackpool Tower, photograph of wrestler Big Daddy, main background pink, type multicoloured.