Lord George Sanger Circus (Established c1880)
Dates
- Existence: Established c1880
Biography
Lord George Sanger Circus was founded by George Sanger after disolving his business partnership with his brother John Sanger.
George and John were the founders of the Sanger Allied Circus in 1854, which they operated with a few family members and friends. The business grew from strength to strength and by 1858 Sanger’s circus could boast of presenting the largest stud of horses ever seen in the European continent. By the 1860s the Sanger emporium owned ten permanent circuses between Plymouth and Aberdeen.
The Sanger brother’s acquired two of the most famous and reputable circus venues in London; the Royal Agricultural Hall at Islington in 1870 and Astley’s New Royal Amphitheatre in 1871.
George and John eventually decided to go their separate ways and split their various business ventures amicably.
During his career as a circus proprietor George Sanger presented two Royal performances before Queen Victoria, the first at Sandringham on 8 January 1885 and the second at Balmoral Castle on 17 June 1898.
George Sanger was a respected member of the showland community and although he spent most of his later life in the circus, he maintained a strong link to his fairground roots and was elected the first President of the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain in 1890, a post he held until 1909.
George Sanger was murdered on 28 November 1911, at Park Farm by one of his employees for unknown reasons. His circus and effects were auctioned off by showman Tom Norman aka ‘The Silver King’.
Found in 263 Collections and/or Records:
Harry Austin Standing on Horses, and Clows Photograph, 1898
Photograph of Harry Austin posing standing on two horses as part of a four horse act and two young clowns with violins lying in the grass beside the horses in the grounds of Balmoral Castle. The photographer's name 'R. Milne photographer for HM The Queen, Aboyne and Ballater' is on the mount of the photograph.
Harry Moxon and Performers Photograph, c1930 - 1949
Photograph of three performers, two in sailors' outfits. The photograph is stamped 'Midlands Press Agency Birmingham'. The man to the right is thought to be Harry Moxon, second husband of Ellen 'Topsy' Coleman. The man on the left is a performer known as 'Spanish Mo'.
Harry Moxon Balancing a Juggling Club Photograph, c1930 - 1939
Photograph of juggler Harry Moxon with comedy cigar.
Harry Moxon with Cigar Photograph, c1930 - 1939
Photograph of Harry Moxon in comedy outfit with big joke cigar outside a shop with metal shutter.
Harry Moxon with Cigar Photograph, c1930 - 1939
Photograph of Harry Moxon in comedy outfit with a joke cigar outside a shop with shutters.
Hazel Mangean Girls Advertising Card, 8 December 1932
Autographed three-fold publicity card with three black and white photographs of the Hazel Mangean Girls, dedicated to Harold, Empire, Paris.
Horse and Carriage Photograph, c1880 - 1899
Photograph of a horse and carriage being driven at an event by George Sanger and his brother William. There are food stalls in the rear of the photograph, including Wenham's. Also a sign for Belgrave Boarding House, 9 Royal Crescent. 'Dada and William Sanger driving' written on the front in ink.
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.
John Bramwell Taylor Collection
John F. C. Heather Collection
Black and white photographs related to Joseph Charles Heather, the Sanger Circus and the Bostock Jungle.
Jugglers Photograph, c1920 - 1939
Publicity photograph of two female jugglers, the juggler on the left is Olive Austin great granddaughter of George Sanger.
Juggling Clown Photograph, 5 January 1939
Photograph of jerome the juggling clown. 'Jerome 5th Jan 1939' is stamped on the reverse.
Kate and James Holloway Photograph, c1890 - 1909
Photograph of Kate Holloway and equestrian performer on a horse with a clown. The clown is her father James Henry Holloway. Living wagons can be seen in the background.
Laurina Sanger on a Horse Photograph, c1870 - 1889
Photograph of Laurina 'Topsy' Sanger. Inscribed 'J Mullers Photograph, Anstall'.
Laurina Sanger Photograph, c1870 - 1889
Photograph of Laurina Sanger.
Leona and Gina Advertising Card, c1920 - 1929
Three-fold publicity card with six black and white photographs of Leona and Gina's act inside, including their portraits and various poses.
Letter addressed to Mr Heather, 29 April 1912
Letter regarding a summons by an inspector on the handling of wild beasts, addressed to Mr Heather. Includes letterhead advertising Miss Ella’s imported forest-bred lions including text and a black and white promotional photograph of lions, with with animal trainer, Ellen Sanger, 1p.
Letter from the Deputy City Clerk of Winnipeg, 1 February 1966
Letter to Gwenda Sanger from Deputy City Clerk of Winnipeg, Canada, sending sympathy and condolences regarding the death of Mr John William Sanger. Typescript, original & Photocopy.
Letter to Barnum and Sanger Circus, 18 March 1888
Letter to Sanger and Barnum Circus from Pauline Vermersch. Ink on ruled paper. Manuscript, 2pp.
Life of Lord Geo. Sanger, The World's Greatest Showman Article, c1880 - 1899
Interview and life story of George Sanger contained in a booklet with his portrait on the front page printed in several different colours, 6pp.