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 250 Collections and/or Records:
Lord George Sanger’s Circus Programme, c1958
2p.p.
Lord George Sanger’s Circus Programme, c1930 - 1939
Contains handwritten notes, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger’s Circus Programme, 1945
3p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Circus Revue Programme, Commencing Monday 8 March 1937
The Opera House, Cheltenham. Black type and small illustration of a landscape and scrolls on centre over an off white background on front cover, inside programme. Printed by Frod and Branch Ltd., Gloucester, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Equestrian and Zoological Exhibition Programme, 17 July 1899
Windsor Castle. Navy blue type on silk with coat of arms on top section, listing acts, some of the performers and animals.
Lord George Sanger's Great Hippodramatic and Spectacular Circus Programme, c1800 - 1899
Lord George Sanger's Horses and Equipment Catalogue of Sale, 4 January 1912
Park Farm, East Finchley, London, to be sold at auction by Tom Norman. Catalogue of sale of Lord George Sanger's stud of horses and related equipment. Black type on off white paper, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Royal Circus, Hippodrome and Grand Military Spectacle Programme, c1899 - 1910
Lord George Sanger's Two Day Great Sale Catalogue, 31 October - 1 November 1905
Park Farm, East Finchley, London, to be sold at auction by Tom Norman. Catalogue of sale of Lord George Sanger's business possessions including animals and equipment. Black type on off white paper with hand written prices against items. Printed by E.S. Wheatley, Steam Printer, Barnet, 12pp.
Lord John Sanger and Sons Ltd. Royal Hippodrome and Menagerie Programme, c1910
2p.p
Lord John Sanger Circus Equestrian Performers Photograph, c1880 - 1899
Photograph of two equestrian performers in costume with tricorn hats from Lord John Sanger Circus. A horse drawn wagon for Lord John Sanger Circus can be seen in the background.
Man and Motorcycle Photograph, c1920 - 1939
Photograph of a man standing next to a motorcycle in front of a living wagon.
Man and Orangutan Photograph , c1950 - 1969
Photograph of a man with an orangutan. The man is wearing a uniform and peaked cap. The orangutan is wearing a gold jacket and purple neckerchief. The man could be James Holloway (aka Jimmy Nervo).
Man and Woman Beside a Horse with a Jockey Photograph, c1880 - 1899
Photograph of a man and a woman beside a horse with a jockey. Possibly Henry Chapman (brother in law of George Sanger) and his wife Mrs Chapman.
Monographs and Research Material , c1900 - 2018
Photocopies of photographs and articles related to George Sanger, Sanger Circus and other related history and a biography of George Sanger.
Moxon Circus Performers Photograph, c1920 - 1939
Photograph of a group of circus performers with a dog standing next to a motorbike. The motorcycle has a flag marked Bros Barr. The Barr Brothers were Thomas and Charles Barr, originally miners, of Lochgelly, Fifeshire. Later billed as the Aberdonians.
Newspaper Article on Lord George Sanger and His Circus, c1832 - 1956
The greatest show on earth: Lord George Sanger and his Circus, Croft-Cooke, R. Cutting of chapter from Chambers Journal, 3p.p.
Newspaper Cuttings, 1903 - 1911
Photocopies of newspaper cuttings about George Sanger's Circus and George Sanger's murder.
Newspaper Cuttings and Scapbooks, 1838 - 2007
A collection of newspaper cuttings on circus, circus proprietors and performers and scrapbooks containing newspaper cuttings, posters, programmes and other items of ephemera, covering mainly British circuses and venues such as Belle Vue and also some international circuses.
Newspaper Cuttings and Scrapbooks, c1832 - 1999
Various newspaper cuttings and scrapbooks about variety and circus performers including the Ohmy and Sanger families.