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 277 Collections and/or Records:
Performers at Lord George Sangers Circus, c1890 - 1899
Photographs, c1897 - 1898
Photographs, c1850 - 1945
Black and white and some colour photographs and postcards of George and Jonh Sanger's circus.
Photographs, c1890 - 1959
Black and white photographs of George Sanger's Circus showing staff, family, performers, animals, living wagons and parades, including Topsy Sanger, Harry Austin, George Holloway, Cissie Holloway, Cissie Austin, George Sanger, James Holloway, Abe Holloway, George Austin, Bellevina Holloway, Kate Holloway, The Three Holloways, Cirque Angelo, The Four Holloways, Ellen Chapman, Harriet Sanger and June Dick. Also some copies of photographs of the Bostock and Wombwell menagerie.
Photographs and Postcards, c1800 - 1999
Black and white and colour photographs, negatives and photographic albums mainly containing images of British circus, circus performers, animals and circus personalities but also some menageries such as Bostock and Wombwell and other associated entertainments and non-British circuses taken by David Jamieson, Lindsay Temple, Den Curtis, Capt. Middleton, Jack Niblett and other photographers.
Photographs and Postcards, 1908 - 1975
Black and white photographs and postcards of the Ohmy, the Smart and the Sanger circuses and family members, including John Sanger in sailor’s uniform. Also a variety of circus performers including Mme. Morelli from the Bostock menagerie. Many of the postcards have been used for correspondence.
Portrait of a Woman Photograph, c1880 - 1899
Portrait photograph of a woman, probably a member of the Sanger family.
Portrait of George Gilbey Photograph, c1880 - 1899
Full body portrait of clown George Gilbey dedicated 'To Mr and Mrs Austin with best wishes from George Gilbey' at the bottom of the photograph. Gilbey is noted as performing as a singing clown.
Portrait of Harry and Ellan Austin Photograph, c1890 - 1909
Photograph showing Ellen Austin standing at the door of her living wagon and her husband Harry sat on the steps. The photograph has 'Harry and Topsy' written at the bottom. Harry Austin, was one of the Austin Brothers equestrian performers.
Portrait of The Austin Brothers Photograph, c1890 - 1899
Photograph of two equestrian performers believed to be (top to bottom) George and Harry Austin from Lord George Sanger Circus.
Portrait of Victoria Florence Sanger Photograph, c1880 - 1899
Full body studio portrait of Victoria Florence Sanger as a child.
Portrait of Yetta Schultz Photograph, c1880 - 1899
Full body portrait of Yetta Schultz in aerial performance costume. Yetta was a tightrope or wire walker with Lord George Sanger Circus.
Portrait of Yetta Schultz Photograph, c1890 - 1899
Full body portrait of Yetta Schultz holding a parasol. Yetta was noted as a tightrope or wire walker with Lord George Sanger Circus.
Posters, c1800 - 2011
A wide range of British and international circus and menagerie posters ranging from the 19th to the 21st century including Astley's Amphitheatre, Pablo Fanque, Polito, Bostock and Wombwell, Ducrow, Cooke, Hengler, Sanger, Smart, Gerry Cottle, Bertram Mills, Chipperfield's, Robert Brothers, Fossett, Blackpool Tower, Billy Russell, Belle Vue, Great Yarmouth Hippodrome, Austen Brothers and many more.
Presentation To Lord George Sanger (Back), c1905
Black and white photograph of George Sanger. Inscription on the back reads "Presentation to Lord George Sanger on his retirement from the Circus [...], 1905 by his nephews".
Presentation To Lord George Sanger (Front), c1905
Black and white photograph of George Sanger. Inscription on the back reads "Presentation to Lord George Sanger on his retirement from the Circus [...], 1905 by his nephews".
Proclamations, 1836 - 1888
Proclamations announcing Pablo Fanque's benefit event and speaches and appearances about the horse killing wolves incident at Lord George Sanger's theatre.
Programmes, c1800 - 2019
A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.
Programmes, c1875 - 1919
George Sanger Circus and Hall by the Sea programmes.
Programmes for Circus, Magic and Variety Shows, c1890 - 1999
Circus, magic and variety show programmes including the Great Ohmy Circus, John Sanger Circus, Bertram Mills Circus and variety shows at various locations in Blackpool, London, Manchester and other theatres in England. Some of the variety performers showcased are Morecambe and Wise, Hetty King, Mae West, Bob Hope, Shirley Bassey, Larry Lamb and Cliff Richards.