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:
Queen Victoria at Windsor Circus Performance Photograph, 17 July 1899
Photograph of Queen Victoria and Princess in a carriage at Windsor Great Park watching Lord George Sanger Circus procession.
Research Material, c1900 - 2018
Various photocopies relating to Margate, Dreamland, Hall by the Sea, Sanger Circus and animal performance.
Sanger At Astley's Theatre, c1871-1899
Black and white photograph of Lord George Sanger and his wife Ellen, stood on the balcony of Astley's Theatre with advertisements for a Sanger Circus performance. Very faded photograph.
Sanger Circus, c1880-1910
Black and white photograph of people visiting the George Sanger circus. Looks to be the ticket / entrance to the big top.
Sanger Circus Big Top, c1880-1910
Black and white framed photograph of the Sanger Circus, a large big top with visitors. Carriages are dotted around the ground, elephants, horses and their handlers are in the centre whilst crowds onlook.
Sanger Circus Collection
Black and white and some colour photographs, negatives, handbills, programmes and other items of ephemera relating to George Sanger's circus and the Hall by the Sea.
Sanger Circus Group Photograph, c1870 - 1889
Photograph of a group of women, the woman in the centre of the group is believed to be a member of the Sanger family.
Sanger Circus' Men Beside Circus Tent Photograph, c1880 - 1899
Photograph of four men standing beside a circus tent. The man on the left is believed to be equestrian performer George Austin. George, with his brother Harry, performed for many years with Lord George Sangers Circus. George was married to Kate Holloway.
Sanger Circus Performers, c1897
Sanger Circus Performers Photograph, c1890 - 1909
Photograph of performers from Sanger's Circus standing beside a circus tent. The image shows three men and includes a clown and a man with a club. This maybe an act from 'Lord' George Sanger's Circus mentioned in the programme (178K45.1), called 'Koho the Indian Chief and Albert the Clown'.
Sanger Circus Performers Photograph, c1880 - 1909
Photograph of two male performers in costume.
Sanger Circus Performers Photograph, c1890 - 1899
Studio photograph of three women from left to right, Ellen 'Topsy' Coleman, Kate Holloway and Yetta Schultz. Ellen was the granddaughter of George Sanger and an acrobat and equestrienne performer and Kate was the niece of George Sanger and an equestrian performer.
Sanger Circus Programmes, c1894 - 1999
Sanger Circus programmes including Lord George Sanger's Circus, Lord George Sanger and Pops Sanger Circus, Lord John Sanger's Circus and Sanger's Circus. Contain pantomime acts as well as circus performances in theatres venues.
Sanger Family Collection
This collection contains black and white photographs of George Sanger's Circus, photocopies of newspaper cuttings and some research material related to the Sanger Family, original drawings for costume designs by June Dick, an interview with June about her family and life and various other items related to the Sanger family.
Sanger Family Correspondence, c1900 - 1999
Letters to Miss Sanger Reeve from Bernard and Mabel Harris and letter of invitation to Sunday service from G. K. Gillespie to the Sanger circus staff.
Sanger Family Group Photograph, c1890 - 1909
Photograph of Kate, Ellen Coleman aka Topsy, Marie Reeve and Mrs Rule. Identified via inscription on the front. Mary Ann Rule was George Sanger's housekeeper, who lived in Finchley with George after his retirement.
Sanger Family Member, c1870 - 1889
Cabinet card studio photograph of man, seated. The card is printed with signature 'John Miles Co', Bristol and Clevedon on the front. John Miles Co signature print on reverse 9 Clare Street, Bristol and The Beach Clevedon Portrait Painters and Artists in Photography on Reverse. also printed Patronized by Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.
Sanger's Circus Acrobat Photograph, c1880 - 1899
Photograph of a circus acrobat who appeared with Lord George Sangers Circus at Balmoral in Scotland in 1898.
Sangers Circus Acrobats and Elephants, c1890 - 1899
Photographic print of an acrobatic troupe performing on a platform on top of a pair of elephants. The act is believed to have been at 'Lord' John Sanger's Circus. The photograph is believed to have been taken by Peter Hoffman.
Sangers Circus Acrobats and Elephants, c1890 - 1899
Photograph of an acrobatic troupe and elephants. The act is believed to have been at 'Lord' John Sanger's Circus. The photograph is believed to have been taken by Peter Hoffman.