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:
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1928 - 1938
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Bertram Mills, Barnum and Bailey and George Sanger, 122p.p.
Script for Cinderella Pantomime, 1883 - 1884
Sanger National Amphitheatre. Manuscript for Cinderella pantomime for Sanger's circus. Black ink and pencil with red underline on white paper and brown covers. Written on one side of the pages only on ruled paper with corrections, 59pp.
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.
Sweet Memories Of The Past [Memorial Board], c1880-1945
Tableau Wagon from Lord George Sangers Circus, c1890 - 1909
Photograph of the tableau wagon from 'Lord' George Sanger's Circus featuring the 'Lion and Lamb'. The tableau wagon features a woman dressed as Britannia next to a live lion and lamb. Ellen Sanger, lion tamer and wife of 'Lord' George Sanger, traditionally played the role of Britannia for many years. Ellen died in 1899. She ceased playing Britannia sometime before and the role is said to have been taken over by Georgina Coleman (granddaughter of 'Lord' George Sanger) amongst others.
Telegram from Miriam Claydon, c1940s
Telegram to John Everton Sanger from Miriam Claydon. Typescript.
The Austin Brothers, c1880 - 1889
Photograph of equestrian performers (left to right) George and Harry Austin standing on the backs of a pair of horses. The Austin brothers performed with 'Lord' George Sanger's Circus. The photograph mount is printed with 'Emberson and Sons'. The photographer George Emberson is noted as having travelled with Lord George Sanger's Circus from 1886. Harry Austin married Ellen 'Topsy' Coleman, 'Lord' George Sanger's granddaughter.
The Grand Moustre Fete and People's National Gathering Programme, 1894
Birmingham. Black type on red background on front cover and off white background inside, containing list of events and acts including Messrs J and G Sanger, 7p.p.
The Lion Tamer Film, c1945 - 1960
Circusama, Yesterdays Circus Today. VHS PAL. Scenes from 9.5mm silent film. Also includes; Sanger memorial at St John Cemetery, Margate. Lord George Sanger’s Circus. James Freeman ‘Pimpo the Clown’.
The Lion Tamer Film, c1932 - 1949
Circusama, Yesterdays Circus Today. VHS PAL. Scenes from the 9.5mm silent film. Also contains the Sanger memorial at St. John Cemetery Margate, Lord George Sanger’s Circus, and James Freeman ‘Pimpo the Clown’.
Trade and Advertising Material, c1920 - 1932
Two publicity cards with photographs of the acts.
Troupe of Acrobats with Clown Photograph, c1880 - 1899
Studio photograph of an acrobatic troupe consisting of a man wand two boys, and a clown.
Two Cyclists, c1890 - 1909
Photograph of two cyclists next to a circus tent
Two Unidentified Women, c1920 - 1939
Photograph of two women, probably performing with a travelling circus. The woman on the left is believed to be Olive Austin.
Two Women on a Juvenile Ride., c1920 - 1939
Photograph of two women, ,probably performers, seated on a fairground juvenile dobbies ride. The woman in the front is believed to be Olive Austin. The photograph maybe related to Moxon's Circus.
Unidentified Couple, c1920 - 1939
Photograph of a couple in front of a circus tent.
Unidentified Girl, c1860 - 1879
Cartes des visites studio photograph of a girl in a dress with a hat. The card is printed with R. C. Arnold, Market Drayton.
Unidentified Man, c1870 - 1889
Cartes des visites photograph of an unknown man. The Clifton Fine Arts Photographic Company 29 Triangle, Queens Road, Clifton' printed on reverse.
Unidentified Man, c1920 - 1939
Photograph of a man.
Unidentified Man, c1890 - 1909
Cabinet card portrait photograph of an unknown man, probably a member or relative of the Sanger family. The photographer's name 'H,. Bullock, 48 High Street, Crewe' is printed on the front card at the base.