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 269 Collections and/or Records:
Sanger's Grand National Amphitheatre Programme, c1900 - 1999
Sanger's Grand Procession Poster, Friday 27 and Saturday 28 June 1863
Bath, Cricket Field, Pulteney Road. Sanger's grand procession on the occasion of the marriage of T. R. H. The Prince and Princess of Wales, equestrian acts, gymnastic acts, performing dromedaries, camels, llamas, cebras, Perubian God horses, elephants. Colour illustration showing procession of animals and carriages on a zig-zag line from the top to the bottom of the poster with text in between in black type on pale yellow background and title on red and yellow over blue background.
Sanger's Royal Circus Handbill, c1898
Royal London Hippodrome. 23 different acts. Printed by Chamberlain, Landport.
Sarah Harriet Sanger, Kate Holloway and Yetta Schultz Photograph, c1890 - 1909
Cabinet card photograph of Sarah Harriet Sanger (seated), on the right is Kate Holloway and on the left Yetta Schultz. The group is photographed in front of a panel depicting an elephant. The card is printed on front with 'Kent and Fenton, Upper Caterham'.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1952 - 1957
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings from the World's Fair, black and white photographs, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Robert Fossett's, Blackpool Tower, Lord George Sanger's and Chipperfields.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1930 - 1938
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, black and white photographs, programmes and advertisments, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Johnny Swallow's Broncho Bill's Circus, Chapman's Zoo Circus, Lord George Sanger's,34p.p.
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.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, c1900 - 1999
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings and photographs, relating to multiple circuses and acts including George Wombwell, Lord George Sanger, Billy Smart and Bertram Mills, 102p.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.
Six Male Performers Photograph, c1890 - 1910
Black and white photograph of five male performers including James Holloway standing up with his arms folded, Harry Austin leaning on him and George Austin with a skull cap kneeling down in front.
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 Photograph, c1879 - 1890
Tableau Wagon from Lord George Sanger Circus Photograph, c1890 - 1909
Photograph of the tableau wagon from Lord George Sanger Circus featuring the 'Lion and Lamb'. The tableau wagon features a woman dressed as Britannia next to a live lion and lamb.
Telegram from Miriam Claydon, c1940s
Telegram to John Everton Sanger from Miriam Claydon. Typescript.
The Austin Brothers Photograph, c1880 - 1889
Photograph of equestrian performers (left to right) George and Harry Austin standing on the backs of a pair of horses. 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.
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 Imperial Sanger Circus Animals and Trainers Photograph, c1850 - 1899
Black and white photograph of elephants, camels, horses and a bufalo with trainers and performers in costume outside the circus tent.
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’.
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’.
Trade and Advertising Material, c1920 - 1932
Two publicity cards with photographs of the acts.