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 265 Collections and/or Records:
Correspondence, 1912
Letter regarding a summons by an inspector on the handling of wild beasts addressed to Mr Heather/
Correspondence Between John Everet Sanger and the Ohmy Family, c1936 - 1989
Correspondence between John Everton Sanger and the Ohmy family, mainly his mother and grandmother while John was serving in the Royal Navy during World War II and from Vicky during the 1970s-1980s, also some from other acquaintances, other correspondence and empty envelopes.
Correspondence Related to the Ohmy and the Sanger Families, c1900 -1999
Various pieces of correspondence related to Ohmy and Sanger family members.
Cossack Performers Photograph, c1890 - 1909
Studio photograph of a male and a female performer in Russian folk style costume with a tambourine possing as if they were dancing.
Couple Outside Circus Tent Photograph, c1920 - 1939
Photograph of a couple standing at the entrance to a circus tent.
Couple with Zulu Warrior Photograph, c1920 - 1939
Photograph of a couple with Zulu warrior. 'Taken with one of the chiefs at a --affir dance' written on the reverse.
Crowds at Lord George Sanger Circus Photograph , c1880 - 1910
Black and white photograph of a large crowd of people queueing at the entrance to George Sanger's circus.
Cyril Critchlow Collection
Den Curtis' Photographic Albums, 1936 - 1969
Photographic albums put together by Den Curtis, containing black and white photographs of circuses, performers and animals with annotations, including Sanger, Chipprefields, Bertram Mills, Smarts, Hoxie Bros., Blackpool Tower, Belle Vue, Robert Bros., Fossett and Luckens Continental Circus and others, also some loose photographs removed from the albums.
Early Circus Programmes, c1800 - 1999
Early British circus and variety programmes including Astley's, Batty's and Lord George Sanger's circus.
Early Circus Scrapbook, 1876 - 1893
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings and black and white illustrations, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Sanger's, Ginnett's and Barnum's, 80p.p.
Early Circus Scrapbook, 1879 - 1898
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, programmes and black and white illustrations, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Barnum's, Chiarini's Royal Italian Circus, Ginnett's and Sanger's, 128p.p.
Ellen Coleman and George Austin with Clown Photograph, c1890 - 1910
Photograph of Ellen 'Topsy' Coleman between two circus performers. To the left of Ellen is a clown with bagpipes. To the right is her brother in law George Austin in equestrian costume. The photograph was taken at Lord George Sanger Circus. The clown is possibly Ellen's father Alexander Coleman, known as Little Sandy.
Ellen 'Topsy' Coleman Photograph, c1890 - 1899
Photograph of female equestrian Ellen 'Topsy' Coleman mounted on a horse in front of a circus living wagon.
Empire Programme, Week of Monday 26 February 1934
Shepherds Bush. Lord George Sanger's Circus Sensation. Blue and white type on white and blue background on front cover, inside commercial advertising and programme. Printed by Advertising Agents, Geo. J. Smith and Co., Ltd, 20 Easy Row, Birmingham, 4p.p.
Equestrian Performers Photograph, c1890 - 1909
Group of eight equestrian performers from Sanger circus, four male and four female posing in front of a row of houses on a street. They are sat on their horses wearing equestrian circus costumes.
Exhibition and Entertainments Handbills, c1790 - 1939
Handbills for travelling shows, fairs, exhibitions and performances at a wide range of venues.
Family Group Photograph, c1920 - 1939
Photograph of Olive Austin with a man and a boy stood in front of a pick up truck.
Female Bareback Riders, c14 April 1897
Black and white photograph of a group of five female bareback rider performers, including Emma Coleman
Female Equestrian and Ringmaster Photograph, c1920 - 1939
Photograph of female equestrian seated on a pony next to a circus ringmaster standing in front of a tent.