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:
Female Juggler Photograph, c1930 - 1939
Photograph of a female juggler, juggling hoops in the street.
Films, c1930 - 1990
Amateur and commercial films on multiple formats, focusing mainly on Circus but also including transport, fairs, fairground rides and other types of travelling entertainments.
Florence Austin and Group Next to an Aeroplane Photograph, c1930 - 1939
Photograph taken in the USA of a group of people next to an aeroplane. The aircraft is marked 'Interstate Airlines Incorporated Photographic Section'. 'Myself with Mill(s) and one of the act's husband and wife flying on the circuit with us Love Florrie' is written on the reverse of the photograph. 'Master photo Finishers of America' stamped on reverse.
Florence Austin Photograph, c1920 - 1939
Postcard of aerial performer Florence Austin on Blackpool South Pier. The photograph is stamped with 'Pier Studio, South Pier' on reverse. 'To Mama with Love Flo' is written on reverse.
Florence Austin Photograph, c1920 - 1939
Photograph of Florence Austin hanging from a trapeze outdoors.
Frank Taylor in the Lion Cage Wagon Photograph, c1890 - 1909
Photograph of a lion cage circus wagon with lion tamer Captain Frank Taylor seated inside with several lions wearing a suite and top hat.
Front Entrace to Lord George Sanger Circus Photograph, c1880 - 1899
Photograph of the entrance to Lord George Sangers Circus with three doors and one man standing on each the centre and the right doors. The circus is a booth style contraption on wheels and has three admission categories 1 penny entrance, six pence and three and two shillings. The frontage is decorated with the royal crest and a painted scenes of wild west and equestrian performers.
George and Ellen Sanger in Carriage Photograph, c1880 - 1899
Photograph of George and Ellen Sanger in a horse drawn carriage with grooms mounted on the horses.
George and Ellen Sanger in Carriage Photograph, c1880 - 1899
Black and white framed photograph of George and Ellen Sanger in a horse drawn carriage with grooms mounted on the horses. (Framed and larger version of 178C114.72).
George, Ellen and Handlers with Elephants and Camels Photograph, c1880 - 1899
Photograph of George Sanger and his wife Ellen with elephants and camels and animal handlers. George is marked on the photograph in pen as 'Dada' and Ellen as 'Mama'. The man standing furthest right is William Sanger, George's brother. The photograph was taken at the 'Hall by the Sea' in Margate.
George Sanger Circus, c1850-1890
Black and white photograph stuck to cardboard of a full circus party workers and performers. All stood in front of a big top and carts.
George Sanger Circus, c1850-1890
Black and white photograph of a large group of people, George and Ellen Sanger sat in the middle. Presumably a picture of Sanger with his circus workers.
George Sanger Circus Scrapbook, c1865
Scrapbook containing newspaper cuttings about George Sanger's Circus, some pages are empty, 31pp.
George Sanger's Circus Tableau Wagon Photograph, c1890 - 1909
Photograph of a tableau wagon from Lord George Sanger Circus procession depicting Britannia with a lion and a lamb. Britannia was originally played by Ellen Sanger wife of Lord George Sanger, however, this Britannia is most likely to be Georgina Coleman daughter of Laurina Sanger who is noted as playing the role after her grandmother Ellen.
Grand Annual Christmas Pantomime Script, c1800 - 1899
Groom with Circus Horses Photograph, c1890 - 1899
Photograph of a groom with four piebald horses from Sanger's Circus.
Group in the Park at Grand Hall by the Sea Margate Photograph, c1890 - 1899
Group of Equestrian Performers Photograph, c1880 - 1889
Photograph of a group of female equestrian performers in elaborately decorated costume. The performers are with Sanger's Circus. Costumes such as these were used in Lord George Sanger Circus parade. Lord John Sanger Circus featured a parade in which five sisters Ida, Victoria, Dagmar, Maude and Jennie Sanger rode side saddle dressed in 'Gainsborough' costumes.
Group of People and Circus Tent Photograph, c1920 - 1939
Photograph of group of people in front of a circus tent. The photograph maybe related to Moxon's Circus.
Group of People and Circus Tent Photograph, c1920 - 1939
Photograph of two men and two women standing outside a stripy circus tent.