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:
Lord George Sanger's Circus Programme, 1951
Green and white illustration of laughing clown's face and paragraph by George Sanger on front and programme on reverse.
Lord George Sanger's Circus Programme, 1952
Green and white illustration of laughing clown's face and paragraph by George Sanger on front cover, inside programme and Sanger circus facts and information on what happens before the circus comes to town on back cover. Printed by Willsons, Leicester, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Circus Programme, 1954 Christmas season
Sophia Ganderns' Pavilion, Cardiff. Colour illustration of laughing clown's face wearing a black top hat and red and black type on yellow background on front cover, inside black and white photographs of family members and text on the history of the Sanger circus, programme in the centre, black and white photographs of acts and the Royal family with text and commercial advertising. Printed by Priory Press Ltd., The Friary, Cardiff, 8p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Circus Programme, 1954
Red and white illustration of laughing clown's face and paragraph by George Sanger on front cover, inside programme and Sanger circus facts. Printed by Willsons, Leicester, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Circus Programme, c1962
Colour photograph of head of roaring lion on a yellow background on front cover, inside black and white photographs of acts, animals and performers with text, programme in the centre andshort article on back cover, also two newspaper cuttings found inside, see 178G21.89. Printed by Hasting Printing Co., Portland Place, Hastings, 4p.p.
Lord George Sanger’s Circus Programme, c1958
2p.p.
Lord George Sanger’s Circus Programme, c1930 - 1939
Contains handwritten notes, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger’s Circus Programme, 1945
3p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Circus Revue Programme, Commencing Monday 8 March 1937
The Opera House, Cheltenham. Black type and small illustration of a landscape and scrolls on centre over an off white background on front cover, inside programme. Printed by Frod and Branch Ltd., Gloucester, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Equestrian and Zoological Exhibition Programme, 17 July 1899
Windsor Castle. Navy blue type on silk with coat of arms on top section, listing acts, some of the performers and animals.
Lord George Sanger's Great Hippodramatic and Spectacular Circus Programme, c1800 - 1899
Lord George Sanger's Hall by the Sea Italian & Zoological Gardens Programme, 8 September 1914
Margate, Special programme for the Benefit of the Belgian Relief Fund. Colour illustration of a woman seating with a garland of fruit behind her and white doves on a maroon, orange and yellow background on the front cover, inside black type on white paper containing programme and commercial advertising, three fold. Printed by Electric Press, Margate, 3pp.
Lord George Sanger's Hall by the Sea Italian & Zoological Gardens Programme, 8 September 1914
Margate, Special programme for the Benefit of the Belgian Relief Fund, Colour illustration of a woman seating with a garland of fruit behind her and white doves on a maroon, orange and yellow background on the front cover, inside black type on white paper containing programme and commercial advertising, three fold. Printed by Electric Press, Margate, 3pp.
Lord George Sanger's Horses and Equipment Catalogue of Sale, 4 January 1912
Park Farm, East Finchley, London, to be sold at auction by Tom Norman. Catalogue of sale of Lord George Sanger's stud of horses and related equipment. Black type on off white paper, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Royal Circus, Hippodrome and Grand Military Spectacle Programme, c1899 - 1910
Lord George Sanger's Two Day Great Sale Catalogue, 31 October - 1 November 1905
Park Farm, East Finchley, London, to be sold at auction by Tom Norman. Catalogue of sale of Lord George Sanger's business possessions including animals and equipment. Black type on off white paper with hand written prices against items. Printed by E.S. Wheatley, Steam Printer, Barnet, 12pp.
Lord John Sanger and Sons Ltd. Royal Hippodrome and Menagerie Programme, c1910
2p.p
Lord John Sanger Circus Equestrian Performers Photograph, c1880 - 1899
Photograph of two equestrian performers in costume with tricorn hats from 'Lord' John Sanger's Circus. A horse drawn wagon for 'Lord' John Sanger's Circus can be seen in the background.
Man and Motorcycle, c1920 - 1939
Photograph of a man next to a motorcycle. This motorcycle appears to be the same one used by the Brothers Barr in their acrobatic act, so this could be one of the Barr Brothers.
Man and Orangutan Photograph , c1950 - 1969
Photograph of a man with an orangutan. The man is wearing a uniform and peaked cap. The orangutan is wearing a gold jacket and purple neckerchief. The man could be James Holloway (aka Jimmy Nervo).