Skip to main content

Craston, Joe (Joseph), 1868 - 1948

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1868 - 1948

Biography

Joe Craston was an equestrian, clown, animal trainer and circus proprietor. He was singled out by Lord George Sanger at the age of 9, to be made the central figure and youngest solo clown in his circus. Although Joe also performed as an acrobatic rider for some time he eventually devoted himself to clowning after a series of accidents. Joe Craston married Martha Cashmore and they had three children; Louise aka Lulu, Victoria and Josep aka Joe, all of who followed the family tradition into circus performance.

Found in 10 Collections and/or Records:

Bertram Mills Circus Programmes, c1900 - 1999

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178K43.488-548
Scope and Contents

Bertram Mills Circus programmes at Olympia and travelling shows.

Dates: c1900 - 1999
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Programmes

Circus Friends Association Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0122
Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a large library of books and journals, as well as archival material including posters, programmes, photographs, films, handbills, research material, scrapbooks, original artwork and many other items of ephemera relating to British, Irish and European circuses

Dates: 1795 - 2020
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive

Early Circus Programmes, c1800 - 1999

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178K43.1-28
Scope and Contents

Early British circus and variety programmes including Astley's, Batty's and Lord George Sanger's circus.

Dates: c1800 - 1999
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Programmes

John F. C. Heather Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0056
Scope and Contents

Black and white photographs related to Joseph Charles Heather, the Sanger Circus and the Bostock Jungle.

Dates: c1897 - 1953
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive

Lord George Sanger's Great Hippodramatic and Spectacular Circus Programme, c1800 - 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.17
Scope and Contents Mdlles. Marie and Yetta on the lofty wire, Brothers Artois on the horizontal bar, James Holloway, Brothers Austin, Mr. Joseph Craston with clairboyant and talking horse, Tipster, Mdlles. Violet, Topsy and Rose, on the slack wire, H. Austin, equestrian act, Dance Linwood, clown, Prof. James in ladder act, Mdlle. Florezell, contorsionist act, Mdlle. Lillian equestrian act, James Holloway clown, Madame Pauline de Vere lion tamer, Harry Whitely's singing donkey, Messrs. Cottrell and Austen,...
Dates: c1800 - 1899
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Programmes / Early Circus Programmes

Lulu Adams Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0042
Scope and Contents

This collection contains business records, newspaper cuttings, programmes, notebooks and handbills, as well as a collection of black and white photographs, some original artwork and other items relating to Lulu Adam’s personal life and career

Dates: c1880 - 1959
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive

Miss Cashmore Sport Act Poster, c1900

 Item — Sleeve Lulu Adams Sleeve
Reference code: 178R57.1
Scope and Contents

Colour poster of Martha Cashmore performing in a horse pulled car with dogs. Printed by Andreasen & Lachmann, Copenhagen.

Dates: c1900
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Lulu Adams Collection

Photographs, c1897 - 1898

 Series — Box John Heather Box 1: Series 178C82/1-49; Series 178F32; Series 178Q7
Reference code: 178C82/1-49
Scope and Contents Black and white photographs, showing performers and animals (elephants, lions, chimpanzees, horses, dogs and kittens) at Lord George Sanger's Circus, collected by Joseph Charles Heather, during his time as veterinary surgeon for Sanger Circus. Includes studio portrait photographs and photographs taken backstage at the circus of Joseph Charles Heather, Lord George Sanger and his wife and lion tamer, Ellen Sanger (nee Chapman), their daughters, Sarah Harriet Sanger and Laurina Sanger, and...
Dates: c1897 - 1898
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / John F. C. Heather Collection

Programmes, c1800 - 2019

 Series
Reference code: 178K43
Scope and Contents

A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.

Dates: c1800 - 2019
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection

Sanger Circus Troupe Photograph , c1880 - 1889

 Item — Box Sanger Circus Box 3: Series 178B39; Series 178C114
Reference code: 178C114.155
Scope and Contents Photograph of Lord George Sanger Circus performers in front of a circus tent. There is a group of six acrobats performing in the centre of the photograph. The man to the left with a whip is believed to be the elephant trainer. The man next to him, with the wide brimmed hat, is believed to be Alpine Charlie or Charles Taylor the wild cat trainer. The young man holding the dog is believed to be George Hugh Holloway (born 1867), equestrian, wire walker and acrobat and later leader of the Four...
Dates: c1880 - 1889
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Sanger Circus Collection / Photographs

Public only; | Accessibility statement | v3.5.0