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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 3 Collections and/or Records:

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

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

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

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