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 63 Collections and/or Records:

Joe Craston, c1930 - 1950

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 2: Series 178C83
Reference code: 178C83.275
Scope and Contents

Publicity postcard photographic print of Joe Craston in clown costume shoulder. 'Jerome 21 Nov 1938' stamped on reverse.

Dates: c1930 - 1950

Joe Craston, 11 December 1917

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 3: Series 178C83
Reference code: 178C83.346
Scope and Contents

Postcard photographic image of a Joe Craston Senior. 'Dec 11 1917 To my daughter kind wishes many happy returns of the day from Papa, God Bless You' written on reverse.

Dates: 11 December 1917

Joe Craston at Dinner Party, c1930 - 1950

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 2: Series 178C83
Reference code: 178C83.281
Scope and Contents

Joe Craston seated at a dinner table event with man and woman. 'Stamped 'Fox Photos Ltd, Tudor Street, London'

Dates: c1930 - 1950

Joe Craston in Street, c1900 - 1920

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 2: Series 178C83
Reference code: 178C83.169
Scope and Contents

Joe Craston Senior walking in a city street scene.

Dates: c1900 - 1920

Joe Craston Postcard Design, c1920 - 1929

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 5: Series 178B17; Series 178H10; Series 178V6
Reference code: 178V6.3
Scope and Contents

Design for Merit postcard, ink drawing in the shape of a medal with Joe Craston’s portrait black and white photo in the centre, a horse, dog and monkey’s head and a bottle of whiskey on each arm section of the cross on card.

Dates: c1920 - 1929

Joe Craston's Notebook, 1903 - 1908

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 5: Series 178B17; Series 178H10; Series 178V6
Reference code: 178P4.1
Scope and Contents

Notebook belonging to Joe Craston containing notes about performances in circuses, mostly in France, programmes, pencil drawings and two pages of loose notes, also blank pages. Leather imitation black cover and ruled paper.

Dates: 1903 - 1908

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

Letterhead Advert, c1920 - 1929

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 4: Series 178F16; Series 178G5; Series 178H10; Series 178K34; Series 178T26; Series 178Z23
Reference code: 178Z23.2
Scope and Contents

Letterhead promoting Joe Craston the Dandy Clown and partner the dog Bill with address 20 Grand Parade, Brighton. Red type on yellow paper and two black and white photographs of the act.

Dates: c1920 - 1929

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

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

Man and Boy Beside Circus Lorry, c1930 - 1950

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 1: Series 178C83
Reference code: 178C83.93
Scope and Contents

Man and boy standing beside a lorry with lettering for Lord George Sanger's Circus. The man could be Joe Craston Senior circus clown.

Dates: c1930 - 1950

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

Newspaper Cuttings, 1925 - 1978

 Series
Reference code: 178G5
Scope and Contents

Newspaper cuttings related to Lulu Adams, Albert Adams, Joe Cashmore and the Crastonians.

Dates: 1925 - 1978

Newspaper Cuttings Related to Joe Cashmore, c1925 - 1978

 File — Box Lulu Adams Box 4: Series 178F16; Series 178G5; Series 178H10; Series 178K34; Series 178T26; Series 178Z23
Reference code: 178G5.3
Scope and Contents

Newspaper cuttings related bo Joe Cashmore and Hotel Cashmore.

Dates: c1925 - 1978

Original Artwork, c1910 - 1949

 Series
Reference code: 178V6
Scope and Contents

Drawings and card, mostly pressumed to have been designed and drawn by Lulu Adams.

Dates: c1910 - 1949

Photographs, c1880 - 1950

 Series — Box Lulu Adams Box 1: Series 178C83
Reference code: 178C83
Scope and Contents

Black and white photographs and a small amount of negatives containing a mixture of business and family archive showing performers, animals, circuses, family members such as Joe Craston, the Crastonians and Lulu, also four photo albums and two postcards of Joe Craston.

Dates: c1880 - 1950

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

Poster Coliseo Argentino, c1900 - 1910

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 2: Series 178C83
Reference code: 178C83.236
Scope and Contents

Photograph of a poster for 'Coliseo Argentino, Hoy Miercoles 19 Sietembre/Gran Exito/ Miss Cashmore/Exito Jose Craston/Spectaculo Atrayente' (Argentine Coliseum, This Wednesday 19 September, Big Sucess, Miss Cashmore/Great Success/Joe Craston in Attractive Show'.

Dates: c1900 - 1910

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

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