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Coleman, Ellen, 1878 - 1969

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1878 - 1969

Parallel Names

  • Moxon, Ellen
  • Topsy

Biography

Ellen Coleman aka Topsy was born in 1874. She was a circus performer and the granddaughter of George Sanger. Ellen's parents were Alexander Coleman aka 'Little Sandy' and Laurina Sanger, with whom she share the nickname of Topsy. Ellen married Harry Austin, one of the Austin Bothers who were equestrian and clown performers with Lord George Sanger Circus. Ellen married her second husband Harry Moxon, a circus juggling and comedy act in 1940.

Found in 15 Collections and/or Records:

Astley's New Royal Amphitheatre Photograph, 1893

 Item — Box Sanger Circus Box 1: Series 178C114
Reference code: 178C114.87
Scope and Contents

Photograph of Astley's New royal Amphitheatre on Westminster Bridge Road. Handwritten on front of the photograph 'Dada & Mama, Topsy and Marie on balcony' and also 'Astley's Theatre taken in the last weeks before pulled down'. The people described in the photograph are 'Lord' George Sanger, Ellen Sanger (nee Chapman), Ellen Austin (nee Coleman) and Marie Reeve.

Dates: 1893

Circus Family and Tents Photograph , c1920 - 1939

 Item — Box Sanger Circus Box 1: Series 178C114
Reference code: 178C114.125
Scope and Contents

Photograph of a family group seated next to tents. Two men are playing musical instruments. The woman furthest right is Ellen 'Topsy' Coleman. The man next to her is thought to be her second husband Harry Moxon. The woman, second from left, is Florence Austin aerial performer.

Dates: c1920 - 1939

Comedy Wild West Performers Photograph, c1890 - 1909

 Item — Box Sanger Circus Box 1: Series 178C114
Reference code: 178C114.13
Scope and Contents

Photograph of a group of comedy Wild West performers from Sanger Circus. The woman, second from the left, is Kate Holloway equestrian performer and niece of George Sanger. The woman furthest right is Ellen 'Topsy' Coleman. The woman second from right is Yetta Schultz.

Dates: c1890 - 1909

Ellen Coleman and George Austin with Clown Photograph, c1890 - 1910

 Item — Box Sanger Circus Box 1: Series 178C114
Reference code: 178C114.3
Scope and Contents

Photograph of Ellen 'Topsy' Coleman between two circus performers. To the left of Ellen is a clown with bagpipes. To the right is her brother in law George Austin in equestrian costume. The photograph was taken at Lord George Sanger Circus. The clown is possibly Ellen's father Alexander Coleman, known as Little Sandy.

Dates: c1890 - 1910

Ellen 'Topsy' Coleman Photograph, c1890 - 1899

 Item — Box Sanger Circus Box 1: Series 178C114
Reference code: 178C114.52
Scope and Contents

Photograph of female equestrian Ellen 'Topsy' Coleman mounted on a horse in front of a circus living wagon.

Dates: c1890 - 1899

Lord George Sanger Circus Staff Photograph, c1890 - 1909

 Item — Box Sanger Circus Box 3: Series 178B39; Series 178C114
Reference code: 178C114.156
Scope and Contents Photograph of circus performers in front of a ticket booth for Lord George Sanger Circus. The entrance facade has the wording 'Lord George the Imperial Sanger/The Leading Show of the World/ 3 Times Patronized by the Queen' painted on the front. Front row: seated, third from the right Ellen Coleman, fifth from right equestrian performer Kate Holloway and with white hat, eight places from the right aerial performer Yetta Schultz. The man with the straw boater hat, to the left of the man in the...
Dates: c1890 - 1909

Performers at Lord George Sanger Circus Photograph, 1898

 Item — Box Sanger Circus Box 1: Series 178C114
Reference code: 178C114.100
Scope and Contents Group photograph of performers from Lord George Sanger Circus taken at the Royal Estate, Balmoral, Scotland when the circus presented a Royal Performance for Queen Victoria in 1898. Front row, left to right: standing far left George Austin, fifth from left (in jockey costume) Harry Austin, man seated seventh from left a member of the Holloway family, person in costume with horns, fourth from right, Raynor Troupe member. Second row, left to right: fifth from left Kate Holloway and sixth from...
Dates: 1898

Photographs, c1850 - 1945

 Series
Reference code: 178C114
Scope and Contents

Black and white and some colour photographs and postcards of George and Jonh Sanger's circus.

Dates: c1850 - 1945

Portrait of Ellen Coleman Photograph, c1890 - 1909

 Item — Box Sanger Circus Box 1: Series 178C114
Reference code: 178C114.65
Scope and Contents

Cabinet card photograph of Ellen Coleman. The card is printed with 'A. M. Bliss & Co Lewes' on the front and 'A. M. Bliss & Co 34 Lansdowne Place, Lewes' on the reverse.

Dates: c1890 - 1909

Portrait of Ellen Coleman Standing in Front of a Circus Tent Photograph, c1920 - 1939

 Item — Box Sanger Circus Box 1: Series 178C114
Reference code: 178C114.152
Scope and Contents

Photograph of Ellen standing in front of a circus tent wearing a coat and hat.

Dates: c1920 - 1939

Portrait of Harry and Ellen Austin Photograph, c1890 - 1909

 Item — Box Sanger Circus Box 1: Series 178C114
Reference code: 178C114.45
Scope and Contents

Photograph showing Ellen Austin standing at the door of her living wagon and her husband Harry sat on the steps. The photograph has 'Harry and Topsy' written at the bottom. Harry Austin, was one of the Austin Brothers equestrian performers.

Dates: c1890 - 1909

Sanger Circus Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0154
Scope and Contents

Black and white and some colour photographs, negatives, handbills, programmes and other items of ephemera relating to George Sanger's circus and the Hall by the Sea.

Dates: c1850 - 1945

Sanger Circus Performers Photograph, c1890 - 1899

 Item — Box Sanger Circus Box 1: Series 178C114
Reference code: 178C114.37
Scope and Contents

Studio photograph of three women from left to right, Ellen 'Topsy' Coleman, Kate Holloway and Yetta Schultz.

Dates: c1890 - 1899

Sanger Family Group Photograph, c1890 - 1909

 Item — Box Sanger Circus Box 1: Series 178C114
Reference code: 178C114.39
Scope and Contents

Photograph of Kate, Ellen Coleman aka Topsy, Marie Reeve and Mrs Rule. Identified via inscription on the front. Mary Ann Rule was George Sanger's housekeeper, who lived in Finchley with George after his retirement.

Dates: c1890 - 1909

Sangers Circus members and Living Wagon Photograph, c1896 - 1900

 Item — Box Sanger Circus Box 1: Series 178C114
Reference code: 178C114.86
Scope and Contents

Photograph of a living wagon from Lord George Sanger Circus with sign written on the side 'Patronized by the Queen and the Royal Family from London'. The woman inside the wagon is Ellen 'Topsy' Austin, the man sitting on the steps is her husband Harry Austin and the man standing is Harry's brother George Austin.

Dates: c1896 - 1900