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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 6 Collections and/or Records:

Astley's Circus Ampitheatre Photograph, c1871 - 1893

 Item — Box Sanger Family Box 1: Series 178C121
Reference code: 178C121.11
Scope and Contents

Black and white photograph of Astley's Amphitheatre on Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London in the last few weeks before it was pulled down. The people in the photograph are George Sanger, Ellen Sanger (nee Chapman), Ellen Austin (nee Coleman) and Marie Reeve. George Sanger took over Astley's Amphitheatre in 1871 and ran it until it was pulled down in 1893.

Dates: c1871 - 1893

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

Photographs, c1890 - 1959

 Series
Reference code: 178C121
Scope and Contents

Black and white photographs of George Sanger's Circus showing staff, family, performers, animals, living wagons and parades, including Topsy Sanger, Harry Austin, George Holloway, Cissie Holloway, Cissie Austin, George Sanger, James Holloway, Abe Holloway, George Austin, Bellevina Holloway, Kate Holloway, The Three Holloways, Cirque Angelo, The Four Holloways, Ellen Chapman, Harriet Sanger and June Dick. Also some copies of photographs of the Bostock and Wombwell menagerie.

Dates: c1890 - 1959

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

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 Family Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0166
Scope and Contents

This collection contains black and white photographs of George Sanger's Circus, photocopies of newspaper cuttings and some research material related to the Sanger Family, original drawings for costume designs by June Dick, an interview with June about her family and life and various other items related to the Sanger family.

Dates: c1900 - 2018