Animals

Posters, c1800 - 2011

Series

Reference code: 178R47

Scope and Contents

A wide range of British and international circus and menagerie posters ranging from the 19th to the 21st century including Astley's Amphitheatre, Pablo Fanque, Polito, Bostock and Wombwell, Ducrow, Cooke, Hengler, Sanger, Smart, Gerry Cottle, Bertram Mills, Chipperfield's, Robert Brothers, Fossett, Blackpool Tower, Billy Russell, Belle Vue, Great Yarmouth Hippodrome, Austen Brothers and many more.

Dates: c1800 - 2011

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection

Posters, c1900 - 1959

Series

Reference code: 178R43

Scope and Contents

Various circus and variety performers posters including Koringa.

Dates: c1900 - 1959

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Richley Collection

Posters, c1887 - 2010

Series

Reference code: 178R27

Scope and Contents

Circus, variety, pantomime and magic posters including Argyle theatre, Liverpool Empire, Blackpool Tower Circus, Robert Brothers, Austen Brothers, Sorcar, Vesta Tilley, Ken Dodd, Dan Leno, Florrie Forde and others.

Dates: c1887 - 2010

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Cyril Critchlow Collection

Posters, c1952 - 1962

Series

Reference code: 178R60

Scope and Contents

Posters, collected by Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver).

Dates: c1952 - 1962

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection

Powell Bros. Victory Circus and Zoo Poster, Wednesday 7 May 1946

Item

Reference code: 178R47.39

Scope and Contents

Redditch, Beoley Road. The Sensation of 1946, The Lady over the Lions, performed by Janet, earial act, Alexis trick rider, Tony and Partner comedy wire act, Eve on top of the globe, funny clowns, Les Freres acrobatic tumbling act, Zadowsky Troupe equestrian act, The Flying Demons earial act, The Crackerjacks wild west act, Squibs and Jojo clowns, 2 miniature Shetland ponies, Sonya Allan's performing lions. Red and blue type on off white background with illustration of lion on centre left.

Dates: Wednesday 7 May 1946

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian Circus Posters

Powell's Circus Royal Poster, c1800 - 1899

Item

Reference code: 178R47.32

Scope and Contents Bridge Road, Hammersmith, Monday 24th April and two following evenings. Mr. Powell and the Infant Equestrians on The Sprite of the Morning Star, Mons. Hengler on the tightrope, Master John Hengler, Master Polaski as the Hihgland Laddie equestrian act, Mr. Grant, strongman on Iron Arm, Little Grenadier or Lilliputian Warrior, still vaulting, Mr. Thorpe on the slack rope, Mr. Adams on Massaroni, The Brigand of the Alpes, King Arthur, The Sylph of the Circle, Morning Star, Jack the Giant...

Dates: c1800 - 1899

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian Circus Posters

Prince of Wales Theatre Poster, 15 October 1888

Item

Reference code: 178R12.2

Scope and Contents Prince of Wales Theatre, Birkenhead. Professor Buer and his wonderful troupe of animals, Miss Edie Merten serio-comic and ballad vocalist, The Original female Feeney, Miss Lilly Marney Irish patriotic character vocalist, male impersonator and dancer, Miss Ada Caryl vocalist, J.P. Dance dialect character comedian and dancer, Mr James Shields Irish character comedian, Mr Albert Rivers Comic and vocalist, Tom Bradley Character comedian, vocalist grotesque and refined Song and Dance Artiste, Jew...

Dates: 15 October 1888

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Argyle Theatre Collection / Posters

Prince of Wales Theatre Poster, 29 October 1888

Item

Reference code: 178R12.3

Scope and Contents Prince of Wales Theatre, Birkenhead. Sig. Verdi Deavant and his 12 Educated Cats, 12 Wonderful Rats, 12 Marvellous Mice and 12 Splendid Canaries, Miss Mal de Vane serio-comic vocalist, Miss Laura Gordon vocalist and Irish Balladist, George Knowles comic and topical vocalist, Three sisters Carlton, Professor Devono conjuror, Lena Price vocalist, Mr. J. Walsh Comic vocalist and Top-Boot dancer, Miss Madge Daly Irish comedienne, The Great Fixers in ‘The Wrong Man. Laughable Negro Sketch’....

Dates: 29 October 1888

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Argyle Theatre Collection / Posters

Prince of Wales Theatre Poster, 27 June 1887

Item

Reference code: 178R12.92

Scope and Contents Prince of Wales Theatre, Birkenhead. Professor Peterson and his wonderful troupe of Jolly Dog Comedians, Mad’mle Adele Blanche continental character vocalist, Lewis West and Harry Lancaster comedians, vocalists and dancers, Miss Marie Fawn Serio comic and champion song and dance artists, The Brothers Matthews, Miss Laura Laurent American Character comedian, Mr Tom Melbourne comic vocalist, Fiske and Muldoon knockabout artists. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Black and red...

Dates: 27 June 1887

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Argyle Theatre Collection / Posters

Proclamations, 1836 - 1888

Series

Reference code: 178S5

Scope and Contents

Proclamations announcing Pablo Fanque's benefit event and speaches and appearances about the horse killing wolves incident at Lord George Sanger's theatre.

Dates: 1836 - 1888

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection

Prof. E. K. Crocker Handbill, c1887

Item — Box John Barmwell Taylor Box 2: Series 178T1

Reference code: 178T1.251

Scope and Contents

Perfectly educated horses at Avenue Theatre, London. ‘Do Everything but talk’. Printed by Messrs. Yetts and Co., 17 Southampton Row and Harlow.

Dates: c1887

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / John Bramwell Taylor Collection / Handbills / Exhibition and Entertainments Handbills

Professor Kitchingman’s Performing Fleas Handbill, c1869

Item — Box John Barmwell Taylor Box 3: Series 178T1

Reference code: 178T1.311

Scope and Contents

221 Regent Street. Contains review of precious performance.

Dates: c1869

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / John Bramwell Taylor Collection / Handbills / Exhibition and Entertainments Handbills

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

Programmes, 1970 - 1981

Series

Reference code: 178K41

Scope and Contents

Programmes for various British and international circuses including Billy Russell's, Blackpool Tower, Fossett's, Chipperfield's and the Toni Boltini's Circus.

Dates: 1970 - 1981

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Christopher Palmer Collection

Programmes , c1903 - 1923

Series

Reference code: 178K40

Scope and Contents

Variety and Music Hall programmes featuring Ben Jackson as well as many other acts.

Dates: c1903 - 1923

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Ben Jackson Collection

Programmes , 1881 - 2016

Series

Reference code: 178K53

Scope and Contents

Pre-Film and variety and music hall programmes mainly related to the travelling shows of Joseph Poole and Harry Poole, Harry H. Hamilton, Mapleston Brothers and Adams but it also includes other showmen.

Dates: 1881 - 2016

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection