Skip to main content

Circus

 Subject
Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings

Found in 14 Collections and/or Records:

Bill Barnes Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0172
Scope and Contents

Programmes, posters and photographs mainly related to the Poole family's travelling Myriorama show.

Dates: 1881 - 2017
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive

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

Circus Research Material, 1872 - 1975

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178B30.1
Scope and Contents Photocopies of programmes from the London Hippodrome, the National Amphitheatre, Hengler's Circus, Olympia, Hagenbeck's Wonder Zoo and Big Circus, Barnum and Bailey, Paulo's Circus, Chapman's Circus, Rosaire's Circus, Grand Continental Circus at the Crystal Palace, Barrett's Canadian Circus, Cody's Continental Circus, Pinder's Royal Circus and Menagerie and other UK and international circuses, also photocopies of newspaper cuttings, ordenance survey, photographs of performers and posters,...
Dates: 1872 - 1975
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Monographs, Articles, Manuscripts and Research Material

Handbills, c1786 - 1968

 Series — Box John Barmwell Taylor Box 1: Series 178T1
Reference code: 178T1
Scope and Contents

Handbills for travelling shows, fairs, exhibitions and performances in London.

Dates: c1786 - 1968
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / John Bramwell Taylor Collection

Hengler Circus Programmes, 1837 - 1892

 File
Reference code: 178K43.658
Scope and Contents

Monochrome illustrations of equestrian acts on front covers, inside programme, 2pp.

Dates: 1837 - 1892
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Programmes

Henglers Grand Circus Handbill, c1880 - 1889

 Item — Box John Barmwell Taylor Box 2: Series 178T1
Reference code: 178T1.227
Scope and Contents

Illuminated morning performance at Drill Hall, Queens Road, Bristol, 4pp. Printed by Fay Bros., Broad Quay, Bristol.

Dates: c1880 - 1889
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / John Bramwell Taylor Collection / Handbills / Handbills for Venues Outside London

John Bramwell Taylor Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0086
Scope and Contents The collection consists of handbills, programmes and small flyers for shows, fairs, expositions and circus performances in the nineteenth century. The circus material in the Bramwell Taylor Collection was sponsored by the Circus Friends Association of Great Britain and consists of material relating to 19th century touring circuses, individual acts and purpose built hippodromes such as Hengler’s Circus and Astley’s Amphitheatre. Additionally this collection also contains a small amount of...
Dates: c1786 - 2003
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive

Monographs, Articles, Manuscripts and Research Material, c1795 - 1999

 Series
Reference code: 178B30
Scope and Contents

Compilation of monographs, articles, manuscripts and a range of research material about circus companies and performers in the United Kingdom, Europe and other parts of the world by various authors, the research was mainly compiled by Hal Thomas.

Dates: c1795 - 1999
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection

Newspaper Cuttings and Scapbooks, 1838 - 2007

 Series
Reference code: 178G21
Scope and Contents

A collection of newspaper cuttings on circus, circus proprietors and performers and scrapbooks containing newspaper cuttings, posters, programmes and other items of ephemera, covering mainly British circuses and venues such as Belle Vue and also some international circuses.

Dates: 1838 - 2007
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection

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

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

Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1925 - 1936

 Item
Reference code: 178G21.4
Scope and Contents

Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, advertisments and black and white photographs relating to multiple circuses and acts including Belle Vue Circus, Hengler's Circus, Blackpool Tower, and Sir Robert Fossetts, includes deaths of Buff Bill Kayes, Whimsical Walker the clown and Mary Ann Bevan 'the world's ugliest woman', 61p.p.

Dates: 1925 - 1936
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Newspaper Cuttings and Scapbooks

Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1939 - 1962

 Item
Reference code: 178G21.79
Scope and Contents

Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Blackpool Tower, Hengler's, and Rosaire's, 180p.p.

Dates: 1939 - 1962
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Newspaper Cuttings and Scapbooks

Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian Circus Posters, c1800 - 1930

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R47.1-51
Scope and Contents

Early circus and menagerie posters including Polito's menagerie, Astley's Amphitheatre and Pablo Fanque's, Sanger's, Powell's, Ducrow's, Cooke's and Hengler's circuses among others.

Dates: c1800 - 1930
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters

Public only; | Accessibility statement | v3.5.0