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

Studio photograph of a male and a female performer in Russian folk style costume with a tambourine possing as if they were dancing.

Early British circus and variety programmes including Astley's, Batty's and Lord George Sanger's circus.

Group of eight equestrian performers from Sanger circus, four male and four female posing in front of a row of houses on a street. They are sat on their horses wearing equestrian circus costumes.

Photograph of female equestrian seated on a pony next to a circus ringmaster standing in front of a tent.

Amateur and commercial films on multiple formats, focusing mainly on Circus but also including transport, fairs, fairground rides and other types of travelling entertainments.

Photograph of Harry Austin posing standing on two horses as part of a four horse act and two young clowns with violins lying in the grass beside the horses in the grounds of Balmoral Castle. The photographer's name 'R. Milne photographer for HM The Queen, Aboyne and Ballater' is on the mount of the photograph.

Photograph of Lord George Sanger Circus with tent, equestrian performers and circus workers, trainers and grooms on the Royal Estate in Scotland in Balmoral, Scotland.

Black and orange illustrations of ringmaster, roaring lion, female equestrian act and performing dog on blue background on the front cover, inside programme and after performance show on back cover. Printed by Stafford and Co., Ltd., Printers, Netherfield, Nottingham, 2p.p.

Black and orange illustrations of ringmaster, roaring lion, female equestrian act and performing dog on blue background on the front cover, inside programme and Circus Fans' Association information on back cover. Printed by Stafford and Co., Ltd., Printers, Netherfield, Nottingham, 2p.p.

Black and orange illustrations of ringmaster, roaring lion, female equestrian act and performing dog on blue background on the front cover, inside programme and Circus Fans' Association information on back cover. Printed by Stafford and Co., Ltd., Printers, Netherfield, Nottingham, 2p.p.

Black and orange illustrations of ringmaster, roaring lion, female equestrian act and performing dog on blue background on the front cover, inside programme and Circus Fans' Association information on back cover. Printed by Stafford and Co., Ltd., Printers, Netherfield, Nottingham, 2p.p.

Photograph of two equestrian performers in costume with tricorn hats from Lord John Sanger Circus. A horse drawn wagon for Lord John Sanger Circus can be seen in the background.

Photograph of a man and a woman beside a horse with a jockey. Possibly Henry Chapman (brother in law of George Sanger) and his wife Mrs Chapman.

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.

A large collection of films entitled Circusama containing amateur and professional films on the themes of circus, performing animals and zoos, and edited clips from commercial Western and comedy films. The films are in a variety of formats including 8mm, Super8, 9.5mm and 16mm and contain related correspondence and notes. This collection also contains some sound reels mainly of fairground music.

Photograph of a performer on a white horse held by Harry Austin and a clown reaching out with his arm towards the horse in front of a circus tent.