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An original 4.5x3" vintage photo (NOT a modern reprint) from a collection of well documented Ringling Bros circus photos. This photo originated from the personal collection of Joseph Bradbury, noted circus historian and collector.
Provenance: Joseph Bradbury was a renowned circus historian and a president of the Circus Historical Society who specialized in the documentation of circus equipment and wagons. He is widely recognized for his extensive research and photography, which preserved the history of early 20th-century shows. We acquired this from his estate at sale.
Photo Overview
A vivid snapshot of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows sideshow midway, photographed on July 16, 1938, during the circus's stop in Binghamton, New York. The image captures the colorful painted banners and signage of the Combined Side Shows, advertising performers including 'Osad Habib - Arabian Wonder Worker,' 'Lorello - Man With the Revolving Head,' and 'Major Mite,' a well-known circus performer of the era. American flags and a Union Jack fly above the banner line, and a crowd of spectators in period dress mills about the ticket area, with a 'Combined Side Shows - Continuous Performance' sign prominently displayed.
This photo comes from the personal collection of Joseph T. Bradbury, renowned circus historian and president of the Circus Historical Society, who dedicated his life to documenting the golden age of American circus travel. A piece from his estate carries exceptional provenance for any serious circus collector.
Historical Notes
The 1938 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey season was one of the last great touring years before a series of crises would reshape the show. The sideshow lineup that summer included Major Mite (Clarence Chesterfield Howerton), one of the most beloved little people ever to tour with RBBB, who had been with the show for many years and remained a fan favorite well into the 1940s. The British Union Jack visible among the flags hints at the international flavor of that year's talent roster.
The following year, 1939, saw growing labor tensions, and the infamous 1944 Hartford fire would ultimately signal the beginning of the end for the traditional tented circus format. By the late 1950s, RBBB had abandoned the tent entirely and moved to arenas. The sideshow itself, so vividly documented here, was phased out of the Ringling operation by the 1950s, making images of the full banner line like this one increasingly rare historical documents.
Print analysis
This is a small-format (4.5x3 inch) silver gelatin print, showing tonal characteristics and paper stock consistent with a late 1930s snapshot-era photograph. Given the date on the back (July 16, 1938) and the photographic style and paper appearance, this is almost certainly a Type 1 original print made at or very close to the time the photo was taken. Provenance from the Joseph Bradbury circus history collection further supports authenticity as an original period photograph.
Condition
Please see photos for condition. In fair to good vintage condition.
