Ringling Brothers Photos from the 1940s

[diggummup]

Ringling Brothers Photos from the 1940's

Got this lot of over 300 circus photos from a warehouse sale over the weekend. Came from a former performer. Many good ones in here. Many large ones too. Much more research to do. Some of these will get $20-$30 each. Take a look-




Later edition- a program signed by Kurt Wallenda the year before he was killed from a fall-

 

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[jeff of pa]

Cool score !

these people may help Circus Historical Society
and may even be interested
https://www.ringling.org/circus-museum

 

[mojjax]

Very nice !

 

[Mackaydon]

The 'giant' is probably Robert Wadlow, who toured with The Ringling Bros. Circus in 1936; when he was a mere 8 feet four inches tall (age 18). He died at 22 years of age and at a height of one inch short of 9 (nine) feet tall.
Don.......

 

[jeff of pa]

The 'giant' is probably Robert Wadlow, who toured with The Ringling Bros. Circus in 1936; when he was a mere 8 feet four inches tall (age 18). He died at 22 years of age and at a height of one inch short of 9 (nine) feet tall.
Don.......

Yep That is most likely a H.A. Atwell photo, But I believe you know that.

the Midget appears to be Harry Earls from Freaks

as a matter of fact, No Doubt



Harry Earls
Born:Kurt Schneider April 3, 1902 in Stolpen, Germany
Died: May 4, 1985 (age 83) in Sarasota, Florida, USA

long life for a Midget

worked for Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. from Around 1930, until the mid-1950's.

on the right



and from FREAKS

 

[kingskid1611]

That would be an interesting research job. What a wonderful collection of fun.

 

[bdsawyer]

The giant is actually Jack Earle posed with Harry Earls. The link I am posting below shows this photo and that it sold for $155 in 2014. Great score and what a fun research project. Congrats, I am jealous as I love early photography.

c. 1930's Original Photo JACK EARLE - Ringling Brothers Circus Giant & Major Mit (03/02/2014)

 

[jeff of pa]

The giant is actually Jack Earle posed with Harry Earls. The link I am posting below shows this photo and that it sold for $155 in 2014. Great score and what a fun research project. Congrats, I am jealous as I love early photography.

c. 1930's Original Photo JACK EARLE - Ringling Brothers Circus Giant & Major Mit (03/02/2014)

cool !

MAJOR MITE ? I would have sworn it looks more Like Harry Earls too

 

[diggummup]

Yep That is most likely a H.A. Atwell photo, But I believe you know that.

the Midget appears to be Harry Earls from Freaks

as a matter of fact, No Doubt

View attachment 1231332View attachment 1231333

Harry Earls
Born:Kurt Schneider April 3, 1902 in Stolpen, Germany
Died: May 4, 1985 (age 83) in Sarasota, Florida, USA

long life for a Midget

worked for Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. from Around 1930, until the mid-1950's.

Yes, there are more H.A. Atwell Studio photos in the lot.Harry was part of "the Doll Family". The tall guy is Jack Earle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Earle#Sideshow_performer

On the left side 3rd photo down are two small photos of Emmett Kelly Sr.

 

[JimDon]

Great collection.

 

[diggummup]

Can anyone name the clown in this photo? Same clown as one of my Atwell photos-

 

[bill_wabo]

Told ya, lol, name is Frosty, boss Clown for B&B Circus and also Ringling Bros. Circus.
What a cool piece of history, some unique photos. Barnum and Bailey Circus was know also in Canada and I think they had a few canadian performers at the beginning of the century.

 

[diggummup]

Told ya, lol, name is Frosty, boss Clown for B&B Circus and also Ringling Bros. Circus.
What a cool piece of history, some unique photos. Barnum and Bailey Circus was know also in Canada and I think they had a few canadian performers at the beginning of the century.

Thanks. It's close but it's not him. He was too young at the time this photo was taken. It's a 1942 photo and he would have only been about 17 at the time this particular photo was taken, 20 when the poster was made in '45, but he served in WW2 and didn't become a clown until after the war. He didn't start with Ringling Bros. until 1968.

 

[Mackaydon]

Bill Bailey, clown
Don........

 

[diggummup]

Bill Bailey, clown
Don........

Found a clown named Bill Bailey but different make up. Pat Cashin's CLOWNALLEY.NET: 7/23/06 - 7/30/06

 

[Mackaydon]

The possibility exists the illustration does not depict a 'real' person in a clown's outfit.
Don......

 

[Mackaydon]

Bill Bailey worked as a clown for B&B for at least three years in the 40s.
Granted the illustration may not be of him--or anyone else.
Don......

 

[diggummup]

The possibility exists the illustration does not depict a 'real' person in a clown's outfit.
Don......

The illustration in the poster depicts a real clown, the same clown as I have posted here in the first photo. Here is the full photo of him, It's a 10x12 from H.A. Atwell Studios Chicago. Definitely the same clown that is depicted in the poster-

 

[Mackaydon]

dig,
Have you asked Clowns of America, International? They might be able to answer your question:
P.O. Box 122
Eustis, FL. 32727
Toll Free: 877-816-6941
Local: 352-357-1676
Email: coaioffice@aol.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-4 EST
Don..........

 

[diggummup]

dig,
Have you asked Clowns of America, International? They might be able to answer your question:
P.O. Box 122
Eustis, FL. 32727
Toll Free: 877-816-6941
Local: 352-357-1676
Email: coaioffice@aol.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-4 EST
Don..........

The clown turned out to be Felix Adler in alternate makeup. Thanks to Bramblefind for finding it for me. Scroll down about halfway where the discussion about it begins- Buckles Blog: Ringling Barnum FELIX ADLER TIPPING HAT(1956)

"Makeup that was used in programs and publicity material during the 1930s and 40s. Although it isn't the traditional grotesque makeup we are accustomed to - it is him and he is repeatedly identified by name in a wide variety of uses. This poster first appeared in the mid-1940s and was used through 1956."