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Showing posts with label Circus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Circus. Show all posts

At the Circus. Vintage photographs of Circus Performers and Trainers from the Jim Linderman Collection

Most of these antique circus photographs have appeared on the Dull Tool Dim Bulb blog before, each with a story and some documentation. This post is just to look. Various 19th and 20th century circus photographs Collection Jim Linderman

A Genuine Dog and Pony show



Genuine Dog and Pony show! On reverse: Willie J. Bernard, Manager.  Bernard's Freak Animal Fair Canaan, NH. No date, circa 1930?  Collection Jim Linderman

Gay Aquatic Review and Mike Duffy Miniature Sideshow Carnival At the Circus in Black and White



I've done thirty or more "at the circus in black and white" posts here over the years, but this one is most curious.  The snapshot appears to show a MINIATURE circus.  Small period signs announce the performers.  A tiny "Cotton Club" stage and show.  The snapshot reverse reads "Mike Duffy and nephew on horse.  Carnival Midway front and background".  No date, but 1930 to 1950 I presume.  I have no idea what the "Gay Aquatic Revue" is.  

Original snapshot photograph of miniature Duffy Circus Collection Dull Tool Dim Bulb 

Mysterious and Thrilling Atomic Energy Circus with Dancing Static Girl




Well, it's not really Atomic Energy which makes the little guys twirl, it's static.  Still, static seems to be a powerful force!  It's ripped the panties right from the paper-thin dancing woman!  Thrilling! "Mysterious"  Sorta like Fukishima!
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Sideshow Banners Vintage Photographs of a Ten-in-One




A "Ten in One" is a sideshow with ten different shows.  This one had a dozen.  
Sideshow Banners Vintage Photographs of a Ten-in-One Anonymous, no date.
Collection Jim Linderman

The BIG HEADS of HARRINGAY Satan on Tandem and Cannibal Kings




Here comes the scary part, kids.  SATAN ON TANDEMS!  Well, the UK had been through one tough war and the kids needed some lively entertainment.  The big heads of Harringay!  T. Arnold Harringay Circus performed at the Royal Albert Hall in 1952.  Look at the line up...Big heads abound! 
Original T. Arnold Harringay Circus Program circa 1952  Collection Dull Tool Dim Bulb.

Shot from a Cannon F. O. Gregg Daredevil, Stuntman, Astronaut and Fearless photo collection Jim Linderman


 
Shot from a Cannon.  Fearless F. O. Gregg went on to daredevil fame with automobiles, but It would be hard to beat his "shot out of a cannon" stunt.  He poses like an Olympian while flying...and this pose had to come while in transit.  

Original 8 x 10 photograph circa 1930 Van Fossen Photo Chicago, IL and Beckers, Davenport IA, and Real Photo Azo Postcard circa same.  Collection Jim Linderman
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Circus Acrobat Nellie Bellmore in Frank Wendt Cabinet Card Photographs 1895



A pair of Frank Wendt Cabinet Card photographs circa 1895 depicting a lovely young acrobat named Nellie Bellmore or Nelli Regina.  One would likely be a stage name (?) but which?  I frequently hear from relatives on this and the other sites, so I always try to include names.  If anyone has information on the performer, please write in.

Frank Wendt was a sideshow and circus freak photographer from the Bowery and later Boonton, New Jersey. 


Walter Main Circus Photograph in 1922 Collection Jim Linderman


CLICK TO ENLARGE Collection Jim Linderman No Use without Permission.

Original Photograph 8 x 11 1922 by Andrew Downes "Walter L. Main 1922" on reverse collection Jim Linderman

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Fat Man Tintype Circus Sideshow or Just a Large Man? Collection Jim Linderman

Certainly the largest man I've ever seen fit onto a tintype.  Sideshow performer or just portly?

Tintype circa 1870 collection Jim Linderman

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Baby Betty on Highway 61

Baby Betty RPCC Collection Jim Linderman


In a convoluted story which reads like a mid-1960s Bob Dylan song off Highway 61, Fat lady Baby Betty sued sword swallower Patricia Smith for $3000 after being hit on the head with a soda bottle.  See the original story reported HERE by the AP, or use your imagination.

There was little midgets
and a long-haired gal
Great Shackles Charles
at the nasty trial

Dainty Dotty turned
to show some leg
her stockings fell
the judge turned red

Them Hula dancers
witnessed the row
Just keep quiet honey
and you'll get yours

Baby Betty Real Photo Postcard circa 1940 Collection Jim Linderman

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Three Nights Only One Big Show! At the Circus in Black and White series #33

ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION JIM LINDERMAN

Frederico Fellini meets Tod Browning in this crazy period photograph of a wandering troupe.  Since Blockhead and friend take up two seats on the truck, they get the middle of the picture.  A trick-shooter,  a cootch girl, a band (of sorts) and you've got four shows a day.  They were there a while, electric lights line the tent.  One of a hundred such touring shows during the 1930s and I wish I could identify the players.  I see ten good stories here, and one more on the dummy.  



AT THE CIRCUS IN BLACK AND WHITE is a occasional feature on Dull Tool Dim Bulb. This is number 33 in the series.

Original 8 x 10 photograph, circa 1930 Collection Jim Linderman


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