Trained or Chained Pair of Horse Riding Monkeys 1944 At the Circus in Black and White

Riding Monkeys Original Snapshot dated on reverse 1944 Collection Jim Linderman
I have posted some 40 images in the AT THE CIRCUS IN BLACK AND WHITE series.

Literally a Dog and Pony Show (at the Circus in Black and White #19)

Today "Dog and Pony Show" is a phrase used when tricking prospective customers with bedazzling graphics and such. It used to mean what is shown above.

Number 19 in the "At the Circus in Black and White" series.

Untitled Anonymous Snapshot, circa 1920 Collection Jim Linderman

EGYPTIA and NASCA'S BAND Show Beautiful At the Circus in Black and White #23

"At the Circus in Black and White #23 (or in this case, more of a sepia) is an old albumen of a Girl Show. Like "Mermaids" from Figi, "Aztec" Children, "Mysteries from the Orient" and "Savages" who were really from Brooklyn, Sideshow operators played on our cultural ignorance when naming their acts. Presented here, some dancing girls from Egyptia!



Original Photograph, circa 1900 Collection Jim Linderman (formerly Collection Captain L. Harvey Cann of Sarasota, Florida)

Amateur Diane Arbus, the Photographic OBJECT vs the Photographic IMAGE At the circus in Black and White

As I pondered posting these vernacular photographs of a 1958 circus sideshow I found last week, I was struck by their being physical objects first, images second. I am sure the entire world has gotten over this matter long ago and my even admitting to bring it up is anachronistic. However, I own these, they occupy space in my files and as they are exposed to light and dust, fingers and moisture they will age, curl and change in aesthetic and physical ways. I am interested in the physical properties of photos, the wrinkles, the spots, the foxing, the tear. Surface is just as important to a photographic object as is the image. It might be my folk art background, where authentic age, signs of use and patina is a serious precursor to value and an indicator of authenticity...why shouldn't the camera arts be the same? Invited comments. In my world, "pristine" should apply only to the magic bullet commission exhibit 399.

4 original sideshow images, circa 1958 (cropped) Collection Jim Linderman

Perfect Practice At the Circus in Black and White #28 Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Untitled Photograph (Practice) Circa 1960 Collection Jim Linderman


AT THE CIRCUS in BLACK and WHITE is a continuing series on Dull Tool Dim Bulb This is Entry number 28.

The Banner Line The String Show Ten-in-One Sideshow At the Circus in Black and White

Click to Enlarge

These circus banners, when strung in a row to attract customers, were known in the trade as a Banner Line or The String Show. "Ten in One" refers to the usual number of acts. The Lincoln Brothers, who apparently had only eight acts...lasted only a few months.

For other sideshow photographs posted on Dull Tool Dim Bulb, click blue "sideshow" subject heading below.

Anonymous Photo Snapshot 1921 Collection Jim Linderman

At the Circus in Black and White #7 (or #8 or #9?) Look them up

Light posts today, it being Mad travel day, which ended for me the day I left Times Square, thank heavens. Boy, I used to hate going to Grand Central on holidays. All I need to do now is take the medicine and drive over to see the folks. No one is going to SEE this post, however, for artists, consistency is THE virtue, so here you go, my daily post.

Untitled (Three Clowns) Anonymous circus snapshot, circa 1955. Collection Jim Linderman

Fat Man Going to Work (Literally, THE Fat Man) Carnival Photograph collection Jim Linderman At the Circus in Black and White

Fat Man Going to Work  (Literally, THE Fat Man) Carnival Photograph 1958
collection Jim Linderman

1954 "Ten in One" Circus Sideshow Banner Photographs At the Circus in Black and White (in COLOR)

I'll post the history and such later. Until then, sometimes don't you wish you were born a few years earlier than you were?

4 Original Kodakcolor Prints (w/details) Week of December 6, 1954 Collection Jim Linderman

At the Circus in Black and White #16

Untitled (Clown at Clyde Beatty Circus) Original Snapshot 1962 Collection Jim Linderman

At the Circus in Black and White

"Pop's Midget Friends" on reverse Snapshot c. 1940 Collection Jim Linderman

See Also THE WONDROUS WORLD OF FRANK WENDT

At the Circus in Black and White #13 of a Series Clowns Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Untitled "Off the Clock Clown Family" 1965 Collection Jim Linderman

Sparse Circus (At the Circus in Black and White)

Click to enlarge. Hard to believe, but I THINK they've set up a ticket booth, so they're CHARGING for this ride. Snapshot, circa 1925? Likely Michigan. Collection Jim Linderman

At the Circus in Black and White #20 (In Miniature) Vernacular Photograph

Anonymous Snapshot "Bob Bernard's 1/4" Scale Al G. Barnes Circus Monkey Cage-4 Horse Hitch" typed on reverse. No Date Collection Jim Linderman

At the Circus in Black and White Dull Tool Dim Bulb #14 of a Series

Circus Performers Anonymous Snapshot circa 1960 Jim Linderman Collection

At the Circus in Black and White

Starring in Snows of Kilimanjaro, Featured in Africa's Splendor, Starring in King Solomon's Mine

Untitled (Circus Performer) Anonymous Snapshot, c. 1950 Collection Jim Linderman

Kings! At the Circus in Black and White Dull Tool Dim Bulb Series #12

Snapshot, circa 1950 Collection Jim Linderman

At the Circus in Black and White #15

"Get chur Program"

Anonymous Untitled Snapshop, c.1960 Collection Jim Linderman

At the Circus in Black and White #21 Calcutta Monster 1957

Original Photograph 1957 Collection Jim Linderman

At the Circus in Black and White Aerial Girls

Untitled (Acrobats) c. 1950 Collection Jim Linderman