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Acrobats far from their mountain home--grizzly bears in a street at Jacksonville. [Active no. 5723 : stereo interpositive.]

Topic:
FLORIDA
Publisher:
Underwood & Underwood  Search this
Collection Creator:
Underwood & Underwood  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (5" x 8".)
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Stereoscopic photographs
Place:
Florida
Jacksonville (Florida)
Local Numbers:
RSN 20630
General:
Currently stored in box 3.2.10 [29].
Orig. no. 01303.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. The original glass plate is available for inspection if necessary in the Archives Center. A limited number of fragile glass negatives and positives in the collection can be viewed directly in the Archives Center by prior appointment. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Bears  Search this
Circuses (performances)  Search this
Grizzly bear  Search this
Streets -- Florida  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1900-1910 -- Interpositives -- Glass
Stereoscopic photographs
Collection Citation:
Underwood &Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Underwood & Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection
Underwood & Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection / Series 3: Underwood & Underwood glass plates / 3.2: Underwood and Underwood Positives / RSN Numbers 20551-20654
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep88ca4bd02-8806-49f6-92c8-6a00bf614f2c
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0143-ref26907

Dawn V. Rogala Circus Photographs and Papers

Photographer:
Rogala, Dawn V.  Search this
Names:
Big Apple Circus  Search this
Carson & Barnes Circus  Search this
Circus Vargas  Search this
Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus  Search this
Culpepper and Merriweather Circus  Search this
Franzen Bros. Circus  Search this
Kelly Miller Circus  Search this
Roberts Bros. Circus  Search this
Sterling and Reid Bros. Circus  Search this
Vidbel's Olde Tyme Circus  Search this
Walker Bros. Circus  Search this
Extent:
4 Cubic feet (12 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Correspondence
Interviews
Negatives
Notes
Photographs
Programs
Schedules
Slides (photographs)
Date:
1990-2015
bulk 1992-1999
Scope and Contents:
The collection, compiled and photographed by Dawn Rogala, documents daily life in traveling, tented circuses in America, including: Clyde Beatty-Cole Brothers, Circus Vargas, Sterling & Reid Brothers, Culpepper and Merriweather, Carson and Barnes, Vidbel's Olde Tyme Circus, Big Apple Circus, Carson and Barnes Circus, Culpepper and Merriweather Circus, Franzen Brothers Circus, Roberts Brothers Circus, Sterling and Reid Brothers Circus, and Walker Brothers Circus. The collection consists primarily of photographic materials such as slides, prints and negatives. It also includes Rogala's project files containing schedules, programs, notes, correspondence, pictures of Rogala on the road, etc., and transcribed interviews that Rogala conducted.
Arrangement:
The collection is divided into seven series.

Series 1: Black-and-White Negatives, and Color Transparencies, 1992-1995

Series 2: Xerographic Prints, 1992-1998

Series 3: Low Resolution Xerographic Prints, 1992-1998

Series 4: Interview Transcripts, 1995, 1998

Series 5: Early Organization of the Book, 2005

Series 6: Miscellaneous Ephemera, 1990-2015

Series 7: Miscellaneous Materials, 1993-1996

Series 8: Oversize, 1992-1993
Biographical / Historical:
A paintings conservator and photographer, Rogala traveled with every tented, full time, traveling American circus which traveled at least eight months of every year, during the years 1992-1998. She photographed not only the performances, but the behind-the-scenes activities of setting up and breaking down, and activities such as animal care (especially elephants), costuming, make-up, and day-to-day life on the road.
Provenance:
Collection donated by Dawn V. Rogala, 2017.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Reproduction restricted due to copyright or trademark. Photographer retains copyright until death.
Topic:
Acrobats  Search this
Circus  Search this
Circuses (performances)  Search this
Clowns  Search this
Elephants  Search this
Genre/Form:
Correspondence -- 1990-2000
Interviews -- 1990-2000
Negatives -- 1990-2000
Notes -- 1990-2000
Photographs -- 1990-2000
Photographs -- Color photoprints -- 1990-2000
Programs -- 1990-2000
Schedules -- 1990-2000
Slides (photographs) -- 1990-2000
Citation:
Dawn V. Rogala Circus Photographs and Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.1427
See more items in:
Dawn V. Rogala Circus Photographs and Papers
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep82784bba9-0f8b-44c3-8b59-217213eb1864
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-1427
Online Media:

Dennis Manochio Fireworks Collection

Collector:
Manochio, Dennis  Search this
Names:
Little Bo-Peep (Fictitious character)  Search this
Sambo (Fictitious character)  Search this
Superman (Fictitious character)  Search this
Extent:
0.5 Cubic feet (2 Boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Packaging
Labels
Date:
ca. 1920s-1940s.
Summary:
Fireworks packaging, labels, wrappers and boxes. Many of the labels contain illustrations and logos with ethnic imagery, often stereotypical, and a variety of other subjects.
Scope and Contents:
The collection consists of fireworks labels, wrappers, and packaging, part of a crate, and one product catalogue for the Martin's Real Fireworks Displays of Iowa. The majority of the fireworks labels and packaging were made in China or Macao, but some were made in the United States, Canada, and India. The labels are in Chinese, English, French, and German. Many of the labels are for "firecrackers," small noisemaking cylinders that are an inch and a half in length, often strung together with others and fused consecutively. Other types of fireworks include ladyfingers (a small ¾" firecracker), cherry bombs and M-80s (illegal firecracker with a small red sphere an inch in diameter with flash powder), rockets (a cylinder with cone shaped head filled with pyrotechnic materials), shells or bombs (a canister fired out of a mortar), and torpedoes (fulminate of mercury mixed with grit and twisted in a piece of paper). The collection is particular rich in ethnic imagery. Other images include" elephant, birds, cowboys, anchors, pirates, tigers, cats, dogs, camels, cocks, lions, coyotes, dragons, wheels, horses, gorillas, rick shaws, rockets, fishing, and superman to name a few. The collection is divided into one series by fireworks brands and is arranged alphabetically. Information is provided for where the fireworks were manufactured, what company made them and what company distributed them. Most labels are undated.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into one series.

Series 1: Brands
Biographical / Historical:
Collector of patriotic ephemera and fireworks dealer.
Provenance:
The collection was donated to the Archives Center, National Museum of American History through Sgt. Leonard Anderson, Office of the Sheriff, Santa Clara County, California on July 11, 1995.
Restrictions:
Colection is open for research and access on site by appointment.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Fishing  Search this
Rickshaws  Search this
Wheels  Search this
Ethnic imagery  Search this
Camels  Search this
Birds  Search this
Cowboys  Search this
Circuses (performances)  Search this
Dragons  Search this
Dogs  Search this
Cats  Search this
Gorilla  Search this
Roosters -- Pictorial works  Search this
Lions  Search this
Tigers  Search this
Elephants  Search this
Hawks  Search this
Pirates  Search this
Anchors  Search this
Fireworks  Search this
Logos (Symbols)  Search this
Horses -- Logos (Symbols)  Search this
Coyote (Canis latrans)  Search this
Swallows  Search this
Genre/Form:
Packaging
Labels
Citation:
Dennis Manochio Fireworks Collection, ca. 1920s, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0533
See more items in:
Dennis Manochio Fireworks Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep829e8994c-e605-4f7f-9b51-66de2d427b6b
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0533

Fairground architecture; the world of amusement parks, carnivals, and fairs

Author:
Braithwaite, David  Search this
Physical description:
xi, 195 pages illustrations (part color), plans. 25 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1968
Topic:
Amusement parks  Search this
Architecture and recreation  Search this
Circus  Search this
Architecture et loisirs  Search this
Cirque  Search this
circuses (performances)  Search this
Call number:
GV1826 .B814
GV1826.B814
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_162

Glen Fishback Papers and Photographs

Photographer:
Fishback, Glen Curtis, 1912-1976  Search this
Creator:
Glen Fishback School of Photography.  Search this
Donor:
White, Judy  Search this
Manufacturer:
Ansco.  Search this
Kalart.  Search this
Eastman Kodak Company  Search this
Extent:
27 Cubic feet (101 boxes, 6 map-folders)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Annual reports
Magazines (periodicals)
Correspondence
Color prints (photographs)
Transparencies
Slides (photographs)
Photographs
Color slides
Date:
1930-1976
Scope and Contents:
Original photographic negatives, prints (black-and-white and color), and color slides and transparencies by Fishback, reflecting his career in advertising, calendar, and editorial photography; drafts of articles and correspondence by Fishback (typescripts), and incoming correspondence; copies of publications, such as magazines and annual reports, with reproductions. Lessons, assignments, outlines, and meeting minutes related to his school of photography.

Subjects of the photographs include children, sports, circuses, stage performers, landscapes, the Far East, the Air Force, industrial, female nudes and glamour, etc. Many photos were used in advertisements for photographic manufacturers such as Ansco, Kodak, Kalart, Rolleiflex, etc. His photos appeared in articles and on covers of popular camera periodicals and in Life, Look, Colliers, Saturday Evening Post, and Holliday. Most of his pictures have cheerful, optimistic themes or subjects, such as his laughing daughter, Judy, posing with circus clowns.
Arrangement:
Divided into twenty-two series.

Series 1: Fishback Career and Biography

Subseries 1.1: Writings and Personal Materials

Subseries 1.2: Glen Fishback School of Photography

Series 2: Photographs--Advertisements and Contests

Series 3: Numbered and labeled envelopes in Glen Fishback's numbering system

Series 4-17: Photographs by Subject

Series 4: Air Force

Series 5: Animals

Series 6: Circus

Series 7: Far East

Subseries 7.1: Places Subseries 7.2: People

Series 8: Landscapes and places

Subseries 8.1: Architecture Subseries 8.2: Grand Tetons Subseries 8.3: Nature

Series 9: Industrial

Series 10: Kids

Subseries 10.1: Babies Subseries 10.2: Children

Series 11: Men

Subseries 11.1: Glen Fishback

Subseries 11.2: Other

Series 12: Mixed Groups

Subseries 12.1: Men and Women

Subseries 12.2: Men, Women, and Children

Series 13: Nudes

Series 14: Sports

Series 15: Stage Performers

Series 16: Transportation

Series 17: Women

Series 18: Reproductions

Series 19: Duplicates

Series 20: Magazines

Series 21: Ephemera

Series 22: Slides

Series 23: Audio Visual Materials
Biographical / Historical:
Glen Fishback was born in Orange, California in 1912. He became interested in photography in the early 30s after his friend took a photograph of him diving. He bought his first camera, a 39 cent univex camera, in 1934. He began his professional career as a staff reporter at the Sacramento Bee from 1937 until 1939. He owned his own portrait and commercial studio for the next 17 years; he sold the studio in the mid-1950s in order to devote his time to free-lancing. In 1958, flew over the Far East with the U.S. Air Force as a brigadier general on a special assignment sponsored by U.S. Camera magazine, Ansco, Rolleiflex, and the Air Force. Fishback and his wife also established the Glen Fishback School of Photography in the 1950s. It was the only school at the time which taught how to become a freelancer. The school lasted until the 1990s, even after Fishback's death.

Fishback also wrote technical and popular articles for photographic magazines and publications.

Fishback won 10 first places in major national and international photography contests; at the time of his death, he had reportedly won more money in contests than any other photographer.

He developed an accurate and reliable exposure system which Pentax included with each of their spotmeters. Fishback's system worked for both black and white and color photography.

Fishback and his wife were friends with Edward Weston Fishback took photographs of Weston at Point Lobos. The two exchanged photos and correspondence. Fishback supplied his photos for a film on Edward Weston's Daybooks; He also wrote an article "Edward Weston, A Legend in His Own Time" for Petersen's Photographic. Fishback and his wife named their son, Kurt Edward Fishback, in honor of their friend.
Provenance:
Collection donated by Fishback's daughter, Judy White, who, with her brother Kurt, inherited it on her father's death. Ms. White made the availability of the collection known on an Internet listserv, where the archivist saw the description and contacted Ms. White.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Some materials are restricted until 2050 and are noted in the container list.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Circuses (performances)  Search this
Photography of children -- 20th century  Search this
Photography, Industrial -- 20th century  Search this
Photographic industry -- 20th century  Search this
Photography, Advertising -- 20th century  Search this
Photography -- Schools -- 20th century  Search this
Trade schools -- 1970-1980  Search this
Photography of sports -- 20th century  Search this
Photography of the nude -- 20th century  Search this
Circus  Search this
Circus performers  Search this
Nudity  Search this
Nude in art  Search this
Airplanes  Search this
Clowns  Search this
Glamour photography -- 20th century -- United States  Search this
Sports -- 20th century  Search this
Children -- 20th century  Search this
Genre/Form:
Annual reports -- 20th century
Magazines (periodicals) -- 20th century
Correspondence -- 20th century
Color prints (photographs) -- 20th century
Transparencies -- 20th century
Slides (photographs) -- 20th century
Photographs -- 20th century
Color slides -- 20th century
Citation:
Glen Fishback Papers and Photographs, 1930-1990, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0714
See more items in:
Glen Fishback Papers and Photographs
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep89cd2ea0a-7df8-45ab-b21e-38d557c442d8
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0714
Online Media:

Houston, Texas Photo Album

Creator:
Warshaw, Isadore, 1900-1969  Search this
Extent:
0.1 Cubic feet (1 box, 345 items)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographs
Albums
Place:
Houston (Texas) -- 1910-1920
New Orleans (La.)
City Park, New Orleans (La.) -- 1910-1920
Florida -- 1910-1920
French Quarter (New Orleans, La.) -- 1910-1920
Date:
1911
Scope and Contents:
Some of the 345 silver gelatin photoprints, mounted on gray paper pages in this album, apparently were taken in Houston, as the title page indicates. However, many others were taken in New Orleans, and possibly other areas in the Gulf States. The New Orleans pictures depict City Park, St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, above ground cemeteries, the French Quarter, the French Market, the Hotel Royal (the old St. Louis Hotel), etc. Other subjects include informal portraits of men, two of which are identified and dated 1911; people fishing; horse drawn carriages, streetcars and automobiles in urban areas; women typing in an office; army barracks and tents, soldiers, and sailors; people in front of a Barnum & Bailey circus poster, a clown, and other circus scenes; houses; etc. Most of the pictures, of varying sizes, seem to be amateur work, but others are more advanced or possibly professional in style and quality.
Arrangement:
Album of photographs. Unarranged: original order of pages uncertain.
Historical:
Nothing is known about this unbound album of photographs. The content of the photographs themselves and the title page provide the only documentation. The album was found incomplete and unbound, and the original cover has been discarded because it was in poor condition and was contaminating the album pages and photographs. The "Queen" style album was manufactured by Tatum (?), patented July 13, 1909(?).
Provenance:
The album, found in the Museum vault, presumably was part of the Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, or might have been acquired later in the late 1960s to early 1980s, by Dr. John Hoffman when he was curator of the collection.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Outdoor recreation -- 1910-1920  Search this
Recreation, outdoor -- 1910-1920  Search this
Seamen -- 1910-1920  Search this
Soldiers -- 1910-1920  Search this
St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans (La.) -- 1910-1920  Search this
Circuses (performances)  Search this
Circus -- 1910-1920  Search this
Cemeteries -- Louisiana -- New Orleans  Search this
Cabildo, The, New Orleans (La.) -- 1910-1920  Search this
Battleship -- 1910-1920  Search this
Automobiles -- 1910-1920 -- Texas -- Houston  Search this
Hotel Royal (old St. Louis Hotel), New Orleans (La.) -- 1910-1920  Search this
Fishing -- ca. 1910-1920  Search this
French Market, New Orleans (La.) -- 1910-1920  Search this
Horses -- 1910-1920  Search this
Typists -- 1910-1920  Search this
Streets -- Texas  Search this
Streets -- 1910-1920  Search this
Travel -- 1910-1920  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1910-1920
Albums
Citation:
Houston, Texas Photo Album, 1911, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0335
See more items in:
Houston, Texas Photo Album
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8760bee8a-f043-4d1a-b20d-602ecf799da1
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0335

Mexican Circus / The Strong Senorita [on envelope]. [Active no. 21328 : half-stereo photonegative.]

Publisher:
Underwood & Underwood  Search this
Collection Creator:
Underwood & Underwood  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (3-1/2" x 3-3/4".)
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Place:
Mexico
Local Numbers:
RSN 16207
General:
Company catalog card included.
Currently stored in box 3.1.51 [108].
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. The original glass plate is available for inspection if necessary in the Archives Center. A limited number of fragile glass negatives and positives in the collection can be viewed directly in the Archives Center by prior appointment. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Circus  Search this
Circuses (performances)  Search this
Entertainers  Search this
Performers  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1900-1910 -- Black-and-white negatives -- Glass
Collection Citation:
Underwood &Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Underwood & Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection
Underwood & Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection / Series 3: Underwood & Underwood glass plates / 3.1: Underwood and Underwood Negatives / RSN Numbers 16194-16293
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8c6393694-e67d-4fe1-be18-1ae65d5532fe
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0143-ref12641

Mexican Circus Knife Throwers [on envelope]. [Active no. 21283 : half-stereo photonegative.]

Publisher:
Underwood & Underwood  Search this
Collection Creator:
Underwood & Underwood  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (3-1/2" x 3-3/4".)
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Local Numbers:
RSN 16197
General:
Company catalog card included.
Currently stored in box 3.1.51 [108].
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. The original glass plate is available for inspection if necessary in the Archives Center. A limited number of fragile glass negatives and positives in the collection can be viewed directly in the Archives Center by prior appointment. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Circuses (performances)  Search this
Knife throwers  Search this
Knives  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1900-1910 -- Black-and-white negatives -- Glass
Collection Citation:
Underwood &Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Underwood & Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection
Underwood & Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection / Series 3: Underwood & Underwood glass plates / 3.1: Underwood and Underwood Negatives / RSN Numbers 16194-16293
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep81c7f27ee-e0be-4e98-a5a7-007f2b0e4cdd
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0143-ref12631

P.T. Barnum Collection

Creator:
Barnum, P. T. (Phineas Taylor), 1810-1891  Search this
Names:
Barnum and Bailey.  Search this
Bailey, James A.  Search this
Extent:
0.5 Cubic feet
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Books
Scrapbooks
Date:
1866-1890
Summary:
The collection consists of five children's books about the circus, a brochure announcing the show in London, an 1873 advertisement for the Great Traveling World's Fair of Barnum's, and two scrapbooks.
Scope and Contents:
The P.T. Barnum collection consists of five children's books about the circus, a brochure announcing the show in London, an 1873 advertisement for the Great Traveling World's Fair of Barnum's, and two scrapbooks. The scrapbooks mostly contain newspaper articles, 1889 1893, as well as cartoons, pictures, and drawings of circus events and circus personalities including P.T. Barnum and James A. Bailey. Interviews of circus people, anecdotes of circus life, and techniques of training children for circus horsemanship and tigers for the ring are also a part of the scrapbook coverage.

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the articles is their description of the logistics of bringing 440 performers, 380 horses, 13 elephants, lions, tigers, deer, llama, camels, a bear and other animals, administrative and support staff, and 80 tons of advertising material to and from London for a 100 day run.
Biographical / Historical:
Phineas Taylor Barnum was born on July 5, 1810 in Bethel Connecticut. He worked hard as a small boy to help support the family. When Barnum was 15, his father died, leaving him almost penniless. Although he attended school irregularly, he was excellent in calculations and could drive a hard bargain. This was later referred to as his Yankee shrewdness.

In 1835 he found his true calling—show business—when he exhibited a black woman, Joice Heth, who claimed to be 161 years old and a nurse to George Washington. Barnum bought her for $1,000 and soon had his investment returned.

In 1841 Barnum obtained the American Museum in New York City, which became a famous place of amusement. He displayed exhibits which were forerunners of the sideshow, as well as performances of moral plays such as Uncle Tom's Cabin.

In November 1842, Barnum engaged Charles Stratton, whom he christened Tom Thumb. They were received by English royalty, including Queen Victoria, and other notable figures throughout Europe.

In 1850, Barnum engaged Jenny Lind and made a fortune for both of them. He lost his fortune when he speculated in the Jerome Clock Company of East Bridgeport, and regained it slowly due to multiple disasters.

About 1877, he became a partner of James A. Bailey, who started the two-ring circus in 1879. Bailey was the administrator of the Barnum and Bailey Show and was considered an excellent manager.

In March, 1882, Barnum bought Jumbo from the London Zoo for $10,000. Jumbo was a very popular elephant with the English people, who resented Barnum's purchase and subsequent export of Jumbo to the United States. After the circus's trip to London in 1890, which was a tremendous success, the English forgave Barnum. Jumbo met an untimely death in 1885. His bones went to the Smithsonian and the stuffed hide to the Barnum Museum of Natural History at Tufts College. Barnum had given the Museum to Tufts in 1884 and contributed a $55,000 stone building to the institution.

In November, 1889, Barnum brought his circus to London for fourteen weeks. He could not stay longer because the show had obligations in the United States. Other Europeans hoped to have the show visit their countries, but Barnum said the logistics and the railway tunnels prevented it.

Notices of the Circus coming to London were plastered all over England, with advertising techniques never before seen by the English. The Show, called the Great Moral Show in England, was considered more stupendous than the Wild West Show with Buffalo Bill, which had recently been shown in London, as well. About 30,000 people a day came and many others were turned away. The Circus took in $900,000, but had large expenses with over 1,800 staff on the payroll.

Barnum himself was a great hit in England. Most of the English royalty attended his circus, many more than once. Queen Victoria requested a private showing but did not receive one, and therefore never saw the show. Even the elderly Gladstone attended. It was said that the English liked audacity, Americans who were not a toady and who offered pleasure, all of which described Barnum. It is also interesting that Barnum supported Irish Home Rule while he was in England.

Barnum was a genius in public relations for himself and his enterprises. He was a great believer in the power of advertising, and made it his business to be talked about. He liked to say that his name did not have to appear beneath his picture because everyone knew him.

Barnum loved children and was known as "The Children's Friend." He often went to the show's matinees to be with the children and talk to them. He gave generously to the Children's Aid Society and made it a beneficiary of a percentage of the show's profit after his death.

With regard to religious and political beliefs, Barnum was a Universalist who believed in the salvation of all men. He was originally a Democrat, but became a Republican because he was a Union supporter. He was elected to the Connecticut General Assembly four times, where he advocated the rights of individuals against railway monopolies. He was also Mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and during his time in office brought many businesses to the town and invested in local real estate. He established a system of building houses and sold them to working people on long payments and low interest rates; he also gave the land which became Seaside Park to the community of Bridgeport.

Barnum was married twice, the second time in 1874 to an English woman who was half his age. He had three daughters by his first wife, and his two grandsons were his only male heirs. In 1883, he made his first will so "no business cares should devolve upon his wife at his death." He left the management of his interests to his grandson, Clinton H. Seeley whom he required to change his name to Clinton Barnum Seeley; he had previously made an agreement with Bailey for the Barnum and Bailey Show to continue for 50 years.

Barnum had a reputation for giving everyone their full money's worth. He acknowledged the unreality of some of his attractions with frankness in his autobiography, but he said he was not a humbug; he was just a showman who gave the public what it wanted. He claimed he never pretended to be more than that. After Bailey implemented the two ring circus in 1879, and subsequently a third ring, people complained that they were being given more than their money's worth with so many activities going on simultaneously.

In the interviews and stories about the Barnum and Bailey Circus, it was evident that the circus people had strong training and excellent discipline. But some backstage interviews revealed low ages, poor boarding house food, bad dressing rooms, and strict discipline, with fines often meted out for slight infractions of the rules. The treatment of the animals also was questioned. Bailey reported that 38 horses had to be killed because they had been injured during the hippodrome race in the Nero act of the show.

P.T. Barnum was involved in four lines of entertainment: (a) circus; (b) museum of curiosities; (c) theatrical (he produced plays and helped several actors and actresses get their start); and (d) musical impresario with Jenny Lind.

Barnum was known as a great story teller. He enjoyed playing jokes on himself and others. He died on April 7, 1891 at 80 years and nine months.
Provenance:
Immediate source of acquisition unknown.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Amusements  Search this
Circuses (performances)  Search this
Genre/Form:
Books
Scrapbooks -- 19th century
Citation:
P.T. Barnum Collection, 1873-1890, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0068
See more items in:
P.T. Barnum Collection
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep867d7faba-ab16-41dd-8964-eb1fe9fd08ec
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0068
Online Media:

Reserve Boxes, Open Air Circus, Luna Park, Coney Island, N.Y. City. [Caption no. 1502 : photonegative,]

Publisher:
Underwood & Underwood  Search this
American Stereoscopic Co.  Search this
Collection Creator:
Underwood & Underwood  Search this
Extent:
21 Items (pieces, 5" x 8".)
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Stereoscopic photographs
Place:
Luna Park (Coney Island, New York, N.Y.)
Coney Island (New York, N.Y.) -- 1900-1910
New York (N.Y.) -- 1900-1910
Date:
1905
Local Numbers:
RSN 9997

AC0143-0009997 (AC scan number)
General:
Currently stored in box 2.1.12 [87]. Company catalog card included.
Other nos.: 76113; 553.2
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. The original glass plate is available for inspection if necessary in the Archives Center. A limited number of fragile glass negatives and positives in the collection can be viewed directly in the Archives Center by prior appointment. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Amusement parks -- New York (State) -- New York -- Coney Island -- 1890-1920.  Search this
Circuses (performances) -- New York  Search this
Resorts -- New York  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1900-1910 -- Black-and-white negatives -- Glass
Stereoscopic photographs -- 1900-1910
Collection Citation:
Underwood &Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Underwood & Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection
Underwood & Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection / Series 2: American Stereoscpopic Co. glass plates / 2.1: American Stereoscopic Negatives / RSN Numbers 9987-10035, Cards AS 1369-AS 1487
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep87fe8cb27-adfc-440f-85da-3204e8fd9e25
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0143-ref6675

[Circus in Mexico. Active no. 21346 : half-stereo photonegative.]

Publisher:
Underwood & Underwood  Search this
Collection Creator:
Underwood & Underwood  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (3-1/2" x 3-3/4".)
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Place:
Mexico
Local Numbers:
RSN 16212
General:
Company catalog card included.
Currently stored in box 3.1.51 [108].
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. The original glass plate is available for inspection if necessary in the Archives Center. A limited number of fragile glass negatives and positives in the collection can be viewed directly in the Archives Center by prior appointment. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Circuses (performances)  Search this
Donkeys  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1900-1910 -- Black-and-white negatives -- Glass
Collection Citation:
Underwood &Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Underwood & Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection
Underwood & Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection / Series 3: Underwood & Underwood glass plates / 3.1: Underwood and Underwood Negatives / RSN Numbers 16194-16293
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8c737fbff-874f-4bd7-ab01-c4360165e809
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0143-ref12646

[Circus performers: albumen carte-de-visite photoprints]

Photographer:
Brady, Mathew B., approximately 1823-1896  Search this
Eisenmann, Charles, b. 1850  Search this
Publisher:
Anthony, E. and H.T. (Edward and Henry T)  Search this
Names:
Barnum and Bailey.  Search this
Thumb, Tom (Charles S. Stratton)  Search this
Series Creator:
Warshaw, Isadore, 1900-1969  Search this
Extent:
9 Items (photoprints, Silver albumen on paper, mounted on cards, approx. 4-1/4" x 2-1/2" (some smaller))
Container:
Box 1, Folder 14
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Tax stamps
Albumen prints
Cartes-de-visite
Date:
[ca. 1860-1871]
Scope and Contents:
Includes: "midgets" such as Tom Thumb (Charles S. Stratton) and "Tom Thumb Wedding Group" by Brady (3 items); "Charles W. Nestel, known as Commodore Foote"; "fat lady" published by Anthony (with 2-cent tax stamp on verso); a fat lady with family photographed by Fred. J. Mix; a midget woman by Chas. Eisenmann; an armless woman, photographer unidentified, but with handwritten note on verso: "So you perceive it's / really true / When hands are / lacking toes will do. / Ann E. Leak, / Born without arms, / Oct. 24, 1871. Georgia."
Series Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Some items may be restricted due to fragile condition.
Series Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Entertainers  Search this
Dwarfs in art  Search this
Circuses (performances)  Search this
Circus  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1900-1950
Tax stamps
Albumen prints
Cartes-de-visite
Series Citation:
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
See more items in:
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Circus
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Circus / Business Records, Marketing Material, and Other / Circus
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep851474b54-7125-4454-bc09-be2468008d58
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0060-s01-01-circus-ref520

[Circus ring with performers, Coney Island : stereoscopic photonegative.]

Topic:
UNITED STATES--NEW YORK
Publisher:
Underwood & Underwood  Search this
H.C. White Co.  Search this
Photographer:
White, C. W.  Search this
Collection Creator:
Underwood & Underwood  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (3-3/4" x 7".)
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Stereoscopic photographs
Place:
Coney Island (New York, N.Y.) -- 1900-1910
New York (N.Y.) -- 1900-1910
Local Numbers:
RSN 138
General:
Currently stored in box 1.1.1 [162], moved from [158]. Orig. no. 58-B.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. The original glass plate is available for inspection if necessary in the Archives Center. A limited number of fragile glass negatives and positives in the collection can be viewed directly in the Archives Center by prior appointment. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Amusement parks -- New York (State) -- New York -- Coney Island -- 1890-1920.  Search this
Circuses (performances)  Search this
Resorts -- New York  Search this
Horses -- New York (State) -- New York -- 1890-1920.  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1900-1910 -- Black-and-white negatives -- Glass
Stereoscopic photographs
Collection Citation:
Underwood &Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Underwood & Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection
Underwood & Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection / Series 1: H. C. White glass plates / 1.1: H.C. White Negatives / RSN Numbers 109-192
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep83b0379d9-6edf-44e7-bddd-d9f3a636b6bb
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0143-ref1013

[Circus ring, Coney Island. Active no. 13518 : stereo photonegative]

Topic:
UNITED STATES--NEW YORK
Publisher:
Underwood & Underwood  Search this
H.C. White Co.  Search this
Photographer:
White, C. W.  Search this
Collection Creator:
Underwood & Underwood  Search this
Extent:
1 Item (3-3/4" x 7".)
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Stereoscopic photographs
Place:
New York (N.Y.) -- 1900-1910
Coney Island (New York, N.Y.) -- 1900-1910
Date:
[ca. 1904-1905.]
Scope and Contents:
Luna Park, Circus Maximus, ca. 1905, according to visitor identification. Orig. no. 55-C.
Local Numbers:
RSN 137
General:
Envelope marked "'04". Plate cancelled with scratches.
Currently stored in box 1.1.1 [162], moved from [158]
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. The original glass plate is available for inspection if necessary in the Archives Center. A limited number of fragile glass negatives and positives in the collection can be viewed directly in the Archives Center by prior appointment. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Circus  Search this
Amusement parks -- New York (State) -- New York -- Coney Island -- 1890-1920.  Search this
Circuses (performances)  Search this
Resorts -- New York  Search this
Horses -- New York (State) -- New York -- 1890-1920.  Search this
Genre/Form:
Photographs -- 1900-1910 -- Black-and-white negatives -- Glass
Stereoscopic photographs
Collection Citation:
Underwood &Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Underwood & Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection
Underwood & Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection / Series 1: H. C. White glass plates / 1.1: H.C. White Negatives / RSN Numbers 109-192
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep80340e0a3-d603-40d6-a084-625b8975c217
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0143-ref1012

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