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Circus Collection (#8)

Step right up and enter the magical world of the circus. 🎪✨ From Elsie on Hassan to Laura Knight's stunning artwork, every corner is filled with wonder

Background imageCircus Collection: Letter C (clown). Recreative alphabet. Chromolithography, undated (ca. 1920)

Letter C (clown). Recreative alphabet. Chromolithography, undated (ca. 1920)
DUV4203760 Letter C (clown). Recreative alphabet. Chromolithography, undated (ca. 1920). Offered by "La Samaritaine de Nancy"

Background imageCircus Collection: E as Balancing. Alphabet illustrates each letter representing a child in a suit

E as Balancing. Alphabet illustrates each letter representing a child in a suit. Chromolithography of H
DUV4198259 E as Balancing. Alphabet illustrates each letter representing a child in a suit. Chromolithography of H. Battle, late 19th century. Abeedaire consists of 25 advertising images

Background imageCircus Collection: Illustration for Letters 'Alphabet des insectes', 1883 (print)

Illustration for Letters "Alphabet des insectes", 1883 (print)
DUV4199578 Illustration for Letters "Alphabet des insectes", 1883 (print); 10.7x7.5 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Letter S)

Background imageCircus Collection: Accident in the circus ring (engraving)

Accident in the circus ring (engraving)
8631453 Accident in the circus ring (engraving) by Hopkins, Everard (1860-1928); Private Collection; (add.info.: Accident in the circus ring. Illustration from Black and White)

Background imageCircus Collection: Bajazzo the clown from the short story, Der Bajazzo (colour litho)

Bajazzo the clown from the short story, Der Bajazzo (colour litho)
8655840 Bajazzo the clown from the short story, Der Bajazzo (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bajazzo the clown from the short story, Der Bajazzo)

Background imageCircus Collection: Advertising card for Kast's stylish footwear, San Francisco and Oakland (chromolitho)

Advertising card for Kast's stylish footwear, San Francisco and Oakland (chromolitho)
8677737 Advertising card for Kast's stylish footwear, San Francisco and Oakland (chromolitho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageCircus Collection: January and February (chromolitho)

January and February (chromolitho)
8677387 January and February (chromolitho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: January and February, snowball fight and the carnival)

Background imageCircus Collection: A Marvel of Training (engraving)

A Marvel of Training (engraving)
8672755 A Marvel of Training (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Marvel of Training. The ibex as an acrobat)

Background imageCircus Collection: The sad end of Harlequin the painter (colour litho)

The sad end of Harlequin the painter (colour litho)
8672607 The sad end of Harlequin the painter (colour litho) by Bull, Rene (1872-1942); Private Collection; (add.info.: The sad end of Harlequin the painter)

Background imageCircus Collection: advert or poster for a traveling entertainer; German (swiss) 1840

advert or poster for a traveling entertainer; German (swiss) 1840
1579316 advert or poster for a traveling entertainer; German (swiss) 1840; (add.info.: advert or poster for a traveling entertainer; German (swiss) 1840); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageCircus Collection: Girls dancing with boys at a fancy dress party (colour litho)

Girls dancing with boys at a fancy dress party (colour litho)
8635210 Girls dancing with boys at a fancy dress party (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Girls dancing with boys at a fancy dress party)

Background imageCircus Collection: Welcome To the Circus

Welcome To the Circus
Frankie Kerr-Dineen

Background imageCircus Collection: A Suggestion! The Leviathan, What to do with her now you've got her off

A Suggestion! The Leviathan, What to do with her now you've got her off, 1858 (hand coloured litho on paper)
7485263 A Suggestion! The Leviathan, What to do with her now you've got her off, 1858 (hand coloured litho on paper) by Phillips, Watts (1825-1874) ; 25x40 cm; Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

Background imageCircus Collection: Engraving depicting a tightrope walker performing in Vauxhall Gardens, London, 19th century

Engraving depicting a tightrope walker performing in Vauxhall Gardens, London, 19th century
5308953 Engraving depicting a tightrope walker performing in Vauxhall Gardens, London, 19th century; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a tightrope walker performing in Vauxhall Gardens, London)

Background imageCircus Collection: Engraving depicting the Scottish equilibrist Duncan MacDonald, 18th century

Engraving depicting the Scottish equilibrist Duncan MacDonald, 18th century
5308952 Engraving depicting the Scottish equilibrist Duncan MacDonald, 18th century; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the Scottish equilibrist Duncan MacDonald)

Background imageCircus Collection: Circus Artist on horse, ca 1850 (illustration)

Circus Artist on horse, ca 1850 (illustration)
7422876 Circus Artist on horse, ca 1850 (illustration); (add.info.: Art. Entertainment. Circus. Artist on horse. Imagery in silhouette, France, ca 1850.); © Archives Charmet

Background imageCircus Collection: Actor Bastien plays a polish scytheman, ca 1830-40 (illustration)

Actor Bastien plays a polish scytheman, ca 1830-40 (illustration)
7422823 Actor Bastien plays a polish scytheman, ca 1830-40 (illustration); (add.info.: History. Poland. Actor Bastien plays a polish scytheman (polish independence warriors), holding the polish flag

Background imageCircus Collection: 19th century illustration showing, Lucia Zarate and General Mite, two dwarfs

19th century illustration showing, Lucia Zarate and General Mite, two dwarfs, with their exhibitor. 1896
5311567 19th century illustration showing, Lucia Zarate and General Mite, two dwarfs, with their exhibitor. 1896; (add.info.: Date: 1896); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageCircus Collection: La Caricature (1830) politique, number 55, Satirique en Couleurs, 1831_5_12: Come, gentlemen

La Caricature (1830) politique, number 55, Satirique en Couleurs, 1831_5_12: Come, gentlemen, here are three nutmeg
ICA4930267 La Caricature (1830) politique, number 55, Satirique en Couleurs, 1831_5_12: Come, gentlemen, here are three nutmeg

Background imageCircus Collection: Civilization and Peoples of Mongolia: Mongolian warriors showing their cavalry to the Chinese

Civilization and Peoples of Mongolia: Mongolian warriors showing their cavalry to the Chinese forces of Hongwu
NWI4855894 Civilization and Peoples of Mongolia: Mongolian warriors showing their cavalry to the Chinese forces of Hongwu (Hong Wu or Hong-Wu, Zhu Yuanzhang)

Background imageCircus Collection: American daily life: children playing circus in the back yard

American daily life: children playing circus in the back yard, with a boy on a stage presenting the numbers of
NWI4882371 American daily life: children playing circus in the back yard, with a boy on a stage presenting the numbers of the show

Background imageCircus Collection: France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): Summer Circus (Cirque Olympique des Champs Elysees)

France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): Summer Circus (Cirque Olympique des Champs Elysees)
LUX4818065 France, Ile-de-France, Paris (75): Summer Circus (Cirque Olympique des Champs Elysees, Cirque National or Cirque de l'Imperatrice), 1871; (add.info.: France, Ile-de-France)

Background imageCircus Collection: View of the Beargarden, establishment reserve for animal shows (dog, bear)

View of the Beargarden, establishment reserve for animal shows (dog, bear, cockfighting) in Bankside, Southwark
ELD4933405 View of the Beargarden, establishment reserve for animal shows (dog, bear, cockfighting) in Bankside, Southwark, early 17th century

Background imageCircus Collection: France, Centre, Indre-et-Loire (37), Tours: On the Place de Strasbourg

France, Centre, Indre-et-Loire (37), Tours: On the Place de Strasbourg, a German circus sets up with an elephant
LUX4811937 France, Centre, Indre-et-Loire (37), Tours: On the Place de Strasbourg, a German circus sets up with an elephant pulling the trailers, 1905; (add.info.: France, Centre)

Background imageCircus Collection: Pauline Musters

Pauline Musters
3733737 Pauline Musters.; (add.info.: Photographic portrait of Pauline Musters (1876-1895) a circus performer who was 23 inches tall

Background imageCircus Collection: Capital letters Plate in 'Picturesque alphabet or New informative and picturesque alphabet'

Capital letters Plate in "Picturesque alphabet or New informative and picturesque alphabet", 1892 (engraving)
DUV4220251 Capital letters Plate in "Picturesque alphabet or New informative and picturesque alphabet", 1892 (engraving); 27x17.5 cm; (add.info)

Background imageCircus Collection: Capital letters Plate in 'Picturesque alphabet or New informative and picturesque alphabet'

Capital letters Plate in "Picturesque alphabet or New informative and picturesque alphabet", 1892 (engraving)
DUV4220196 Capital letters Plate in "Picturesque alphabet or New informative and picturesque alphabet", 1892 (engraving); 27x17.5 cm; (add.info)

Background imageCircus Collection: Manifesto of the brothers Artell, circus acrobats

Manifesto of the brothers Artell, circus acrobats
3563343 Manifesto of the brothers Artell, circus acrobats; (add.info.: Great Britain 1875-1880 Date of Artwork: 1875-1890 Photographer: Seward William); Alinari Archives, Florence

Background imageCircus Collection: Food and Beverage. Muscle Man. Armour extract of meat. Poster, France, c.1890 (poster)

Food and Beverage. Muscle Man. Armour extract of meat. Poster, France, c.1890 (poster)
3434467 Food and Beverage. Muscle Man. Armour extract of meat. Poster, France, c.1890 (poster); (add.info.: Coll. Part. Food and Beverage. Muscle Man. Armour extract of meat)

Background imageCircus Collection: Art. Entertainment. Clowns. Jacquot Shoe Polish. Poster by Lefevre, France, 1894. (poster)

Art. Entertainment. Clowns. Jacquot Shoe Polish. Poster by Lefevre, France, 1894. (poster)
3434460 Art. Entertainment. Clowns. Jacquot Shoe Polish. Poster by Lefevre, France, 1894. (poster); (add.info.: Art. Spectacle. Coll. Part. Art. Entertainment. Clowns. Jacquot Shoe Polish)

Background imageCircus Collection: The royal visit of Queen Victoria to the circus

The royal visit of Queen Victoria to the circus
3586389 The royal visit of Queen Victoria to the circus; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the royal visit of Queen Victoria (1819-1901) with some of her grandchildren, to the Circus at Olympia

Background imageCircus Collection: Letter G: Guignol (puppet), beg 20th century (chromolithograph)

Letter G: Guignol (puppet), beg 20th century (chromolithograph)
DUV4204084 Letter G: Guignol (puppet), beg 20th century (chromolithograph); 25x17.5 cm; (add.info.: Drolatic album (abecedary). Series number 4 in Albums-chromo on canvas

Background imageCircus Collection: Letter X, Y and Z: xylophone and eyes then zouave, zebra, c.1920 (print)

Letter X, Y and Z: xylophone and eyes then zouave, zebra, c.1920 (print)
DUV4202602 Letter X, Y and Z: xylophone and eyes then zouave, zebra, c.1920 (print); 16x24.5 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: ABC de Guignol by Griff (French illustrator)

Background imageCircus Collection: Profession Alphabet: Clown, beg of 20th century (illustration)

Profession Alphabet: Clown, beg of 20th century (illustration)
DUV4215287 Profession Alphabet: Clown, beg of 20th century (illustration); Private Collection; (add.info.: Unknown illustrator); Photo © Duvallon

Background imageCircus Collection: Letter J, K and L (juggling, judge and kepi then moon, rabbit, lamp, spear), c.1920 (print)

Letter J, K and L (juggling, judge and kepi then moon, rabbit, lamp, spear), c.1920 (print)
DUV4202560 Letter J, K and L (juggling, judge and kepi then moon, rabbit, lamp, spear), c.1920 (print); 16x24.5 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: ABC de Guignol by Griff (French illustrator)

Background imageCircus Collection: 'Street life in London': 'Caney' the clown, 1877 (print on double-weight paper)

"Street life in London": "Caney" the clown, 1877 (print on double-weight paper)
3570752 "Street life in London": "Caney" the clown, 1877 (print on double-weight paper); (add.info.: London, Great Britain 1877 Photographer: Thomson, John;Sampson Low, Marston)

Background imageCircus Collection: The New Evangelical Family Bible, 1850

The New Evangelical Family Bible, 1850
3330642 The New Evangelical Family Bible, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving from the New Evangelical Family Bible, depicting the fighting of wild beasts in the circus at Ephesus)

Background imageCircus Collection: Ancient Roman naumachia with reenactment of famous sea battle in an ampitheatre between naval

Ancient Roman naumachia with reenactment of famous sea battle in an ampitheatre between naval fleets of condemned
FLO4575322 Ancient Roman naumachia with reenactment of famous sea battle in an ampitheatre between naval fleets of condemned prisoners 1

Background imageCircus Collection: Balancing performer, 1860s - Signor Ethardo's balancing act at the Crystal Palace, London, 1860s

Balancing performer, 1860s - Signor Ethardo's balancing act at the Crystal Palace, London, 1860s
NWI4759588 Balancing performer, 1860s - Signor Ethardo's balancing act at the Crystal Palace, London, 1860s.; (add.info.: Balancing performer)

Background imageCircus Collection: French circus in the grounds of Shokonsha shrine (Yasukuni) Tokyo, with acrobats

French circus in the grounds of Shokonsha shrine (Yasukuni) Tokyo, with acrobats
528454 French circus in the grounds of Shokonsha shrine (Yasukuni) Tokyo, with acrobats, male and female stunt riders and trapeze artists, 1871. Entertainment; Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageCircus Collection: advert or poster for a traveling entertainer; German (swiss) 1840

advert or poster for a traveling entertainer; German (swiss) 1840
1579312 advert or poster for a traveling entertainer; German (swiss) 1840; (add.info.: advert or poster for a traveling entertainer; German (swiss) 1840); Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageCircus Collection: Roman Secular Buildings, Theatres, Palaces, Tombs, etc (engraving)

Roman Secular Buildings, Theatres, Palaces, Tombs, etc (engraving)
8644773 Roman Secular Buildings, Theatres, Palaces, Tombs, etc (engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Roman Secular Buildings, Theatres, Palaces, Tombs, etc)

Background imageCircus Collection: Jackal, Jackdaw, Jacket, Jack-plane, Jack-screw, Javelin, Jews-harp, Juggler, Kennel, Kettle

Jackal, Jackdaw, Jacket, Jack-plane, Jack-screw, Javelin, Jews-harp, Juggler, Kennel, Kettle, Key-hole
8650058 Jackal, Jackdaw, Jacket, Jack-plane, Jack-screw, Javelin, Jews-harp, Juggler, Kennel, Kettle, Key-hole, Key-stone (engraving) by German School

Background imageCircus Collection: Chimney, Chisel, Church-yard, Cigar, Circus, City, Civet, Clevis, Clock-work, Closet, Clothier

Chimney, Chisel, Church-yard, Cigar, Circus, City, Civet, Clevis, Clock-work, Closet, Clothier, Coachman (engraving)
8651542 Chimney, Chisel, Church-yard, Cigar, Circus, City, Civet, Clevis, Clock-work, Closet, Clothier, Coachman (engraving) by German School

Background imageCircus Collection: Men dressed as clowns (b/w photo)

Men dressed as clowns (b/w photo)
8656396 Men dressed as clowns (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Men dressed as clowns. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Background imageCircus Collection: And I pray you my masters be merry (colour litho)

And I pray you my masters be merry (colour litho)
8656521 And I pray you my masters be merry (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: "And I pray you my masters be merry." A jester and a cat)

Background imageCircus Collection: Woman lighting a cigarette from a candle while performing gymnastics (b/w photo)

Woman lighting a cigarette from a candle while performing gymnastics (b/w photo)
8655951 Woman lighting a cigarette from a candle while performing gymnastics (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageCircus Collection: Suggestions for headdresses (engraving)

Suggestions for headdresses (engraving)
8631137 Suggestions for headdresses (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Suggestions for headdresses)




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Step right up and enter the magical world of the circus. 🎪✨ From Elsie on Hassan to Laura Knight's stunning artwork, every corner is filled with wonder. The enchantment continues as we explore Wombwells Menagerie, where exotic creatures captivate our imagination. As night falls in London's Piccadilly Circus during the swinging 1960s, a dazzling display of lights illuminates the cityscape. Sir Alan Cobham's National Aviation Day Campaign poster takes flight, reminding us that even in this bustling metropolis, dreams can soar high above. But amidst all the excitement, a little child asks "Please, Mr Policeman, where is Father Christmas?" Matania's heartwarming illustration reminds us that joy and innocence are at the heart of this spectacle. Traveling back in time brings us face to face with ancient Roman costumes and their grandeur. We marvel at their elaborate attire as they perform death-defying feats under the big top. And who could forget about the flea circus? A miniature marvel that proves size doesn't matter when it comes to entertainment. These tiny performers defy expectations and leave audiences astounded. The sideshow posters beckon us closer; one featuring Celesta Geyer known as Jolly Dolly Dimple captures our attention. Her talents amaze spectators as she showcases her unique skills within this vibrant world of oddities and curiosities. Stepping into Piccadilly Circus in 1956 transports us back to an era filled with nostalgia. The hustle and bustle of city life intertwines with laughter and applause from delighted onlookers - a true feast for all senses. Taking inspiration from General Lew Wallace's epic tale Ben-Hur, we witness chariot races unfold before our eyes. The thunderous hooves pounding against ancient sands create an adrenaline-fueled atmosphere like no other. Finally, we find ourselves once again surrounded by neon lights in Piccadilly Circus at night.