Showman Collection (#3)

Buffalo Bills Wild West, Col. W. F. Cody, published 1890 (colour ithograph)
1275215 Buffalo Bills Wild West, Col. W.F. Cody, published 1890 (colour ithograph) by Ritchie, Alick Penrose Forbes (1868-1938); Private Collection; (add.info)

Harry Houdini c. 1898 (litho)
1194746 Harry Houdini c. 1898 (litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Return of the greatest of all magicians, the Houdinis, Harry)

A street showman of Tokyo (litho)
5198523 A street showman of Tokyo (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A street showman of Tokyo)

Travelling showman (colour photo)
3098848 Travelling showman (colour photo) by French Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Travelling showman)

Brian McCarthy, Landlord of the Half Moon Hotel, Broadway, Pontypridd, with a copy of the Wild West Illustrated, promotional newspaper, dated 6th July 1903

Actor Michael Crawford in character for the musical hit Barnum. 22nd May 1981

Samuel Franklin Cody (1867- 1913), Wild West showman and early pioneer of manned flight

Hon. William Frederick Cody (Buffalo Bill), Rifle Shooter, from Worlds Champions, Series 1 (N28) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, 1887

James B. Wild Bill Hickock, ca. 1873. Creator: Jeremiah Gurney
James B. " Wild Bill" Hickock, ca. 1873

Fairground scene - Christophers First Appearance in public by John Leech from The Struggles and Adventures of Christopher Tadpole by Albert Smith. Date: circa 1848

RAREE SHOW
A Raree-Show - a travelling showman displays his cabinet of curiosities to the amazement of his audience Date: circa 1870

Hum-Bug (P. T. Barnum), from the Comic Natural History of the Human Race, 1851

Mr. Patterson and His Apparatus, 1900. Creator: Unknown
Mr. Patterson and His Apparatus, 1900. Mr George W Patterson of Chicago was the first person to put on displays of juggling with electrically lit clubs

Peter Williamson, Remarkable for his Captivity & Sufferings, 1821. Creator: Robert Cooper
Peter Williamson, Remarkable for his Captivity & Sufferings, 1821. Portrait of Scottish memoirist Peter Williamson (1730-1799) habited in the dress of a Delaware North American Indian

The Show, pub. c1821. Creator: John Augustus Atkinson (1775 - 1831) after
The Show, pub. C. 1821 (colour lithograph). Caroline Crachami (1815 - 1824)

Countryman in London, c1800. A rustic, with a walking stick, standing in alarm before a showman, who points upwards to a sign saying Royal Tiger, and hands him a bill inscribed Milses wild beasts

Punch and Judy, 1834. Artist: G Rymer
Punch and Judy, 1834. Plate no.4 from London Scenes; view of a group of children and adults watching a Punch and Judy Show

A Showman, Cries of London, 1804
A Showman. Showman at Hyde Park Corner, pictured with a device surmounted by a squirrel in a wheel and bells. From Cries of London, 1804

Just A goin to Begin!, 1887. Artist: Tom Merry
Just A goin to Begin!, 1887. WH Smith as a fairground showman, invites the public to his show; the principal parliamentary figures are there

Buffalo Bills, Col. W. F. Cody, 1890
Buffalo Bill s, Col. W.F. Cody, pub. 1890 (colour ithograph)

Buffalo Bill towards the end of his Wild West Show days, late 19th or early 20th century. One of the most colourful characters of the American West

Wild Bill Hickok, Texas Jack Omohundro and Buffalo Bill Cody, c1870s (1954). Group portrait of three of the most colourful characters from the American West

The magic lantern. A 19th century travelling magician. From L Univers Illustre, published Paris, 1859

Poster from 1894 advertising American magician Harry Kellar, 1849 - 1922

Poster from 1900 advertising American magician Harry Kellar, 1849 - 1922. The levitation illusion was one of his most popular

Samuel Franklin Cowdery, later known as Samuel Franklin Cody, 1867 - 1913. Wild West showman and early pioneer of manned flight. From The Pageant of the Century, published 1934

William Frederick "Buffalo Bill"Cody, 1846 - 1917. American scout, bison hunter, and showman
William Frederick " Buffalo Bill" Cody, 1846 - 1917. American scout, bison hunter, and showman. From La Ilustracion Iberica, published 1884

elderly woman wearing bonnet L K Showman American
elderly woman wearing a bonnet; L. K. Showman (American, active Portland, Michigan 1860s - 1870s); about 1870; Albumen silver print

Codys Biplane In The Air In 1909. Samuel Franklin Cowdery, Later Known As Samuel Franklin Cody, 1867 A

Buffalo Bill Poster
Sells-Floto Circus poster for Buffalo Bills Original Wild West shows. These were featured during the 1914 - 1915 shows. Date: circa 1915

Houdini the amateur prison breaker and handcuff king
Harry Houdini (1874 - 1926), in a sequence of photographs escaping from a huge number of imprisoning handcuffs. 1904

Captain Paul Boyton, (1848-1924), inventor of the immersion suit, 1893. He was a showman and adventurer also known as the Fearless Frogman who was famous for his water stunts

Phineas Taylor Barnum, American showman, c1865 (1955)
Phineas Taylor Barnum, c1865 (1955). PT Barnum (1810-1891) was founder of what became the biggest circus in the world, the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus

Colonel William F Buffalo Bill Cody, late 19th or early 20th century (1954). One of the most colourful characters of the American West, Cody (1846-1917) was a soldier, buffalo hunter and showman

A Showman, Hyde Park Corner, London, 1805. A copper plate representing the itinerant traders of London, from Modern London; Being the History and Present State of the British Metropolis

The young savage of Saint-Ouen, Paris, 1898. Artist: Henri Meyer
The young savage of Saint-Ouen, Paris, 1898. An illustration from Le Petit Journal, 27th November 1898

Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810-1891), American showman, 1864. Barnum was founder of what became the biggest circus in the world

USA - A showman who walked on his head - descending steps
USA - A showman who walked on his head - shown here descending a set of steps. - Although not named on the card, this is very likely Alexander, part of Ringling Brothers Circus

Mr C. B. Cochran - caricature by Autori
Sir Charles Blake Cochran. (1872-1951). Theatrical producer, impresario and showman. Produced plays, revues, ballets. Associated with Diaghaliev, Houdini etc. 1930

Banda Wallah (showman) with boy and animals, India
Banda Wallah (showman) with boy and three animals (monkey, goat and bear), India. Date: circa 1905

George Sanger, English showman and circus proprietor
George Sanger (1825-1911), English showman and circus proprietor. circa 1890s

Charles Cochran
Sir Charles Blake Cochran. (1872-1951). Theatrical producer, impresario and showman. Produced plays, revues, ballets. Associated with Diaghaliev, Houdini etc. Date: c.1925

Caricature of John Hollingshead, theatre manager
Caricature of John Hollingshead (1827-1904), at this time manager of the Gaiety Theatre, seen here reviving an actor (probably Edward Terry) and an actress (Sarah Bernhardt) in the form of puppets

Caricature of George Sanger, circus proprietor
Caricature of George Sanger (1825-1911), English showman and circus proprietor. 1881

William Cody in Action
Colonel WILLIAM FREDERICK CODY (known as Buffalo Bill ) American scout and showman, depicted (on left) in action against a native American and another rascally varmint. Date: 1846-1917

William Cody in 1887
Colonel WILLIAM FREDERICK CODY (known as Buffalo Bill ) American scout and showman. Date: 1846-1917

A Showmans Sweetheart by Arthur Law
Inside pages of a promotional flyer for A Showmans Sweetheart by Arthur Law; music G. Byng. First produced at the Queens Theatre, Crouch End, 29th August 1898

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"Unveiling the Spectacle: A Journey through the World of Showmen" Step right up and witness the captivating world of showmanship, where larger-than-life characters and extraordinary feats come to life. From the 1921 Burrell Earl to Buffalo Bill Cody racing in Munich, Germany, these showmen have left an indelible mark on history. In this mesmerizing journey, we encounter a caricature of P. T. Barnum and Jumbo the elephant, reminding us of their legendary partnership that enthralled audiences worldwide. The enigmatic Chabert, known as the Fire King, ignites our imagination with his daring acts that defy logic and reason. Actor Michael Crawford takes center stage in character for the musical hit Barnum on May 22nd, 1981. With his magnetic presence and boundless energy, he embodies Phineas Taylor Barnum's spirit like no other. No exploration of showmanship would be complete without mentioning Harry Houdini - a true master of illusion who captivated crowds with his death-defying escapes. His name remains synonymous with awe-inspiring magic even today. Traveling back in time to pre-1900s Wild West days brings us face-to-face with Buffalo Bill himself. This iconic figure showcases not only thrilling performances but also serves as a reminder of America's rich frontier heritage. Samuel Cody's assorted memorabilia from his Wild West shows transport us to an era when cowboys roamed freely across vast landscapes. A poster from Velodrome de la Seine in Paris captures Cody's adventurous spirit perfectly - inviting spectators into a world filled with excitement and wonder. And let us not forget The Children's Peep Show - an enchanting spectacle designed specifically for young minds eager to explore new realms of imagination. These remarkable individuals embody what it means to be a showman - they entertain, inspire curiosity, challenge boundaries, and leave lasting impressions on all who witness their grand performances.