Posted: 09/01/2012

“First Time in New York / Ringling Bros’ World’s Greatest Shows,” 1909. Color lithograph poster, printed by the Donaldson Lithographic Co., Newport, Ken. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, Florida, Tibbals Collection, ht2001294.

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The Greatest Show on Earth

Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages—drumroll, please. The Bard Graduate Center proudly presents all the pomp and pageantry of the big top in the Big Apple. +read article

“Grand Procession of the Steam Calliope Drawn by a Team of Six Elephants in the City of New York. Now Attached to Sand’s, Nathan’s & Co.s American & English Circus,” 1858. Color lithograph poster, printed by Sarony, Major & Knapp, New York. The New-York Historical Society.

Lisette Model. The Wallendas, New York, 1945. Gelatin silver print on board. International Center of Photography, Gift of Lisette Model Foundation in memory of Joseph G. Blum, 1993 (106.1993). ©The Lisette Model, Foundation, Inc. (1983). Used by permission.

“Jumbo / The Children’s Giant Pet,” 1882. Color lithograph poster, printed by the Hatch Lithographic Company, New York. Collection of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Tibbals Collection, ht2004500.

“Nixon & Cos. Mammoth Circus / The Great Australian Rider James Melville as He Appeared Before the Press of New York in His Opening Rehearsal at Niblo’s Garden,” 1859. Tinted lithograph, printed by Sarony, Major & Knapp, New York. Courtesy American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts.

May Wirth’s “back across,” 1913. Photograph. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, Florida, Tibbals Collection, ht0004442.

May Wirth with horses. Signed photograph. Collection of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Tibbals Collection, ht0004443.

Jacob Harris. A policeman directs a parade of elephants from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus across the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Fifty-seventh Street in New York, March 27, 1955. Photograph. AP Photo / Jacob Harris.

“P. T. Barnum’s Museum and Menagerie” ticket, 1871. Collection of the Barnum Museum, Bridgeport, Connecticut, EL1988.22.1.

Edward J. Kelty. “Cheerful Gardner and His Bulls / Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus—Yankee Stadium in Background. / June 22nd 1933,” 1933. Gelatin silver print. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, Florida, Tibbals Collection, ht0005131.

“Van Amburgh & Co.s Great Golden Car of Egypt. Living Lion Loose in the Street. Passing City Hall, New York,” 1867. Color lithograph poster, printed by Endicott & Co., New York. Somers Historical Society, Somers, New York, 73.16.227.

Wagon wheel, late 19th century. Painted wood and metal. Somers Historical Society, 2005.68. Photographer: Bruce White.

Birdcage hat worn by Felix Adler, ca. 1950. Mixed media. Circus World Museum, Baraboo, Wisconsin, CWi-2629.

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Posted: 09/01/2012

The Greatest Show on Earth