Mar. 8-9 & Apr. 5, 2003, The Collectibles Auction, Sale 18
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Lot 2051 Howe Bros. 3 Ring Wild Animal Circus. [1937], 28 x 42 in. Silkscreen. U.S. Printing and Engraving Co., K.C., MO. Featuring a large, snarling tiger. Condition: B-. Small tears at fold intersections; lower right corner has some tears and a small hole which could be minimalized by matting and framing. Another scarce Howe Bros. poster. Estimated Value $250-350. |
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Lot 2052 Hunt Bros. and Eddy Bros. Circus Combined. [1965] , 21 x 28 in. Lithograph. Globe Poster Corp. Chicago. Featuring four monkeys performing various stunts. With Runnemede date tag. Condition: A-. Minor wear to date tag. Vivid colors. Hunt Bros. & Eddy Bros. Circus was one of several circuses operated intermittently by Charles T. Hunt and family from 1863-1977. The same image was used in 1950 by Polack Bros. Circus. Estimated Value $250-350. |
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Lot 2053 Hunt Bros. and Eddy Bros. Circus Combined. [c. 1966], 21 x 28 in. Lithograph. Globe Poster Corp., Chicago. Three clowns react to a firecracker. With Downingtown date tag. Condition: B+. A few small spots where color has peeled on one clown's hat and in blue background. Hunt Bros. & Eddy Bros. Circus was one of several circuses operated intermittently by Charles T. Hunt and family from 1863-1977. Estimated Value $200-300. |
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Lot 2054 Al G. Kelly & Miller Bros. Circus. [c. 1960s], 42 x 28 in. Silkscreen. Central Show Prtg. Co. Inc. Mason City, Ia. Featuring a variety of circus acts. Condition: B. Closed 1¾ in. tear at lower edge, a couple of smaller edge tears, tiny tear at fold intersections, one pinhole in white background, and minor paper remnants from date tag removal at lower edge. The circus operated 1937-1968 and 1984-1986. Estimated Value $150-200. |
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Lot 2055 Al G. Kelly & Miller Bros. Wild Animal Circus. [1940s], 40 x 27 in. Silkscreen. Featuring "Chevrolet's Daily Parade Of Elephants," wearing Chevrolet emblems on their blankets. The poster announces that the circus is "Now Motorized And Modernized With Dependable Chevrolets!" Condition: A-; a few small edge chips. Al G. Kelly launched a number of elaborate tie-in advertising campaigns in the 1940s. Estimated Value $250-350. |
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Lot 2056 Al G. Kelly And Miller Bros. Circus. [c. 1940s], 28 x 21 in. Silkscreen. Featuring African tribesmen in combat with a rhinoceros, which is bleeding from a spear imbedded in its hide. One of the tribesmen has been gored and is being held in the air on the horn of the rhinoceros. This is an unusually violent scene to show on a circus poster, probably to add excitement by emphasizing the innate danger of the wild animals in the circus. Condition: B+. A few margin chips, light browning at center, and paper remnants at lower border from date tag removal. Estimated Value $150-250. |
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Lot 2057 Al G. Kelly And Miller Bros. Circus. [c. 1960s], 28 x 21 in. Silkscreen. Featuring a snarling tiger, exceptionally well drawn. Condition: A-; there is a one-inch tear at lower edge, a couple of small marginal tears, and tip of upper left corner is missing. This circus operated 1937-68 and 1984-86. Estimated Value $125-175. |
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Lot 2058 Al G. Kelly and Miller Bros. Combined Circus. [said to be 1938], 14 x 35 in. Lithograph. Featuring Nima Noti, a European performer who was in America for the first time. The poster has been reconstructed, the old name tag having been cut off and a new one pasted on; the performer's name and "First Time In America" have also been pasted on. Condition: B; a few small fold splits; show-through from stains on verso, notably above Noti's head, and a couple of tape remnants on verso. Kelly and Miller were in business continually from 1937-68 and again from 1984-86. Estimated Value $200-300. |
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Lot 2059 King Bros Circus. [c.1948], 28 x 41 in. Lithograph. Globe Poster Corp. Featuring performing seals. Condition: A-/B+. Light soiling; minor paper loss in top margin, affecting nothing; paper remnants from date tag removal at lower edge. King Bros. operated in various alliances from 1937 to 1980. Estimated Value $300-500. |
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Lot 2060 King Bros. & Cristiani Combined Circus. [sometime between 1951-53], 12 x 41 in. Streamer. Photo offset. Featuring two acts: a pretty lady perched on an elephant's head and a group of performing horses. Condition: A. The King Bros. and the Cristiani family were in business together for two years only, 1951-53. Estimated Value $125-175. |
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Lot 2061 King Bros. And Cristiani Combined Circus. [between 1951-53], 40 x 28 in. Photo offset. Featuring many circus acts taking part in the "World's Largest Circus Parade." Condition: A. The King Bros. and the Cristianis were in business together from 1951-53. It was unusual for a circus to have a street parade as late as the early 1950s. The circus parade had served as an effective advertising tool for close to a century, the heyday being from around 1890 to about 1910. Parades created various logistical problems for a circus, such as avoiding electrical wires, trolley schedules, and auto traffic. Circuses tried over the years to abandon the parade, beginning with Barnum & Bailey in 1905, but popular demand kept bringing them back. They were rare, however, after the 1930s. The King Bros. and Clyde Beatty were the only outfits to revive the parade briefly during the 1950s. (See Billers, Banners And Bombast, The Story of Circus Advertising by Charles Philip Fox and Tom Parkinson). Estimated Value $200-300. |
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Lot 2062 King Bros. Circus. [c. 1940s-50s], 28 x 21 in. Photo offset. Featuring a variety of circus animals in their cages and pens being observed by spectators before the show. Such a spectacle served to whet the appetite of the public to see the show. Condition: A. King Bros. operated, either alone or in various alliances, from 1937 to 1980. Estimated Value $250-350. |
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Lot 2063 King Bros. Circus. [probably 1950], 22½ x 21 in. Silkscreen. Featuring a large clown face on a title sheet. A date tag for Guelph is attached. Condition: A-. One small tear at fold intersection. A stamp on the clown's forehead says, "Bill Posters & Billers / King Bro. Circus / Union Label / Registered." King Bros. operated intermittently from 1937 to 1980. Estimated Value $125-175. |
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Lot 2064 Lewis Bros. Big 3 Ring Circus. [1940], 28 x 41 in. Silkscreen. Central Show Ptg. Co. Mason City, Iowa. Featuring five performing elephants and their girl trainer, fronted by an impish clown. Condition: Professionally restored to A-. Lewis Bros. was in business 1931-42, 1945, and 1973-76. Estimated Value $300-500. |
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Lot 2065 Lewis Bros. Big 3 Ring Circus. [Said to be 1940], 41 x 28 in. Silkscreen. Central Show Printing Co., Mason City, Iowa. Featuring a dramatic black-and-red rendering of rearing horses, uniformed riders, and a grand master presiding. Condition: Professionally restored to A-. Lewis Bros. Circus was in business intermittently from 1931 to 1976. Estimated Value $300-500. |
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Lot 2066 Walter L. Main Trained Wild Animal Circus. [1930], 28 x 42 in. Riverside Print Co., Milwaukee and Chicago. Featuring three camels. Condition: Professionally restored to A-. Walter L. Main Circus was in business intermittently from 1886-1948. National Show Co., Inc. operated the circus one year only--1930. Estimated Value $400-600. |
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Lot 2067 Col. Tim McCoy's Real Wild West. [1938], 27 x 41 in. Photo offset. Tooker Moore Litho Co., N.Y. Showing Col. McCoy and his "Rough Riders of the World." Condition: A-. Folds and light toning; the date is written in ink twice at lower right. McCoy was an actual cowboy who appeared in several western movies; he was among the most popular western stars by the 1930s. In 1935 he traveled with the Ringling Bros. Circus, and in 1938 started his own Wild West show. It was unsuccessful and he returned to acting, winning an Emmy for his TV show, The Tim McCoy Show. He was inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1974. This poster is scarce because the circus operated one year only--1938. Estimated Value $400-600. |
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Lot 2068 Monroe Bros. Circus. [1944], 28 x 41 in. Photo offset. Erie Litho & Ptg. Co. Featuring performing ponies, a clown, and a stereotypical image of a black man upside down on a donkey. Condition: A-. A few tiny edge tears; lower tip of lower right corner is missing and has tape remnant, not affecting image. (See also #4629, Walters - Russell poster with same images). Estimated Value $350-450. |
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Lot 2069 Monroe Bros. Circus. [1944], 28 x 42 in. Lithograph. Erie Litho & Prtg. Co. Featuring a female trapeze act. Condition: B+. A few small tears at fold intersections; faint marginal stains and minor edge tears do not affect image. A nice, bright lithograph. This image was also used by the Hamid-Morton Circus in the 1940s. Estimated Value $350-500. |
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Lot 2070 Monroe Bros. Circus. [said to be 1946], 20 x 28 in. Lithograph. Featuring part of the opening circus spectacle, with beautiful ladies, an elephant, a camel, a clown, and a turbaned man. Condition: A-/B+. Small tape remnants in margins, and one 7/8 inch tear at lower edge; one tiny pinhole at a fold intersection. Nice eye appeal. Estimated Value $250-350. |
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Lot 2071 Monroe Bros. Circus. [1946], 21 x 28 in. Lithograph. Featuring a pretty lady with performing ponies and dogs. Condition: A-. Minor marginal stains and chips, and one small tape remnant at lower left. Excellent, expressive art. This same image was used by Hagen Bros. Circus. Estimated Value $250-350. |
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Lot 2072 Monroe Bros. Circus. [1944], 14 x 42 in. Streamer. Photo offset. Erie Litho & Ptg. Co., Erie, PA. Featuring performing monkeys. Condition: B. Some faint spotting and staining, mostly behind "Monroe Bros." and one area to the right of the large monkey's head; one small area of color loss below monkey's hand. This image was also used by Barnett Bros. Circus in 1938. Estimated Value $250-350. |
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Lot 2073 Monroe Bros. Circus. [said to be 1946], 14 x 41 in. Streamer. Photo offset image, designed to be seen from a distance. Featuring four colorful clowns and a jalopy. Condition: A-; tape remnants on top verso and minor edge wear. Sparks Circus used this same poster, except that the image is flipped. Estimated Value $150-250. |
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Lot 2074 Monroe Bros. Circus. [between 1944-48], 28 x 42 in. Photo offset. Erie Litho & Ptg. Co., Erie, PA. Featuring several clowns performing antics. Condition: B. A few small fold tears, one small hole in neck of front clown, and faint soiling in upper left corner; also, several tears in lower border which do not affect the image. Very clear and bright. Estimated Value $150-250. |
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Lot 2075 Monroe Bros. Circus. [said to be 1944], 14 x 42 in. Streamer. Photo offset. Erie Litho & Ptg. Co., Erie, PA. Featuring a large image of a monkey in a tree; above him, two monkeys are boxing; below him, two monkeys prepare to race on tricycles, as another holds the checkered flag, and a pipe-smoking monkey sits on a stool and observes. Condition: B+. Scattered soiling in title area, numerous edge chips, and faint show-through in lower left corner from stain on verso. The monkey vignettes are nice and bright. Estimated Value $150-250. |
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Lot 2076 Monroe Bros. Circus. [note on verso gives date as June 8, 1944], 14 x 41 in. Streamer. Photo offset. Erie Litho & Ptg. Co. At center is a bucking donkey with a stereotypical black man with huge lips clinging to its back; at top are performing dogs and at bottom, performing ponies and horses. Condition: B+ because of a small area of paper loss in the left margin, which does not affect the image; also, some small edge tears and light marginal soiling, as well as one tiny pinhole at a fold intersection. Very colorful. Estimated Value $150-250. |
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Lot 2077 Monroe Bros. Circus. Two posters for the same circus. [both said to be 1946]. One is a 20 x 28 in. lithograph featuring four performing monkeys. Some blemishes in margin: small tape remnants, and minor paper loss; stain on verso shows through behind "Monroe." The second is a 21 x 28 lithograph of five male acrobats creating a human tower by being propelled into the air to stand on each other's shoulders. It has a 1¾ in. closed tear in upper right corner and small tape remnants in borders. Overall condition of both: B+. Both are colorful, with good, strong images. Estimated Value $400-600. |
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Lot 2079 Parker And Watts Circus. [1938 or 1939], 40 x 28 in. Photo offset. Temple Litho, Chicago-Mason City. An action-packed scene, showing numerous performing acts under the Big Top. The photo offset is unsophisticated, but this poster is scarce, since Parker and Watts were in business only from 1938-39. Condition: B-. A few small tears at fold intersections and edges. Estimated Value $125-175. |
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Lot 2080 Polack Bros. Circus. [1950], 21 x 28 in. Stone lithograph. Globe Poster Corp., Chicago. Featuring four monkeys, two of them on a tight wire; top portion announces a performance in White Plains, N.Y. February 8-13. Condition: B+. Some soiling in upper corners and upper right border; otherwise, bright and a superb rendering of the animals. This same image was used in 1965 by Hunt Bros. and Eddy Bros. Circus (see #4617) and by Monroe Bros. Circus (see 4679). Estimated Value $250-350. |
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Lot 2081 Dan Rice 3 Ring Circus Combined With Gentry Bros. and Buck Sells. [1936], 42 x 28 in. Lithograph. Central Show Printing Co., Mason City, Iowa. Featuring a trapeze act, lions, an elephant, and two clowns, as well a small inset image of Dan Rice. The art work for the animals is lively and intricate; the art work for the people is not as well defined, probably drawn by a different artist, which was a common practice. Condition: A-; one tiny pinhole at a fold intersection. Estimated Value $250-350. |
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Lot 2082 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey. [1931], 28 x 41 in. Lithograph. Erie Litho & Ptg. Co. Featuring "The Orland-Mara Sensation In Which Orland Makes A Terrific Dive Through Space, Carrying Miss Mara On His Back, Landing Upon His Chest On A Chute In The Arena, 80 Feet Below." Condition: Professionally restored to A-. Before being seen in America, this amazing act had been performed in Europe in 1909 and 1910 by a man called Desperado, with the Barnum & Bailey Circus, and by Paul Linzer, for John Robinson's Circus. The Orland-Mara act went them one better: whereas Desperado and Linzer performed their act solo, Orland had a woman (Mara) strapped to his back during the death-defying dive. Estimated Value $500-750. |
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Lot 2083 Ringling Bros And Barnum & Bailey. [1945], 28 x 19½ in. Photo offset. Featuring six women and thirteen large cats. Famed artist Bill Bailey's name is at lower left. Condition: A. An outstanding poster with great eye appeal. P.T. Barnum and James Bailey had teamed together in 1888 to create "The Greatest Show on Earth." They toured the country in 64 railroad cars and ruled the circus world. When Barnum died in 1891, Bailey ran the circus. On his death in 1907, the Ringling Brothers bought Barnum & Bailey Ltd. The two circuses were run separately until 1919 when they combined to form Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Estimated Value $800-750. |
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Lot 2084 Ringling Bros And Barnum & Bailey. [Copyright date is 1944 but likely used in 1947], 21 x 28 in. Photo offset. A lovely rendering of four giraffes with coquettish eyes, by artist Bill Bailey, whose name is at lower left. A date tag for Philadelphia is attached. Condition: B+ because of some soiling to background and margins, not affecting the giraffes; one faint stain in date tag. Estimated Value $400-600. |
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Lot 2085 Ringling Bros And Barnum & Bailey. [1945], 27¾ x 20½ in. Photo offset. Chicago Show Printing Co. Featuring a clown reclining on an elephant's trunk. Artist Bill Bailey's name is at lower left. Condition: A-. One small fold tear; a few small tears at edges, not affecting image, and minor blemishes at lower edge from date tag removal. Ringling Bros. bought Barnum & Bailey in 1907 but operated the two circuses separately until 1919, when they combined. Estimated Value $350-500. |
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Lot 2086 Ringling Bros And Barnum & Bailey. [anytime from 1919 on], 21 x 28 in. Photo offset. Erie Litho & Ptg. Co., Erie, PA. Featuring the head of a snarling tiger. Condition: A-. One 1½ in. edge tear, just reaching into background; easily repaired. Very colorful and attractive. Estimated Value $250-350. |
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Lot 2087 Ringling Bros And Barnum & Bailey Circus. [1934], 14 x 41 in. Streamer. Lithograph. E.J. Warner Poster Co. Featuring a group of four giraffes. Condition: B+. Minor fold tears and paper remnants in lower border from date tag removal. A lovely poster with well-executed drawings. Estimated Value $500-750. |
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Lot 2088 Ringling Bros And Barnum & Bailey Circus. [c. 1940s], 21 x 28 in. Photo offset. Erie Litho & Ptg Co., Erie, PA. Featuring "The Rieffenach Sisters, Riding Beauties of International Fame." One woman holds another aloft with one hand while standing on the back of a cantering horse. Condition: B+. A few tiny fold and edge tears. The Rieffenach sisters--Mitzi, Rose, and Betty--were considered by many to be the highest-class, bareback-riding act in the world. By 1938 they were part of Al G. Barnes - Sells-Floto Combined Circus. When Ringling absorbed that circus, the Rieffenach sisters came along for the ride. This same image was used by Al G. Barnes Circus in the 1930s to promote the Hanneford Sisters. Estimated Value $400-600. |
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Lot 2089 Ringling Bros And Barnum & Bailey Circus. [c. 1930s or 40s], 28 x 20½ in. Lithograph. Erie Litho & Ptg. Co., Erie, PA. Featuring a white horse and a female bareback performer. The artwork used here is a modified version of a poster designed by Roland Butler, an in-house artist and writer for Ringling Bros. Condition: A-; one small fold tear and one edge tear. Estimated Value $250-350. |
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Lot 2090 Ringling Bros And Barnum & Bailey Circus. [copyright 1944 but date of use probably 1947], 28 x 42 in. Photo offset. Featuring the face of one of the world's most famous clowns, Lou Jacobs. With date tag for Philadelphia. Condition: Professionally restored to A-. A fabulous poster for a child's room. Estimated Value $250-350. |