Young Boys Admiring Circus Banner for World's Largest Snakes Early 1900s

Photographer Unknown

$24.99

  • Description

  • City: Unknown
  • State: Unknown
  • Country: United States
  • Source: Bodin Collection
  • Approx. Date: 1900
  • Photographer: Unknown

Four young boys, presumably around the ages five to seven, stand in front of a circus banner that prominently features different attractions of the circus. Among these advertisements is one claiming that the circus possesses the largest snake in captivity, which greatly piques the curiosity of the young boys. One of the boys sits on the ground as he gazes intently at the poster, while the other three stand and stare at the poster together. The images on the banner were painted wonderfully, drawing in the the viewer's excitement about what the circus is going to show. The foreground of the photograph consists of grassland and serves as a great set-up for this wonderful moment.

Circus shows featuring a wide array of wild animals were a prominent attraction in the 1900s. At that time, only a few select members of society had the ability to travel overseas, and so traveling circus shows introduced many people to exotic animals from all over the world. These circuses often featured wild animals from Asia and Africa, which were transported to America by boat. The circuses also often hired trainers to tame specific animals and conduct animal performances that would keep the audience on their toes.

From the collection of Fred Bodin of Gloucester MA. Fred was a long time resident and well-known photographer of Gloucester and had one of the best private collections of New England nautical photographs in private hands. Fred was a photojournalist having graduated with this degree from Syracuse University and worked for Yankee Magazine. Fred passed away in 2016 and HIP purchased his collection from his estate.

  • Description

  • City: Unknown
  • State: Unknown
  • Country: United States
  • Source: Bodin Collection
  • Approx. Date: 1900
  • Photographer: Unknown

Four young boys, presumably around the ages five to seven, stand in front of a circus banner that prominently features different attractions of the circus. Among these advertisements is one claiming that the circus possesses the largest snake in captivity, which greatly piques the curiosity of the young boys. One of the boys sits on the ground as he gazes intently at the poster, while the other three stand and stare at the poster together. The images on the banner were painted wonderfully, drawing in the the viewer's excitement about what the circus is going to show. The foreground of the photograph consists of grassland and serves as a great set-up for this wonderful moment.

Circus shows featuring a wide array of wild animals were a prominent attraction in the 1900s. At that time, only a few select members of society had the ability to travel overseas, and so traveling circus shows introduced many people to exotic animals from all over the world. These circuses often featured wild animals from Asia and Africa, which were transported to America by boat. The circuses also often hired trainers to tame specific animals and conduct animal performances that would keep the audience on their toes.

From the collection of Fred Bodin of Gloucester MA. Fred was a long time resident and well-known photographer of Gloucester and had one of the best private collections of New England nautical photographs in private hands. Fred was a photojournalist having graduated with this degree from Syracuse University and worked for Yankee Magazine. Fred passed away in 2016 and HIP purchased his collection from his estate.