Sideshow Banners from the 1918 Barnum and Bailey Circus

Photographer Unknown

$34.99
  • City: Unknown
  • State: Unknown
  • Country: United States
  • Source: Bodin Collection
  • Approx. Date: 1918
  • Photographer: Unknown

People of all ages stand together as they admire the detailed posters showcasing the various attractions of the Barnum and Bailey circus. In front of the posters, a man who appears to be the well-known Zip "What Is It", a famous pinhead who performed under P.T. Barnum from 1860 until 1926 when Zip passed away due to severe bronchitis. In this photograph, Zip may be discussing the different attractions of the circus, but could also be performing as well.The posters behind him feature a wide variety of photographs, the most noticeable being a poster on the right displaying portraits of the notorious Barnum and Bailey. The posters also depict the various shows that the circus performs, including one featuring giants and midgets. Above the posters, a long banner runs across claiming that the shows will feature "curious people, weird, wonderful human beings." Hopefully the show lives up to its promise, but the posters alone are definitely a sight to behold.

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.

Regular price $34.99
  • City: Unknown
  • State: Unknown
  • Country: United States
  • Source: Bodin Collection
  • Approx. Date: 1918
  • Photographer: Unknown

People of all ages stand together as they admire the detailed posters showcasing the various attractions of the Barnum and Bailey circus. In front of the posters, a man who appears to be the well-known Zip "What Is It", a famous pinhead who performed under P.T. Barnum from 1860 until 1926 when Zip passed away due to severe bronchitis. In this photograph, Zip may be discussing the different attractions of the circus, but could also be performing as well.The posters behind him feature a wide variety of photographs, the most noticeable being a poster on the right displaying portraits of the notorious Barnum and Bailey. The posters also depict the various shows that the circus performs, including one featuring giants and midgets. Above the posters, a long banner runs across claiming that the shows will feature "curious people, weird, wonderful human beings." Hopefully the show lives up to its promise, but the posters alone are definitely a sight to behold.

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.