Horseback Sideshow Performers Surrounding Lady Liberty and US Flag circa 1920

Photographer Unknown

$34.99

  • Description

  • City: Unknown
  • State: Unknown
  • Country: United States
  • Source: Bodin Collection
  • Approx. Date: 1920
  • Photographer: Unknown

At least nine well-dressed equestrians in tailored outfits remove their black top hats as they gather around Lady Liberty waving the United States flag. The horses step up to the platform of the statue as the riders offer their respects to Miss Liberty, who is dressed in a simple white dress and crown. She stares ahead with a solemn expression on her face, adding to the many feelings of reverence and pride that are present within this photograph.

Sideshow performers were a popular form of entertainment for America from the mid-1800s to the advent of mass communications such as the television. These performances were in town parades, fairs, and commercial circuses. We are not familiar with this particular act and do not know if it is at a fair or circus, but the performers looked very practiced. The Statue of Liberty came to the US in 1885, and so this performance may represent a belated celebration of its arrival.

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: 1920
  • Photographer: Unknown

At least nine well-dressed equestrians in tailored outfits remove their black top hats as they gather around Lady Liberty waving the United States flag. The horses step up to the platform of the statue as the riders offer their respects to Miss Liberty, who is dressed in a simple white dress and crown. She stares ahead with a solemn expression on her face, adding to the many feelings of reverence and pride that are present within this photograph.

Sideshow performers were a popular form of entertainment for America from the mid-1800s to the advent of mass communications such as the television. These performances were in town parades, fairs, and commercial circuses. We are not familiar with this particular act and do not know if it is at a fair or circus, but the performers looked very practiced. The Statue of Liberty came to the US in 1885, and so this performance may represent a belated celebration of its arrival.

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.