Wednesday, December 06, 2006

John Philip Soapsa


The last of the series of Harold Ronk Estate photos that I received from Robin Estes.

Here's Duane "Uncle Soapy" Thorpe, a much-loved member of the Ringling Clown Alley for almost 40 years, in 1970 production number wardrobe being escorted by "Gargantua".

"Whoooooooooooooo hired HER?!?"

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sorry to see the last of the Harold Ronk pictures..Hope thee will be more down the road..July - 2004 Circus Hall of Fame - Peru, IN. inductees were Albert Schuman, Barry Lubin accepted for Big Apple Circus and Schumann Family, Stephenson Family, Florie Stephenson accepted for the the family and Harold Ronk. Harold and I were checking into the Best Western the day prior to induction. Waiting for Harold at the desk were flowers, cotton candy and cards...As he was pushing his cart down the hallway full of these items and his bags to his room, I requested the RBBB Circus song Popcorn and Lemonade ...That was my last fantastic memory of Harold singing the song as he went to his room...Where have all the great ringmasters gone?

Anonymous said...

Where have all the great ringmasters gone?
Well, Norman Barrett is still alive and well and working for one!

John.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for that memory of Mr. Ronk. At the "preview" of the auction I met a young man looking and writing down various items--as I was. In visiting with him I asked if he was a dealer or a collector. He said he was a collector and had taken the day off from work to see what was offered. That night he had the high bid on several items including Harold's personal small microphone--it looked like the one we've seen in several pictures-- and also his Circus Hall of Fame award - or whatever it is called. I was so glad to see someone like that get it--he was genuinely in awe of what was offered--than some of the others I witnessed as both the auctions.
I'm glad you've enjoyed the pictures. I have a just few more clown pictures to share and then I have a lot of "circus" pictures. It was sort of sad to see his treasurers auctioned off and going to strangers.
Robin Estes

Anonymous said...

I read that some items went to the Milner library and were not part of the auction. Does anyone know which items went there?

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know where the Hall of Fame Award ended up? I also shared part of the evening program the night Harold Ronk was inducted and I'm presently on the Circus Hall of Fame Review Committee - Peru., IN. Harold was truly a Hall of Fame and also a Ring of Fame inductee..