Paul Jerome and Earl Shipley on the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus in a photo that looks like it may have been taken by Edward Kelty back in the 30s.
If you look closely you'll see that both are wearing Bobby Clark-style painted on glasses.
Bobby Clark and his comedy partner Paul McCullough started out as circus clowns before moving on to vaudeville, Broadway and movies. Clark developed his painted-on glasses while circus clowning and kept them throughout his career.
Earl Shipley was doing Ringling advance work when he retired in the late 50s/early 60s and gave all of his costumes and props to his nephew, 1960s Ringling clown Billy Ward.
Earl Shipley was my Great Uncle and brother of my Grandmother Myrtle Shipley/Ward. Billy Ward was the twin of my Mother Louise Ward/Barker. Billy Ward started out as a Trapeze Flyer catcher and did not become a clown until age set in and he could no longer fly. Both spent a life time with the Circus. Both are buried in Sarasota Fl. Neither had any children. I am their closest living male relative today. Bill Barker mvbillyb@cox.net
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