ACROBATS AND MOUNTEBANKS: Hugues Le Roux and Jules Garnier (1890)

Billy Hayden

The complete text and illustrations of ACROBATS AND MOUNTEBANKS (1890) is available to read at The Internet Archive. The chapter on clowns begins on page 276.

THE LERFOLD TRIO

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY: Kenneth Heilbronn Photographs (1940s)

Paul Jung

Charlie Bell & Trixie

Felix Adler

Felix Adler

RHUM: The Ideal Pick Up Car (1946)

THE IDEAL PICK UP CAR

EMMETT KELLY: Pacific Ocean Park (1959)

PROF. PAUL WENZEL: Skeleton Chase Patent (Feb. 17, 1925)

Photos and research 

courtesy of Beth Grimes

Yup, that photo that we've all seen? That's a young Paul Wenzel and he filed the paperwork for his creation with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on December 4, 1923.

Paul Wenzel should be officially recognized as the creator of the Skeleton Chase.

QUOTE

"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."

- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
 

THE VINTAGE SYNCOPATORS: Wheel Tappers And Shunters Social Club (April 5, 1975)

CHARLIE "ONIONS" BOAS

THE TIMES SQUARE TWO

WORLD CIRCUS DAY: Charlie Rivel in Portrait of a Clown

BETRAM MILLS CIRCUS: Winter Quarters (British Pathe, 1963)

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY: Bellevue Hospital (British Pathe, 1935)

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY: Bellevue Hospital (British Pathe, 1931)

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY: Bellevue Hospital (British Pathe, 1932)

RUDI LLATA CLOWNS: Boxing Entree on Circus Schumann (International Showtime, 1961)

Courtesy of Raffaele de Ritis




From Raffaele...

"Circus Schumann, Copenhagen, from "International Showtime" NBC TV prime-time show, hosted by Don Ameche. 

Nolo and Pepi Diaz with José Llata were the core of "Rudi Llata", the greatest European clown team between 30s and 70s. 

The "boxe" entrée is considered their masterpiece."

WALTER GALETTI: Circus Land

ERNIE "BLINKO" BURCH: Backstage On a Shrine Date (Circa 1960s)

JACKO FOSSETT at Bell Vue

LOU JACOBS and Pee-Wee (circa 1980s)