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Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388

Finding aid prepared by Jacqueline Morin USC Libraries Special Collections Doheny Memorial Library 206 3550 Trousdale Parkway Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189 213-740-5900 [email protected] 2012

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 1 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Title: Ralph Rodgers and Percy Turner Circus collection Collection number: 0388 Contributing Institution: USC Libraries Special Collections Language of Material: English Physical Description: 76.0 Linear feet71 boxes, 2 metal trunks Date: 1930s-1980s Abstract: The Ralph Rodgers and Percy Turner Circus Collection documents the collective interests of a circus model builder/ miniature circus owner and a real circus owner who became friends and whose circus memorabilia ended up with a mutual friend who donated them to USC. The collection contains ephemera, correspondence, photographs, books, records, costumes, and a large amount of circus model plans and drawings kept by Ralph Rodgers. A portion of the collection represents the history of the Percy Turner Circus, one of the first circuses owned by an African-American based in the southern California area. creator: Rodgers, Ralph creator: Turner, Percy, 1907-1984 Biographical Note: Percy Turner The Turner Brothers Circus (aka Turner Brothers Dog and Pony show) was created by Percy Turner in 1958. (There are Articles of Incorporation for the Turner Bros. Dog and Pony Show showing a date of June 5, 1959.) Percy Turner was, by trade, a sign painter in the area of San Diego, California. He and his family had always wanted to have their own circus, so in 1959 they formed their own. They found a local "angel" who was willing to bankroll them. They leased the animals through some contact Turner had in the Paul Eagles Circus Luncheon Club up in Los Angeles. They had a lion, a tiger, two ocelots, an elephant, and several camels. There were clowns, acrobats, a high-wire artist, a dog act and horses, but the Turner family were the only Black members of the troupe. Percy and his wife Joy said that they had never had any Black applicants for jobs in their circus. The Turners left their successful sign-painting business in Pacific Beach to tour the California coast and were widely successful with audiences. Unfortunately, they had no circus experience and the show was forced to close after they discovered their advance agent was skimming the profits. (Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 24 Feb 1998.) Percy Turner went back to sign painting and later lettered some trucks for Circus Vargas when they were in Southern California. Percy Turner kept hoping to find someone else who could provide the financial means to allow him to take out another circus, but his failing health and increased costs prevented him from ever touring again. And though the Turner Bros. Circus officially closed for good on July 4, 1959, Percy and Joy Turner continued to entertain their friends "circus-style"--erecting the cookhouse tent in the backyard for all their local fans, surrounded by the remnants of the dog and pony show that were in various states of repair around the sign shop. Percy Turner died in 1984. Scope and Content The collection is comprised chiefly of Ralph Rodgers' circus memorabilia and materials related to circus model building. In addition to articles, newsletters, instructions, and photos on model building, Rodgers' own drawings, notes, and photographs are included in the papers. His correspondence with well-known circus performers such as Diamond Jim Parker and John Strong document his close ties to the circus world where he formed many long-lasting friendships. A small portion of the collection relates to Percy Turner, a friend of Ralph Rodgers who had his own circus for a brief time in the 1950s. Rodgers and Turner presumably met through John Strong, a well-known circus performer who had his own circus and is well-represented in this collection's ephemera. As described in the biographical note on Ralph Rodgers, the large circus artifacts--the actual circuses-- were dismantled and divided up among Rodgers' sons and their families after his death. Fortunately, there are many photographs in this collection which document Rodgers' own miniature circuses as well as the circuses he worked with during the months that he "ran away to join the circus" in his fifties. Biographical Note: Ralph Rodgers Ralph Rodgers, whose "day job" was as a gas service man for San Diego Gas & Electric, was an avid circus model builder and lifelong circus devotee. He spent his lifetime learning about the circus, following all the circuses--figuratively and later literally-- and becoming friends with many of the well-known circus performers and clowns of the day, many of whom were also model-builders. Ralph Rodgers' wife, Mary Ann, was supportive of her husband's hobby and also worked with him and attended conventions with him. They had four sons: Patrick, Kevin, Michael, and John-- all of whom had model circuses named after them. The circuses were created in the Rodgers' backyard in El Cajon and reflected Ralph's desire to preserve the form and spirit of the circus during its heyday of the 1920s and 30s.

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 2 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 When Ralph Rodgers passed on in 2006, his sons tried for about a year to place the main Rodgers Bros. circus in a museum. They contacted all of the circus museums in the United States in addition to a couple of circus model museums, but could not generate any interest in their father's circuses. They speculate that one of the reasons may be the sheer number of circus model builders that existed at one time, although the numbers have dwindled like most hobby crafts have. Michael Rodgers also mentioned that when he and his brothers were growing up, they visited many circus model builders conventions and saw many of the model circuses of their father's friends such as Jim Parker. Many of the models and circuses they saw were "picture perfect" and looked more factory manufactured than the circuses that Ralph Rodgers built out of chiefly "found" materials. Since he was a serviceman for the San Diego Gas and Electric Company, his job afforded him many opportunities to enter vacated homes to check the gas lines and also salvage materials that could be used to build his circuses. For example, the majority of the older circus wagons were constructed from wooden Venetian blinds. Rodgers built all his wagons and train cars from found wood; he also carved all his own circus people and most of the animals. He fashioned the wagon hardware and other parts from tin coffee cans. He would paint toothpaste tube caps, put wire handles on them, and--voila--water buckets. Every year for two weeks in the spring (rain or shine), Rodgers and his sons would set up the circus in the backyard for all the neighborhood kids, dogs, cats, etc. to enjoy and so, over time, the circus took on the look of a working circus. Though some model builders looked down on Rodgers' creations, the model builders who were also "real" circus people admired and appreciated how realistic the Rodgers circuses were. When the Rodgers sons failed to find an appropriate museum or host for their father's circus, they chose to honor their father's wish-- which was to take it to the desert and burn it if no one wanted it as one complete circus. The circus filled a 10' x 24' storage unit and, while the family did not actually take it out to the desert and burn it, they met at the home of Michael Rodgers along with their nieces and nephews and divided up what they wanted to keep. Then they burned the rest of the stuff while toasting their father through the night, thus folding up the Big Top for the last time. Images of Rodgers' circus can be viewed online at: http://dreamingincircus.com/media/rr-circus/rr-circus.htm Acquisition Donated to USC by Duncan Smith in 2010. Duncan Smith was a friend of both Ralph Rodgers and Percy Turner. Conditions Governing Use All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained. Preferred Citation [Box/folder# or item name], Ralph Rodgers and Percy Turner Circus collection, Collection no. 0388, Regional History Collection, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California Conditions Governing Access COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access. Separated Materials Six boxes of books were included in the donation of this collection. They have been separated from the archival materials to be catalogued individually, but kept together as a donor-based collection. They include both adult and children's books on circuses and circus-related topics. Processing Note This collection was processed with the assistance of Tiffany Chu. Subjects and Indexing Terms Big Apple Circus. -- Archives Circus Model Builders International. -- Archives Circus World Museum (Baraboo, Wis.). -- Archives Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus. -- Archives Cole Bros. Circus. -- Archives Evans, Merle -- Correspondence Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. -- Archives Hayden, Robert, Dr. -- Archives Jacobs , Lou, 1903-1992 -- Correspondence Kreischer, Lou -- Correspondence

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 3 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 MacDougall, Robert -- Correspondence Parker, Jim, 1938-2003 -- Archives Posey, Jake, b. 1863 -- Correspondence Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Combined Shows. -- Archives Rodgers, Ralph -- Archives Sells-Floto Circus. -- Archives Strong, John, d. 1992 -- Correspondence Turner, Percy, 1907-1984 -- Archives Wallenda, Karl -- Archives Wenatchee Youth Circus. -- Archives African American business enterprises--California--San Diego--Archival resources Amusements--California--History--Archival resources Audiotapes Circus wagons--Archival resources Circus--California--La Jolla--20th century--Archival resources Circus--California--Lakeside--20th century--Archival resources Circus--California--Los Angeles--20th century--Archival resources Circus--Florida--Sarasota--20th century--Archival resources Clippings Clowns--Archival resources Correspondence Costumes (character dress) Drawings Ephemera La Jolla (San Diego, Calif.)--History--Archival resources Magazines (periodicals) Phonograph records Photographs Popular culture--California, Southern--History--20th century--Archival resources Postcards Posters Slides (photographs) Videotapes

Circus Model Building Scope and Content This series is the heart of the Ralph Rodgers and Percy Turner Circus collection as it consists of the illustrations, notes, diagrams, etc. of Ralph Rodgers himself in the making of his miniature circuses.

Box 1, 2, 3, 57 Notes, Plans, and Drawings Scope and Content This subseries consists of Ralph Rodgers' own notes and drawings for his model circuses. Many of the diagrams have mathematical calculations related to size and scale of the wagons, tents, people, etc in the miniature circuses.

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 4 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Circus Model Building Publicity

Box 3 Publicity Scope and Content This small subseries contains flyers and other ephemera advertising the Rodgers Bros. Circus.

Box 4 Plans & Instructions Scope and Content This subseries consists of printed circus model plans and instructions-- some commercial and some drawn by other individuals and photocopied. They consist of construction plans for circus wagons, cages, audience seating, and complete circuses.

Box 4, 58 Ephemera Scope and Content This subseries consists of ephemera related to Ralph Rodgers' hobby as a circus model builder--particularly stencils, signs, and logos he used for the models, as well as receipts he kept from purchases he made at hobby stores and other places.

Correspondence Scope and Content This series is comprised of correspondence between Ralph Rodgers and his friends and family, as well as a small amount of buisness and professional items. At least half of the letters to Ralph Rodgers are from Jim Parker who was a clown with Ringling Brothers, circus model builder, and close friend of Rodgers. A small amount of the total correspondence consists of letters to other people other than Ralph Rodgers.

Letters to Ralph Rodgers Scope and Content This subseries consists of two boxes of correspondence to Ralph Rodgers and a few items addressed to both Ralph and Mary Ann (his wife). Some of it is business-related such as form letters from the Circus Hall of Fame and the Chamber of Commerce in Peru, Indiana. One folder contains thank-you notes from school groups and other organizations who "toured" Ralph Rodgers' miniature circus in his back yard in El Cajon, California. The bulk of the series, however, consists of personal correspondence from friends--mainly other circus enthusiasts--including "Diamond Jim" Parker, a fellow model-builder-- but also a famous clown and circus historian who kept in frequent contact with Rodgers.

Box 5, Folder 1 Al G Barnes Ring Scope and Content Circus Model Builders

Box 5, Folder 2 Allstate 1997 Box 5, Folder 3 Amend, Rege 2002 Box 5, Folder 4 Borders, Gordon 1958-1964 Box 5, Folder 4-B Burger, Bill 2001 Box 5, Folder 5 Caldwell, Jim 1932-1991 Scope and Content "Load Lists"

Box 5, Folder 6 Carnival 2003 Box 5, Folder 7 Carson and Barnes 1959-1997 Box 5, Folder 8 Carver, Gordon 1971-2002

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 5 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Correspondence Letters to Ralph Rodgers

Box 5, Folder 9 Circus Chimera Box 5, Folder 10 Circus Hall of Fame 1998-2002 Scope and Content Peru, Indiana

Box 5, Folder 11 Circus Vargas 1981 Box 5, Folder 12 Circus World Museum Box 5, Folder 12-B Clown College 23 July 1976 Box 5, Folder 12-C Cook, Russell E. 6 November 1960 Box 5, Folder 13 Dean, Frank 1981 Box 5, Folder 13-B Evans, Merle 15 May Box 5, Folder 14 Ghirard, Kent Box 5, Folder 15 Greeting Cards Box 5, Folder 16 Hayden, Robert "Doc" 1982-2002 Box 5, Folder 16-B Heist, Walter G. 13 February 1958 Box 5, Folder 16-C Houck, Ralph and Fay Box 5, Folder 17 Klos, Walter Box 5, Folder 18 MacDougall, Bob & Pauline 1982-2006 Box 5, Folder 19 McMurray, Dean Box 5, Folder 20 Miller, Kenneth 1977 Box 5, Folder 21 Miscellaneous Thank-you Notes Box 5, Folder 22 Moreland, Eugene 1973 Box 5, Folder 23 Parker, Jim (1960s) 1960s Box 5, Folder 24 Parker, Jim (1970s part 1) 1970s Box 5, Folder 25 Parker, Jim (1970s part 2) 1970s Box 6, Folder 1 Parker, Jim (1980s) 1980s Box 6, Folder 2 Parker, Jim (1990s) 1990s Box 6, Parker, Jim (2000s) 2000s Folder 3--3-B Box 6, Folder 4 Parker, Jim (dates unknown) Box 6, Folder 5 Pat Kelly Ring 2006 Box 6, Folder 6 Reproductions Box 6, Folder 7 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1967-1982 Box 6, Folder 8 Rodgers, Kevin Box 6, Folder 9 Ralph Rodgers to Family 1978-1979 Box 6, Folder 9-B Ralph Rodgers to Jim Parker 2002 Box 6, Folder 10 Rodgers Family Box 6, Folder 10-B Rounds, Frank 2003 Box 6, Folder 10-C Russell, Ed 6 December 1968 Box 6, Folder 11 Smith, Duncan & Irene 18 October 1977 Box 6, Folder 12 Southern Sawdust 1962 Box 6, Folder 13 Turner Bros. Circus 1977 Scope and Content Irene & Duncan Smith Joy & Percy Turner

Box 6, Folder 14 Waldon, Tony 1980-1985 Box 6, Folder 15 Miscellaneous

Other Letters Scope and Content This subseries consists of letters to other recipients from many different people, including Ralph Rodgers himself. Many of the letters from Ralph Rodgers are those to his wife and son in the late 1970s when he "took off to join the circus." In them, he describes the daily activities of the circuses with which he associated as well as his homesickness and love for his wife, "Baby Doll." Most of the other letters are to clown Lou Kreischer from several different people including renown clowns Mark Anthony and Lou Jacobs.

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 6 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Correspondence Other Letters

Box 7, Folder 1 To Buck from Russel Tully 1958 Scope and Content Circus Model Builders

Box 7, Folder 2 To Dave Fulwiler from U.S. Naval Hospital, San Diego 1967 Scope and Content Lou Kreischer Clowns

Box 7, Folder 3 To Lou Kreischer from Tim 1980 Box 7, Folder 4 To Lou Kreischer from Mark Anthony 1974 Box 7, Folder 5 To Lou Kreischer from Merle Evans 1966 Box 7, Folder 6 To Lou Kreischer from Lou Jacobs 1969-1972 Box 7, Folder 7 To Lou Kreischer from Elsie Jung 18 May 1965 Scope and Content Note from aerialist and equestrian Elsie Jung thanking Kreischer for his condolences regarding the death of her husband, noted clown Paul Jung. (Jung was found murdered in his hotel room during a Ringling Brothers engagement at Madison Square Garden in April 1965).

Box 7, Folder 8 To Lou Kreischer from Jake Posey 1953 Box 7, Folder 9 To Lou Kreischer from Richard Rouse (Mother Goose Parade Assoc.) 1973 Box 7, Folder 10 To Lou Kreischer from M.L. Snyder 1967 Box 7, Folder 11 To Lou Kreischer- Misc. 1970 Box 7, Folder 12 To Lou Kreischer and Andy Kennedy from Edgemoor Employee's Club 1967 Box 7, Folder 13 To Zula Ralph from Various 1940s Scope and Content This folder contains documents and ephemera pertaining to Zula Ralph, all dated in the 1940s. There is a letter from the Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers of America asking "Mr. and Mrs. Ralph" for the address of their son, James G. Ralph. Also included in this folder are several letters and applications from the San Diego County Department of Public Welfare, a letter from the American Red Cross, and several greeting cards.

Box 7, Folder 14 To Percy Turner from Ralph Rodgers 1976 Scope and Content Short note to Percy Turner from Ralph Rodges with Turner's check being returned to him with "thanks"-- but they didn't really need the money for the dinner that they had.

Box 7, Folder 15 To Mr. Shields from Robert Good 1955 Publications Scope and Content This series consists of magazines, souvenir programs, coloring books, newsletters, etc. arranged alphabetically, mostly by name of circus. Newspapers are included in the series "Clippings."

Box 8 Aahmes Shrine Circus 1951 Box 8 Al G. Barnes and Sells-Floto 1938 Box 8 Al G. Barnes Big 4 Ring Wild Animal Circus Box 8 Al Kader Shrine Circus 1953, 1956, 1957 Box 8 Al Kelly & Miller Bros. Circus 1963, 88 Box 8 American Circus Calendar 1990-2006 Box 14 American Circus Posters 1978 Box 8 American International 3-Ring Circus Box 8 American Youth 1974 Box 8 Amusement Business 1963-71

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 7 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Publications

Box 8 Animal-Book Box 8 Animal Kingdom Oct/Nov 1974 Box 8 Argosy 1961, 1962 Box 8 Atlas of World History 1997 Box 8, 22, 23 Bandwagon 1946 - 2005 Box 8 Barnes Bros. Circus 1948 Box 8 The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth - Libretto Box 8 Beckmann & Geretty Shows 1940s Box 8 Beggs Wagon Co. Box 8 Bentley Bros. Circus 1989 Box 8 Big Apple Circus 2002-2003 Box 8 Big International 3 Ring Box 8 Big John Strong Circus Box 8 The Billboard 1941 Box 8 Bolshoi Circus 1970 Box 8 Book of Spiels and Stunt Promoter Box 8 Boys Life Nov 1981 Box 8 Buffalo Bill's Wild West 1971 Box 8 Collier's July 20, 1941 Box 8 Canadian International 3-Ring Circus Box 21 Canadian Tire Presents Gong Gong Box 8 Carousel 1975-2001 Box 8 Carson & Barnes Circus Box 8 Circo Atayde Hnos. 1964, 1966 Box 8 Circo Union 1938 Box 8 Circus! Box 8 Circus America Box 8 Circus Coloring Book Box 8 Circus Hall of Fame Box 8 Circus Life in Pictures Box 8 Circus Model Builders 1960, 1968 Box 8 The Circus Modeler Sept - Oct 1945 Box 9 The Circus Monthly Illustrated Sept 1, 1961 Box 9 Circus Report 1972-2004 Box 9 Circus Review 1953, 1956, 1957 Box 9 Circus Trains Trucks & Models Box 9 Circus Vargas 1976-95 Box 9-11 Circus World Museum 1963-93 Box 14 Circus World Museum- calendar Box 10 Classic Toy Trains Nov 2004 Box 10 Climax Jan 1961 Box 10 Clown Alley 1955 Box 10 Clown Calendar 1969 Box 10 Clyde Beatty Circus 1961- Box 10 Clyde Beatty - Cole Bros. Circus 1936-2003 Box 10 Cole Bros. Circus 1939-2004 Box 10 Cristiani Bros. Circus Box 10 The Desert Song 1948 Box 10 Echo April 1964 Box 10 Edgewater Beach Hotel 1960 Box 10 Egypt Temple Shrine Circus 1994 Box 35 Emmett Kelly, Jr. Calendar 1990, 1993, 1995 Scope and Content Three color calendars featuring famous clown, Emmett Kelly, Jr.

Box 10 Esquire July 1971 Box 10 Eugene Shrine Club Polack Bros. Circus 1955, 1958 Box 10 Focus on the Family 2002

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 8 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Publications

Box 10 Ford Truck Times 1973 Box 21 Franzen Bros. Circus Coloring Book 1984 Box 10 Friends 1953 Box 10 Gauge Rail-Roading Box 10 Gibsonton Circus 1989, 91 Box 10 Good Old Days July 1990 Box 10 Great American Circus 1989 Box 10 Great Circus Parade Box 10 The Great Moscow Circus 1994-1995 Box 10 Grotto Circus 1954-1956 Box 10 Guideposts July 1983 Box 15 Holiday July 1950 Box 10 Home & Highway 1954 Box 10 Hoxie Bros. Circus 1980 Box 10 International 3-Ring Circus 1976-80 Box 10, 15 [Japanese Publications] Box 10 Jungleland Coloring Book Box 10 Kaye Bros. Indoor Circus Box 10 King Bros Circus 1947, 1950 Box 10 The King O Pole 1957, 1960 Box 10 Kiss me Kate Box 10 Knie Box 10 Liberty 1937, 1947 Box 15, 16 Life 1941-1980 Scope and Content 8 April 1946: "Life Visits the Circus in Florida" 9 February 1962: "High Tension, High Wire, Great Wallendas: Will They Make It?" (part by Karl Wallenda) 30 March 1962: "Tiny World of Big Top: A Model Circus That Has Everything" (2 issues) 20 February 1970: "The Funniest College on Earth" by William Zinsser March 1980: "The Mighty Mickey: A Great Old Pro Burlesques It Up On Broadway" by Jim Watters and Gregory Heisler (photographer)

Box 10 The Life of Tom Mix 1936, 1937 Box 10 Lionel 1974 Box 11, 24, 25 Little Circus Wagon 1957-2006 Box 16 Look 1953-1954 Scope and Content 28 July 1953: "Circus Story" 26 January 1954: "Safari" by Ernest Hemingway 29 June 1954: "Circus Girl"

Box 11 LuluTemple Shrine Circus 1942 Box 16 Magic Coloring Book Box 11 Martin Bros Trained Animal Circus Box 11 Mechanix Illustrated Aug. 1938 Box 11 Midian Temple's Shrine Circus 1946 Box 11 Mike's Model Shop Calendar 1984 Box 11 MISC. A - B Box 11 MISC. C Box 11 MISC. D - I Box 12 MISC. J - S Box 12 Model Circus Builders Box 12 Model Railroader July 1946 Box 12 Mountain Gorillas in the Zoological Garden (San Diego Zoo) 1931-1940 Box 12 National Geographic School Bulletin April 1967

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 9 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Publications

Box 12 National Geographic World Sept. 1982 Box 12 National Wildlife 1974 Box 12 Notre Dame vs. Great Lakes Nov. 3, 1943 Box 12 The Old West May 21, 1990 Box 12 Orange Show 1964 Box 12 Oregon Electric Railway Oct. 23, 1955 Box 12 The Outdoor Showsman 1969 Box 12 The Pickle Family Circus Box 12, 16 Polack Bros. Circus 1946-1973 Box 12 Polack Bros. Shrine Circus 1943 Box 12 Popular Science 1933, 1937, 1940 Box 16 Picture Post Jan 11, 1947 Box 16 Post 26 October 1963 Scope and Content "Soviet Circus Wows the U.S.A." by Bill Ballantine

Box 12 Railroad April 1956 Box 12 Railroad Magazine 1946 Box 12 Railroad Model Craftsman Sept 1970 Box 12 Readers Digest March 1976 Box 12 Ready Made Signs for Safety Box 16 The Reithoffer Dynasty circa 1978 Scope and Content 2 copies of "A New Ride Reference Book."

Box 57 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus- Braille Scope and Content 16- page booklet in Braille. Title and description on the front cover: "Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Presents the 100th Edition of THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH, Produced by Irvin Feld and Kenneth Feld, RED UNIT, Embossed by National Brailled Press, Boston Massachusetts."

Box 12, 17-21 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1936-2005 Box 12 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows Box 12 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows (Calendar) 1987 Box 12 Robbins Bros. Circus with Hoot Gibson 1938 Box 19 Roberts Bros. Circus 1991-1994 Box 12 Royal American Shows Box 12, 19 Rudy Bros. Circus 1964 Box 12 Russell Bros Big 3-Ring Circus 1942 Box 12 Saga: The Magazine for Men May 1962 Box 12 Sarasota International Circus Festival & Parade 1992-97 Box 12 Sawdust Trail 1949 Box 12 Show Business Illustrated Oct. 1961 Box 13 Showfolks of Sarasota 1978-95 Box 13 Shrine Circus April 1948 Box 13 Shrine Club Polack Bros. Circus 1953 Box 13 Southern Sawdust 1962-79 Box 13 Star Circus Supplies Catalogue Box 13 Statet Farm Calendar 1973 Box 13 Taronga Park Box 13 Texaco Calendar 1967, 1972 Box 13 Tom Mix Circus Box 13 The Train Yard July/August 1992 Box 13 True: the Man's Magazine August 1955 Box 13 Vecko Tournalen Box 13 Wallace Bros. Circus

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 10 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Publications

Box 13 Wenatchee Youth Circus 1968-77 Box 13 The White Tops 1933-95, 2001-2002 Box 13 Wild West December 1996 Box 13 Wisconsin Dells Territory 1981 Box 13 Yankee Patterson Benefit Circus April, 1941 Box 13 Zooznooz 1964-82 Box 13 0-Gauge Rail-Roading June, 1992 Box 13 101 Ranch Wild West Circus Box 13 The 1994 Indoor Circus Spectacular Subject Files Scope and Content The files in this series are organized into two chief subseries: by name of circus and by topic. Within each subseries, the files are arranged alphabetically. The circus files contain articles, clippings, ephemera, etc. pertaining to specific circuses such as Clyde Beatty or Ringling Brothers. The subject files consist mainly of articles and ephemera on topics such as circus animals, clowns, etc. There is some overlap with the series called "Clippings" so both series should be consulted if researching a particular circus or topic.

Circus Subject Files

Box 26, Folder 1 Al G. Barnes Circus Box 26, Folder 2 Big John A. Strong Circus Box 26, Folder 3 Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show Box 26, Folder 4 Carson & Barnes Circus Box 26, Folder 5 Circus Vargas Box 26, Folder 6 Clyde Beatty Circus Box 26, Folder 7 Clyde Beatty & Cole Bros. Circus Box 26, Folder 8 Cole Bros. Circus Box 26, Folder 9 Cristiani-Wallace Bros. Circus Box 26, Folder 10 Culpepper & Merriweather Circus Box 26, Folder 11 Europorama Box 26, Folder 12 Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Box 26, Folder 13 Hoxie Bros. Circus Box 26, Folder 14 Hunt Bros. Box 26, Folder 15 James Bros. Box 26, Folder 16 Kelly & Miller Bros. Circus Box 26, Folder 17 Kreischer Bros. Circus Box 26, Folder 18 King Bros. Box 26, Folder 19 Lewis Bros. Circus Box 26, Folder 20 Mills Bros. Box 26, Folder 21 Moscow Circus Box 26, Folder 22 Pickle Family Circus Box 26, Folder 23 Polack Bros. Circus Box 26, Folder 24 P.T. Barnum Box 26, Folder 25 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (1 of 3) Box 26, Folder 26 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (2 of 3) Box 26, Folder 27 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (3 of 3) Box 26, Folder 28 Roger Bros. Box 26, Folder 29 Sells-Floto Circus Box 26, Folder 30 Shrine Circus Box 26, Folder 31 Turner Bros. (1 of 16) Box 26, Folder 32 Turner Bros. (2 of 16) Box 26, Folder 33 Turner Bros. (3 of 16) Box 26, Folder 34 Turner Bros. (4 of 16) Box 26, Folder 35 Turner Bros. (5 of 16) Box 26, Folder 36 Turner Bros. (6 of 16)

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 11 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Subject Files Circus Subject Files

Box 26, Folder 37 Turner Bros. (7 of 16) Box 26, Folder 38 Turner Bros. (8 of 16) Box 26, Folder 39 Turner Bros. (9 of 16) Box 26, Folder 40 Turner Bros. (10 of 16) Box 26, Folder 41 Turner Bros. (11 of 16) Box 26, Folder 42 Turner Bros. (12 of 16) Box 26, Folder 43 Turner Bros. (13 of 16) Box 26, Folder 44 Turner Bros. (14 of 16) Box 26, Folder 45 Turner Bros. (15 of 16) Box 26, Folder 46 Turner Bros. (16 of 16)

Topic Subject Files

Box 26, Folder 47 The American Circus Corporation Box 26, Folder 48 Animals Box 26, Folder 49 Brochures Box 26, Folder 50 Carla Wallenda Fan Club Box 26, Folder 51 Cartoons Box 27, Folder 1 Circus Acts Box 27, Folder 2 Circus Fans Association Box 27, Folder 3 Circus Hall of Fame Box 27, Folder 4 Circus Historical Society Box 27, Folder 5 Circus History Box 27, Folder 6 Circusiana Box 27, Folder 7 Circus Model Builders (1 of 3) Box 27, Folder 8 Circus Model Builders (2 of 3) Box 27, Folder 9 Circus Model Builders (3 of 3) Box 27, Folder 10 Circus Organizations and Societies (Misc.) Box 27, Folder 11 Circus World Museum (1 of 2) Box 27, Folder 12 Circus World Museum (2 of 2) Box 27, Folder 13 Clowns Box 27, Folder 14 Jungleland Box 27, Folder 15 Knott's Berry Farm Box 27, Folder 16 Miniature Carousel Builders (1 of 2) Scope and Content White binder, newsletter titled "Horse Tales"

Box 27, Folder 17 Miniature Carousel Builders (2 of 2) Scope and Content White binder, newsletter titled "Horse Tales"

Box 27, Folder 18 Miscellaneous Box 27, Folder 19 Old Milwaukee Days Box 27, Folder 20 Peru, Indiana Box 27, Folder 21 Posey, Jake (1 of 5) Box 27, Folder 22 Posey, Jake (2 of 5) Box 27, Folder 23 Posey, Jake (3 of 5) Box 27, Folder 24 Posey, Jake (4 of 5) Box 27, Folder 25 Posey, Jake (5 of 5) Box 27, Folder 26 Ringling Museum Box 27, Folder 27 San Diego Box 27, Folder 28 Tickets- Misc. (A-J) Box 27, Folder 29 Tickets- Misc. (L-W) Box 27, Folder 30 Tickets- Misc. (Single Tickets)

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 12 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Clippings Newspapers

Clippings Scope and Content This series is comprised of articles, ads, etc. clipped from magazines and newspapers as well as a few entire newspapers such as The Daily Californian (1978, 1986). Like the subject files, the clippings files are organized both by circus and by topic, in additiion to some complete newspapers and several scrapbooks.

Newspapers

Box 28 The Daily Californian 14 January 1986 Scope and Content This newspaper is a complete edition, with the front section (and front page) featuring an article on Ralph Rodgers and his miniature circus replicas, part of one which is depicted in a photograph. The second page features a photograph of Ralph Rodgers himself and includes the story of how he, after he retired from San Diego Gas & Electric, actually ran away to the circus for a few months. 3 copies.

Map-case 6, The Morning Oregonian 3 Nov 1905 Drawer 2 Box 57, Folder 1 The Asahigraph 25 Nov 1925 Language of Material: Japanese Scope and Content 24- page pictorial newspaper in Japanese with a few English captions.

Clippings Organized by Circus

Box 29 Adam Forepaugh Show Box 29 Al G. Barnes Circus Box 29 Al G. Barnes & Sells-Floto Combined Circus 18 & 19 November 1938 Box 29 Al G. Kelly & Miller Bros. Box 29 Allen Bros. Circus Box 29 The American Crown Circus 1998 Box 29 Arthur Bros. Circus Box 29 Barnum & Bailey Box 29 Barnum's Kaleidoscope 2000 Scope and Content UTC La Jolla Jan 19-Feb 11, 2000 "On the 19th of January Kevin and I searched all over La Jolla Show and never found--think they cancelled the date"

Box 29 Beers-Barnes Circus Box 29 Bentley Bros. Circus Box 29 Big Apple Circus 2000 Scope and Content Stage Show May 30-June 4, 2000

Box 29 Big John Strong 1968-1995 Box 29 Campbell Bros. Circus Box 29 Carla Wallenda Circus Box 30 Cheval Theatre 4 October 2001 Scope and Content Equestrian Extravaganza! Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

Box 28, 30 Carson & Barnes Circus 1966-1995

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 13 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Clippings Clippings Organized by Circus

Box 30 Christy Bros. Circus Box 30 Circus Chimera 2000 Scope and Content Lemon Grove, CO November 1 & 2, 2000 Alpine, CA February 24-26

Box 30 Circus Royale Box 30 Circus USA Box 31 Cirque Du Soleil 1987-2004 Box 31 Cirque Eloize 2002 Scope and Content Escondido Performing Arts Center October 24-27, 2002

Box 31 Cirque Ingenicux 1998 Scope and Content San Diego, CA November 25-29, 1998

Box 30, 31 Circus Vargas 1979-2003 Box 28, 31 Cristiani Bros. Circus Scope and Content San Diego, CA September 4-6, 1958

Box 28, 31 Clyde Beatty Circus Box 31 Clyde Beatty Railroad Circus 1956 Box 31 Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus 1966-1995 Box 31 Cole Bros. Circus Scope and Content El Mira, NY June 10-?, probably early 1940s

Box 31 Culpepper & Merriweather Circus Box 31 Downie Bros. Circus Box 31 Dream Clown Circus 1991 Box 31 Fern Street Circus Scope and Content Balboa Park, San Diego, CA May 27-June 4

Box 31 Franzen Bros. Circus Box 31 Gainesville Community Circus Scope and Content Texas

Box 31 Golden Bros. Circus Box 31 Gollman Bros. 1910 Box 31 The Great Moscow Circus 1994 Scope and Content San Diego, CA Wednesday October 12-Sunday October 16, 1994 "A very remarkable show"

Box 31 Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Box 31 Hoxie Bros. Circus Box 31 Hunt Bros. Box 28 International Circuses Box 31 Jett's Petting Zoo 1970 Box 28 John A. Strong

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 14 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Clippings Clippings Organized by Circus

Box 31 Jordan International Circus 1993-1995 Scope and Content Lakeside, CO November 3-5, 1995 Al Bahr Shrine

Box 28, 31 Kaye Continental Circus Box 31 Kelly-Miller Bros. Circus Box 31 King Bros. Circus Box 31 Lemon Bros. Circus Box 31 Liebel's Circus Box 31 Mighty Haag Circus Box 29, 33 Miscellaneous Circuses Box 29 Monroe Bros. Circus Box 31 Plunket Bros. Circus Box 31 Polack Bros. Circus Box 31 Polack Bros. Circus-Rudy Bros. Circus Box 31 Ralph Rodgers Box 31 Reid Bros. Circus Box 31 Rice Bros.-Allen King Circus Box 29, 33, 34 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1939-2005 Box 34 Robbins Circus 7 October 1938 Scope and Content Tampa, FL

Box 34 Roberts Bros. Circus Box 34 Roller Bros. Circus Box 29 Royal American Box 34 Royal Lipizzan Stallion Show 1970 Scope and Content Sports Arena July 7-9, 1970

Box 34 Russell Bros. 1940s Box 34 Sells-Floto Circus Box 34 Sells and Grey Circus Box 34 Sparks Circus Box 34 St. Louis Shrine Circus Box 34 Tom Mix Circus Box 34 United Nations Circus 20 April 1963 Scope and Content Manchester, GA

Box 34 Vidbel Olde Tyme Circus Box 34 Wallace Bros. Circus Box 34 Buffalo Bill's 101 Ranch Wild West Show Box 34 Zerbini Circus

Clippings Organized by Topic

Box 29 Accidents Box 29 Animals Box 29 African-Americans Box 29 Amusement Parks Box 29 Cartoons Box 29 Circus Animals Box 29 Circus Ads Box 29 Circus Bands Box 29 Circus Memories/History

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 15 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Clippings Clippings Organized by Topic

Box 29 Circus Organizations Box 29 Circus Pages Box 29 Circus People Box 30 Circus Performers Box 30 Circus Routes Box 30 Circus Wagons and Trains Box 30 Clowns Box 30 Cowboys Box 30 Festivals and Fairs Box 30 Hawaii Box 30 Joining the Circus Box 30 Jungleland Box 30 Miscellaneous Box 30 Miscellaneous (1930s) Box 30 Miscellaneous (1940s) Box 30 Models and Model Builders Box 29, 34 Rodger Bros. Circus Box 30 Sideshows Box 30 Wallendas Box 30 Wild Animal Shows and Parks Box 30 Women

Scrapbooks

Box 35, Binder 1 A: Al G. Barnes; Al G. Barnes-Sells Floto Scope and Content Wagons, Trucks Wagon Lists, Loading Lists History Tent Info R.R. Cars General Info

Box 35, Binder 2 B: Barnum; Barnum & Bailey Scope and Content Wagons, Trucks Wagon Lists, Loading Lists Parade Lists History Tent Info R.R. Cars General Info

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 16 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Clippings Scrapbooks

Box 35, Binder 3 D: Dailey Bros.; Downie Bros. Scope and Content Dailey Bros: Wagons, Trucks Wagon Lists, Loading Lists History Tent Info R.R. Cars General Info Downie Bros: Wagons, Trucks Wagon Lists, Loading Lists History Tent Info R.R. Cars General Info Banner Lines

Box 35, Binder 4 R: Robbins Bros. Scope and Content Wagons, Trucks Wagon Lists, Loading Lists History Tent Info R.R. Cars General Info

Box 35 Newspaper Photographs 1 & 2 Scope and Content Photograph album-style scrapbooks with black pages. Newspaper photos of circus performers and circus scenes from the 1930s.

Box 35 Newspaper Photographs 2 Box 35 Newspaper Photographs 3 1950s-1960s Scope and Content Soft-cover (paper) scrapbook of mainly loose clippings of magazine and newspaper articles and photos. Clippings were kept within the pages of the scrapbook rather than dispersed to clipping files by circus or topic in order to preserve the context and time period in which they were collected.

Box 35 Newspaper Photographs 4 1950s-1960s Scope and Content Soft-cover (paper) scrapbook (missing back cover) containing newspaper photos, ads, and short articles pertaining to the circus. Circuses represented include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Clyde Beatty, Big John Strong, James Bros., King Bros., Cristiani Bros., and Bell Bros.

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 17 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Clippings Scrapbooks

Box 39 Newspaper Photographs 5 1930s Scope and Content Fragile scrapbook with very brittle & crumbling pages. Most of the pages consist of newspaper photographs of circus animals, performers, and circus scenes from the 1930s. Some of the pages have pencil and crayon drawings of circus wagons and other structures, presumably drawn by Ralph Rodgers. There are many loose clippings near the back of the scrapbook (not glued to the pages).

Photographs Scope and Content This large series consists of 7 boxes of photographs and negatives, and 22 photo albums. Most of the photo albums are not labeled and are given artificial numbers for the purpose of matching the location of the photo album with its descriptive information. The photographs which are in files rather than in albums are organized by topic or circus, with "sets" of photographs kept together as they were in their original envelopes whenever possible. The files are arranged alphabetically.

Photo Albums

Box 36 Photo Album "1" 1970s (Most) Scope and Content Most of the photos are in plastic photo pages in a green 3-ring binder. Pages at the back are green scrapbook pages with photos glued directly onto the paper. Most of the photos are candid color photos of circus events and animals (1970s?); the business card of Lou Kreischer is in one of the photo pockets. There are some black and white 8 x 10 photos in the album also including many of clowns. One of them is autographed to "Lou" by Diamond Jim Parker. Most of the 8 x 10 photos as well as those pasted on green paper are of clowns.

Box 36 Photo Album "2" 1908-1946 Scope and Content This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. The first twenty-six photos appear to be of a Ringling Brothers circus parade in 1909. People are riding horses, elephants, and camels in the parade. There are nine small black and white photos of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus in 1920. Next, there are 12 parade photos of the Ringling Bros. Circus in 1908 taken in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The following 20 photos depict the ruins after a fire of a RB & BB circus in Hartford, Connecticut in 1944. The last 13 photos in the album are RB & BB circus wagons in Greenville, South Carolina in 1946.

Box 36 Photo Album "3" 1900-1942 Scope and Content This album is a 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos affixed to black paper. The first group of 12 photos is labeled "Christy Wagon Set." The next 14 photos are labeled "World Jungle Compound Set: Thousand Oaks, CA." The following 4 photos are of Al G. Barnes circus wagons in 1934. The remainder of the album consists of photos from the Forepaugh & Sells Bros. Circus (circa 1900), Cole Bros. Circus (1942), and the Sells-Floto Circus (undated, but starring Tom Mix).

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 18 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Photographs Photo Albums

Box 36 Photo Album "4" 1930-1973 Scope and Content This album consists of two green 3-ring binders with plastic photo pages. The photos are pasted onto black paper. The photos are of different types of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus wagons. There are several sheets of folded paper tucked into the front pocket of the first green binder (Album 4 part 1). Most of the photos in the album are labeled--the papers contain a key for this labeling system and give a description and a date for each photo.

Box 36 Photo Album "5" 1916-1943 Scope and Content This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. The first eighteen photos are of Al G. Barnes circus wagons, animals, and signs, taken in 1939. The next twenty-four photos, taken in 1934, depict Al G. Barnes wagons, signs, and elephants. Two of the photos in the set show a tent being set up. Then there are thirty-nine photos from 1935 of Cole Bros. as well as Cole Bros. with Clyde Beatty Circus wagons and signs. The set also includes several photos of animals. The following nine photos depict a 1939 Cole Bros. circus and parade. Then there are eleven photos of LaTena Circus horses and wagons in Ithaca, New York on May 19, 1916. There are three photos of Howe’s Great London Circus, all from 1920, in different states: Carlisle, PA; Sikeston, MO; East Port, ME. Then there are ten photos of horses dragging Sparks circus wagons and people at Sparks Circus in Ithaca, NY in 1916. The next photo page contains a letter handwritten on lined notebook paper. The letter is dated 1943 and is two pages long; the second page has writing on both sides. It was written by F.M. Farrell to J.A. Shields in Ithaca, NY and appears to be a response to a request for photos of LaTena and Sells-Floto circuses. The writer also describes a 1923 Al G. Barnes and a 1943 Cole Bros. show he saw. After the letter, there are forty-four photos from 1917 in different New York and Massachusetts cities. They show R.T. Richards circus performers, animals, and wagons. Next, there is one photo of what appears to be an advertisement for a Howe’s Great London show in Haverhill, Massachusetts, taken in 1920. There are nine Sells-Floto photos from Ithaca, NY in 1919. The last set of photos in the album are of Hagenbeck-Wallace wagons in 1934.

Box 36 Photo Album "6" 1927-1938 Scope and Content This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. First, there are seven photos of Campbell Bros. performers, animals, and advertisements. Then there are twenty-four photos, including some of Cole Bros. trains, horses, and performers. The next fifteen photos depict Arthur Bros. trains, train cars, and tents. Next, there are thirty-five photos of Al G. Kelly and Miller Bros. trucks, animals, and performers. There is a set of thirty-five photos of Robbins Bros. wagons containing animals or on trains. The next set, from 1927, also depicts the Robbins Bros. Circus in what seems like a parade. The set also includes a few photos of animals and of wagons being unloaded from trains. Then there are six photos of Sells-Floto wagons in Long Beach, CA. There are thirteen photos of Hagenback-Wallace wagons in Long Beach in 1938. The last eight photos in the album show a Robbins Bros. parade.

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 19 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Photographs Photo Albums

Box 36 Photo Album "7" 1922-1946 Scope and Content This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. The first photo page contains a two-sided handwritten 1946 letter from Charles Philip Fox to J.A. Shields regarding a photo trade agreement. There seem to have been several photos of various circuses (including Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Hagenbeck-Wallace, Al G. Barnes and Sells-Floto) enclosed with the letter. The first eleven photos are of spectators, animals, and wagons at a Cole Bros. Circus in 1937. Then there are twenty-five photos of Hagenbeck-Wallace wagons, horses, and a parade. Next are sixteen photos of a 1923 circus parade. There are eight photos of John Robinson Circus workers in 1922. The following eight photos depict Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus horses in 1936. These photos are labeled “from CP Fox” and are presumably some of the photos mentioned in the letter at the front of the album. After that, there are twenty-two photos from 1922 of a Sparks Circus parade and wagons, camels, zebras, and elephants. Then there are eighteen photos from 1925 of Sells-Floto clowns, performers, and spectators. The last fourteen photos are of a Sparks Circus parade.

Box 36 Photo Album "8" 1939-1969 Scope and Content This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. All of the photos depict Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey train cars and tractors. There are a few sheets of paper tucked into the back of the binder. These papers use the letter-number labels handwritten on the photos to match each photo with a description and a date.

Box 37 Photo Album "9" 1929-1937 Scope and Content This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. The first thirty-six photos are of Al G. Barnes circus animals, mostly elephants, horses, zebras, and camels. Then there are fifteen photos from 1937 of Al G. Barnes and Sells-Floto wagons that contain animals. The next sixty photos are of the Al G. Barnes and Sell-Floto Combined Circus, taken in approximately 1929. Most of the photos in this set are of wagons.

Box 37 Photo Album "10" 1903-1946 Scope and Content This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. The first set of photos is from 1938. They depict Robbins Bros. wagons on trains, people watching the trains getting unloaded, and a circus parade. The next twenty-one photos, from 1946, are of Clyde Beatty train cars and elephants. Then there is a set of twenty-six photos, some of a Clyde Beatty and Russell Bros. performance, others of circus trucks and animals. The following set of photos is of the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1914. Most of these photos depict performers on horseback and horses pulling wagons. There is also what seems to be a holiday card from 1951 with a photo of the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1903 on it. Then there are five photos of a 1913 Gentry Bros. Dog and Pony Show; a photo of Ringling Bros. horses pulling a wagon in Cincinnati, OH in 1917; a photo of an 1897 parade with lots of elephants, labeled “Adam H. Paul”; and a photo from 1922 of Howe’s Great London horses and a wagon.

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 20 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Photographs Photo Albums

Box 37 Photo Album "11" 1917-1948 Scope and Content This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos pasted onto black paper inside the photo pages. The first seventy-one photos are from 1945. They consist of Dailey Bros. advertisements, trains, circusgoers, performers, and elephants. The next twelve photos were taken at Fair for Britain in 1948 and the Terrell Jacobs Circus in 1942. These photos are mainly of elephants, performers, and the circus tents. Next, there are two photos of Robbins Bros. wagons and a Clyde Beatty train, taken in 1938. Then there is one 1922 photo of a Gollman Bros. circus. There are two photos from 1935 of the Rice Bros. Circus, then three photos of a Downie Bros. parade and trucks. There is one 1941 photo of what appears to be a Cole Bros. float. The following three photos were taken in 1924 and are of Sells-Floto animals and wagons. The next two are photos from 1926, of a wall of Christy Bros. advertisements. There is a blank page, then three photos of a Barnum & Bailey parade and train at Birmingham, Alabama in 1917. Next are two 1938 photos of Al G. Barnes and Sells-Floto train cars in Tennessee. Then there are six photos of Budweiser horses in San Diego in 1947. Lastly, there are six photos from a fair in 1946 that are not associated with any particular circus.

Box 37 Photo Album "12" 1915-1938 Separated Materials note This album is a 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos affixed to black paper. The first nine photos are of the John Robinson Circus in 1925. Then there are forty-nine photos of Sells-Floto wagons, tents, workers, horses, and other animals in 1926. Next are seventeen photos of a 1915 Sells-Floto ticket office and workers, performers, and wagons. The following twenty photos depict horses and Hagenbeck-Wallace wagons. After that are seventeen photos of Cole Bros. animals and wagons in 1936. The next twenty-two photos are of Cole Bros. horses, elephants, wagons, and spectators in 1935. Then there are eight 1915 photos of Sells-Floto performers, elephants, and other animals. The next set of nine photos is also of the Sells-Floto circus, but in 1917. The set includes photos of a parade and spectators. Next are eleven photos of a 1938 Robbins Bros. parade and performances in a tent. Then there are fourteen photos of Howe’s Great London wagons, spectators, and clowns in 1921. The last twelve photos in the album show Christy Bros. wagons and caged animals.

Box 37 Photo Album "13" 1910-1942 Scope and Content This album is a 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos affixed to black paper. The first sixty-two photos are of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus from 1933 to 1938. Most are of wagons, and a few are of animals, mostly teams of horses. The next forty-two photos depict Robbins Bros. trains, wagons, and animals in 1938. Then there are fifteen photos of a 1939 Cole Bros. Circus parade. After that are three photos of what seems to be a Col. Palmers parade. Next are twelve photos of Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill’s Great Far East Show. There are ten photos of a 1910 Yankee Robinson parade and some clowns. The last twenty photos are of the Terrell Jacobs Wild Animal Circus, taken in Ontario, Canada in 1942. They show elephants, campers, wagons, and the entrance to the circus.

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 21 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Photographs Photo Albums

Box 37 Photo Album "14" 1937-1941 Scope and Content This album is a 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos affixed to black paper. The first thirty photos are mostly of Cole Bros. train cars in 1941. The next twenty-eight photos are mostly of 1937 Cole Bros. wagons. One of them depicts a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey wagon. The following twenty-five photos depict 101 Ranch Wild West advertisements, trains, animals, and wagons. Then there are eleven photos of Al G. Barnes and Sells-Floto trains, wagons, and elephants, taken in 1937. Lastly, there are fifty photos of Al G.. Barnes trains, wagons, and horses.

Box 37 Photo Album "15" 1936-1952 Scope and Content This album is a 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos affixed to black paper. At the beginning of the album are two typed sheets of paper that appear to be a Cole Bros. inventory list of wagons and animals from 1944 and 1939. The first five photos are of Clyde Beatty performers. Then there are twelve photos, mostly of Cole Bros. workers and train cars. Next are eight photos of a hippo named “Puddles” taken in 1943 in San Diego, CA. Then there are nine photos of Cole Bros. elephants, camels, and horses in Wausau, Wisconsin in 1939. The following set of fifteen photos depicts a James M. Cole Circus parade in the same city, also in 1939. Then there are fifteen more photos of the Cole Bros. Circus in 1947, mostly showing trucks. There are twenty photos of Wirth Circus performers in Allentown, PA in 1947. Next are fourteen photos, mostly of Sparks Circus trucks and performers in 1947. After that, there twelve photos of the Holland Dutch Classic Circus in Allentown, PA in 1942, then nine photos of the Prof. Geo Keller Wild Animal Act in 1944, also in Allentown, PA. There are two typed pages of what appear to be lists of photographs, dated 1939 and 1936. After that are sixteen photos of the Cole Bros. Circus in Marshfield, WI in 1939. There are twelve photos, mostly of lions and tigers performing in a large cage from the Terrell Jacobs Wild Animal Act in Atlantic City, 1941. The following seven photos are of the Jack Hoxie Circus in 1937. There are twenty photos depicting the Col. Tim McCoy Real Wild West show. Then there is a typed list of what appear to be descriptions of photographs. Next, there are twenty-six 1952 photos of King Bros.-Cristiani trucks and a parade. Then there are eight photos of the Wallace Bros. circus and performers in 1944. Then there are photos of animals and spectators from the Parker-Watts Circus in 1939, the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus in 1937, the Dailey Bros. Circus in 1947, and finally the Clyde Beatty Circus in 1945.

Box 37 Photo Album "16" 1899-1937 Scope and Content This album is a 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos affixed to black paper. There are several lists of descriptions of photos available for sale tucked into the front pocket of the album. The first six photos in the album are of women on horses, from the Cole Bros. Circus in 1935. Next are fifteen photos of a Sparks Circus parade in 1927. Then there are fifteen photos of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus in Decater, IL. There are two photos from the Terrell Jacobs Circus in 1912. Next are fourteen photos of 1938 Hagenbeck-Wallace elephants, tents, and trains. The following twenty photos are smaller, mostly of Al G. Barnes animals. Then there are six 1912 photos of Howe’s Great London show in Ontario. There are eight photos of the Buffalo Bill show in 1911, then five of Forepaugh and Sells Bros. tents in 1910, three of the Ringling Bros. Circus in 1913, and three of the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1912. There is one photo each of a 1934 Hagenbeck-Wallace animal wagon; a 1929 Sparks Circus in Milwaukee, WI; Walter Main Circus flats being unloaded in 1918; Gollmar Bros. elephants in 1910; 101 Ranch Wild West Side Show spectators in 1911; and a 1910 Howe’s Great London tent. Then there are three photos of the John Robinson Circus in 1899 and 1901, one photo of 1914 Sells-Floto spectators in California, and finally three photos taken in Birmingham, AL of a Barnum & Bailey wagon and spectators in 1913 and 1901.

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 22 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Photographs Photo Albums

Box 38 Photo Album "17" Scope and Content This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages. On the bottom half of each page in the album is one photo of a circus wagon. The top half of each page contains a detailed description of the wagon typed on yellow paper. There are many types of wagons from various circuses represented in this album.

Box 38 Photo Album "18" Scope and Content This album is a 3-ring binder with a tan pebbled-sand print on the front, edge, and back and the word TECHITE in red on the front and edge. It contains plastic photo pages and color photos affixed to black paper. The first twelve photos are of performers in the Wenatchee Youth Circus in Wenatchee, WA. Then there are sixteen photos of The Pickle Family Circus performances. The rest of the photos are all of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the San Diego Sports Arena. Most are of performances, and there are some photos of clowns and some of the parking lot.

Box 38 Photo Album "19" 1926-1937 Scope and Content This album is a white 3-ring binder with plastic photo pages and photos affixed to black paper. The first seven pages are of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey train cars and correspond to some of the lists of descriptions that are tucked into the front pocket of the album. However, several of the lists of photo descriptions do not appear to match any of the photos in the album. After the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey photos, there are thirty-nine photos of Al G. Barnes & Sells-Floto advertisements, trains, and wagons. Then there are another twenty-one photos of Al G. Barnes & Sells-Floto turcks, trains, and wagons in 1937. The following set of photos depicts Clyde Beatty-Russell Bros. Circus trucks and animals. Next, there are forty-six photos of a 101 Ranch Wild West parade. The last set of thirty photos shows Sparks Circus animals and wagons in 1926.

Box 38 Photo Album "20" 1960s (Most) Scope and Content This album is a white 3-ring binder. Photos are glued onto black paper. Subjects of photos include circus aerialists, clowns, acrobats, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus wagons, Circo Bell's Hnos. wagons, A.G. Barnes circus wagons, Diamond Jim Parker, Westgate Park in San Diego. Many of the 8 x 10 black and white photographs of clowns are autographed to Everett M. Smith. Most of the photographs appear to be from the early 1960s.

Box 38 Photo Album "21" Scope and Content This red three-ring binder consists of 27 double-sided black photo pages of 4 x 5 color photos, most of them appearing to be from one particular circus show., most likely Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. The photos depict clown acts, aerialists, acrobats, animal tricks, people riding elephants, etc. Some of the last few pages consist of photos which have been "tagged" with names: Lou Jacobs, Jim Parker, etc.

Box 39 Photo Album "22" Scope and Content Scrapbook-style photo album with black pages and adhesive "corners"; many photos loose. All black and white photos, most unidentified. Several of Cole Bros. and Clyde Beatty's circuses-- mainly photos of wagons, tents, and animals.

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 23 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Photographs Prints and Negatives

Prints and Negatives

Box 40, Folder 1 Aerialists and Trapeze Artists Box 40, Folder 2-3 Al G. Barnes Circus 193[?] Box 40, Folder 4-8 Al G. Barnes and Sells-Floto Circus 1934, 1938 Box 40, Folder 9-10 Al G. Kelly & Miller Bros. Circus March 1961, December 1971, October 1979 Box 40, Folder 11 Allen Bros. Circus 1985 Box 40, Folder 12 Alohaland Circus Box 40, Folder 13-14 American Continental Box 40, Folder 15-17 American Showtime Circus January 2, 1989 Box 57, Folder 2 Animals Box 40, Folder 18 Arthur Bros. Circus Box 40, Folder 19 Atayde & Circo Union [MEXICAN] Box 40, Folder 20 Bailey Bros. Box 40, Folder 21 Barnum & Bailey Circus Box 40, Folder 22 Barnum's Kaleidoscope May 1999 Box 40, Folder 23-28 Bentley Bros. Circus Box 40, Folder 29 Beverly Park, Los Angeles, CA 1950 Box 40, Folder 30-31 Big John Strong November 1962, 1981 Box 40, Folder 32 Bob Hunting's Circus 1894 Box 40, Folder 33 Bob MacDougall Models Box 40, Folder 34 Bud E. Anderson's American Victory Circus 1945 Box 40, Folder 35 Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show 1893 Box 40, Folder 36 Capell Bros. Circus 1979 Box 40, Folder 37 Captain Osa Barada Box 40, Folder 38-41 Carnivals February 10, 2001 Box 40, Folder 42 Carnival Museum Box 40, Folder 43-46 Carson and Barnes Circus December 1967, 1993, 1997 Box 40, Folder 47 Christy Bros. Circus October 1967 Box 40, Folder 48 Circo Atayde Hermanos Box 40, Folder 49 Circo Tihany Box 40, Folder 50-51 Circus Chimera Box 40, Folder 52 Circus Circus Casino Box 40, Folder 53 Circus Eos [CANADIAN] 2002 Box 40, Folder 54-56 Circus Hall of Fame 1947-1956, 1971, 1981 Box 40, Folder 57-58 Circus Hall of Fame Wagons 1971 Box 40, Folder 59 Circus Lithos Box 40, Folder 60 Circus Model Builders Convention 1972 Box 40, Folder 61 Circus Promo 1981 Box 40, Folder 62-80 Circus Vargas 1974-1990s Box 40, Folder 81 Circus Wagons Box 40, Folder 82 Circus World Box 40, Folder 83-85 Circus World Museum July 1966, January 1969, 1990 Box 40, Folder 86-87 Circus Vargas 1987. 1992 Box 40, Folder 88-95 Clowns Box 40, Folder 96 Clowns - Ernie "Blinko" Burch Box 40, Folder 97 Clowns - Jake Posey Box 40, Folder 98 Clowns - Lou Jacobs Box 40, Folder 99 Clowns - Mark Anthony Box 40, Folder 100 Clowns - Ringling Bros. Box 40, Folder 101 Clowns - Zapateen and Nikoleen Box 40, Folder 102-104 Clyde Beatty Circus 1945-1956 Box 40, 41 Clyde Beatty & Cole Bros. Circus 1965-2002

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 24 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Photographs Prints and Negatives

Box 41, Folder 16 Clyde Bros. Circus 1966 Box 41, Folder 17-23 Cole Bros. Circus July 1, 1945 Box 41, Folder 24 Cristiani Bros. Circus October 1968 Box 41, Folder 26 Frank Crumrine Circus Crafts Box 41, Folder 27-29 Culpepper & Merriweather Circus March 1988, April 4 1996 Box 41, Folder 30 Dailey Bros. Circus 1945, 1948 Box 41, Folder 31 Dam Bros. Box 41, Folder 32 Dodson's Imperial Shows Box 41, Folder 33 Downie Bros. Circus Box 41, Folder 34 East County Fair early 1960's Box 41, Folder 25 Europeroma Circus Box 41, Folder 35 Foley & Burke Shows/Carnival 1949 Box 41, Folder 36 Franzen Bros. Circus Box 41, Folder 37-39 Frisco-Morton Circus Box 41, Folder 40 Funtastic Shows Box 41, Folder 41 Gentry Bros. Circus 190[9?], 1921 Box 41, Folder 42 Gollmar Bros. Circus 1947 Box 41, Folder 43 Goodman Shows Box 41, Folder 44-58 Great American Circus March 4 1987, October 8 1988, 1991 Box 41, Folder 59 Hagen Bros Box 41, Folder 60-63 Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus 1962, 1967, 1968, 1969 Box 41, Folder 64-66 Hanneford Circus 1992 Box 41, Folder 67-68 House on the Rock Box 41, Folder 69 Howard Bros. Circus Box 41, Folder 70 Howe's Great London Box 41, Folder 71-72 Hoxie Bros. Circus Box 41, Folder 73 Hoxie and Great American Circus Box 41, Folder 74 James Bros. Circus Box 41, Folder 75-76 James E. Strates Carnival 2000-2001 Box 41, Folder 77-78 James E. Strates Shows 1971 Box 41, Folder 79 John Pawling Circus Ring Box 41, Folder 80 John Ward Shows Box 41, Folder 81 Jordan International 1990, 1993 Box 41, Folder 82 Jungleland, Thousand Oaks, CA 1964 Box 41, Folder 83 Kay's Circus November 1967 Box 41, Folder 84 Kelly-Miller Bros. Circus July 1961 Box 41, Folder 85-86 Kings Bros. Circus [MEXICAN] Box 41, Folder 87 King Bros. & Cristiani Circus May 23, 1953 Box 41, Folder 88 Knott's Berry Farm Box 41, Folder 88a Circus Lithos Box 41, Folder 88b Bob MacDougall Models Box 41 Miscellaneous Photos Box 41-42 Model Builders and Models 1980-1998 Box 42, Folder 20 Naughtin's Bears Box 42, Folder 21 Negatives Misc. Box 42, Folder 22 Norris and Rowe Box 42, Folder 23-24 Oscarian Brothers 1983 Box 42, Folder 25 Pacific Ocean Park, Santa Monica, CA Box 42, Folder 26-29 Parker Bros. - Jim Parker Box 42, Folder 30 Paul Eagles' Circus Luncheon Box 42, Folder 31 Photo Album Pages

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 25 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Photographs Prints and Negatives

Box 44 Photo Sets 1970s-1980s Scope and Content There are seven envelopes of color snapshots in this box-- kept together with the rolls of negatives that originally accompanied them in ziplock bags. The subjects consist mainly of circus wagons from one or more circuses or parades. The first two envelopes contain photos from a circus at Navy Pier in Chicago in what appears to be the 1970s.

Box 42, Folder 32 Polack Bros. Circus Box 42, Folder 33 Reithoffer Box 42, Folder 34 Rex Williams 1985 Box 42, Folder 35-37 Rimwood Circus 1992 Box 42, 43 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1945-1995 Box 43, Folder 32 Ringling Circus Museum Box 43, Folder 33 Robbins Bros. Circus 1930s, 1960s Box 43, Folder 34-41 Roberts Bros. Circus 1981-1996 Box 43, Folder 42-44 Rodgers Bros. Box 43, Folder 45-46 Rodgers Bros. Circus 1946-1954 Box 43, Folder 47-50 Royal American Shows 1986, April 2 1994, 1998 Box 43, Folder 51 Rudy Bros. Circus March 1962,1977 Box 43, Folder 52 Sarasota, Fla. Circus Parade 1989 Box 43, Folder 52a Sarasota Showfolks Circus 1988 Box 43, Folder 53 Sarasota Street Parade 1989 Box 43, Folder 54 Seil-Sterling Circus 1937-1938 Box 43, Folder 55-56 Sells & Gray Circus 1964, April 1972 Box 43, Folder 57-60 Sells-Floto Circus 1915, 1920-1929, 1928, July 1964 Box 43, Folder 61 Semon's Chimps Box 43, Folder 62 Siebrand Circus & Carnival, AZ (McDonald Elephant Act) 1951 Box 43, Folder 62a Circo Tihany Box 43, Folder 63-66 Toby Tyler Circus Box 43, Folder 67 Turner Bros. Circus 1957-1958 Box 43, Folder 68 Von Bros. Circus 1965 Box 43, Folder 69-73 Walker Bros. Circus October 21 1995, 1998 Box 43, Folder 74 Wallace Bros. Circus 1922, 1940 Box 43, Folder 75 Wallace & Clark Circus 1960 Box 43, Folder 76 Wallenda Circus 1993 Box 43, Folder 77 Weber Bros. Circus 1959 Box 43, Folder 78 Western-Pacific Carnival Box 43, Folder 79-82 Williams-Althoff Circus 1970 Slides Scope and Content Most of the slides in this series came from boxes which had some identification -- usually the name of a circus. Those that did not have identification were grouped in loose topics such as "circus wagons" or were put in folders as "Unidentified."

Box 45, Folder 1 Chicago- Views and Circus Parade Box 45, Folder 2 Circus Hall of Fame Scope and Content Sarasota, Florida

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 26 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Slides

Box 45, Folder 3 Circus Museum 1966 July 6 Scope and Content Baraboo, Wisconsin

Box 45, Folder 4 Circus Parade Box 45, Folder 5 Circus Parade #1 1966 July 4 Scope and Content Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Box 45, Folder 6 Circus Parade #2 1966 July 3 Scope and Content Lake Front, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Box 45, Folder 7 Circus Vargas 1979 Box 45, Folder 8 Circus Wagons 1966 July 3-8 Scope and Content Milwaukee Lake Front, Wisconsin

Box 45, Folder 9 Milwaukee Parade Box 45, Folder 10 Old Time Circus Box 45, Folder 11 Parade Slides- Chicago Box 45, Folder 12 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1970 Box 45, Folder 13 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1979 Scope and Content San Diego, California

Box 45, Folder 14 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1979 Box 45, Folder 15 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1979 Box 45, Folder 16 Ringling Bros, Clyde Beatty, Cole Bros. Scope and Content Portland, Oregon

Box 45, Folder 17 Ringling Bros., Graham Bros., James Bros. Scope and Content Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Los Angeles, California James Bros: San Diego, California

Box 45, Folder 18 Royal American Shows Box 45, Unidentified Folder 19-22 Audio-Visual Materials Scope and Content Audio-visual materials in this collection range from old-fashioned reels of film and filmstrips to computer disks. Descriptions for the audiocassette tapes, reel-to-reel audiotapes, and some of the videotapes were taken from notes written on the boxes or the tapes themselves. Information for the film reels, filmstrips, phonograph records, computer disks, and the commercial videotapes was copied from the commercial box or album cover. All of the items are circus-related, with much of the audio materials consisting of circus and parade music.

Audiocassette Tapes

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 27 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Audio-Visual Materials Audiocassette Tapes

Box 46 100 Birthday Performance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Box 46 Barnum's Kaleidoscape 1999 Scope and Content Feld's Under Canvas Show

Box 46 Calliope Music Box 46 Calliope Music Box 46 Calliope Music Scope and Content A: Calliope Music, Circus Music B: Old Calliope Music at the Fair, Singing Ringmaster Harold Ronk

Box 46 Circus Family Scope and Content Del Molinas

Box 46 Circus Music 1977 Scope and Content 1: Ringling Bros. 2: Barnum & Bailey

Box 46 Circus Parade 1980 July 5 Scope and Content Baraboo, Wisconsin

Box 46 Circus Sounds 1981 May 23 Scope and Content 1: Circus Sounds 2: Payoff for Ward Hall and Jay Marshall, 22 May 1981

Box 46 Circus Tapes Scope and Content A: Circus Tapes B: Foreigner Circus

Box 46 Circus Vargas: West Covina, CA 1976 April 5 Scope and Content 8 PM

Box 46 Circus Vargas: Carlsbad, CA 1977 May 16 Scope and Content Opening Night. Mr. Cliff Vargas announcing 1st half. Lights go out. Patron has heart attack in box seats. Side show in San Diego.

Box 46 Circus Vargas: Carlsbad, CA 1977 June 16 Scope and Content 1: Circus Vargas 2: Side Show Blow Off and Performance

Box 46 Vargas: San Diego 1978 Box 46 CV [Circus Vargas] 1980 Box 46 Vargas 1980

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 28 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Audio-Visual Materials Audiocassette Tapes

Box 46 Clyde Beatty 1978 Scope and Content Roger Boyd- Rossi Band

Box 46 Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros Box 46 Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros: Miami, FL 1974 December Box 46 Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros: Pensacola, FL 1993 October 2 Box 46 Cole Bros Circus: Akron, OH 1948 Scope and Content Bandmaster: Henry Keys, Announcer: Harry Thomas

Box 46 Cole Bros Circus Band Scope and Content A: Charlie Scharlbaum- Cole Bros Circus Band. Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Band 1940 with Merle Evans as bandmaster. B: Hope and Crosby sing their best.

Box 46 Cristiani Bros Circus Under Canvas 1959, 1955 Scope and Content 1: Cristiani Bros Circus Under Canvas 1959 3: Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus Under Canvas 1955. Miami, FL.

Box 46 Cristiani Bros Circus Under Canvas Scope and Content 2: Cristiani Bros Circus Under Canvas 1959

Box 46 European Circus Box 46 Fitch Bandwagon-NBC 1943 April 18 Scope and Content Merle Evans- Ringling/Barnum Band

Box 46 Gatti-Charles Circus 1976 June 13 Scope and Content Sunday Matinee. Civic Auditorium. San Francisco, CA.

Box 46 The Greatest Show on Earth Scope and Content Side 3 & 4

Box 46 Highlights of Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus Scope and Content With Ben Vereen

Box 46 King Bros Circus 16 March 1973 Scope and Content Tallahassee, FL. 4 piece band. 4:00 PM matinee. Midway-sideshow-performance.

Box 46 King-Cristinani Circus Performance 1953 Box 46 Main Street Band Plays Circus 1993 December Box 46 Movie GSOE [Greatest Show on Earth] Box 46 Parade

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 29 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Audio-Visual Materials Audiocassette Tapes

Box 46 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Blue Show 1976 Scope and Content Opening spec 1. Polar bear got trained by Ursula Bottche 2. Elvan Bales motorcycle act 3. Bare Back Riders- Side two 4. Clowns 5. King Charles Troupe 6. Micki- smallest man 7. Teeter board 8. Berde Horses 9. Single Trapeze

Box 46 RBBB: Long Beach, CA Scope and Content #1 of 2

Box 46 RBBB: Long Beach, CA Scope and Content #2 of 2

Box 46 RB+BB: Long Beach, CA Scope and Content Kevin and Ralph. Ursula Bottecher and polar bears act Perch act Elephants: Red, White, Blue Rampage High wire Flying trapeze Closing spec.

Box 46 RB+BB Circus Under Canvas: Miami, FL 1955 November Scope and Content Sides 1 & 2

Box 47 RB+BB 1955 Performance: Miami, FL 1955, 1973 Scope and Content Part 3 of RB+BB 1955 Miami, FL. Also includes Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros 1973 Springfield, OH.

Box 47 RB+BB 1955 Performance: Miami, FL 1955 Scope and Content Merle Evans. Under canvas- big stars. Trevor Bale, Pinto Del Oror, Takeo Usia, the Nocks & Wendenys, Marion Shubert, Charlie Miyoshi, Josephine Bersoni, Highwire & UNOS [?]

Box 47 Ringling 1973 Box 47 Ringling 1973 Box 47 Ringling: Long Beach, CA 1975 Scope and Content Sides 3 & 4

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 30 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Audio-Visual Materials Audiocassette Tapes

Box 47 Ringling: Long Beach, CA 1975 Box 47 RB+BB: Long Beach, CA Box 47 Ringling Bros- Blue 1984 Scope and Content With Barbara Mandrell as host

Box 47 Screamers- Circus Music Scope and Content A tribute to Merle Evans

Box 47 Slitz Circus Parade Scope and Content 40 Horse Hitch

Box 47 Sounds of the Circus 1999 Scope and Content Circus Marches. South Shore Concert Band. Richad Whitmarsh.

Box 47 Sousa Marches 1985 Scope and Content Boston Pops Orchestra. Arthur Fiedler, conductor.

Reel-to-Reel Audiotapes

Box 48, Reel 1 A Christmas Carol 1939 Box 48, Reel 2 Circus Vargas 16 May 1977 Scope and Content Opening Nite- Carlsbad, CA. Cliff Vargas announcing 1st half- "Lights Go Out- Patron Has Heart Attack" Side Show- Opening & Closing- San Diego, May 15

Box 48, Reel 3 Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros Circus 1 August 1973 Scope and Content Charles Schlarbaum. Springfield, OH.

Box 48, Reel 4 Cole Bros 1948, 1962 Scope and Content A lot of old circus music on this tape. Side 1: Cole Bros 1948. Henry Kyes, Bandmaster. Harry Thomas, Director. Side 2: Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey 1962 Program. Last part Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey 1940 circus music

Box 48, Reel 5 Cristiani Bros Circus 1959 Scope and Content Master Tape

Box 48, Reel 6 Cristiani Bros Circus 1959 Scope and Content Daviso Duped on both sides

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 31 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Audio-Visual Materials Reel-to-Reel Audiotapes

Box 48, Reel 7 GSOE [Greatest Show on Earth] Movie Soundtrack 1970-1973 Scope and Content Side 1: GSOE Movie Soundtrack. GSOE, L.A. Preview (July 1970) GSOE, Preview (20 January 1971) Side 2: Geo Plimpton ABT TV Clyde Beatty Circus (2 February 1971) GSOE Preview, Blue (27 February 1972) GSOE Preview, Red (23 February 1973)

Box 48, Reel 8 King Brothers Circus 16 March 1973 Scope and Content First part of tape bad, have patience. 4:00 PM Matinee. 4 piece band. Tallahassee, FL. Midway-Sideshow-Performance.

Box 48, Reel 9 Leccion 2: A donde van? Scope and Content Ejercicios: Imitacion, Preguntas y Respuestas, Aplicacion, Reconstrucion, Naracion

Box 48, Reel 10 Maryland Ave School Scope and Content Both sides. Side 1: Circus Music. Continuous (repetitive) circus band music for PTA carnival use, etc.

Box 48, Reel 11 Merle Evans 1946-1950 Scope and Content Side 1: Merle Evans- Concert Lot of Oldies. (Has music for Altoff tiger and horse act. Also, two songs played a lot on Dailey Bros Circus 1946-1950) Side 2: Circus (old 78's)

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 32 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Audio-Visual Materials Reel-to-Reel Audiotapes

Box 48 Mills Bros Circus 1948-1963 Scope and Content Circus (RBBNB 1962, Cole 1948, Grott 1960, Mills 1963) Side 1: Mills Bros Circus (1963) Elephants Polack Bros Calliope (1963) Polack Bros Circus (1959) Henry Kyes, Director Grotto Circus. Cleveland. (1960) Carl Stern, PM Radio Show Grotto Circus (1959) Merle Evans, Director Poem- Col. Harry Thomas Side 2: Cole Bros Circus (1948) Henry Kyes, Director Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey (1962) Merle Evans, Director

Box 48, Reel 13 Old Clyde Beatty Movie Scope and Content Side 1: Shirley Temple Ed Sullivan Salutes Irving Berlin Side 2: Finian's Rainbow Old Clyde Beatty Movie- Track 2 RBBB- Artistic Gadfog

Box 48, Reel 14 Old Time Radio Box 48, Reel 15 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1955 Scope and Content Time cut from original tape: Nock Moroski horses Hawaii

Box 48, Reel 16 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1955 Scope and Content Reel 1, 2 sides.

Box 48, Reel 17 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1955 Scope and Content Reel 2, 1 side. Good, starts with Charlie Moroski Liberty Act.

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 33 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Audio-Visual Materials Reel-to-Reel Audiotapes

Box 48, Reel 18 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1951-1962 Scope and Content Side 1: Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Evans (1962) 2nd half Ringling Bros 1951 Album "Roll out the Sky" TV Show- Charles Van Dorn The Cristiani Family on Cristiani Bros Circus Polack Bros Circus. Henry Kyes, Cond/Dick Slayton. Cleveland (1951) Announcer-Soundtrack-GSOE [Greatest Show on Earth] CB De Mille[?]

Box 48, Reel 19 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus Performance 1966 Scope and Content Los Angeles, CA. Sports Arena.

Box 48, Reel 20 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus Performance 1966 Scope and Content Master tape. Los Angeles, CA. Sports Arena.

Box 48, Reel 21 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey 27 July 1968 Scope and Content Inglewood, CA. The Forum. Running time: 2 hrs, 31 mins.

Box 48, Reel 22 Ringling Bros Circus Highlights 1968 22 March 1963 Scope and Content Mike Douglas, MC.

Box 48, Reel 23 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, Red Unit 1975 Scope and Content Red Unit. Performance. Long Beach, CA. 8:00 PM. 2 hrs, 45 mins. (Wolfgang Holimair repeated side 2)

Box 48, Reel 24 Tribute to Merle Evans 17 March 1974, 1971 Scope and Content Side 1: Tribute to Merle Evans- 4 records Side 2: Tribute to Merle Evans- cont'd Circus Clown Calliope (one side of record) Watchee Youth Circus Band (1971)

Box 48, Reel 25 Unidentified Scope and Content 3 reels of unidentified audiotape: 2 7-inch reels and 1 5-inch reel. Reels were left in their original boxes.

Videotapes

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 34 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Audio-Visual Materials Videotapes

Box 49 119th Edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1989 May 15 Scope and Content Great Circuses of the World, 1989 July 2

Box 49 Big Apple Circus- New York 1988 Scope and Content Box says "Big Apple Circus--New York, Christmas Show 1988. Actual tape says "Circus Kinoshita--Kyoto, Japan, Feb 26, 1987, Great Circuses of the World."

Box 49 Bob's Train Layout 2003 February Scope and Content Before Feb. 2003 (54 mins) After 2nd floor addition (7 mins)

Box 49 Buffalo Bill's Wild West 1994 Scope and Content 2-tape set

Box 49 Carson & Barnes Circus 1997 Scope and Content 1997 Carson & Barnes Circus (Run Away with C&B) Wayne Franzen Memorial on CNN TV (1997 May 10) Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey special on "48 Hours" (1997 May 22)

Box 49 Circus Movies from Kent Ghirard 1982-1984 Scope and Content Circus movies from Kent Ghirard put on video and copied by Jim Parker for Ralph Rodgers 1988 June 13-- Happy viewing Ralph. Baraboo (1982) Carson & Barnes (1982) Circus World in Florida (1982) Franzen Bros. Circus (1984) Circus World Museum (1984) Ringling Centennial Parade (1984) Baraboo Parker Collection

Box 49 Circus Vagabonds 1996 January 14 Scope and Content Various old time tent shows including Cole Bros. Circus train and lot scenes, copied 1996 January 14.

Box 49 Dory Miller's Funeral 1989-1999 Scope and Content Dory Miller's Funeral (1999) Assorted circuses (1989) Merriweather, Culpepper, Franzen Bros., Kelly-Miller, Hanneford, Great American Circus

Box 49 Duggan Bros. Scope and Content Arnold Maley CFA Tent No. 116. Atlanta, Georgia with Joe Bradbury-- video #5

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 35 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Audio-Visual Materials Videotapes

Box 49 Emmett Kelly Jr's Circus 1981 Scope and Content Starring Anthony Newley as the Ringmaster. Featuring Loretta Swit.

Box 50 George Hubler International Circus 1952 Scope and Content George Hubler's Personal Tour, summer of 1952. Clyde Beatty Circus, World's Greatest Trained Wild Animal Show, Last Great 15 Car Railroad Show. Extra: 2nd Edition, contains stills of original Sparks Wagons and last draft horse team with Clyde Beatty.

Box 50 Great American Carnivals, Vol. 1 Box 50 Hagenbeck-Wallace, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros. Box 50 John Wayne in Circus World 1964 Scope and Content 2-tape set

Box 50 Moscow Circus on Ice Box 50 Old Circus Scenes from 1920s 1920s Scope and Content Very old 1920s + Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Cole, Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus scenes. Copied 1988 July 13 by Jim Parker.

Box 50 Old Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey 1938-1940 Scope and Content 1938-1940s with Joe Bradbury. 1991.

Box 50 Old Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Tape 1933 Box 50 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1940-1960 Scope and Content 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, Vol. 2. Copied 1991 May from Jim Parker's collection.

Box 50 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1950s Box 50 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey 133rd Edition Souvenir Video 2003 Box 51 Robbins Bros. Circus with Hoot Gibson 1938 Scope and Content Season Highlights for 1938 Cole Bros. Circus and Clyde Beatty's Gigantic Trained Wild Animal Exhibition, Hagenbeck-Wallace, Col. Tim McCoy's Read Wild West and Rough Riders of the World

Box 51 Sleepless in Sarasota Scope and Content George Hubler

Box 51 Son-of-Mud Shows, Vol. 2 Scope and Content Wallace Bros, Dailey Bros, Austin Bros, Cyde Bros, Bud C. Anderson, Victory Circus, Cole Bros, Kelly-Miller 50's, Clyde Beatty Railroad, King Bros, Arthur Bros, Austin Bros, Russell Bros, Stevens Bros, Famous Cole, Mills Bros, Grand Old Opry Circus, and more, more, more...

Box 51 Souier[?] Circus

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 36 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Audio-Visual Materials Videotapes

Box 51 Toby Tyler Circus Documentary 1994 Scope and Content American International Entertainment Corporation (Dick Garden) October 1994

Box 51 Tommy Hanneford Circus with Mark Karoly 1957 Scope and Content Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

Box 51 Ward Hall Side Show Box 51 Weird Homes TV Show- Jim Parker's place

Film reels

Box 47 Al G. Barnes 1937 Scope and Content 8 mm, 5 inches diameter. Non-commercial reel.

Box 47 Behind the Big Top 1943, 1967 Scope and Content 8 mm, 5 inches diameter. Copyright Warner Bros. Pictures, 1943; Adaptation @ copyright United Artists Corporation, 1967.

Box 47 Circus Jamboree Scope and Content 8 mm film, 5 inches diameter. Castle Films.

Box 47 Circus Thrills: Great Acts of the Center Ring Scope and Content 8 mm, 5 inches diameter. Castle Films.

Box 47 Downie-Barnett Circuses 1935 Scope and Content 8 mm film, 5 inches diameter. Plain box (non-commercial).

Box 47 Fun at the Circus Scope and Content 8-mm film, 3 inches diameter. Castle Films, Produced by United World Films, Inc.

Box 47 The Greatest Show On Earth 1952 Scope and Content 8 mm film, 5 inches diameter. Film by Cecil B. DeMille, starring Charlton Heston, James Stewart, Betty Hutton. Volume 1 and 2 (2 reels).

Box 47 King of the Jungle Scope and Content 8 mm, 5 inches diameter. Film with Buster Crabbe. Castle Films.

Filmstrips

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 37 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Audio-Visual Materials Filmstrips

Box 47 Circus Family Scope and Content Five Families SF 90 Produced by Scholastic Magazines, Inc.

Box 47 Greatest Show on Earth

Phonograph Records

Box 52 America - Steam Calliope Concert Scope and Content Side 1: "America - Steam Calliope Concert Side 2: "American - Steam Calliope Concert

Box 52 Brass Whistles Somers Steam Calliope Scope and Content Record only; no cover. Cuca Record. Sauk City, Wisconsin.

Box 52 Calliope Capers Scope and Content By Juanita Beck, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Box 52 Circus Scope and Content Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Band Conducted by Merle Evans - Bandmaster 4 Record Set Set C-58 Columbia Records

Box 52 Circus Band Scope and Content Directed by Russell Darr. Clyde Beatty and Cole Bros. Under the Big Top.

Box 52 Circus Calliope Scope and Content Two record set. 1974

Box 52 Circus Calliope Scope and Content Recorded by Paul R. Eakins' Gay 90s Village, Inc. Artists: Gene Crump and Ted MArtin. 1972

Box 52 Circus Carnival Calliope Scope and Content Featuring the Circus Calliopes at Paul Eakins' Gay 90s Village. Sikeston, Missouri. 1961

Box 52 Circus Favorites Scope and Content The Sauk County Circus Band, directed by Frank L. Van Epps. "A Day in Old Milwaukee" circus parade.

Box 52 The Circus is in Town! Scope and Content Carl Stevens' Marching Band.

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 38 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Audio-Visual Materials Phonograph Records

Box 52 Circus Music Physical Description: 2 copies Scope and Content Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Band, conducted by Merle Evans.

Box 52 Circus Spectacular Physical Description: 2 copies Scope and Content Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, directed by Merle Evans.

Box 53 Circus Time Physical Description: 3 copies Scope and Content Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Band, conducted by Merle Evans.

Box 53 Clayton County Windjammers Holiday, Volume 1 Scope and Content Jacket only; no record. Duggan Bros. Tent 116, Circus Fans Association of America presents Merle Evans.

Box 53 Clayton County Windjammers Holiday, Volume 2 Scope and Content Duggan Bros. Tent 116, Circus Fans Association of America presents Merle Evans.

Box 53 The Clown and the Kids Scope and Content Words and Music by Tony Velona. Arranged by Artie Beck. Jazz Philharmonic of Sofia. The original sountrack from the motion picture starring Emmett Kelly, co-starring Kathy Dunn and Burt Stratford.

Box 54 County Fair Scope and Content Ken Griffin at the Organ. "Over the Waves." "Whispering." "Black Beauty March." "Beer Barrel Polka," ""In the Grand Old Summertime." "I'm Confessin'."

Box 53 Crazy Calliope Music Scope and Content Featuring Margie Meinert at the Wurlitzer Steam Calliope. 1957

Box 53 A Day at the Circus with "Mr. Singing Ringmaster" Scope and Content Featuring Harold Ronk of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Arranged and conducted by Noel Regney. 1962

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 39 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Audio-Visual Materials Phonograph Records

Box 54 De Wayne Bros Circus Presents Circus Melodies Scope and Content De Wayne Bros. Circus Circus Melodies Harry J. Jenkins - Circus Organist Side 1: 1. Calliope 2. Overture 3. The Trampolinists 4. Trapeze Artist 5. Military Ponies 6. The Clowns 7. The Aerial Ladders Side 2: 1. Overture 2. Trained Dogs 3. The Elephant 4. Trained Ape

Box 53 An Evening with Merle Evans, Part 1 Scope and Content Record only; no cover. Mid-west Band and Orchestra Clinic and the "Old Pro's" Band. Recruited by Paul Yoder. 1968

Box 53 An Evening with Merle Evans, Part 2 Scope and Content Record only; no cover. Mid-west Band and Orchestra Clinic and the "Old Pro's" Band. Recruited by Paul Yoder. 1968

Box 53 Jim Dale in the new musical Barnum Scope and Content Directed and staged by Joe Layton. Produced for records by Cy Coleman and Mike Berniker. 1980

Box 53 The Magic World of Circuses and Clowns Scope and Content Featuring Robert Q. Lewis as the narrator. Narration written by Richard Kleiner. Music by The Circus Band under the direction of Hank Sylvern.

Box 53 March Along Polka Style Scope and Content Schell's Hobo Band

Box 53 Merle Evans in the Center Ring Scope and Content Record only; no cover. Presented by Duggan Bros. Tent #116

Box 53 Music from the Big Top Scope and Content With Merle Evans and his all-star band. Arranged by Merle Evans.

Box 53 The Ol' Calliope Man at the Fair Physical Description: 2 copies Scope and Content The Sande & Greene Fun-Time Band. Created and produced by Bob Sande and Larry Greene.

Box 53 Old Time Circus Calliope Scope and Content Record only; no cover.

Box 53 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Band Scope and Content Conducted by Merle Evans.

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 40 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Audio-Visual Materials Phonograph Records

Box 53 Samuel Bronston's Circus World Scope and Content Music composed and conducted by Dimitri Tiomkin

Box 53 Screamers Circus Marches Scope and Content Frederick Fennell conducting the Eastman Wind Ensemble.

Box 54 A Tribute to Merle Evans Scope and Content An Anthology of Circus Music New England Conservatory Series 5 Record Set

Box 53 Walt Disney's Story of Toby Tyler in the Circus Scope and Content Narrator: Henry Calvin.

Computer Disks 2001

Box 47 Greatest Show on Earth 2001 Scope and Content CD-ROM disk of "The Greatest Show on Earth" by JumpStart Learning System.

Ephemera Scope and Content There are a few truly ephemeral items in this series such as circus decals and popcorn boxes, but the majority of the series consists of colorful circus posters of many different circuses spanning at least five decades. Many of the older ones are in poor condition due to their previous storage but were kept for their rarity or the short-livedness of the circus such as the Dailey Bros. Circus in the 1940s.

Box 55 Decals Scope and Content Silver Springs, Florida; Circus World Museum (2) Sarasota, Florida; flag, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (2 sheets, total of 4 stickers)

Box 56 Postcards Scope and Content This small box of postcards contains mainly circus-related cards, some addressed and some unaddressed. There are also 26 postcards, grouped together in one envelope the way that Ralph Rodgers kept them, of European images such as locations in France, Austria, Germany, etc. These cards were sent from clown Jake Posey to his wife between 1900 and 1908 when he was traveling with the Barnum & Bailey circus and they were both in Europe.

Box 3

Popcorn Boxes

Scope and Content

Two cardboard popcorn boxes-- James Bros. Circus, and King Bros. Circus/ Sells and Gray

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 41 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Ephemera Postcards

Box 3

Coca-Cola Advertisement

Box 3

Magazine posters and pictures

Scope and Content

Three large folded color posters; several small pictures torn from magazines and calendars. Most circus or animal-themed.

Box 55

Miscellaneous

Scope and Content

Membership cards for Ralph Rodgers and other small miscellaneous cards.

Box 57

Sign- Big John Strong Circus

Box 3

Stationery

Scope and Content

Unused writing paper and envelopes with various circus addresses and logos: Clyde Beatty--Cole Bros. Circus, Monte Carlo Festival Cirque Spectacular, Culpepper-Merriweather Circus, Hamid Circus Royale, Royal Rajah Circus, Circus Model Builders and Owners Association, The Great Hippodrome, The John Pawling Circus, The American Circus Corporation, California Circus Corporation, Big John Strong, Karland's 3-Ring Magic Circus, Circus Vargas, Circus Historical Society, Bell Bros. Circus, Circus Fans Association of America, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Jake Posey, Circus Genoa.

Box 3

Certificates 1957-1998

Scope and Content

Four membership certificates awarded to Ralph Rodgers:

1) Circus Historical Society, 1962

2) Circus Model Builders and Owners Association, 1957

3) World War II Memorial Society, 1997

4) Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, 1999 (with form letter from Thomas A. Pouliot, Commander-in-Chief)

Box 57, 63, 64, Posters 67, 68

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 42 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Ephemera Posters

Al Bahr Shrine Circus Al G. Kelly & Miller Bros. Circus Al Kader Shrine Circus Barnum and Bailey Circus Bentley Bros. Circus Big Apple Circus Big John Strong Circus Buffalo Bill's Wild West Carson & Barnes Circus The Circus Scope and Content Attatched to cover. Sells-Floto Super Circus: 2nd Biggest Show on Earth, Sells-Floto Super Circus, The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Forepaugh & Sells Brothers, Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, Ringling Bros: Big Bingo, Ringling Bros

The Circus (laminated posters) Scope and Content Laminated. Sells-Floto Super Circus: 2nd Biggest Show on Earth, Sells-Floto Super Circus, The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Forepaugh & Sells Brothers, Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, Ringling Bros: Big Bingo, Ringling Bros

Circus Chimera Circus Circus Circus Vargas Clyde Bros.-Cole Beatty Circus Cole Bros. Circus Cristiani Bros. Circus Cristiani Wallace Bros. Circus Dailey Bros. Egypt Temple Shrine Circus El Zaribah Shrine Circus Ford Bros. Circus Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Hoxie Bros. Circus International All-Star Circus James Bros. Circus Jordan World Circus Jungleland Circus Kay Bros. Circus King Bros. Circus Las Cruces Shrine Circus Miscellaneous Posters Scope and Content May all your days be circus days, Southwestern College (x2), West Coast Shows

Miller-Johnson Circus Moscow Circus Old Time Circus Posters Scope and Content Ringling Bros., Adam Forepaugh & Sells Bros., The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, Al G. Barnes Circus, The Great Adam Forepaugh Shows

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 43 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Ephemera Posters

Pickle Family Circus Ringling Bros. Circus Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Rudy Bros. Circus Sells-Floto Circus Sells & Gray Circus Turner Bros. Artifacts Scope and Content The materials in this series consist mainly of small items such as souvenir patches and exhibitor ribbons from model builder conventions. There are a few plaques, frames, and metal circus signs, but most of the true circus model artifacts did not come with the collection.

Box 55 American flags Scope and Content 9 small American flags

Box 55 Ball-point pens Scope and Content 13 ball-point pens with erasers: Big John Strong (5); Pat Rodgers and Rodgers Bros. (8)

Box 55 Button pins: Carson & Barnes Scope and Content 2 circular yellow buttons for Carson & Barnes

Box 55 Cloth sign: Al G. Barnes Scope and Content Hand lettered and drawn sign for "The Al G. Barns Big 3-ring Wild Animal Circus. The show thats differnt." [sic]

Box 55 Patches Scope and Content 6 patches: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey (3); Al G. Barnes Ring (3)

Box 59 Plaques & Frames Scope and Content Framed picture of a clown in a blue hat, yellow shirt, and red cape holding a white dog in one arm and pointing at it with the other. Plaques: "Elephant Brass Band" (Ringling Bros., World's Greatest Shows) "Twelve Different Kinds of Music" (depicts three teams of horses dragging three wagons) Man standing on back of black horse. A crowd and a man on a stand holding a ring in background. Newspaper print (International Allied Shows! Great London Circus. Electric Light!) "Jumbo" (P.T. Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth & the Great London Circus combined with Sanger's Royal British Menagerie & Grand International Allied Shows. Depicts a crowd of children on the back of an elepahnt. Large plaque.) Patriotic circus wagon (large plaque, green/gray background, no words)

Box 55

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 44 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Artifacts Plaques & Frames

Pocket buttons

Scope and Content

12 white metal pocket buttons with the words "We're going to the Shrine Circus" and pictures of a hippo, giraffe, tiger, and man's head.

Box 58

Rodgers Bros. Circus: Sign

Scope and Content

Raised white wooden letters on orange cardboard background.

Box 60

Ceramic Clown Head

Scope and Content

Painted ceramic clown head. Three dimensional, but the back is flat and has a metal ring, presumably for hanging on a wall. The face is flesh colored. Red nose, cheeks, and hair. Yellow and green hat and neck ruffle.

Box 60

License Plate: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

Scope and Content

White metal license plate with red and blue stripes bordering the top and bottom. The numbers "1776" and "1976" run vertically down the left and right edges. In the middle of the plate, there's a yellow blob with "Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus" in blue letters. Other words on the plate: "The greatest show on Earth," "Bicentennial Edition," and "The greatest nation on Earth". There's a horse and rider outlined in blue near the left side and a small parade of elephants, people, and horses in blue near the bottom.

Box 63

Metal Sign: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey

Box 55

Name badges and ribbons

Scope and Content

Most ribbons/badges indicate Circus Model Builders conventions with names of Ralph Rodgers or Mary Ann Rodgers. One ribbon is for Louis W. Kreischer, Circus Historical Society National Convention, 1949.

Box 55

Playing cards: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey

Scope and Content

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 45 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Artifacts Plaques & Frames

Deck of playing cards in plastic box. Has the words "Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey, Circus World" and a picture of two lions.

Box 57

Sign: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey

Box 58

Souvenir Pencil & Flag

Scope and Content

Long souvenir pencil with felt Ringling Circus Museum pennant attached.

Box 58

American Flag

Scope and Content

Small American flag on 18" stick.

Box 65, 66

Tents

Object 1

Trunk

Scope and Content

Metal red circus trunk with the lettering "Turner Bros. Dog and Pony Show."

Object 2

Trunk

Scope and Content

Large red metal trunk with lettering "Rodgers Bros. Circus."

Costumes and Textiles Scope and Content This series is comprised of a few articles of "circus clothing" and some large textiles that may have been used as banners or blankets. It is not known who wore the clothing consisting chiefly of jackets, capes, and a pair of yellow pants. Also included in this series are a few cloth (felt) pennants.

Costumes

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 46 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Costumes and Textiles Costumes

Box 61 Carson & Barnes Cap Scope and Content Trucker-style cap, yellow in front with red mesh and a red rim. Has the words "Carson & Barnes, America's largest wild animal, Circus. Under the biggest big top on earth." There is a tiger depicted in the middle. A yellow braid runs along the bottom of the front part of the cap, and the red rim has a thin yellow strip along the edge.

Box 71 Red Cape Scope and Content Red satin (?) short cape with gold trim and a metal clasp. Two slits at sides, presumably for arms. Large ruffle attatched to top. The entire cape forms a semicircle when spread out.

Box 62 Red Cape Scope and Content Red satin short cape with gold trim and two metal clasps at collar. Slits in sides, presumably for arms. Large ruffle attatched to top. The entire cape forms a semicircle when spread out.

Box 62 Red Jacket Scope and Content Red cotton jacket with yellow trim and metal buttons. Patches on the back and side.

Box 62 Red Jacket Scope and Content Red cotton jacket with yellow trim and metal buttons. Brownish stains near hem and on sleeves. Then number 19 is stamped in black on the inside, near the collar.

Box 62 Red Jacket Scope and Content Red cotton jacket with yellow trim and metal buttons down right side. Trim extends up back in two lines along seams. Sections of the trim on the bottom right and front left edges have been replaced in a paler yellow. Small patched hole on upper back.

Box 62 Red Military-style Jacket, metal buttons Scope and Content Red jacket with black military-stlye embellishments down the front and on sleeves. Black stripe around the waist, sleeve edge, and collar. Plastic black buttons down left that would be hidden when jacket is buttoned. Two metal buttons on right side and two on shoulders. Two black triangles on back. A broken yellow circle stitched on left chest area.

Box 62 Red Military-style Jacket Scope and Content Red jacket with black military-stlye embellishments down the front and on sleeves. Black stripe around the waist, sleeve edge, and collar. Two black triangles on back. Plastic black buttons down left that would be hidden when jacket is buttoned. The second button is broken. A full yellow circle stitched on left chest area. Tan lining on inside side panels and in sleeves. Lining has a pocket on the right side with a black label: De Moulin Bros. & Co. Many moth holes.

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 47 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Costumes and Textiles Costumes

Box 62 Red Military-style Jacket Scope and Content Red jacket with black military-stlye embellishments down the front and on sleeves. Black stripe around the waist, sleeve edge, and collar. Two black triangles on back. Black plastic buttons down left that would be hidden when jacket is buttoned. The second button is broken. Tan lining on inside side panels and in sleeves. Patches on sleeve edges. Metal clasp at collar.

Box 70 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Cap Scope and Content Red trucker-style cap with white mesh. Has a circular patch with the "Greatest Show on Earth" logo in the center, surrounded by the words "Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus." The bottom side of the rim is green.

Box 70 Yellow Pants Scope and Content Dark yellow/gold velvety pants, with two lines of metal disks sewn in near the hems of the pant legs. Lining is a grayish-brown color. The lining material extends above the velvety material and incorporates a drawstring and a metal clasp.

Other Textiles

Box 62 Large RBB&B cloth Scope and Content Large piece of cotton (?) cloth printed with a repeating pattern of three clown heads surrounding the "Greatest Show on Earth" logo and the words "Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus." The background is blue with white stars. The top edge of the cloth is sewn down, the bottom edge is folded over and daped down with duct tape, and the side edges are unfinished.

Box 62 Small RBB&B cloth Scope and Content Rectangular strip of cotton (?) cloth. Same pattern as the large RBB&B cloth, but cut to frame two clown heads, the "Greatest Show on Earth" logo, and the words "Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus." Less faded than the large RBB&B cloth.

Box 62 Taylor Ball/Peacock cloth Scope and Content Rectangle of cloth with unfinished edges. Across the top are the words "World's Greatest Show" and across the bottom are the words "Taylor Ball Amazing Shows." The design also includes images of two peacocks, a clown, an ox (?), a dog/goat(?), and two people on a bicycle. The background is brown.

Box 62 Miscellaneous Pennants Scope and Content Five felt pennants. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (small, red background, red and yellow words) Famoso Circo Union: Mexico (small, red background, white border, white words) Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (large, blue border, lion) Circus Vargas (large, white, blue words) Jordan World Circus (large, light blue)

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 48 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388 Costumes and Textiles Other Textiles

Box 67 Pennant: Culpepper & Merriweather Scope and Content White pennant with the words "Culpepper & Merriweather Great Combined Circus" and images of a clown, an elephant, and a man's head in a top hat.

Box 69 2 large red and blue textiles Scope and Content 2 large red and blue brocaded pieces of fabric-- possibly parts of tents or blankets for animals?

Finding aid of the Ralph Rodgers 0388 49 and Percy Turner Circus collection 0388