thecircusblog | January 9, 2010
The harness is on Lucy and she will soon start pulling the peaks on the tent one at a time. At the bottom of each center pole is attached a mud block with a pulley rope going though and stretching under the canvas to the outside and then connects to the harness chain on the elephant. The tent is pulled […]
thecircusblog | January 9, 2010
This is something that all circus people dread. A blow down. All you can is protect the people and the animals by getting them out of the tent. In this photo there are men tightening the bull cable which is a cable that holds the tent down, It is anchored in the ground at the front of the tent […]
thecircusblog | January 9, 2010
Sometimes, if you have enough warning you might be able to save a tent. The boss canvas man can drop the peeks of the tent getting it down far enough to keep it from too much wind damage………. if you’re lucky. Four men can drop the tent peaks simultaneously and quite fast. At the top of each pole […]
thecircusblog | January 9, 2010
The storm is over and all you can do is get everyone on the canvas and start sewing and splicing broken ropes…. there is no time to waste. Hour after hour mending a tent until its done and strong enough to be put in the air. I still have my palm, canvas needles and bee wax. […]
thecircusblog | January 9, 2010
Pulling out the canvas getting it ready for sewing. It is not an easy job but it must be done. When the show is down, there is no money to be made. There is one thing I know show… people are eternal optimists …. you have to be if you’re going to make it.
thecircusblog | January 6, 2010
Bob Capell with friends and family. These photos were taken in the 1940’s.
thecircusblog | January 6, 2010
This is what they used to bally the various towns and at the front of their parades.
thecircusblog | January 2, 2010
Back in 2005 Bill Capell called me to tell me that there was a circus close by in Tempe AZ right off the freeway. So the Capells and the Henrys ….without letting any grass grow under our feet, took off to see the circus. There is no question the show was outstanding and the big top was beautiful and […]
