Posted By thecircusblog on April 25, 2012
Robbins Bros water wagon, 1938. I can’t tell you how many times I carried water from one of these. On the back of some of these water wagons was a midway sprinkler, a flat nozzle that when turned on made a wide spray. It was also good for taking a fast bath if no one was looking…Not because you may have been nude but because water on a circus lot is precious and not to be wasted. You took your bath in a bucket that you carried from the water wagon. There is a certain technique for taking a bath in a bucket. I will give you a hint: you don’t start with your feet. For other needs–cooking, etc–you used a different bucket! Animals were the first priority with the water. They were first, then the performers. The water wagon is never allowed to go dry. The person in charge of the water wagon may get fired if he is delinquent in his job.
Thank you Steph for your kind comment.
Category: Robbins Bros Circus |
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Posted By thecircusblog on April 19, 2012
This is a very interesting photo and an even more interesting story on how I received it. First…. the photo. The trainer in this photo could be one of many as his face is obscured by the chain link. The pedestals that the lion are on they’re made of wood and formed a sallied 6 seat pyramid. When I did a close up it was obvious that it was bolted and nailed together. In my opinion this is not how we built props in the circus. We need our props to be portable. This now leads me to believe that the photo was shot at a zoo or private compound and maybe with a armature trainer. I also noticed that the style of the trainer is not of a showman. It surely is not Clyde Beatty, Pat Anthony or Allen King. If I am wrong, my apologizes .
And now for the other half of the story…. A few days ago a gentleman by the name of Brandon Barnes… No relation to Al G. Barnes…….sent an email to me with 3 photos, one of which is the above. The other photos are of Elmer Hogan, a 1920’s boxer and one of Allen King. Brandon’s profession is buying unclaimed or delinquent payments on storage lockers. These storage units go up for auction and are sold to the highest bidder. Recently he bought a storage locker and these photos were in a small box that was among the antique items.
Category: The Big Cat Trainers |
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Posted By thecircusblog on April 19, 2012
This photo is one of the best publicity photos of Allen King. As seen here he would autograph these photos for his friends and fans. This autograph photo went to a personal friend Elmer Hogan who was a boxer in the 1920’s.
Category: The Big Cat Trainers |
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Posted By thecircusblog on April 19, 2012
Elmer Hogan was a close friend of Allen King. Allen was a pretty popular person not just because of his being a circus lion trainer. He was personable and enjoyed meeting others who were from a different walk of life.
Category: Ivan's Collection |
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Posted By thecircusblog on April 19, 2012
Bentley Bros Circus 1884. Charles Bentley is standing near the front of the band wagon. There is no relationship to Tommy Bentley that I know of. Tommy was first generation only.
Category: Circus Wagons and Posters, Ivan's Collection |
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Posted By thecircusblog on April 19, 2012
Jimmy Golf on the left, Don Ray on the right, two fine circus musicians. Jimmy played the drums, Don on the Hammond Organ. For just two guys they made a lot of music……… They were always there if a performer was in trouble.
Category: Bentley Bros Circus, Rudy Bros Circus, Siebrand Bros Circus & Carnival |
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Posted By thecircusblog on April 19, 2012
I was very lucky to get this photo. The negative was in ruin. I have no date nor the circus it was on.
Category: Circus Wagons and Posters, Ivan's Collection |
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Posted By thecircusblog on April 19, 2012
I have posted this circus wagon once before, hoping that someone might help me identify the name of the circus.
Category: Circus Wagons and Posters |
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Posted By thecircusblog on April 19, 2012
This magazine cover was sent to me by Darryl Ferges who was on the Atayde circus. He said that he and his family loved every minute while they were there.
Category: Atayde Circus |
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Posted By thecircusblog on April 19, 2012
Perhaps someone will recognize these two handsome aerial performers.
Category: Ivan's Collection |
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Robbins Bros water wagon, 1938. I can’t tell you how many times I carried water from one of these. On the back of some of these water wagons was a midway sprinkler, a flat nozzle that when turned on made a wide spray. It was also good for taking a fast bath if no one was looking…Not because you may have been nude but because water on a circus lot is precious and not to be wasted. You took your bath in a bucket that you carried from the water wagon. There is a certain technique for taking a bath in a bucket. I will give you a hint: you don’t start with your feet. For other needs–cooking, etc–you used a different bucket! Animals were the first priority with the water. They were first, then the performers. The water wagon is never allowed to go dry. The person in charge of the water wagon may get fired if he is delinquent in his job.
