Posted By thecircusblog on January 23, 2012
Olgie Zavatta worked his dog act with a tremendous amount of excitement, as seen here. He was a mater prop builder and no matter what act he did, which were many, all were done with perfection.
Posted By thecircusblog on January 23, 2012
I found this other photo of the Wong Troupe and posted it for Betty Wong …. enjoy.
Posted By thecircusblog on January 23, 2012
I do hope I have their names correct. On the back of this photo is written same as above.
Posted By thecircusblog on January 17, 2012
I happen to own one of these posters. Thanks to one of my sons who found it in an antique shop.
Posted By thecircusblog on January 17, 2012
This is the main of the Al G Barnes winter quarters and Zoo in Venice, California.
Posted By thecircusblog on January 17, 2012
This is a rare document and a first for me. It was scanned from the original that is in the hands of Casper “Whitey” Jensen’s granddaughter, Val Streit. I have read the agreement and do not find his salary. I believe in those days, it was food and found, plus $15 dollars a week.
Posted By thecircusblog on January 17, 2012
Casper Jensen is the third person on the left. This photo was taken on the Ringling Bros Circus, but the year I am unsure of. “Whitey” came to this country with his farther from Denmark when he was seven. He started working with circuses in the late 1800’s and traveled with such shows as Sun Bros, Sells Floto, Ringling Bros and Al G. Barnes to name a few. Al G. Barnes was his last show and it was there he became the boss canvas man. He also was there in 1930 when the show had it’s devastating train wreck.
Posted By thecircusblog on January 17, 2012
It was a never ending task sewing rips and tears in the big top. This is Casper “Whitey” Jensen. I understand from his granddaughter that he became boss canvas man on the Al G. Barnes Circus in 1930. I can’t count the times that I had to sew canvas. If the wind didn’t get it, ragging it out on a bad lot would or maybe some green help walking on it. I still have my sewing pom and beeswax and the spicing spike that my father gave me when I was a kid.
Posted By thecircusblog on January 17, 2012
From the collection of Val Streit Casper “Whitey Jensen’s Granddaughter.
