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The Circus Blog by Ivan M. Henry is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.thecircusblog.com.
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Prince Najvez
Posted By thecircusblog on August 29, 2011
This photo was part of Tommy Bentley’s collection. You may know this person. If so, please comment……….. Read comment by Lee Stevens..Lee when I worked with him he did not use this stage name. Thanks. Also thanks to carol for her comment.
The Juggler’s Juggler
Posted By thecircusblog on August 24, 2011
Val Setts, one of the few great jugglers. His juggling clubs were made by Van Wick and they are considered the very best that you can get. I inherited mine from my father, who bought them in 1940. We did quite a few shows with Val, the greater majority of them being variety stage shows. This was way before I was involved with chimps. Every chance I got, I would stand in the stage wings and watch him, just in the hopes that I might learn something. Val’s unique style of juggling, combined with comedic chatter, proved him to be one of the greats. I remember once, while watching him during his performance, he looked over at me and said “Trying to steal the act, kid?” My whole body sank into the stage floor. Later in the dressing room he called me over to him. He then gave me three La Cross balls and said we will start with these. I knew how to juggle somewhat, but I needed better timing , which he taught me. From there, I became a pretty fair juggler in my younger years. I still have my Van Wick clubs and the three La Cross balls. Oh yes, and the Henry family rolling globe that my father and uncles worked on as kids in their father’s circus.
David Cain has posted a very interesting comment,one that all jugglers should read.
Bill Woodcock Elephants
Posted By thecircusblog on August 24, 2011
I believe this is Bill Woodcock. The face is not too clear in this photo. The only reason why I think it is he is because the Woodcock elephants were with the Siebrand Circus years ago. I believe Buckles Woodcock is his son. Someone will see this photo and verify………… I also believe this photo was taken in 1952.
Antonucci Chimps
Posted By thecircusblog on August 24, 2011
This photo of Al Antonucci goes back to when he started his own chimp act. The date is unknown to me, but it was some time around the early 1950’s. A personal note, if you don’t mind. Al was one of the finest people I have ever known, and between Al and my Dad, I was given great training knowledge of Chimpanzees.
Artie Widaman Elephants
Posted By thecircusblog on August 24, 2011
Hollywood Novelty Elephants, Zetta, Peggy and Dorothy. This photo is a first for me because I discovered that Ed Widaman’s wife, seen here, actually worked the act. Previously, I only saw Ed doing it, while his wife would do just the styling and some of the posing tricks.
Payo & Mai
Posted By thecircusblog on August 24, 2011
This 1954 photo of Payo & Mai was taken at a studio in New York. It’s a great publicity shot. Most of their work was in the night club circuit, Fairs and variety shows.
Siebrand Bros Circus 1940’s
Posted By thecircusblog on August 24, 2011
This is a very rare photo of the Siebrand Bros Circus. I am guessing that this photo was taken just after 1945. At that time, they had a six-piece circus band. Through a magnifying glass I could only recognize Mr. and Mrs. Clark. They had the dog and pony acts. This photo is part of my collection.
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