Bull Elephant Chief ? #1
Posted By thecircusblog on December 2, 2011
I have three photos that I am unable to identify. If this photo was taken in 1919 or before the circus is Barnum & Bailey and the elephant might be Chief? ……………..Bob Cline HELP……………Thank you Bob for the comment.
It is a must read.
Another comment by Fred Neil. Thanks Mr. Fell for your comment.
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I’m almost certain that this is one of the European tour photos taken 1898 to 1902. Notice the drop in the car frame as it appears between the elephants legs. The elephant easily stepped into the car rather than needing a ramp or tub as used in loading on American trains.
With that being said the elephants are now narrowed down to those five years. The only male elephants on Barnum & Bailey during those five years were Albert, Chief, Don Pedro ( who was executed in Liverpool England on May 15, 1898 ), Fritz ( who was executed in in Tours, France on June 11, 1902 ), Nick ( who was executed in Stokes on Trent, England on Nov. 12, 1898 ), Mandarin ( who was executed on the ship returning to the US on Nov. 8, 1902 ), and Pilate.
Which elephant is this? I don’t really know but it’s one of those seven.
Bob
I’d agree with Bob. It is loading and could be either the London or German side of the channel so March 1900 (London) or soon after.
The circus train, equipment and animals were shipped on board the steamship MICHIGAN from London to Hamburg in readiness for the first German show in that city which ran from 15 April to 13 May. The vessel, which was owned by Atlantic Transport Line, made two trips. I reckon the picture depicts the elephant being loaded to the elephant car after arrival at the German port and so I agree with Fred Neill that the scene dates from March or April 1900.