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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.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.thecircusblog.com.
The 101 1908
Posted By thecircusblog on May 18, 2017
The Texas skip rope trick. Performed by Vernon and Edith Tantlinger.
Jack Davis
Posted By thecircusblog on May 15, 2017
This indeed is an out standing photo. Jack Davis and Myrtle Davis. This photo was provided to me from Jeff Henderson. Jeff said in his email that he had others to send…”.Can’t wait Jeff” He did mention that the show when this photo was taken in New York state, 1920’s.
Myrtle Davis
Posted By thecircusblog on May 15, 2017
Photo most likely taken in the 1920’s. From the Jiff Henderson collection.
Myrtle Davis
Posted By thecircusblog on May 15, 2017
Ad on Myrtle Davis. 1925.
From the collection of Jeff Henderson.
Herbie Weber
Posted By thecircusblog on May 12, 2017
Herbie Weber, “The Great Show Stealer”. I could write volumes on this man. He was kind. professional, and always there to help other performers. He not only did a wire act, he performed the “Slide for Life”. When you did not see him in the arena during a show, you could find him in the seats butchering cotton candy or popcorn. After his act you would see him run to the concessions while putting on his white coat and a small paper hat, a butchers outfit. Herbie was one of a very few performers that sold goods in the audience. I asked him why, because he made good money as a performer. His answer was “if the money is there never turn it down”. The Great Show Stealer. At the end of his wire act, he would take a false fall off the wire. A hush came over the audience. His acting was wonderful. Herbie would lift himself up slowly from the arena floor with help from the prop crew and his wife. Herbie then would start back to the wire, shaking himself off as to regain composure. The prop crew and ringmaster tried to escort him from the ring but he would dramatically refuse. Back to the wire to finish his act with a cacophony of cheers and applause. Many times in a large circus there were three ring displays. All the performers would hope that they were not part of the display with Herbie as he always would steal the show.
I just remembered Herbie Weber’s wife’s name. Marcella was his second wife. His first was Cahta Guaterris, from many generations of circus performers. Cahta sister Melonga Guaterris, lives in Florida. They come from a very large family of circus performer’s. It is said that during the Poncho Viva revolution, their father Johnny Guaterris brought his family circus to this country.
Yes they were all illegal, but no one cared then.
Billy Barton
Posted By thecircusblog on May 12, 2017
This picture of Billy was taken by Mary Wise who had clowned on the show of Sid Kellner who was the owner of the George Matthews Great London Circus. Billy was known for his very exciting and flamboyant cloud swing aerial act.
Sid Kellners Great London Circus
Posted By thecircusblog on May 12, 2017
These photos was taken in 1976. From the Mary Wise collection.
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