Robbins Bros Circus
Posted By thecircusblog on May 14, 2012
When does the parade start! Cage wagon 1929.
Bob Cline has made comments that helps identify these Robbins Bros wagons. All I have to go by is the small amount of information, IF ANY written on the envelopes that the photo negative was filed in. I am certainly happy that I have Bob Cline and others helping the circus blog. Thanks to all………..Please read the comment.
Comment by Wade Burck, Thanks
About the author
thecircusblog
My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 4th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. I hope you enjoy the blog.Comments
5 Responses to “Robbins Bros Circus”
Leave a Reply
Please note: Comment moderation is currently enabled so there will be a delay between when you post your comment and when it shows up. Patience is a virtue; there is no need to re-submit your comment.
This might get a bit confusing to many but the title Robbins Bros. in these and the following photos is actually from two different circuses. Anything dated 1925 to 1931 is from the Fred Buchanan owned Robbins Bros. Circus. He went broke and sent most of the show to the Wm. P. Hall farm in Lancaster, MO. which was the primary creditor at the time.
A couple years later, Jess Adkins and Zach terrell started buying up what they could to begin the 1935 Cole Bros. Circus. Having bought many of the Christy bros. cages, wagons from the 101 Ranch Wild West and alot of the Robbins Bros. Circus from Mr. Hall, it all became the Cole bros. Circus.
In 1938, Adkins and Terrell put out a smaller second show they called Robbins Bros. Circus. Some of the wagons that had been on the Fred Buchanan show ended up on the 1938 version also which causes great confusion in making positive identification of photos sometimes. Your best bet is to know what year it is to know which show it is.
( Ironically, the Cole show folded in mid-season of 1938 as did Ringling / Barnum and many others. Some acts came over to the Robbins Bros. show which made the entire season. )
Bob
Ivan,
This particular cage went to the Cole Bros. Circus but didn’t get used until about 1937. Somehow over the course of history, the carvings got stripped off of the skyboard and some of the carvings ended up on a Terrell Jacobs cage.
Also note the drop frame at the rear of the cage which indicates a water tank from days gone by that is now boarded over.
Bob
Bobby,
T?his is indeed an interesting photo. I hadn’t noted the drop frame. Was this a former hippo tank, or possibly sea lions cage?
Wade Burck
Is there any information on Ray Holmes and/or Iona Mae Holmes? I believe he was a clown and she was one of the “extra girls” that performed around the rings. Thanks for any information.
I have a Replica of OLD TIME STREET PRADE. Held July 1st & 2nd 1929 in Minneapolis, Minn By Robbins Bros. Circus