DESIGNER UNKNOWN
1
•
BARNUM & BAILEY / EXCURSIONS. 1891.
40x30 inches, 101
1
/
2
x76 cm. The Strobridge Lith. Co., Cincinnati.
Condition B+ / A-: repaired tears and minor restoration in margins; minor restoration along
unobtrusive horizontal fold.
“The railroad circus enjoyed an unusual collaborative relationship with the host systems
over which it traveled during the summer season . . . overland circuses had already grown
so large in the mid - to late 1860s that the 20 - to 30 - mile moves between communities
placed them in villages and towns whose populations could not fill the tents. To assure
adequate revenues, some circuses collaborated with the local railroads to operate special
excursion trains on Circus Day - conveyances that would bring hundreds, if not
thousands, of hinterland residents to fill the seats . . . Excursion train operations endured
into the 1920s, when public transportation and private autos alone were adequate to
transport the audience to the circus” (Circus Poster p. 128).
The circus literally brought the world to America’s doorstep. With its elaborate
spectacles and exotic animals, a trip to the circus was indeed something of a trip around
the world. Barnum, already noted as the World’s Greatest Showman, clearly had no
problem touting his circus as “A World’s Fair of marvels” and appears to have coined
budget travel’s future
raison d’être
, that a trip to the circus was “A Holiday Created for all
Classes at Little Cost.”
It is impossible to say whether or not his image was designed after an existing travel
poster. However, in the years following this poster, ocean liner companies began
employing the identical conceit in their posters, using globes with vignettes in each
corner of the image as a means for advertising their services.
Barnum passed away on April 7th, 1891, so it is unclear whether or not he ever saw this
poster, it is certain that the impresario would have been pleased to know that the design
became an archetypal model for a whole generation of travel posters. Circus Poster 18.
[1,500/2,000]
DESCRIPTIONS
For an explanation of how the posters are described and a guide to the symbols used, please refer
to the section “Supplemental advice” which appears at the beginning of the catalogue.
RARE & IMPORTANT
TRAVEL POSTERS
Public Auction Sale 2261 November 11, 2011 1:30 pm