Additional Coverage:
- 23 Vintage Circus Photos Showing Life Under the Big Top (wealthgang.com)
Step Right Up! A Look Back at the Golden Age of the Circus
The circus. It’s a word that conjures images of spectacle and wonder, of daring feats and painted smiles.
There’s a certain nostalgia surrounding circus life, from the rigorous training behind the scenes to the close-knit community of performers. For many, the circus was a first glimpse into a world of magic and unrestrained imagination.
These vintage photographs offer a peek into a bygone era, a time when the “big top” traveled from town to town, bringing with it a unique brand of entertainment.
We see a contortionist limbering up in the 1950s, circus performers in the 1930s, a trio of feathered performers ready to take the stage, and traveling circus performers sharing a laugh with a clown in the 1950s. A mime on stilts from the 1920s gives off a slightly eerie vibe, while other photos capture a circus performer in 1930s Germany, performers relaxing with a gramophone in 1926, and a resourceful circus mom juggling work and childcare in 1958.
The excitement of the Ringling Brothers’ arrival in the Bronx in 1963 is palpable, as children eagerly watch the circus train pull into the railyard. Clowns pose outside the big top in the 1920s, a circus worker shows off her elephant act in 1947, and an aerialist displays impressive strength in the 1950s.
Two performers take a break in 1926, Cilly Hetterich fearlessly poses with a tiger in 1931, and circus-goers enjoy a “fun day” in 1965. A strongwoman rests outside her tent in the 1950s, trapeze artists share a moment of levity during practice in 1949, and a Ringling Bros. clown offers a glimpse into the world of circus makeup in the 1950s.
Finally, we see early Mouseketeers at the circus in 1939, a tightrope walker circa 1905, boys pooling their money for a sideshow in the 1920s, a captivating circus act in 1926, and performers warming up backstage in 1949.
Read More About This Story:
- 23 Vintage Circus Photos Showing Life Under the Big Top (wealthgang.com)