Lion and Mirror Bandwagon
France Bandwagon
Columbia Bandwagon
Pawnee Bill Bandwagon
Two Swans Bandwagon
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Circus Masterpieces
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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A Blog designed for discussion of topics related to, but not limited to, Circus, Zoos, Animal Training, and Animal Welfare/Husbandry. Sometimes opening up the dialog is the best starting point of all. And if for nothing else when people who agree and don't agree, get together and start discussing it, it will open up a lot of peoples minds. Debate and discussion even amongst themselves opens a window where there wasn't one before.
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6 comments:
Wade, these are incredibly beautiful. However, I have one question. I have my glasses on, and I still don't see the swans.
Mary Ann
Mary Ann;
Ma Cher,
I agree with you, and so do I ... have my glasses on.
Wade . is sure having a great fun with all of us.
looking for the lovely ssssswansssssss.
maybe it is you and moi....LOL...LOL...
or Dianne Olds Rossi and Jeannie.
or Rebecca and Margaret.
he is so funny.and a good triqui writer.
just got back from my lovely little trip, it is great . and also
to get back home.
and back on Wade blog. his last video, is very good, it proved that you allay must have your eyes on the Lion, and never. never trust them in full.
sincerely Mireille.
Mireille, it's wonderful that your trip was so nice, but it's great to have you back. You are correct about never trusting the lions. Happy Valentine's Day to you!
Mary Ann
The top photo is the Lion and Mirror which was on the Adam Forepaugh Circus in the 1880's before going to Ringling Bros Cicus. Over the winter of 1889-90, Ringling Bros went from a horse drawn circus to a railroad show. They wanted to improve their street parade and purchased the wagon from the Forepaugh Show. The wagon become their No 1 bandwagon.
Next, the France Bandwagon which was originally constructed in 1917-18 by Bode Wagon Company of Cincinnati. It was one of 16 wagon bodies mounted on truck chassis for the Frank Spellman United States Motorized Circus. The show opened in the spring of 1919 and failed in less than a week. In 1924, the wagon was purchased from storage for Robbins Bros. Circus and equipped with running gear so it could be drawn by horses. Later the wagon ended up on Cole Bros. Circus.
The third photo is the Columbia Bandwagon, which is the first parade vehicle acquired by Circus World. The founder of the museum, John M. Kelley, who had been the attorney for the Ringlings, obtained it from the defunct Cole Bros. Circus in 1954. James A. Bailey, owner of Barnum & Bailey Circus ordered the wagon from Bode Wagon Co. in Cincinnati in 1902. After Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey discontinued street parades in 1920, it was put inn storage. In 1927 Christy Bros. Circus acquired it, then a few years later it was acquired by Cole Bros. Circus. When Cole Bros. stopped street parades, the wagon was renovated and became a ticket wagon.
The next wagon is the Pawnee Bill Bandwagon which was purchased by Gordon Lillie also known as Pawnee Bill from Sebastian Wagon Co. in 1903 for $4,000. Normally the wood carvings on parade wagons are the same on both sides but in this case each side is different. The right side depicts the 'Landing of Columbus in America' and the left side depicts' Pocahontas saving Capt. John Smith'. The wagon stayed on the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show until 1909 when it was sold to Mighty Hagg Circus. During the last half of the 1920's, it was on the 101 Ranch Real Wild West. From there it went to Bill Hames Shows and presented to Circus World in 1962 by the Hames family.
Lastly, the Swan Bandwagon, not the Two Swans bandwagon, is pictured. It was built in 1905 for the Ringling Bros. by the Moeller Bros Wagon Works in Baraboo, WI. The inspiration for the carvings came from figures that graced the fountain at the Palace of Versailles in France. The wagon ended up at Walt Disney Studios and they presented it to Circus World in 1962.
John,
Thank you. There is nothing like standing in that wagon building on a quite day and just look from one end to the other. Magnificent. Something that everybody should see at least once.
Wade
Wade,
true,true,admiring those wagons up close and personal is a treat..
watching them being restored and maintained is kind of neat too.
the gold paint is not spray krylon it is real gold leaf expensive amazing stuff...sigh..and then there is the library,that is super boss!
Rebecca
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