Black Boots, which I spray painted silver, to match the costume, with silver spray paint(called Mexican chrome in the circus.) Pretty stupid, as the paint dried the leather out, and there was no way to oil them. They eventually cracked up and tore, and were thrown away.
White Boots, which I gave to my brother Michael when he left for Europe with the White Tiger act in 1988 when it went on Circus Knie. He gave them to a fan in Switzerland, and I understand he still has them in his collection. This is the Clyde Bros. tiger act, my first tiger act, and this was my first "tiger publicity photo." Note the horrendous cages in the back ground that the animals were kept in, which was standard for the time. They had solid wood backsides, and they were loaded in the truck 4 on one side, and 3 on the other side, back to back with the mesh side facing the open doors on the trailer. That way the animals, which lived alone and did not get along, could not see each other and fight during trips.
Blue Boots, which were gashed up when I was "downed and browned" by a tiger named Sultan. That's him, third from the left, sitting up on the pyramid. I gave the boots to a fan in Niagara Falls, New York. This was my first "Hawthorn tiger publicity photo." Note the address, as it was a year before the Richmond facilties were built.
If you go to the search bar above and type in Pat Anthony in the search bar, there are some additional nice pictures of Pat with his cats.
Friday, September 24, 2010
The black, blue, and white boots that Pat Anthony had made for me in Mexico City
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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5 comments:
Wade,
Can you give us any info on the lion in the pic with you, was this the same lion you used in your mixed act? Did this lion ride an elephant?
Vincent/San Diego
Vincent,
The lion's name was Soloman, and he was one of the greatest animals I have ever had the pleasure of sharing oxygen with. I have personally never like mixed acts, and never really had one. Soloman was part of the original Hawthorn tiger act that I presented when I first went to work with John and Herta Cuneo in 1976. He worked with the 12 tigers, and didn't nothing in the act but stretch stand on a tall pedestal in the middle of the tigers and look, regal, kingly, and beautiful. He came in first and jumped up on his seat, and the 12 tigers then entered under him. When they were finished working, the Ringmaster would announce, "And now, ladies and Gentlemen, introducing the Lord of the Jungle, King Soloman", and the band would play an emperors entrance march. Soloman would then come down of his pedestal, and walk to the middle of the arena, and stand astride two seat's that I had set there, and I would sit on him, then get off, kneel in front of him for a "kiss 0 death" and he would turn and leave the arena, and I would turn and jump on the pedestals to thunderous applause and standing ovations. LOL Soloman came back into the arena an act later after I changed costume tops, and do a riding act with Rajah the tiger and Joyce the elephant.
Wade
Thanks Wade
He really is a fine looking animal. Whatever became of Raja?
Alot of times when you give the history, or describe an animals passing. You note what the animal passed away from.
When you lose an animal do you have an autopsy done? Is this a USDA requirement?
You said Pinto died from Lung cancer,Kenny the leopard I believe died from a brain tumor you've also mentioned a few others that have passed from some type of cancer or another. I've read that tiger are prone to kidney problems and failure has this been your experience?
Vincent/San Diego
Wade,
Sorry I meant Solomon....what became of him?
Vincent/San Diego
Vincent,
When the 5 White Tigers were added to the act, there was no need for Soloman. He was sent to Reno to be the MGM lion for a time with my brother Mike, and then was used for two years by John Cox when he made an act for Hawthorn. He was then retired, and given to a private zoo in Ohio.
Normally an necropsy(autopsy is for humans) is not performed, as the problem is normally known, and being treated, before death. A necropsy is performed only in the case of an unknown problem, as a ""learning tool."
Wade
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