John O'Brien's 40 horse Grand Carousel at the Olympia in London, England Barnum & Bailey 1899 Posted on the "history channel" July 2, 2008 with this comment:
Fred Neill said...
Where are the other 30 horses?! By the 1897-99 visit here to UK O'Brien had built the act up to 70 horses. What varied slightly here was the horse he rode - though usually white, newspaper reviews mention other colours. Needless to say they were impressed by the act.
Frederick said...You don't do him enough credit - it was 70 horses. What seems to have varied sometimes was the horse he was on - often "Mufti" but others were used. Earlier Route books show the number building over a couple of years from 50 or so.
It was with the show right through Britain 1897-99 inclusive though he didn't stay through Europe4 (if my memory serves me right).
Fred Neill
Six rows of horses, all turning at the same time in opposite directions. Size 5'3" X 5'3"
This Mechanical Marvel has 6 concentric rows of horses all turning in alternate directions, at the same time.
Approximate size 5'3"x5'3"This Mechanical Marvel has 6 concentric rows of horses all turning in alternate directions, at the same time.
Approximate size 5'3"x5'3"This Mechanical Marvel has 6 concentric rows of horses all turning in alternate directions, at the same time.
Approximate size 5'3"x5'3"
I posted these pictures of this wooden carving above on Oct. 12, 2009 and the link below on August 8, 2010 with what I suggested was an actual "carousel" depicted at :31. Actually when I first posted this link I listened but did not read. The commentator refers to it as "the greatest show on earth" and I thought it was Ringling. It is actually the Tom Arnold Circus from Great Britain. Type carousel in the search bar for past posting's of modern suggested carousel's.
CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN - British Pathe
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3 comments:
From the Circus Historical Society website:
O’BRIEN, JOHN. (1858-March 12, 1903) Equestrian and horse trainer. Born in South Wales. Began as one of the O’Brien Family, attaining prominence as a trick and jockey rider. Brother of Jennie and Archie O’Brien. Came to USA with them as a manège act for Barnum & Bailey and remained with the organization for 4 years. Ringling Bros.’, 1898, as equestrian director and horse trainer, staying with them until the close of the 1902 season. It is claimed he was the first man to break a large ensemble of stock, consisting of 63 horses. Died in Baraboo, WI, age 46.
Now we have the number of horse's listed as 70, 40, and 63.
New York Clipper, June 23, 1900, p. 377
John D. Carey, press agent with the great Rhoda Royal Shows, sends the following: "Six weeks out and nothing but success to tell of. Everything to make the life of a showman unhappy has been encountered, but quickly overcome. Opposition, rain and wind have been met and vanquished. Not a performance lost, and at every turn the figures have been placed on the right side of the ledger. Papers and public alike unite in sounding the praise of this amusement enterprise, and the first complaint is yet to be heard. Everyone is well and happy, and that confidence so often lacking between employer and employee is agreeable conspicuous with the Rhoda Royal people. Our stock, under the direct supervision of Rhoda Royal, is a show in itself, and horsemen in every city and town pronounce it the finest lot of pure and sound horses ever seen together. Madame Royal, in her menage act, introducing her cake walking Arabian horses, is a feature that has won for her columns of press notices and the plaudits of thousands. Prof. Joseph Berris and is sixty-three trained horses has won out ever audience, and he has had to reappear on several occasions. The Eddy Family, now increased to six members are winning new laurels, as is Madame Peter, on the bounding wire; the Petet Family, the Thompson boys, rough riders, and, in fact, every feature with the show. William J. Doris, manager of privileges, has surrounded himself, both in the concert and side show, with features that cause no little favorable comment. Olga has received a new consignment of snakes and alligators that are the centre of attraction. Tony Richardson, treasurer, is renewing many old acquaintances through Pennsylvania. Tony was a successful politician and mayor of Ashtabula, Ohio, and his return to the show field from that political is proving a wise one. . . . Tony Richardson has organized a class to join the Elks, and twelve new members will be added to the Ashtabula Lodge. Among the visitors last week were George Aiken, Harry Dale, and representatives from the Phillips 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' Show and Merchant's Railroad Circus. . . "
Here we see mention again of "63" horse's around 1900, which is a very odd number for an act, except they are manned by Prof. Joseph Berris instead of John O'Brien?
Wade
I imagine they could give the number as just about anything - it would be pretty tough to count that many horses without an aerial view.
Anonymous,
Dollar's to donuts, those number's came straight from the publicity department, given the odd discrepancy.
Wade
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