The Circus "NO SPIN ZONE": 12/21/11

Courtesy of Steve Flint--Barnum and Bailey Tableau Inquiry Below

Den # 76

Den # 83

Den # 85 Is this a Nilgai?

Den # 87

Den # 90

Dear Wade-

This is in reference to your great postings concerning the Barnum & Bailey Tableau Dens. There were 6 known to be built at the same time. They are thought to have been built by Geo. Marx of Brooklyn, NY ca. 1915. An article appeared in the LCW Aug-Sept 1971 issue with sketches of the carvings. The historic entry credits the Moellers of Baraboo with the fabrication of these cages but there are no entries concerning this order in the Moeller ledgers on file at CWM. They were numbered 76-83-85-87-90-91 and seem to have kept the same numbers throughout their career.

The wagons were originally built for the (Ringling owned) Barnum & Bailey show. They were absorbed into the combined shows and appeared in the menagerie well into the 1940's. Photograph's of the wagons with all carvings intact are in short supply. Certainly by 1930 the skyboard carvings began to disappear and a fine painted scroll applied. Attached are 2 photo's of these wagons sitting in the Sarasota WQ's, presumably being readied for the upcoming season. Sadly, these wagons- except the 1 now in Baraboo- were "put out to pasture" in Sarasota after being replaced by newer dens.

Flint

Courtesy of Steve Flint--Barnum and Bailey Tableau Inquiry Below

Den # 91

Sarasota 1935

Sarasota 1940

It is so exciting to learn something new, and I am grateful to Steve Flint, Richard Reynolds, Jim Alexander, Bobby Cline, Bjorn Krebbers, the many anonymous, and all the rest of you fine folks who have been gracious in educating us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My next question is, why were wagons/tableaus/dens like these not numbered sequentially? Were they numbered in what order they went in the menagerie, with other wagons between? I would think a group of "like" wagons would be numbered in order, individual wagons numbered as they were used.

For John Goodall

John, why does the wagon above, Barnum and Bailey Tableau # 83 loaned by Baraboo to the production company for the movie Water For Elephants look so similar to wagon # 87 below? Was it part of the group 7 of wagons used at the same time? Where is # 87 now?

C. P. Fox Wagon Restoration Center--Circus World Museum

~The Spectacular WFE Circus Wagons~

For folks that have never been, do yourself a favor and go to Circus World Museum. In my opinion, the best time to go is now, in the dead of winter. Not many people, quiet and humbling when you walk into the Wagon Restoration center, and are lucky enough to stand and watch some remarkably talented people restore these beautiful old wagons. I have made the trip over a dozen times in Jan/Feb and never grew tired of it. Regretfully, I didn't make it last year, nor will I this year. Don't miss it, what you will see is truly "the Greatest Show On Earth."

C. P. Fox Wagon Restoration Center--Circus World Museum

Was this wagon, which I believe is # 25 on the same show as the # 22 wagon pictured in use, in the photo in the below post?

Vintage Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus

1905

1909

This stunning wagon below is one of my favorite cage wagons. What happened to it? If anyone has any other picture of this wagon, I would sure appreciate seeing them.

Transporting Private Vehicles!!!

Was this the prototype for Ringling's "double deck" railroad car for hauling private vehicles? The cat's were hauled in the lower portion for years, and it was a horrible, horrible situation in which to try to care for and water them in transit. They system has since been done away with which is a good thing. Some things from "the good old day's" needed to stay in "the good old days," and not brought into the modern world.