I felt this was the pose, with Congo and Prince that should have been used for Gunther's statue at the old Venice rail yard, but due to pressure from a minority activist group, it was decided to just depict Gunther with no animals. I hope someday America stops cowtowing to the minority and listen's again to the majority. This was the world of the circus that this young man from North Dakota saw for the first time. Don't anybody tell again to "get over it," because it was magic that is unforgetable.
Friday, October 15, 2010
GGW-1973
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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7 comments:
I did a painting of this pose as a senior art project in high school - won best of show.
Originally Bengali was the tiger on Congo doing this act I think not?
Wade,
This picture was part of a set of Post Cards that was included in the 1973 show program. The picture of Gunther in the Pink costume, I think was included in the 1975/76 Americas Bicentennial program as a poster.
Am I mistaken or do the two tigers appear to be diffrent animals? Do you know if GGW had two diffrent animals that rode atop Congo.
Also you've mentioned when you presented GGW's tigers, it was suggested you train another globe riding tiger because Prince was old.
Was the globe riding Prince, the Congo riding Prince, or was he a diffrent Prince that Charly B trained that joined GWW's act when CB retired.
GWW's orignal Price was acquired early to mid 1960's so I'm sure by the time GWW started presenting the globe riding cat he would have been replaced.
Just looking for some timeline clarity if you can provide it, thanks in advance.
Vincent/San Diego
Vincent,
Yes he did. He also had Bengali, as Thomas mentions. Prince was by far the most impressive looking in my opinion. He is a different Prince then the Prince that Charly had on the mirrored ball that he gave to GGW upon his retirement. That Prince, Hawthorn sold to Charly in 1977 as a young cub, which I delivered to Charly at the old Chicago Amphitheater, which was the second time I met Charly.
Wade Burck
Anonymous,
Do you happen to have a down load or a picture of the art project you could share? My email is wburck3@aol.com. I which they had put two rearing Lippizans on either side for the statue of GGW, Prince, and Congo that I regret they didn't install, instead of the one of him just standing there with a cape over his shoulders, with his hand outstretched. The consolation is that some day when archeologists are excavating the ruins of Venice they will wonder who this was, and assume that he must have been an Emperor like Julies Ceasar. They would be close, so maybe the statue is a good thing.
Wade
Wade and Thomas,
Thanks, I made a mistake, The tiger I referred to as Prince acquired in the early to mid 1960's was actually Bengal. I had forgotten he was the original elephant riding tiger.
Vincent/San Diego
Anyone have any information on whatever became of Congo?
Vincent,
As far as I know Congo died in 1996on Patricia Zerbinis Two Tails Ranch. she whas retierd from performing the year before.
Bjorn
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