BARNUM and BAILEY Antique Circus Poster, 1896
Original Vintage Late 19th Century  "LaRoche" French Poster by Strobridge
"LaRoche and His Mysterious Ball,"

Super Rare late 19th Century piece of Americana History... Spectacular Barnum & Bailey (Pre Ringling Brothers) Circus Poster.    Featuring "LaRoche and His Mysterious Ball,".. And the Rare Portraits at top of PT Barnum and James Bailey..   Note: This is the US version made by Strobridge for France in 1896, NOT the later French made poster in 1903 by French Lithographer Courmont Brothers & Co.  LaRoche began with Barnum in 1895.  There was even a tin toy made for LaRoche in 1906..  Here is a great writeup on the history of LaRoche and His Mysterious Ball..

NOTE:  This stunning antique circus poster has has sold at auction for up to $5000!

This example is a killer piece, with those great "obituary" portraits of the show's two owners. These desirable portrait posters were discontinued soon after this release, as Barnum felt that the black borders accompanying his portrait looked like something from a Victorian era newspaper's obituary page.   Size: 29-1/4"" x 39-3/8"

French version by Strobridge 1896, tax stamps and minor tear bottom margin with some banner remnants. Brilliant colors. Very Good to Excellent condition.  Has small 3" tear at bottom border fold and small 1" tear on left border.  Has some paper tape on reverse border edges...   That said quite amazing Un-Restored condition for a 120+ Year Old Poster !  Would look amazing linen backed!

*See click-able, enlargeable images above and below. 

** Note: We recently acquired Seven spectacular historical vintage Circus Posters from the late19th and early 20th century.  See them all below under Also Recommended

Strobridge, the outstanding American lithography company, produced many of the best circus and Wild West advertising posters of the late 1800's and early 1900's, particularly the outstanding posters for the Barnum & Bailey Circus, "the Greatest Show on Earth." The coloration and crisp detailing of these Strobridge posters makes them instantly recognizable to advanced collectors, even the versions that were executed in other languages. That's right, Strobridge would produce posters in the U. S. for the big shows that they would take with them for use overseas. ; Size—29-1/4"" x 39-3/8")

Strobridge Lithography Company BIO:
The Strobridge Lithography Company created some of the most artistically stunning posters in the 19th, and early 20th century.  In the genre of vintage posters they produced "masterpieces"!.   Strobridge was founded in Cincinnati in 1847 by Elijah Middleton and eventually bought out by one of its workers, Hines Strobridge, remaining open until 1971. Offices were located in downtown Cincinnati, Norwood, and New York City.  Strobridge was most famous for its circus posters, often producing them for The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey. Libraries and museums all over America, including the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress, hold examples of Strobridge’s “Amazing American Circus Poster.” However, because the Strobridge firm was based in Cincinnati, Cincinnatians are fortunate to be in the vicinity of many of the greatest Strobridge collections. In addition to the Archives & Rare Books Library, the Cincinnati Public Library and Cincinnati Art Museum are valuable resources for Strobridge enthusiasts.

Note: Cvtreasures stamp NOT on original poster