Vintage Antique Old Ringling Brothers Barnum Bailey Circus Posters Memorabilia Collectibles For Sale
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus Program, 1890
Stunning Original Barnum & Bailey Cirucs Program,
NOTE: Get a look at the Spectacular large fold out, chromolithographed, panorama insert!
Note: It is particularly Scarce to find Original material like this program, that was published During PT Barnum's lifetime, as he would pass away a year after this program was produced. Possibly one of the last ones his personally approved. Its extraordinarily creative extravagance certainly has his signature personality and style all over it.
* See enlargeable images above and below
Fantastic and VERY rare, 1890 Chromolithograph illustrated Circus Extravaganza Program from Barnum and Bailey’s Traveling Circus titled in full “Nero or the Destruction of Rome”. This wonderful, on site Circus Publication is actually a detailed Program for Imra Kiralfy’s “Grand Romantic Historical Spectacle” production that was part of the 1890 Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth.
This wonderful and colorful Circus Production Program measures approx. 6” by 9” and contains 20 pages plus its original, paper wraps and a 24” by 8 1/2” fold out, chromolithographed, panorama insert depicting an elaborate parade / procession with Nero riding on a palatial carriage drawn by four white horses surrounded by a multitude of slaves and beautiful young women – a scene that was most certainly a part of the production as it was presented by the Barnum and Bailey Circus.
The Program has a fantastic, Chromolithograph front cover featuring a view of the Roman Coliseum with Gladiators engaged in combat and Nero delivering a “thumbs down” judgment requiring the victor to kill the final surviving combatant. The rear cover features a complimentary view of a chariot race within the Circus Maximus.
The Program includes a list of the “Characters” and a “General Synopsis of Scenes” followed by extensive text about the Production titled “The Dramatic Action of Imra Kiralfy’s Spectacular Romance, NERO or the Destruction of Rome”.
Tthis Program was sold for 10 cents on the grounds of the Circus as both a souvenir and a guide to the massive Extravaganza that was the centerpiece of the Barnum & Bailey Circus during the Season of 1890. The Program is copyright 1890 and was published by the Courier Litho Company of Buffalo, New York.
This elaborate and very beautiful, 1890 Barnum & Bailey Circus Spectacular Program is bound in its original paper wraps which are intact, sound and well preserved - generally clean with some uniform age toning, light soiling and light edge wear. The interior pages are in very good condition - tight, complete and generally clean with light, uniform age toning and light edge wear. The large, fold out, chromolithograph Panorama insert is very well preserved - intact, clean and crisp. Overall this very delicate 132 year old Program is well preserved and displays beautifully!
A rare and wonderful piece of 19th century American Circus History and a fantastic addition to any collection!!
