Showman Collection

1921 Burrell Earl Beatty Showman Traction engine

Buffalo Bill Cody racing in Munich, Germany
William Frederick Buffalo Bill Cody (1846-1917), American soldier, bison hunter and Wild West showman, seen here at Munich, Germany, racing on horseback against the cyclist Fischer

Caricature of P T Barnum and Jumbo the elephant
Caricature of Phineas Taylor (PT) Barnum (1810-1891), American showman and businessman, and Jumbo the African elephant which he bought for his circus from London Zoo in 1882

Chabert / Fire King
MONSIEUR CHABERT Showman entertainer, known as The Fire King

Phineas T. Barnum portrait, 1850s
NWI4950746 Phineas T. Barnum portrait, 1850s.; (add.info.: Phineas T. Barnum portrait, 1850s.); Photo © North Wind Pictures.

Illustration of Paul Boyton (Boynton) (1848-1924), known as the Fearless Frogman
5669241 Illustration of Paul Boyton (Boynton) (1848-1924), known as the Fearless Frogman, was a showman and adventurer some credit as having spurred worldwide interest in water sports as a hobby

Kermis Fair singer, 1900-1999. Creator: Unknown
Kermis Fair singer, 1900-1999. A showman points to nine prints on a stage. A woman is playing the harp. On the right a boy with balloons

The Show-man, 1799. Creator: Monogrammist J.A
The Show-man, 1799. Keep your eye close to the Glass - and you will see a large / vide place full of Death and Destruction - where more / plagues await de frequenters den contained in de famous Box

A travelling showman presents a musical menagerie, 1826-1864. Creator: Sophus Schack
A travelling showman presents a musical menagerie, 1826-1864

Buffalo Bill Cody, between 1913 and 1917. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Buffalo Bill Cody, between 1913 and 1917
Buffalo Bill Cody, between 1913 and 1917. American showman, rifle shooter, soldier and bison hunter, rider for the Pony Express at age 15

Ascent of M. Poiteven, on Horseback, in a Balloon, from the Champ de Mars, Paris, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Ascent of M. Poiteven, on Horseback, in a Balloon, from the Champ de Mars, Paris, 1850. Upwards of 10, 000 persons paid for admission...to witness the ascent...It was a matter of considerable

The late Mr. Wombwell, 1850. Creator: Unknown
The late Mr. Wombwell, 1850. Portrait of British menagerist George Wombwell who founded Wombwell's Travelling Menagerie, was a...very active provider of amusement - who, perhaps

Buffalo Bill's wild west and congress of rough riders of the world, c1899. Creator: Unknown
Buffalo Bill's wild west and congress of rough riders of the world, c1899. Circus poster showing Cossacks in battle on horseback, and head-and-shoulders portraits of Buffalo Bill and Nate Salsbury

Wild Bill's Monument James B Hickoc [ie Hickok], alias "Wild Bill, " born May 27, 1837 at... 1891
Wild Bill's Monument James B Hickoc [ie Hickok], alias "Wild Bill, " born May 27, 1837 at Homer, Ill Killed by Jack McCall at Deadwood, SD, Aug 2, 1876, where his body now lies, 1891

Wild Bill Hickok, Texas Jack Omohundro and Buffalo Bill Cody, c1870s (1954). Group portrait of three of the most colourful characters from the American West

The bearded lady: Miss Annie Jones 1897
Annie Jones Elliot (1865 - 1902), a " freak" and part of the " Greatest Show on Earth". The accompanying article describes her as " in every respect the best of the "

The bearded lady: Miss Annie Jones 1898
Annie Jones Elliot (1865 - 1902) also known as " the Bearded Lady" toured with the showman P. T. Barnum as a circus attraction. 1898

Julia Pastrana (1834 - 1860), from Mexico, a hairy woman who married a showman, Theodor Lent, but died in childbirth at Moscow (the child also died)

Dr Walford Bodie MD a. k. a. The Electrical Wizard was famed for magic tricks using
Dr Walford Bodie MD a.k.a. The Electrical Wizard was famed for magic tricks using electricity and an electric chair, Published Daily Mirror Front Page 4th November 1909. Our Picture Shows... Mr

William F. Buffalo Bill Cody, Rosa Bonheur, Chief Rocky Bear, Chief Red Shirt
William F. " Buffalo Bill" Cody, , Chief Rocky Bear, Chief Red Shirt, William " Broncho Bill" Irving, Roland Knoedler, and [Benjamin

John Nevil Maskelyne performs a spirit cabinet illusion, c1910. Creator: Unknown
John Nevil Maskelyne performs a spirit cabinet illusion, c1910. How the tricks are performed - " A coach-horn or megaphone is useful for picking things up

Julia Pastrana from Mexico, hairy woman
Julia Pastrana, from Mexico, a hairy woman who married a showman, Theodor Lent, but died in childbirth at Moscow (the child also died)

Buffalo Bill pre-1900

Samuel Cody assorted memorabilia, Wild West days
EARLY AVIATION PIONEERS - THE SAMUEL CODY ARCHIVE: Collection of printed publicity material from Samuel Cody?s days as a Wild West showman, the largest being 29ins. 10ins. Date: late 19th century

Poster, Samuel Cody, Velodrome de la Seine, Paris
EARLY AVIATION PIONEERS - THE SAMUEL CODY ARCHIVE: S. F. Cody Wild West Show (c.1893). Known as a showman, sharpshooter, horseman, aviator and aircraft designer

The Children's Peep Show Date: 1907

Buffalo Bill Cody, c. 1907 (b/w photo)
3247839 Buffalo Bill Cody, c.1907 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: William Frederick Buffalo Bill Cody (1846-1917) American soldier and showman.)

Etienne-Gaspard Robert
3733242 Etienne-Gaspard Robert. by French School, (19th century); (add.info.: Portrait of Etienne-Gaspard Robert (1763-1837) a prominent Belgian physicist

Buffalo Bill Cody, c. 1915 (b/w photo)
3247862 Buffalo Bill Cody, c.1915 (b/w photo) by Harris & Ewing (1905-45); Private Collection; (add.info.: William Frederick Buffalo Bill Cody (1846-1917) American soldier and showman.)

P. T. Barnum, between 1855 and 1865. Creator: Unknown
P.T. Barnum, between 1855 and 1865. [Entertainer, showman, circus promoter and politician: founded the Barnum & Bailey Circus; Mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut]

Chimpanzees and orangutan eating Christmas dinner, Carl Hagenbecks Wonder Zoo and Big Circus, Olympia
5987095 Chimpanzees and orangutan eating Christmas dinner, Carl Hagenbecks Wonder Zoo and Big Circus, Olympia, London (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Colonel Cody on his Biplane (b / w photo)
3642269 Colonel Cody on his Biplane (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Colonel Cody on his Biplane)

Polar bear riding a tricycle, Carl Hagenbecks Wonder Zoo and Big Circus, Olympia, London (b / w photo)
5987100 Polar bear riding a tricycle, Carl Hagenbecks Wonder Zoo and Big Circus, Olympia, London (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Circus Traveller, 1902 (litho)
884377 Circus Traveller, 1902 (litho) by Sem (Georges Goursat) (1863-1934); Private Collection; (add.info.: Forain); French, out of copyright

A "Happy Family"at Berlin (engraving)
2777086 A " Happy Family" at Berlin (engraving) by Tenniel, John (1820-1914) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A " Happy Family" at Berlin. Cartoon, 29 June 1878)

James Butler (Wild Bill) Hickok (1817 - 1876), (colour litho)
3105566 James Butler (Wild Bill) Hickok (1817 - 1876), (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; American, out of copyright

A Glance at the Zoological Representations on the Nineveh Bas-Reliefs (engraving)
1587258 A Glance at the Zoological Representations on the Nineveh Bas-Reliefs (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Codys Wild West Show, 1893 (colour litho)
1547597 Codys Wild West Show, 1893 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois

Poster advertising the The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth
PNP312799 Poster advertising the The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, 1880s (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Poster advertising P. T Barnums Greatest Show on Earth
PNP311593 Poster advertising P.T Barnums Greatest Show on Earth, 1880s (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

101 Ranch Wild West Show poster, featuring Iron Tail, 1913 (colour litho)
PNP247844 101 Ranch Wild West Show poster, featuring Iron Tail, 1913 (colour litho) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Buffalo Bill Cody (1846-1917) in his latter years (b / w photo)
PNP247818 Buffalo Bill Cody (1846-1917) in his latter years (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Acrobatic Male Dancer, 1920 (w / c on paper)
BRN187463 Acrobatic Male Dancer, 1920 (w/c on paper) by Demuth, Charles (1883-1935); The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Display of feats of strength by German bodybuilder and showman Eugen Sandow at the Trocadero, London, 1892 (litho)
6014191 Display of feats of strength by German bodybuilder and showman Eugen Sandow at the Trocadero, London, 1892 (litho) by English School

Kindness not whips: keeper in the lion and tiger enclosure, Carl Hagenbecks Wonder Zoo and Big Circus, Olympia
5987099 Kindness not whips: keeper in the lion and tiger enclosure, Carl Hagenbecks Wonder Zoo and Big Circus, Olympia, London (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Martin Powell, puppet showman
Martin Powell (?-1729), puppet showman, often featuring a Punch character, in Bath, London and elsewhere. 1715

Giovanni Battista Belzoni at Sadlers Wells Theatre
Giovanni Battista Belzoni, Italian explorer and archaeologist, at Sadlers Wells Theatre, London, as the Patagonian Samson, wearing a strongmans costume made of fur, and an ostrich feather headdress

The bearded lady: Miss Annie Jones
Annie Jones Elliot (1865 - 1902) also known as " the Bearded Lady" toured with the showman P. T. Barnum as a circus attraction

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"Unveiling the Spectacle: A Journey through the World of Showmen" Step right up and witness the captivating world of showmanship, where larger-than-life characters and extraordinary feats come to life. From the 1921 Burrell Earl to Buffalo Bill Cody racing in Munich, Germany, these showmen have left an indelible mark on history. In this mesmerizing journey, we encounter a caricature of P. T. Barnum and Jumbo the elephant, reminding us of their legendary partnership that enthralled audiences worldwide. The enigmatic Chabert, known as the Fire King, ignites our imagination with his daring acts that defy logic and reason. Actor Michael Crawford takes center stage in character for the musical hit Barnum on May 22nd, 1981. With his magnetic presence and boundless energy, he embodies Phineas Taylor Barnum's spirit like no other. No exploration of showmanship would be complete without mentioning Harry Houdini - a true master of illusion who captivated crowds with his death-defying escapes. His name remains synonymous with awe-inspiring magic even today. Traveling back in time to pre-1900s Wild West days brings us face-to-face with Buffalo Bill himself. This iconic figure showcases not only thrilling performances but also serves as a reminder of America's rich frontier heritage. Samuel Cody's assorted memorabilia from his Wild West shows transport us to an era when cowboys roamed freely across vast landscapes. A poster from Velodrome de la Seine in Paris captures Cody's adventurous spirit perfectly - inviting spectators into a world filled with excitement and wonder. And let us not forget The Children's Peep Show - an enchanting spectacle designed specifically for young minds eager to explore new realms of imagination. These remarkable individuals embody what it means to be a showman - they entertain, inspire curiosity, challenge boundaries, and leave lasting impressions on all who witness their grand performances.