Circus Poster, Sells Brothers Presents ''Sid the Famous Funny Elephantine Clown," circa 1890
Add to SetSummary
In the late nineteenth century, printers developed a lithograph method that produced brightly colored posters. In advance of a circus coming to town, general agents glued these eye-catching generic posters to building walls, fences, and in window displays. To announce when and where the performances would happen, local printers sometimes provided letterpress paper date strips to paste onto the posters' lower margin.
In the late nineteenth century, printers developed a lithograph method that produced brightly colored posters. In advance of a circus coming to town, general agents glued these eye-catching generic posters to building walls, fences, and in window displays. To announce when and where the performances would happen, local printers sometimes provided letterpress paper date strips to paste onto the posters' lower margin.
Artifact
Poster
Date Made
circa 1890
Creators
Place of Creation
United States, Ohio, Cincinnati
Creator Notes
Printed by Strobridge & Co. Lith., Cincinnati, Ohio.
Collection Title
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
35.784.19
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Strobridge Lithographing Co.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Lithography
Color
Multicolored
Dimensions
Height: 40.25 in
Width: 30.25 in
Inscriptions
Printed at top: .SELLS BROTHERS' ENORMOUS UNITED.SHOWS. Printed at bottom: "SID", THE / FAMOUS FUNNY / ELEPHANTINE CLOWN / A REASON-GIFTED BRUTE JESTER, MIMIC AND FUN-MAKER / TRAINED AND PERFORMED BY MR. LEWIS SUNLIN. / REAL ROMAN HIPPODROME THREE RING CIRCUS / ELEVATED STAGE. FIVE CONTINENT MENAGERIE. Inscribed below center scene in a circle: The / Strobridge / Lith Co. / Cinti / NY / Lon.
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