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- Hallmark "Polar Circus Wagon" Christmas Ornament, 1991 - Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
- 1991
- Collections - Artifact
Hallmark "Polar Circus Wagon" Christmas Ornament, 1991
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
- Hallmark "Circus Mountain Railroad" Christmas Ornament, 2002 - Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
- 2002
- Collections - Artifact
Hallmark "Circus Mountain Railroad" Christmas Ornament, 2002
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
- Meal Ticket for Walter L. Main Circus Property Men, circa 1895 - Owners of circuses and traveling shows in late 19th and early 20th centuries provided meals for all their employees. Tickets were issued to workers in different departments and were redeemable at the tent where the meals were cooked and served. This ticket was issued to a member of the "Property Men" department. This crew stored, maintained, and setup the props used during performances.
- circa 1895
- Collections - Artifact
Meal Ticket for Walter L. Main Circus Property Men, circa 1895
Owners of circuses and traveling shows in late 19th and early 20th centuries provided meals for all their employees. Tickets were issued to workers in different departments and were redeemable at the tent where the meals were cooked and served. This ticket was issued to a member of the "Property Men" department. This crew stored, maintained, and setup the props used during performances.
- "P.T. Barnum's Own Illustrated News for the Season of 1878" - Phineas Taylor (P.T.) Barnum (1810-1891) entered the circus business in 1876 after a 40-year career as a showman. In this presumably self-published newspaper, Barnum highlighted his past entertainment endeavor and announced his lineup for the 1878 "Greatest Show on Earth" circus. Barnum's circus featured animal menageries, clowns, automata, acrobatic horse-riders, and human "curiosities" such as Captain George Costentenus--a heavily tattooed man.
- 1878
- Collections - Artifact
"P.T. Barnum's Own Illustrated News for the Season of 1878"
Phineas Taylor (P.T.) Barnum (1810-1891) entered the circus business in 1876 after a 40-year career as a showman. In this presumably self-published newspaper, Barnum highlighted his past entertainment endeavor and announced his lineup for the 1878 "Greatest Show on Earth" circus. Barnum's circus featured animal menageries, clowns, automata, acrobatic horse-riders, and human "curiosities" such as Captain George Costentenus--a heavily tattooed man.
- Pennant, "Souvenir of Stevens Bros. Circus," 1940-1965 -
- 1940-1965
- Collections - Artifact
Pennant, "Souvenir of Stevens Bros. Circus," 1940-1965
- McDonald's Circus Parade Happy Meal Toys, 1991 - On June 11, 1979, McDonald's introduced its first national Happy Meal promotion. Called Circus Wagon, it included six different cardboard boxes designed to look like festively decorated circus wagons. McDonald's again brought back a circus theme with this March 8-April 12, 1991 St. Louis regional promotion of geared action toys. When this vehicle was moved, the figure would also move.
- 1991
- Collections - Artifact
McDonald's Circus Parade Happy Meal Toys, 1991
On June 11, 1979, McDonald's introduced its first national Happy Meal promotion. Called Circus Wagon, it included six different cardboard boxes designed to look like festively decorated circus wagons. McDonald's again brought back a circus theme with this March 8-April 12, 1991 St. Louis regional promotion of geared action toys. When this vehicle was moved, the figure would also move.
- "Lithographer's Ticket" for Admission to the Walter L. Main Circus, circa 1898 - In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, circus advance men, called "lithographers," promoted the show by posting advertisements in merchants' stores or pasting colorful posters on fences, buildings, and barns. In exchange, local businessmen, merchants and farmers would receive free passes to the circus. Lithographers for the Walter L. Main's Shows issued this ticket to those who helped publicize the soon-to-arrive attraction.
- circa 1898
- Collections - Artifact
"Lithographer's Ticket" for Admission to the Walter L. Main Circus, circa 1898
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, circus advance men, called "lithographers," promoted the show by posting advertisements in merchants' stores or pasting colorful posters on fences, buildings, and barns. In exchange, local businessmen, merchants and farmers would receive free passes to the circus. Lithographers for the Walter L. Main's Shows issued this ticket to those who helped publicize the soon-to-arrive attraction.
- Tumbler, 1959 -
- 1959
- Collections - Artifact
Tumbler, 1959
- Child's Handkerchief, 1945-1955 - Before disposable tissues became popular, people carried cloth handkerchiefs to help with sneezes and sniffles. Children's versions were made with images and in colors designed to appeal to these smaller folk.
- 1945-1955
- Collections - Artifact
Child's Handkerchief, 1945-1955
Before disposable tissues became popular, people carried cloth handkerchiefs to help with sneezes and sniffles. Children's versions were made with images and in colors designed to appeal to these smaller folk.
- Route Book for Employees of the Walter L. Main Circus, Season 1899 - Circuses and other traveling shows often published year-end, souvenir route books. These publications documented the shows' travels--recording performance locations, dates, and miles traveled, as well as listing key staff. The Walter L. Main circus published this route book of their 1899 tour. The tour started from the show's winter quarters in Geneva, Ohio, and played its last date in New Mexico.
- 1899
- Collections - Artifact
Route Book for Employees of the Walter L. Main Circus, Season 1899
Circuses and other traveling shows often published year-end, souvenir route books. These publications documented the shows' travels--recording performance locations, dates, and miles traveled, as well as listing key staff. The Walter L. Main circus published this route book of their 1899 tour. The tour started from the show's winter quarters in Geneva, Ohio, and played its last date in New Mexico.