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An original 5.5x3.5" vintage photo (NOT a modern reprint) from a collection of well documented Hagenbeck-Wallace circus photos. This photo originated from the personal collection of Joseph Bradbury, noted circus historian and collector.
Provenance: Joseph Bradbury was a renowned circus historian and a president of the Circus Historical Society who specialized in the documentation of circus equipment and wagons. He is widely recognized for his extensive research and photography, which preserved the history of early 20th-century shows. We acquired this from his estate at sale.
Photo Overview
A fascinating snapshot of circus logistics in action: the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus is shown unloading its wagons from flatcars at the railroad yard in Guelph, Ontario, Canada on June 2, 1938. The large flatcar in the foreground bears the bold lettering 'ENBECK WALLACE CIRC[US]', identifying the show clearly. Several ornate circus wagons - including what appears to be a highly decorated cage or band wagon with carved detailing - are visible being rolled off the cars using a lead vehicle (wagon #40 is visible). Workers and at least one well-dressed observer in a bowler hat watch the operation from trackside.
This 5.5x3.5 inch snapshot was taken from the personal collection of Joseph Bradbury, a president of the Circus Historical Society and one of America's foremost authorities on circus history and wagon documentation. Photos from the Bradbury collection represent some of the most carefully documented circus imagery ever assembled.
Historical Notes
The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus was one of the major American traveling railroad circuses of the early 20th century. By 1938, the show was operating under the American Circus Corporation umbrella, which had been acquired by John Ringling in 1929. The show was kept alive as a separate touring unit, one of several 'title shows' Ringling Bros. operated concurrently. The 1938 season would prove to be one of the final tours for the Hagenbeck-Wallace name - the show was retired after the 1938 season, marking the end of one of the most storied names in American circus history. The June 2, 1938 Guelph, Ontario date places this image on what was effectively the final Canadian tour leg for the circus. The elaborate carved wagons visible in the photo were soon dispersed, many eventually finding their way to the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin, where several Hagenbeck-Wallace pieces are preserved today.
Browse our complete Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus photograph collection.
Text Present
Front of photo:
- On the flatcar side rail: '...ENBECK WALLACE CIRC...' (partial lettering reading 'Hagenbeck Wallace Circus')
- On wagon: '40' (wagon number)
- Bottom right corner: '137' (sequence number)
Back of photo:
- Upper left area, handwritten in pencil: 'H-W Guelph June 2 1938'
- Below 'Guelph': 'ont' (abbreviation for Ontario)
- Center of back: '52' (possibly a collection reference number)
Print analysis
This appears to be an original snapshot-format silver gelatin print made at or very close to the time the photo was taken in 1938. The photo stock and tonal quality are consistent with late 1930s snapshot photography. The handwritten caption on the back uses contemporary notation and the photo corners show album corner wear consistent with age. This is assessed as a Type 1 original print, made in 1938.
Condition
Please see photos for condition. In fair to good vintage condition.
