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Vintage pre-owned condition with age-related wear throughout. Photographs, promotional pieces and correspondence show varying edge and corner wear, handling marks, creasing and discoloration. Letters have folds and visible paperclip rust staining. Some material has handwritten notations. Please examine all photos for individual condition and everything included.
Item Specifics
* Theme: Circus & Carnival
* Material: Photographs, Promotional Flyers & Correspondence
* Featured Acts: Aerialists, High-Wire Performers, Trapeze Artists, Divers & Clowns
* Performers: Winn Troupe, Stardusters, Reynoso Brothers, Miss Isabella, Diving Devils, Great Boros & Farfans
* Correspondence Date: 1975
* Agency: The Gilbert Miller Agency
* Related Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Photo Style: Primarily Black & White
* Individual Photograph Dates: Not established
* Lot Contents: Entire collection pictured
Description
Vintage circus publicity collection featuring dramatic high-wire acts, aerialists, swinging trapeze performers, motorcycle balancing acts, daredevil divers and clowns. The group combines performer photographs, illustrated promotional material and 1975 booking correspondence.
The photographs and promotional pieces capture the acts and personalities used to advertise live circus and outdoor thrill shows. Images include performers suspended high above the ground, motorcycle-on-wire routines, acrobatic displays and diving attractions.
Featured material includes:
* Winn Troupe high-wire photographs, including motorcycle and aerial balancing imagery.
* Stardusters performer photographs.
* Reynoso Brothers “Pirates of the Air” promotional photographs, including duplicate imagery.
* Miss Isabella swinging trapeze publicity material.
* Diving Devils promotional material naming Bill McGuire and Al Gonzales.
* Great Boros break-away sway-pole promotional flyer.
* Farfans aerial-cycle promotional material.
* Additional clown, diving, balancing and aerial-act images.
CHICAGO / SOLDIER FIELD CONNECTION
Included correspondence from The Gilbert Miller Agency of Skokie, Illinois, is addressed to Jack Jung concerning the Soldier Field Fourth of July celebration in Chicago. The January 29, 1975 proposal specifically references the American Legion’s annual celebration.
These letters provide a behind-the-scenes look at how circus attractions were offered and priced for a major outdoor event. They discuss proposed acts, performance arrangements and quoted booking fees, with several letters referencing enclosed performer photographs or promotional material.
Correspondence includes:
* January 29, 1975: Two-page proposal outlining multiple attractions, fees and a proposed show.
* February 10, 1975: Stardusters availability and a quoted $1,500 booking fee.
* February 11, 1975: Michelle & Michael helicopter trapeze proposal, including their own helicopter, quoted at $1,600.
* March 7, 1975: Great Huberto “slide-for-life” proposal quoted at $600.
* March 18, 1975: Farfans motorcycle act proposal quoted at $1,500.
The letters document booking proposals; they do not confirm that every proposed act ultimately performed at the event. Individual photographs may predate the 1975 correspondence.
An appealing collection for circus memorabilia collectors, aerial-act enthusiasts, vintage photography collectors and those interested in Chicago entertainment history.
Included:
* Circus performer photographs shown.
* Promotional flyers, sheets and folded promotional material shown.
* Five dated Gilbert Miller Agency letters, including the continuation page accompanying the January 29 letter.
* Duplicate promotional imagery where pictured.
You will receive the exact items shown in the photos. Please review all images as part of the description.
Keywords
vintage circus photos, circus memorabilia, aerialists, high wire, tightrope, trapeze, Winn Troupe, Stardusters, Reynoso Brothers, Pirates of the Air, Miss Isabella, Diving Devils, Great Boros, Farfans, circus publicity, daredevil photographs, Gilbert Miller Agency, Soldier Field, Chicago history, 1975 correspondence, entertainment ephemera
