This is from the late 80's and by now Allen and I were not getting along well. I had my own show and he was beginning to consider me competion...Not so much on under-canvas dates ( he played larger towns and I was high grass) but I did take several indoor phone sponsor away from him...NO I didn't "steal" them many were either Bartok or Hoxie dates that I had booked originally... As far as the paint on this trailer I have no idea who didit ...I seem to think I heard something about students from the Ringling Art School in Sarasota...considering the color combination,could be.

Thanks Jim For sharing these great bits of circus history!

ROD

I totally agree. I think Toby Tyler was the end of era. A HUGE big top,a large menegeragie tent,filled to overflowing with cages, a large herd of elephants,horses and more horses. A fantastic show with a large clown alley and Ward Hall sideshow on the midway...Truly a circus fan's dream.....I'm happy I was part of it.

Hello Jim:

Yes, I too am very glad I could see this show, although the time I attended, they had lost their Big Top in a road accident and were Blue Skying it at Alma Michigan this was around 1984?? or so, so I never got to see the big top. I think they had the Marque set up , but that's all, you just walked in under the marquee, and set in a circle of bleachers. And prayed it didn't rain haha.

The animals by the way were fantastic, all groomed and well fed, a regular Noah's Ark. Even a blood sweating hippo. This was a real special show. Too bad its not around today.

ROD

Dick Garden,TTC owner, took out another good-sized show in the late 90's called Sterling and Reid Bros., which I also painted. It was pretty much equal to Carson-Barnes ( 5-ring version ) but nowhere near TTC in size or content. Dick now operates two shows . Indoor unit is Picadilly Circus ...his under canvas show is called Circus Fusion..

Sound car (Van)

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Hello Folks:

Sorry all of my posted photos vanished?? I have no idea why? So much for my computer skills. I am a 40's person..give me a 10 column ledger and a pencil and I'm happy haha

ROD

Hey,Rod, You're not alone. Online chat is ok but I much perfer jackpotting inperson. The "old ways" are NOT that bad.

Hello Jim:

haha You are right, I'm 65 and got lost in cyber space these last few years. My son is a computer wiz, maybe he can work this picture thing out so I can send them to you folks on the Café. I have all kinds of photos, real early Franzen bros., Carson & Barnes, kelly Miller , and Famous Cole Circus (Herb Walters/Bob Couls ) in 1962.

I hope I can post these in the near future. I have lots of old programs and route cards too. I have old 8 mm footage of Clyde Beatty/Cole bros. in Holland Michigan in 1969, the year of their biggest tour ever.

Those were the good old days.

See you down the road

ROD