Circus, Sideshow & Oddities

[Letterhead] Extensive Circus, Carnival, and Wild West Show Letterhead Collection. Principally American, early to late 20th century. Five binders, 4to, containing several hundred examples of letterhead from many different circuses, Wild West shows, amusement companies, carnivals, and performers such as acrobats, clowns, animal trainers, and sideshow acts. Organized alphabetically, with three binders devoted to circuses and two binders to carnival and amusement companies. Includes both blank letterhead and examples with typed or autograph contents, as well as accompanying ephemera such as mailing covers, tickets, route cards, contracts, and bank checks. Notably, many circus owners, representatives, and managers are represented in signed correspondence, including Henry Ringling (two TLSs); Henry Ringling North (two TLSs); Irvin Feld; Charles Sparks; and James Strates, among many others. The archive covers a diversity of circuses and carnivals, from the largest shows to regional and lesser-known shows, a major share of the early and mid-century period. Additional images on request. A fantastic accumulation that must be seen.