THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO MY TWIN BROTHER, BILL DYKES (1943-1995). WE WERE NOT ONLY BROTHERS BUT PARTNERS IN BUSINESS AND BEST FRIENDS! AND TO ALL THE "BUTCHERS" THAT HAVE PASSED ON TO THE BIG LOT IN THE SKY!


CIRCUS NOW OPEN!

2014 Convention

SAVE THE DATES

SAVE THE DATES



Saturday, December 27, 2008

CIRCO TIHANY VIDEO

CIRCUS TIHANY (MEXICO) BOB COX #3










Sorry I tried a new way to post this morning and I posted in the wrong order!
I'll know better the next time, maybe!




CIRCUS TIHANY (MEXICO) BOB COX #2

Well a pretty girl is worth seeing twice!









CIRCUS TIHANY--MEXICO (BOB COX) #1

That has to be Bob on the right and I'm guessing Mr Tihany
I'm also guessing that this must have been the 50th Anniversary of the show.
Please correct Me if I'm wrong Bob.
Unfortunately Bob didn't send any commentary on the photos.













Friday, December 26, 2008







FROM BOB COX:

Dick... I just got notice today about a friend of mine who died about two months ago, because he wasn't an "Artiste" or in management his death went unnoticed. His name was Jack Molinara, he was a Candy Butcher on the Beatty Cole Circus for years and also on the Ringling Show, he was also a first class rigger and one of the nicest people you could meet. If you could just mention this so people who knew him would know I'd appreciate it.
He died in Sarasota at a Social Security retirement home after a bout with Cancer & heart problems. He did military service in the Navy and per his wishes he was cremated and his ashes were cast into Sarasota Bay. May he rest in Peace.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008


DAVENPORT FAMILY & "BUTCH"

"Butch", baby female Indian elephant in the Dailey Circus, making herself one of the family in the Davenport household. The Davenports own the circus.Location: Gonzalez, TX, US Date taken: 1948 Photographer: Cornell Capa
Photo & Caption from LIFE Magazine

DAILEY BROS CIRCUS

Dailey Elephants"Butch" (R), baby female Indian elephant, with other elephants in the Dailey Circus.Location: Gonzalez, TX, US Date taken: 1948 Photographer: Cornell Capa

FROM LIFE MAGAZINE--

Circus performers clowning around during a break from the show.Location: US Date taken: May 1961 Photographer: Francis Miller
Czech midget showman Baron Richard Nowak, 19, stands 19 inches high & weighs 17 lbs., while posing on pedestal on the midway at the Hamid-Morton Circus next to one of the band's tuba players.Location: Trenton, NJ, US Date taken: July 1940 Photographer: John Phillips

Audience enjoying the circus.Location: Walla Walla, WA, US Date taken: August 1945 Photographer: Hans Wild

photos and captions from LIFE Magazine.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

MOTORDROME


MRS EARL PURTLE--LION MOTORDROME

Mrs. Earl Purtle and her Husband Earl were around a long time with a Lion Motordrome.
The first time I saw them I was a kid and they were on the John H. Marks Shows,
"The Mile-Long Pleasure Trail"
I beleive they were from Richmond, VA,

WALL OF DEATH MOTORDROME

MOTORDROME LION ACT

Lion Act presented in the Motordrome on
Hennies Bros Shows.

POLACK BROS CIRCUS

Dog Act waiting to go on.
Lion Act.
Not sure of the year these were taken.
From the Library of Congress

VERMONT STATE FAIR-RUTLAND (1950'S)

Riding the Ferris Wheel at the Vermont State Fair (50's)
This type show was prevalent in the 40's and 50's.
Probably the biggest producer of Life Shows as Lou Dufore(?)
Library of Congress photos

VERMONT STATE FAIR-RUTLAND (PROBABLY IN THE 50'S)







Libary of Congress photos



Monday, December 22, 2008

ASSORTED JOINTS FROM THE PAST







ASSORTED RAILROAD CARNIVALS #1

Cavalcade of Amusements, 1945


Johnny J. Jones Exposition, 1945












ASSORTED RAILROAD CARNIVAL VIEWS #2

^ Beckman & Gerety Shows^ 1938
Hennies Bros. Shows, year unknown






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