SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR--1973

Bill and I used to work cotton candy at Spartanburg, SC. and The South Carolina State Fair, Columbia for Richard in. I beleive this picture was in 1973.

Brother Bill used to make all the candy apples while I bagged floss.

I've seen Bill with blisters, you wouldn't beleive on his fingers from spinning those apple sticks!

We used to start making up stock at 10 in the morning and keep making it all day!

WORLD OF MIRTH SHOWS

Mrs Fran Bergan gave Richard permission to use this title.
That was in 1974 or 75 when We were at the fair conventions.

LITTLE RICHARDS WORLD OF MIRTH SHOWS--1975

BILL & DICK'S TWO HEADED WOMAN--1975

We leased this show from Mr Bob Ashe, who had concessions with

Frankies Amusements in western Pennsylvannia.

Later Johnny Canole had it and Hoxie wound up with it.

The main attraction was made by Ward Hall.

BILL & DICKS COBRA--1975

Well this is our white elephant!

The New Cobra that Bill and I were partners with L.R. on.

The one greatest lesson we learned from this was stay away from the rides!

If you don't know that much about them!

LITTLE RICHARD'S WORLD OF MIRTH SHOWS-1975

World of Mirth Power Unit & Laudenslager's Pony Ride

1975

DICK & BILL'S FIRST NOVELTY JOINT.

This is one of our first novelty stands.

We used those Anchor Umbrellas, 7' sq,

Hoxie use to use them but they just were sturdy enough or big enough

to use weekly.

FROM THE SALISBURY ADVERTISER NEWSPAPER--1908

Click on article to enlarge

My friend Howard, Delmar Dust Pan blog, found this article while doing research

for an article he's been writing on.

It's another Title that I'm not familiar with.

SMALLEST PHILLIES CHEERLEADER

BRIAN LAPALME

Here's Brian LaPalme, ringmaster on Lewis & Clark Circus, doing the Human Volcano.

VIDBEL CIRCUS BAND--2008

Music on the New Vidbel Circus.

The drummer is Winn Murrah.

A good friend that was with us on the Cole All Star Circus.

DYKES BROS RIDES--1973

Here's our first two rides that we had with our petting zoo.

We also had a moon bounce and a kiddie bumper cars with a Schantz Popcorn trailer.

These pictures were taken in the Salisbury Mall, I beleive in 1973.

Later We unfortunately graduated to a new Cobra.

Should have stuck with the kiddie rides!

SMITH'S TEN BIG SHOWS-1908

My friend Howard at Delmar Dust Pan just sent me this ad he found

in the archives of the Salisbury, MD Advertiser.

It was dated as 1908.

This is a new title for me. I wonder if someone out there has any other info on it?

These are The Five St Leons, Australian acrobats, who toured the United States in vaudeville and circus in te early 1900s. The troupe featured the brothers, (from the right) Reg, Cass, and Syl St Leon, all Australian born, the third generation of the St Leon family; a little Mexican boy, Jose, who was a 'top-mounter' in the act; and Mo Aarons, a New York comedy acrobat. Jose lost his legs in rail accident and had to be replaced by another youngster. On vaudeville in the USA, the troupe shared billings with Al Jolson. The troupe worked without any appliances such as teeterboards and their costumes were a novelty for that era since most acrobats wore evening dress. The troupe returned to Australia in 1908 and, soon after, re-formed the family circus with their father and other siblings, Gus St Leon's Great United Circus.

PERRY BROS CIRCUS

Perry Bros Circus, Austraila, 1920's

Australia

SHOWMEN'S REST--HUGO, OK

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/10433

Very interesting story!

BILL WITH REMO'S ELEPHANTS

These were taken when We played a lot in South Philly right across the highway from the Philadelphia Airport in 1975.

They're Remo's Elephants and I beleive the babies had just arrived in the states.

They came from an Elephant Orphanage in India or Thailand.

TONY DIANO HERD

This shot was taken about 1973 or 74 at the South Carolina State Fair.

Eddie Zachinni had his show in front of the grandstand.

Brother Bill snapped the picture.

The first bull was later to become King Tusk on the Ringling Show.

MILWAUKE CIRCUS PARADE #1

I'M NOT SURE WHAT YEAR THESE WERE TAKEN BUT I BELEIVE THEY WERE TAKEN BY THE LATE BILL ELBIRN, CIRCUS AGENT AND FAN, FROM BRIDGETON, NJ.

MAYBE SOME OF OUR HISTORY FOLKS COULD HELP IDENTIFY SOME OF THESE.

GREAT CIRCUS PARADE #2

GREAT CIRCUS PARADE #3

ELEPHANTS ON PARADE from dpowhitetiger

Thanks David!

A MESSAGE TO AL STENCIL

One of Al Stencils shows.
Al if you see this I'd love to have some pictures of your shows to post on the blog.
Dick

NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS (Linda Smith) #1

Here's a few newspaper stories that Linda Smith sent Me with the pictures

that I posted earlier last Saturday.

And please don't forget to Click on the image to enlarge it!

ELEPHANT SHOOTING! (Linda Smith)

Newpaper Article #3 (Linda Snith)

Click on image to enlarge!

This atricle had to be in the mid-70's.

VADOSTA, GA LEGION FAIR 1973-(Linda Snith)

These were taken when it was breaktime in Valdosta.

This was the first year that LR had the contract, which he kept

right up through the 1990's and into 2000!

CIRCUS SIDESHOW

Here's another find on the Library of Congress site it was just titled

"CIRCUS SIDESHOW"

I would say that this reminds Me more of a circus sideshow on a carnival midway.

BALLOON PEDDLER-WASHINGTON, DC

I found this photograph while browsing through the Library of Congress site.

It was labeled Balloon Peddler, Washington, DC but didn't have the year or any other information.

BOB COMMERFORD & L.R.

Here's Bob Commerford, driving his antique fire wagon, with Little Richard

riding shotgun.

This was in the Daily Parade at the Delaware State Fair about 2003.

PICTURES FROM OUR PAST

Here's Linda Smith, Little Richard's Secretary, visiting Santa at the

Salisbury, MD Mall.

Guess who Santa was!

Linda sent me this and the other pictures that follow.

They were taken in 1973 and '74.

I'll post some more of them tomorrow.

PICTURES FROM OUR PAST--LITTLE RICHARD'S EXPOSITION

Linda Smith takes a ride!

Here's Remo Cristiani, who was with the show for quite a few years, with Linda Riding.
Season was either 1973 or 74.

PICTURES FROM OUR PAST--LITTLE RICHARDS EXPOSITION

Little Richard's new San Antonio Merry Go Round, about 1974.
Booked in Girl to Gorilla Illusion Show.
I'm not sure but I think this was Phil Wilson's Show.
It was also back around 1974 or 75.

PICTURES FROM THE PAST--LITTLE RICHARD'S EXPOSITION

Frank McCloud, Virginia Show Owner, takes a break in Little Richard's Office

What a character! But a good friend.
Here's Mr & Mrs Pete Bury, from York, PA in their Root Beer Float Stand.
Mr Bury and his brother owned a chain of hamburger stores in and around York, Pa.
Mr Bury also owned Johnny's Deluxe Rides for many years.
Little Richard purchased most of the rides he owned back in the early 70's.
Pete also owned an extensive antique car collection and a Car Wash in York.
He passed away back in the 80's.