'No. 1. Press Notices of the Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth'. Booklet.
Ca. 1912. A sophisticated public relations booklet of easily detachable press notices for upcoming Barnum & Bailey events, including a list of the animals in the "New Menagerie" which includes "emues and kangaroos." It was issued to facilitate press coverage in cities where the circus was appearing. The public relations notices include : World's Best Circus Coming; Clowns Have Their Day; Circus Has American Born Giraffe; Circus Has Costly Parade; "Cleopatra" With Big Circus; Wonderful Girl Rider With Circus (Mae Wirth); Circus Has Many Novelties; World's Strongest Woman Coming (Katie Sandwina); Circus Day Is Near; and Tomorrow Is Show Day. Each press notice with boiler plate text and blanks for locations and times of performances.
World's Strongest Woman Coming" advertised the performer Katie Sandwina (1884 – 1952), one of 14 children, who stood over 6' tall and weighed 187 pounds. She bested the strongman Eugene Sandow in a weightlifting contest by hoisting 300 pounds over her head, a record not beaten until 1987.
Printed gray paper wrappers with portrait illustrations of Barnum and Bailey, list of offices (including Far Eastern Offices in Calcutta, Hongkong and Capetown), and a list of Press Representatives. A total of 10 detachable notices, staple bound at top edge. Measures 4 x 9". Not recorded in Trove. Very good condition. Item #21014
Price: $225.00