Cleaning out some old books and mags and stuff, I stumbled upon a handful of circus programs I've collected over the years, ranging from the 1970's and up to 2016. The first thing I noticed, comparatively speaking, when looking at them back to back was simply how much more fun the old ones are than the newer ones (which I actually tossed in the garbage.) I was going to even post examples, but then decided I didn't want to stink up my blog with bad design, crap photography, and even worse-- just piss poor, modern style anti-graphic design. Instead, I'll just focus on a couple things I love about 70's Ringling Brothers circus programs: bright, colorful, fully painted wraparound covers, cutely illustrated pages within containing games and puzzles for kids, wonderfully designed candy ads, and just how clever and adorable the puppets and blow-up souveniers were too! I was equally reminded how wonderfully weird and wild the circus could be as well --anyone remember Gargantua, or Poland's Monastyruk!
5 comments:
I've actually never been to a circus and I had no idea that they had dudes in ape costumes doing stunts! Now I don't feel so bad about my time in an ape costume!
That wrap around cover is gorgeous, I love the red background, the tiger and elephant book ends, and all the cool circus icons around the edges. It's g-r-eat, as another tiger would say.
The clown page is like a high-end highlights.
My folks never took me to the circus either, my mom didn't like clowns, but she didn't like much of anything to tell you the truth.
I first heard of Gargantua from an old time radio program, where guests of the show were asked to figure out whodunnit. One of the guests was from the circus and said the culprit's feet were too small for Gargantua, and the murderer who pushed the guy out the window/off a cliff was his friend Grace, with his tagline "He fell from Grace."
(They had corny trolls back then too.)
Something has indeed been lost when comparing new techniques to the old. Maybe it was the care of doing the best possible job, pride in one's work, the hands on skill that has faded away over time. Modern technology has its place, but it can't replace the work done by a passionate craftsman.
Oh man, we went tot he circus every year when I was a kid. I totally had this program--or perhaps another program with this cover? I don't really remember all the inside stuff. I do remember the Whistle Pop ad with all the circus performers tooting, though.
I love the games page! That's gotta be the tiniest, most complicated looking connect the dots I've ever seen.
Hi! I’m in my 30s and can I just say thank you for sharing and therefore possibly preserving these wonderful bits of history and art? I stumbled across your American greetings when searching for examples of “thanks for being you.” And it was so precious it brought me near to tears. I’m definitely a new follower of yours!
Thanks Kimmy, glad to have you on board the Karswell Express! :)
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