Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the so-called Greatest Show on Earth, was started in 1919 when the circus created by James Anthony Bailey and P. T. Barnum was merged with the Ringling Brothers Circus. The Ringling brothers had actually purchased the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1907, but ran the circuses separately until the merger. These photographs were taken by C.W. Cushman in the late 1940s.
Rose Behee and Brother-in-Law in 1946. Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives
Two young German girls in head on head balancing act in 1950. Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives
Francis Brown and his sister – a juggling act at Ringling Circus, 1949. Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives
Ringling Circus Elephant and Mademoiselle Unus in 1949. Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives
Mrs Harold Alzana, 1950. Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives
Flying Trapeze star Antoinette Concello, 1949. Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives
Clown Felix Adler, 1947. Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives.
Baton wielder takes time out for a break, 1949. Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives.
Alzana in costume for Gold Rush tableau, 1949. Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives.
All five Alzanas Highwire performers at RIngling Circus, 1949. Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives.
A ‘circus beauty’ in pale lavender cap, coat and shorts, 1946. Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives.
‘A charming aerialist’, Ringling Circus in 1949. Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives.
Trick bicycling act at Ringling Circus. Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives.
Rose Behee of the Flying Behees, 1946. Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives.
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