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"The Circus. 1870s-1950s" Shows Glitz And Grime Of The American Circus (PHOTOS)

Retro American Circus Photos
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Come step right up to the old-fashioned magic of the American circus. In years past, tightrope walkers, trapeze swingers and fire eaters criss-crossed the country giving visitors a spectacular reminder that anything is possible -- even our wildest dreams.

Almost as dazzling as the tricks themselves are the retro posters that advertised the events, however. Taschen's new book, "The Circus. 1870s-1950s" combines photos of performers on and off stage with eye-popping images of the characters you'll encounter when visiting the spectacle; you'll flip through a history almost too colorful to be real. Now you can finally determine whether you really want to run away to the circus! (Some time-traveling is required.)

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The Library of Congress, Look Magazine Collection, Stanley Kubrick, photographerCaption:Photograph taken by Stanley Kubrick on the back lot, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, 1948.
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llinois State University, Milner Library, Special CollectionsCaption:View of the midway, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, 1953.
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Illinois State University, Milner Library, Special CollectionsCaption:Celebrated juggler Lottie Brunn, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, 1949.
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The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Tibbals Digital CollectionCaption:"Curious Exhibition of Men and Women," Barnum & Bailey circus poster, 1902.
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The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Tibbals Digital CollectionCaption:Blacaman, "Hindu Animal Hypnotist," Hagenbeck-Wallace circus poster, 1938.
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Illinois State University, Milner Library, Special CollectionsCaption:Trapeze star Pinito Del Oro, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, 1956.
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Illinois State University, Milner Library, Special CollectionsCaption:A full house, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Brooklyn, New York, 1931.
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The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Tibbals Digital CollectionCaption:"Hillary Long Who Puts His Skates Upon His Head," Ringling Bros. circus poster, 1917.

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