An original 4.5x4" vintage photo (NOT a modern reprint) from a collection of well documented Hagenbeck-Wallace circus photos. This photo originated from the personal collection of Joseph Bradbury, noted circus historian and collector.
Provenance: Joseph Bradbury was a renowned circus historian and a president of the Circus Historical Society who specialized in the documentation of circus equipment and wagons. He is widely recognized for his extensive research and photography, which preserved the history of early 20th-century shows. We acquired this from his estate at auction.
Photo OverviewA fascinating piece of American circus history: a 4.5x4 inch photograph of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Grand Stand Ticket wagon, elaborately painted to advertise 'Blacaman - First Time in America.' The wagon's side panel features dramatic artwork depicting a wild animal trainer - almost certainly the famous Blacaman himself - wrestling with crocodiles or alligators, flanked by fierce lion-maned faces. The ornate wagon sits on large spoked wheels and displays decorative scroll-work along its lower panels. The back of the photo confirms this is from the 1938 Hagenbeck-Wallace season.
This photograph comes from the personal collection of Joseph Bradbury, a president of the Circus Historical Society and one of the foremost historians of circus wagons and equipment. His archive is considered one of the most important documentary records of American circus history from the early-to-mid 20th century.
Historical NotesBlacaman was a legendary circus and sideshow performer - real name Reginald Ruffin or, by some accounts, a stage name used by multiple performers over the years. The most famous Blacaman billed himself as 'The World's Greatest Animal Fakir' and performed extraordinary feats of snake and reptile handling, hypnotism of wild animals, and death-defying stunts with crocodiles. His billing as 'First Time in America' on this 1938 Hagenbeck-Wallace wagon suggests this particular engagement was being marketed as a major new attraction.
The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus itself had a storied and sometimes tragic history. It was one of America's 'Big Five' railroad circuses, operating from the late 19th century through 1938 - making this photograph from its very last season. After financial difficulties and a series of misfortunes including the devastating 1918 train wreck near Hammond, Indiana that killed 86 performers and crew, the show was eventually absorbed by the American Circus Corporation and later by Ringling Bros. The 1938 season was the final year the Hagenbeck-Wallace name appeared on the road, making this ticket wagon photograph a rare document of the circus in its final days.
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Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus photograph collection.
Text PresentFront of photo:
- Top panel of wagon reads: 'GRAND STAND TICKETS'
- Center of wagon panel reads: 'BLACAMAN'
- Below that: 'FIRST TIME IN AMERICA'
- Bottom right corner of photo has what appears to be a partial number: '262' or similar
Back of photo:
- Upper left: '81' (stamped or printed in bold)
- Handwritten in pencil: '1938 H-W'
- Handwritten below: 'Blacaman'
- Handwritten below: 'ticket wagon'
- Handwritten below in ink: 'H-W.' (abbreviation for Hagenbeck-Wallace)
- Faint watermark text repeated across back: appears to read 'PROPERTY OF' (repeated pattern)
Print analysisThis is an original silver gelatin print, almost certainly produced close to the time the photograph was taken in 1938. The paper stock, tonal range, and condition are consistent with a Type 1 or early Type 2 photograph from the late 1930s. The handwritten annotation '1938 H-W' on the back corroborates the date. Given its provenance from the Joseph Bradbury collection, it was likely printed within a year or two of being taken, making this a Type 1 original photo.
ConditionPlease see photos for condition. In fair to good vintage condition.