Date: 1931
Size: 16.25 x 20 inches
About the poster: The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus began as two separate shows in the 19th century. P.T. Barnum and James A. Bailey founded “The Greatest Show on Earth” in 1881, known for its grand scale and exotic animal acts. Meanwhile, the Ringling brothers—five siblings from Wisconsin—started their own small circus in 1884, which quickly grew into a major rival.
In 1907, after Bailey’s death, the Ringlings bought Barnum & Bailey, merging the two in 1919 to create the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows. It became America’s most famous traveling circus, touring by train and featuring clowns, acrobats, and animal performances.
Over time, changing entertainment tastes and growing criticism of animal acts led to its decline. The circus closed in 2017, but in 2023 it was revived without animals, focusing instead on human performance and theatrical artistry.
Poster has obvious foldings lines and holes. Please see pictures.
