Bostock and Wombwell Menagerie (c1846 - 1931)
Dates
- Existence: c1846 - 1931
Biography
The Bostock menagerie dynasty originated with James Bostock (1814-1878), who started working at Wombwell’s menagerie in 1838 after leaving the family home in Staffordshire.
James was the eldest son of John Bostock, a wealthy landowner and farmer, whose second marriage was to send his heir away from the family home and see him build his fortune as a showman.
In the years following his employment with Wombwell, James progressed from horse keeper to contracting and advertising agent and became instrumental in attaining two Royal Commands for exhibitions at Windsor Castle for Queen Victoria in 1847 and 1854.
James married Emma Wombwell (b1834), the niece of George Wombwell, in 1852 and formed the Bostock and Wombwell dynasty. They had nine children; Arthur James (1853), James William (1855), George Henry (1857), Edward Henry (1858-1940), Amelia Ann (1861), Emma (1864), Frank Charles (1866-1912), Fanny (1874), and Francis Henry (1876).
The core axis of this dynasty would be carried over by three of them: Edward Henry, who became the successor to his father; James William, who managed a separate menagerie business and sideshow; and Frank Charles, who set off on his own direction touring the UK, Europe, and America.
The fascination for the exhibition of wild life, curiosities, and displays of human endeavour informed the emerging trends of entertainment throughout the Victorian era and early 20th century. However, the success of the business model depended on novelty; thus, as the population’s familiarity with the displays increases, so the business faltered. Consequently, the showing of wild animals evolved into a different form of entertainment all together through the incorporation of performance and the transition from the fairground to the circus arena.
Although Bostock and Wombwell continued presenting menageries until the fist third of the 20th century, strands of the family diversified into alternative types of business as early as 1897, when Frank’s brother, Edward Henry, opened The Scottish Zoo. Edward became one of the most prominent members of the Bostock family in the 20th century, expanding his business operations to the travelling circus, which included The Royal Italian Circus (formerly Volpi’s Circus) and several Hippodromes and picture palaces.
Bostock and Wombwell’s Menagerie showed for the last time at the Old Sheep Market in Newcastle on December 1931 with many of their animals ending their days in zoos and museums across the country.
Found in 33 Collections and/or Records:
Newspaper Cuttings and Scapbooks, 1838 - 2007
A collection of newspaper cuttings on circus, circus proprietors and performers and scrapbooks containing newspaper cuttings, posters, programmes and other items of ephemera, covering mainly British circuses and venues such as Belle Vue and also some international circuses.
Original Artwork, c1900 - 1929
Drawings and designs used for the decoration of fairground rides.
Original Artwork, c1800 - 2000
Original works of art including artists' prints, drawings, watercolours and paintings, and designs for circus posters.
Orton and Spooner Collection
This collection contains a large selection of archives from the Orton and Spooner Company. The collection comprises photographs and cabinet card images showing carved work, structural work and classic painted work, 4 boxes of notes, invoices and clippings, 8 drawers of plans and blueprints, 2 folders of ride specifications and order forms, accounts books and a library of source books showing turn of the century art used by the artists in the company.
Photographs and Postcards, c1800 - 1999
Black and white and colour photographs, negatives and photographic albums mainly containing images of British circus, circus performers, animals and circus personalities but also some menageries such as Bostock and Wombwell and other associated entertainments and non-British circuses taken by David Jamieson, Lindsay Temple, Den Curtis, Capt. Middleton, Jack Niblett and other photographers.
Photographs and Postcards, 1908 - 1975
Black and white photographs and postcards of the Ohmy, the Smart and the Sanger circuses and family members, including John Sanger in sailor’s uniform. Also a variety of circus performers including Mme. Morelli from the Bostock menagerie. Many of the postcards have been used for correspondence.
Posters, c1800 - 2011
A wide range of British and international circus and menagerie posters ranging from the 19th to the 21st century including Astley's Amphitheatre, Pablo Fanque, Polito, Bostock and Wombwell, Ducrow, Cooke, Hengler, Sanger, Smart, Gerry Cottle, Bertram Mills, Chipperfield's, Robert Brothers, Fossett, Blackpool Tower, Billy Russell, Belle Vue, Great Yarmouth Hippodrome, Austen Brothers and many more.
Programmes, c1800 - 2019
A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.
Royal Agricultural Hall Islington Handbills, c1860 - 1889
Handbills for travelling shows, exhibitions and performances at Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington.
Royal Italian Circus Poster, c1900 - 1930
Hangler's Argyll St. Oxford Circus. W. Jumbo Junior. Colour illustration of elephant and trainer in tuxido over red background, white and black type, signed F. Rigby on bottom right. Printed by W. T. Haycock and Sons Ltd. Soho, London W.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, 1928 - 1944
Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings and black and white photographs, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Bostock and Wombwell's Menagerie and Bertram Mills, 110p.p.
Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian Circus Posters, c1800 - 1930
Early circus and menagerie posters including Polito's menagerie, Astley's Amphitheatre and Pablo Fanque's, Sanger's, Powell's, Ducrow's, Cooke's and Hengler's circuses among others.
World's Fair!! Christmas and New Year’s Carnival Handbill, 22 December 1883
Bostock and Wombwell’s Splendid Menagerie at Royal Agricultural Hall. World Famed Temple of the Dram. Printed by Geo. Stevens, Steam Printer, 87 Commercial Road, E., and Adelaide Buildings, London Bridge, 2pp.