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Circus Friends Association of Great Britain (Established 1934)

 Organisation

Biography

The CFA, formerly known as the Circus Fans Association was stablished on Saturday 20th January 1934 in the ring of Bertram Mills Circus at Olympia, London by a group of enthusiasts. The CFA’s purpose remains the same as in its conception; to stimulate, foster and promote enthusiasm for circus and related performances as part of British culture.

During 1934, the pattern for CFA activities was established, with the formation of the library, the publication of The Sawdust Ring magazine and the first rallies, including ones to the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth and Blackpool Tower. The annual subscription at the time was one guinea for residents in a radius of 60 miles from London 'as defined by Automobile Association handbook', and half a guinea for those residing outside that area, in the provinces. 'For residents in the Colonies and foreign counties' the subscription was 7/6.

The first President of the CFA was Lady Eleanor Smith (1902-1945), the eldest child of the politician F. E. Smith. Lady Eleanor Smith was an author, a society reporter and cinema reviewer and worked as a publicist for circus companies.

Other notable presidents were; Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970), the most celebrated British impressionist female artist of all time and the first woman to ever be elected to the Royal Academy. The actor Sir Cedric Hardwicke (1893-1964), wine merchant and philanthropist Sir Walter Gilbey (1831-1914), theatrical manager and empresario Sir Charles B. Cochran (1872-1951), Sir William Savory (1882-1961), author Antony Hippisley Coxe and Commander W. J. Gerard.

The first five years of the CFA saw the firm establishment of the Association its activity, although it was active by Alfred 'Dickey' Bird. The post-war years were difficult but the CFA continued operating with the same aims and ambitions.

The library was started in 1937, as a gift of 30 books from A.C. McLachlan. Others titles were acquired by purchase or donation. It contains books on virtually every aspect of circus life from individual acts, to acts of Parliament, from erecting a Big Top, to the logistics of transporting circuses, works of fiction, photography and juvenile literature all of which help to create a greater understanding of the many contrasts in circus life; of the romance, tragedy, spectacle and hardships.

Notable authors who have contributed to the myth and legend of circus include Lady Eleanor Smith, who in 1945, donated all her circus books to the CFA, Ruth Manning-Sanders and Courtney Ryley Cooper, an American writer who, after having first joined a circus aged 16, went on to write crime books and ghost-wrote articles under J. Edgar Hoover’s name in the 1930s.

After the war lists of holdings were printed and distributed to members, who could borrow a book at a time by post. By the mid 1970s, the ‘Library Catalogue’ listed 525 books and a ‘Circusiana’ section was created for valuable books, for reference only.

The CFA continues maintaining the collection, ensuring its growth and establishing it as the primary, national collection of books on circus.

The CFA has also amassed one of the most fascinating and important collection of circus related material in the United Kingdom expanding over 200 years. This material has supported research and literature produced by its members over the years and has ensured that an important part of British circus history will be available for future generations of researchers and enthusiasts.

The association has always welcomed enthusiasts and circus artistes to it’s membership and has always produced a regular publication giving news, reviews and articles on circus artistes and personalities and reviews of British and foreign circuses. The current quarterly magazine King Pole, named after the masts, which support a circus tent, is regarded as one of the leading circus periodicals in the world.

The CFA continues to organise visits, formerly called rallies, for the members, to UK circuses and recognises the achievements of those involved in circus with special awards.

After almost 85 years in existence the CFA continues to flourish with membership being maintained in the region of 500 comprising both British and subscribers from abroad.

Found in 1288 Collections and/or Records:

Bobby Roberts Super Circus Programme, 1993

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.164
Scope and Contents

Colour photograph and illustration of three elephants and two people in a circus ring, one of the elephants is laying down on the floor and the other two are standing on it with their front legs, on the front cover, inside history of circus and Roberts family, colour photographs of acts and performers, programme in the centre and other articles, 6p.p.

Dates: 1993

Bobby Roberts Super Circus Programme, 1998 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.165
Scope and Contents

Colour photograph of Bobby Roberts wearing a blue jacket on the foreground and stood in the circus ring wearing a silver coat and two female elephant riders on the background on the front cover, inside history of circus and Roberts family, colour photographs of acts and performers, programme in the centre and other articles, 8p.p.

Dates: 1998 - 1999

Bobby Roberts Super Circus Programme, 2007

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.166
Scope and Contents

Colour photograph of Bobby Roberts on a horse, wearing a white shirt on a brown background, on the front page, inside introduction and history of Bobby Roberts, colour photographs of acts and performers and programme in the centre, 8p.p.

Dates: 2007

Bostock and Wombwell Medal Designs, c1846 - 1931

 File
Reference code: 178V11.60
Scope and Contents

Designs for Bostock and Wombwell menagerie medals with lions in the centre in red and gold and blue and gold, watercolour on grey card with pencil border by Dance and Duerden medal manufacturers, Morley, Leeds.

Dates: c1846 - 1931

Bostock and Wombwell Photographic Albums, 1900 - 1914

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178C108.6-9
Scope and Contents

Four photographic albums containing black and white photographs of Bostock and Wombwell menageries, including animals, employees, a range of performers, locations and travelling and setting up scenes.

Dates: 1900 - 1914

Bostock and Wombwell's Menagerie Business Records, c1900 - 1999

 File
Reference code: 178H24.5
Scope and Contents

Various documents related to the Bostock and Wombwell menagerie including correspondence with Birmingham Education Department, forms for contracts for ground and billposting, catalogue of animals and some stickers.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Bostock Menagerie Photographs, 1920 - 1934

 File
Reference code: 178C108.669-680
Scope and Contents

Black and white photographs and postcards of Bostock and Wombwell menarie including images of the Bostocks and some perfomers, Bidewell and two photos of Alex Day with elephants.

Dates: 1920 - 1934

Bostock's Big Circus, Jungle and Jolly Town Programme, c1900 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.607
Scope and Contents

Edmund Road Drill Hall, Sheffield. Photocopy of programme, showing a female equestrian riding a horse and a clown holding a circus balloon in front of her on the front cover, inside programme and commercial advertising, 3p.p.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Bostock's Circus Programme, 1919

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.609
Scope and Contents

Black type on orange paper with list of acts and floral border, newspaper cuttings glued to reverse. Printed by Biddle and Son Printers, Guildford.

Dates: 1919

Bostock's Jungle Circus and Laughter Show Programme, c1900 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.608
Scope and Contents

Edmund Road Drill Hall, Sheffield. Photocopy of programme, showing a lion's head on the front cover, inside programme, 2p.p.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Bostock's Royal Italian Circus Programme, Wednesday 13 February 1929

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.604
Scope and Contents

Wood Green Empire. Orange and black illustration of a woman with a head scarf and open arms stood behind books, music implements and art implements on bottom section and orange type on off white background on the front cover, inside, commercial advertising and programme in the centre. Printed by Geo. J. Smith and Co., Advertisting Contractors, 20 Easy Row, Birmingham, 4p.p.

Dates: Wednesday 13 February 1929

Bostock's Three Ring Circus Programme, 1928 - 1929

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.605
Scope and Contents

Empress Hall Earl's Court, London. Colour illustration of roaring tiger's head breaking throught the paper and white type on blue background on the front cover, inside, black and white photographs of performers and acts, some text, programme and commercial advertising, 18p.p.

Dates: 1928 - 1929

Boswell Bros. Circus Programme, 1952 - 1953

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.92
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of trapeze act in mid air over a yellow and pink background, small clown holding a white circle with a roaring lion's head in the centre on bottom left, on the front cover, inside introduction, black, green and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 14p.p.

Dates: 1952 - 1953

Boswell Wilkie Circus and Programmes of Circus in South Africa, c1900 - 2005

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178K43.88-110
Scope and Contents

Programmes for South African circus Boswell and Wilkie.

Dates: c1900 - 2005

Boswell Wilkie Circus Programme, c1960 - 1969

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.90
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of two clown faces on right hand side and small circus ring on bottom left with different countrie's flags above on the front cover, inside introduction, colour and black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.

Dates: c1960 - 1969

Boswell-Wilkie Circus Programme, c1960 - 1969

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.95
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of female aerial act in yellow bikini with pink stars hanging from a rope in the centre, over a circus ring with two elephants and clowns on a blue background on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of acts and performers on yellow background, with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.

Dates: c1960 - 1969

Boswell Wilkie Circus Programme, c1950 - 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.100
Scope and Contents

21st birthday programme. Colour photograph of group of clowns holding a white circle with text reading birthday 21st Verjaarsdag on a blue background on the front page, inside introduction, colour photographs on red background of acts and performers with text, programme and commercial advertising, 8p.p

Dates: c1950 - 1959

Boswell Wilkie Circus Programme, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.101
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of laughing clown's face on a top section and roaring tiger's head and performing sea lions on bottom section, on front cover, inside introduction, colour photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Boswell Wilkie Circus Programme, 1973 - 1974

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.102
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of laughing clown's face on orange background on front cover, inside introduction, colour photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.

Dates: 1973 - 1974

Boswell Wilkie Circus Programme, 1971 - 1972

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.103
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of a man in a brown trunks and a woman in a bikini and pink feathers hanging from a rope and trapeze acts on the background, over blue and white, on front cover, inside introduction, colour photographs of performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 8p.p.

Dates: 1971 - 1972