Circus Friends Association of Great Britain (Established 1934)
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:
Le Singe Savant Print, c1826
Lithograph and watercolour on paper by Martin Sylverstre Baptiste (1791-1858), printed by Godefroy Engelmann (1788-1839). Colour illustration of performing monkeys show on a platform with dressed monkey walking on a wire within an urban setting and surrounded by people.
Leone and Tarnyia Trapeze and Swaypole Act Advertising Pamphlet, c1960 - 1969
Black and white portrait of the act in circle on top right corner and photographs of the acts on a pink background on the front cover and black and green type, inside black and white photographs and text, including list of past engagement venues, further information on back cover, 2p.p.
Les Herauts d'Armes Cavalcade Booklet, c1800 - 1899
Hard cover green with white triangle pattern and blue spine, fold out booklet containing colour illustrations of a parade including horse riders, chefs, man riding a turkey, people in different customes and themed carts and animals, signed L. Musso.
Lifetime Achievement Award Drawing, 18 December 2000
Circus Friends Association presentation award for lifetime achievement presented to Billy Merchant by the Circus Friends Association's President. Watercolour, felt pen and gouache on card showing Billy Merchant possing in front of different circus names , signed by Sandy Davidson.
Lindsay Temple's Circus Photographic Album, 1961 - 1963
Photographic album containing black and white photographs of circus acts, performers and animals by Lindsay Temple, some pages empty, 6p.p
Lindsay Temple's Circus Photographic Album, 1957 - 1961
Photographic album containing black and white photographs of circus acts, performers and animals by Lindsay Temple, 22p.p
Lindsay Temple's Circus Photographs, 1970 - 1976
Black and white photographs of circus performers and animals, mainly in the ring and portrait of Lindsay Temple with Franz Althoff and Charles Cairoli, mainly stamped by David Jamieson.
Lindsay Temple's Circus Photographs and Postcards, 1958 - 1960
Black and white photographs and postcards of circus acts, performers and animals on and off the ring from various circuses including Bertram Mills, Chipperfields at various locations in the United Kingdom including Kelvin Hall, Belle Vue, Olympia, Blackpool Tower, Great Yarmouth, Birmingham and Kendal, some contain annotations on reverse.
Lindsay Temple's circus Photographs and Postcards, 1952 - 1977
Black and white and colour photographs and postcards of circus acts, performers and animals on and off the ring from various circuses including Sarrasani, Captain Alfred Schneider, Cody and Reaney, some contain annotations on reverse, some are autographed and some are promotional images of acts.
Lion Taming Scenes Print, c1800 - 1899
Woodcut on paper. Black and white illustrations one of a man stroking lions, tigers and lepards in a landscape with palm trees and another of a person bandaging a lion's paw.
Lists of Circus Programmes Research Material, 1939 - 1944
Handwritten programmes taken from Belle Vue scrapbooks at auction in 2007.
Liverpool Stadium Circus Programme, c1900 - 1999
Opens December 24. Black and white photographs of acts and animals around the edges on the front page and white, black and red type, inside red and black type on white background with details of pricing and programme, clown act on back cover with text, 2p.p
Liverpool Stadium Circus Programme, c1900 - 1999
Opens December 24. Blue and white photographs of acts and animals around the edges on the front page and white and blue type, programme on reverse.
Lord George and Pops Sanger's Circus and Menagerie Programme, 1957
Cartoon illustration of a flying source with clowns, a lion and a bear and an animal trainer and ringmaster hanging from it on a step ladder over a circus tent in pink and black on a yellow background on front cover, inside programme and brief history of the Sanger circus on back cover. Printed by Hasting Printing Co., Portland Place, Hastings, 2p.p.
Lord George and Pops Sanger's Circus Programme, 1958
Colour photograph of head of roaring lion on a white background on front cover, inside programme and brief history of the Sanger circus on back cover. Printed by Hasting Printing Co., Portland Place, Hastings, 2p.p.
Lord George and Pops Sanger's Circus Programme, 1959
Colour photograph of head of roaring lion on a white background on front cover, inside programme and brief history of the Sanger circus on back cover. Printed by Hasting Printing Co., Portland Place, Hastings, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger Programme, c1943
Purple type and illustration of a galloping horse on off white background on front cover, inside programme and Sanger family facts on back cover. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd., Bradford, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger Programme, 1944
Purple type and illustration of a galloping horse on off white background with note about the war and autograph on front cover, inside programme and purple and white photograph of Princess Alexandra visiting George Sanger's circus on back cover. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd., Bradford, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger Programme, 1946
Blue type and illustration of a galloping horse on off white background on front cover, inside circus facts, programme in the centre and blue and white photograph of Princess Alexandra visiting George Sanger's circus on back cover. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd., Nesfield Printing Works, Bradford, 4p.p.
Lord George Sanger Programme, 1947
Purple type and illustration of a galloping horse on off white background with paragraph by George Sanger on front cover, inside circus facts, programme in the centre and purple and white photograph of Princess Alexandra visiting George Sanger's circus on back cover. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd., Bradford, 4p.p.