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:
The Circus of Horrors Official Tour Brochure, c1900 - 1999
Black and white illustration of a Dr Haze's face sticking his tonge out and wearing a hat on the front cover, he has red snake like eyes on a black and red background, inside introduction, colour and black and white photographs of acts and performers and text and commercial adversting, 10p.p.
The Circus of Horrors Programme, c1900 - 1999
Colour photograph of female vampire's face showing behind an open metal hatch in a box with metal spears on the front cover, inside programme and colour photographs of acts and performers with text, on back cover save the rhino campaign article, 6p.p.
The Circus of Horrors Programme, c2000
Red type on black background on front cover, on gloosy card, inside introduction, colour photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, also circus merchandise advertising, 10p.p.
The Circus of Horrors, The Evolution Brochure, c1900 - 1999
Colour photograph of a female aerial act wearing a white outfit with red stains on the chest hanging upside down over a red background on the front cover, inside introduction, colour and black and white photographs of the acts and performers with text, circus merchandise on the last page and commercial advertising, 10p.p.
The Fearless Bauers Aerial Act Advertising Material, c1900 - 1999
Plastic folder containing information about the act, black and white photographs in plastic sleeves of some of their tricks and list of past performing venues and loose photocopy of 1930s Proctor's Royal Circus show, 9p.p.
The Francescos and Roman Games Gouache, c1900 - 1999
Gouache on card, type and photographs glued on seperately poster design. Bertram Mills Circus. The Francescos clowns and Roman Games with Douglas Kossmayer, the 'Ben Hur' of the circus. Two black and white photographs, one of three clowns, the other of a man in roman armour holding the reigns of three horses in a row, standing with one foot each on the back of the two outer horses, background orange type black.
The Grand Moustre Fete and People's National Gathering Programme, 1894
Birmingham. Black type on red background on front cover and off white background inside, containing list of events and acts including Messrs J and G Sanger, 7p.p.
The Grand Theatre of Varieties Programme, week commencing Monday 24 December 1951
Hip Hip Zoo Ray Circus, presented by Robert Bros. Churchgate, Bolton. Red, white and blue illustration of flamenco dancer on top section and advertisement on the bottom on the front cover, inside programme and commercial advertising, 2p.p.
The Great Carmo Circus Advertising Material, c1900 - 1999
Advertising material including a booking card for Rita Carmo, two issues of The Carmo Courier and promotional magazine about Cramo's Colossal Circus in Blackpool, with black and white photographs and descriptions of acts.
The Great Carmo Circus and Menagerie Programme, 1929
Green type on golden background on the front cover, inside black type on yellow background containing the programme and paragraphs about the circus on alternate pages, 6p.p.
The Great Carmo Circus and Menagerie Programme, 1929
Red type on golden background on the front cover, inside black type on yellow background containing the programme and paragraphs about the circus on alternate pages, 6p.p.
The Great Carmo Circus Photographs, c1930 - 1939
Black and white photographs and postcards of The Great Carmo Circus including many of The Great Carmo in different personas, Rita Carmo and circus scenes and performes.
The Great Carmo Circus Programme, c1937
Red type in the centre within a circle and red illustrations of Carmo's head in three different personas including Chinese, Egyptian and Indian costumes around it and a lion on the bottom section, also outline of circus acts in the corners including trapeze, equestrian and high wire on a yellowish background on the front cover, inside programme, 2p.p.
The Great Carmo Circus Research Material, c1900 - 1999
Photocopies and letter related to The Great Carmo Circus.
The Great Carmo's Circus and Menagerie Poster, 1929
Baby June the cycling elephant, the only one in the world. Colour illustration in the centre, of elephant on trycicle with girl in white dress on the right and hobo clown on the left within a blue circle and yellow margins containing illustrations of elephants, horse and carriage with performers and elephant and the face of a man on top left also within a circle.
The Great Caucasian Circus Programme, 1945
Blue and white illustration of roaring lion's head within a circle and blue and white type on blue and white background on front cover, inside blue type programme, 2p.p
The Great Olympia Hippodrome and Circus Programme, 1887
The Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth Monograph, c1900 - 1999
History and uses of the Hippodrome and the acts appearing in it, a well as details of George Gilbert's temporary circus building in Great Yarmouth and winter circus seasons at the Agricultural Hall, 1893-1954, Norwich by H.T.G. Tinkler, bound volume in brown leather and fabric covers with gold type on spine, approximately 300p.p. Typescript.
The Hippodrome Programme, 2004
All New 25th Anniversary Circus and Water Spectacular. Colour photograph of the Hippodrome on a black background with colourful circles around it on the front cover, inside introduction, colour photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre, 8p.p.
The Hippodrome Theatre Programme, Monday 30 May 1955
Dudley. Hip Hip Zoo Ray Circus. White and black type and illustration of the Hippodrome building on a blue background with white stars on the front cover, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 4p.p.