Circusiana
(is that a thing?)
Aladdin Books in Fullerton, CA (aladdinbooks.com) lists circus books and memorabilia as one of their specialties, which started me thinking about the circus. I don't recall attending a traveling circus as a child, but do recall taking my son to see the Shriners Circus in Pittsburgh sometime around 2005. It was somewhat of a pared down show, but he enjoyed it nonetheless. It's a dying breed, the grand old circuses no longer in existence and the few survivors battered by animal rights activists and the widespread availability of on-demand streaming entertainment. But, the collecting of circus memorabilia, including books and ephemera, is alive and well.
Aladdin Books, Fullerton, CA
There's still a casino in Las Vegas called Circus Circus, featuring the largest permanent "big top" (tent) in the world. When it originally opened in 1968 the casino struggled due to not having an attached hotel. Owners financed the building of a hotel with a loan from the Teamsters. Organized crime ties plagued the casino and it eventually changed hands several times. The casino's midway area was featured in the James Bond film, Diamonds are Forever.
There have been episodes of two tv shows recently that featured circus related collectibles. An episode of Strange Inheritance featured a hand-made circus model of incredible detail. Circus memorabilia was also featured on an episode of American Pickers when the hosts encountered some very valuable vintage sideshow banners.
The circus reminded me of Baraboo, WI. The Ringling brothers were born and raised in Baraboo and from the 1880s to 1918 returned every winter to plan the next season's show, make repairs and house their menagerie of exotic animals. Residents of Baraboo were reportedly accustomed to seeing giraffes, elephants and other circus animals being walked in the streets or bathing in the Baraboo River.
When the Ringling Bros attorney, John Kelley, retired to Baraboo, WI he began a labor of love that is today known as Circus World, a sprawling 64 acre circus themed entertainment complex, museum and research library all dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and memorabilia of the circus. The complex even includes trains used by the circus to haul their animals, performers and tents around the Unites States.
If visiting Baraboo, WI, be sure to stop by The Village Booksmith (villagebooksmith.com) at 526 Oak St, a short 10 minute walk from the Circus World complex on Water St. The Village Booksmith features new, used, rare and out-of-print fiction and non-fiction titles and declares themselves to be, "decidedly old school." They're on Facebook as well, where you will find details about the many events and local authors they host.
By the way, Meriam-Webster says that circusiana is, "materials or objects related to the circus or circus life." There's a great website dedicated to the history of the circus that you might find interesting.