Image of six male and female whiteface clowns dressed as characters from Old King Cole and Mother Goose nursery rhymes and accompanied by a cow, flying goose, and dog; three clowns play musical instruments. Upper left corner of image missing; probable artists and date supplied by cataloger based on reference in "Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bel Geddes" by Chris Berry, in Bandwagon, (Nov-Dec 2010), pages 55-59: "several posters created in 1941 with the initials "G.H." were actually designed by prominent architect George Howe (1886-1995), who became a partner of Normal Bel Geddes and Co. in 1941." John Ringling North commissioned the Norman Bel Geddes studio to design posters for the circus in 1941. "Produced by John Ringling North / Created and Costumed by Norman Bel Geddes / Staged by Albertina Rasch"--text, bottom centered. "G.H."--text, artist's initials in plate; lower left with monogram for the Norman Bel Geddes studio.. "Litho. in U.S.A."--text, bottom right margin.
Type
image
Extent
1 lithograph : color printed ; overall 106.68 x 71.12 cm (42 x 28 in.)
Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Combined Shows Advertising--Circus Animals--Pictorial works Circus--United States Clowns--Pictorial works Nursery rhymes--Pictorial works Lithographs--Color--1925-1950. (gmgpc) Circus posters--1940-1950. (gmgpc)
Source
Jay T. Last Collection Entertainment Large Size Circus The Jay T. Last Collection of Graphic Arts and Social History, Huntington Digital Library
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