Not currently on display at the V&A

The Great Carmo's Circus and Menagerie

Poster
ca.1929 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Similar to many other forms of circus advertising, this poster advertising The Great Carmo's Circus and Menagerie, ca. 1929 uses bright colours and dynamic images to sell its attractions. This poster advertises 'The Soul Stirring Daughter of the Desert. Mirzah The Dervish Dancer'.

The Australian-born magician and juggler Carmo, whose real name was Henry Cameron, began his career as a strong man before moving to England and entering the world of magic. He established his own circus in the 1927, opening his first show in Belfast's Balmoral Gardens in 1928, where his spectacular illusions complemented the animal and circus acts. The 1929 travelling show was a collaboration with Bertram Mills' new travelling circus, managed by his sons Cyril and Bernard, but using Carmo's name since Mills was reluctant to use his until the venture was a success. The partnership was dissolved the following season. By March 1930 Carmo closed his circus and returned to his magic show, but returned to circus that winter as Carmo's Colossal Circus at the Hippodrome, Newcastle upon Tyne, and London's Dominion Theatre. It was reinvented through a new partnership as the Stott-Carmo Circus but finally closed in 1937.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Great Carmo's Circus and Menagerie (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Colour lithography on paper
Brief description
Poster advertising The Great Carmo's Circus and Menagerie, ca. 1929
Physical description
Poster advertising 'The Great Carmo Circus and Menagerie' with colour illustration of Mirzah, the Dervish dancer.
Dimensions
  • Height: 50cm
  • Width: 36.5cm
Production typeMass produced
Summary
Similar to many other forms of circus advertising, this poster advertising The Great Carmo's Circus and Menagerie, ca. 1929 uses bright colours and dynamic images to sell its attractions. This poster advertises 'The Soul Stirring Daughter of the Desert. Mirzah The Dervish Dancer'.

The Australian-born magician and juggler Carmo, whose real name was Henry Cameron, began his career as a strong man before moving to England and entering the world of magic. He established his own circus in the 1927, opening his first show in Belfast's Balmoral Gardens in 1928, where his spectacular illusions complemented the animal and circus acts. The 1929 travelling show was a collaboration with Bertram Mills' new travelling circus, managed by his sons Cyril and Bernard, but using Carmo's name since Mills was reluctant to use his until the venture was a success. The partnership was dissolved the following season. By March 1930 Carmo closed his circus and returned to his magic show, but returned to circus that winter as Carmo's Colossal Circus at the Hippodrome, Newcastle upon Tyne, and London's Dominion Theatre. It was reinvented through a new partnership as the Stott-Carmo Circus but finally closed in 1937.
Collection
Accession number
S.229-1994

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Record createdApril 30, 2014
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