The Great Carmo's Circus thumbnail 1
The Great Carmo's Circus thumbnail 2
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The Great Carmo's Circus

Poster
1929 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Similar to many other forms of circus advertising, this poster advertising The Great Carmo's Circus, Menagerie and Horse Show at Margate's Football Ground for a short summer season from 22nd July 1929 uses bright colours and dynamic images to sell its attractions.

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 (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Colour lithograph on paper
Brief description
Poster advertising The Great Carmo's Circus, Menagerie and Horse Show, Margate Football Ground from 22nd July1929
Physical description
Pictorial and typographic. This image shows the menagerie within the tent, the perspective chosen by the artist making the tent seem enormous.
Dimensions
  • Poster height: 68.6cm
  • Poster width: 75.4cm
Object history
For a typographic poster advertising the same visit by Carmo's Circus to Margate, see S.211-1994, for another pictorial one featuring Jainczik's Skating Ballet, see S.728-1984. Associated Production: Carmo's Circus and Menagerie. Football Ground, North Down, Margate. 22.7.1929. Performance category: circus, horse show, menagerie.
Summary
Similar to many other forms of circus advertising, this poster advertising The Great Carmo's Circus, Menagerie and Horse Show at Margate's Football Ground for a short summer season from 22nd July 1929 uses bright colours and dynamic images to sell its attractions.

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.
Bibliographic reference
Haill, Catherine. Theatre Posters. London : HMSO., 1983. 48p., ill.
Collection
Accession number
S.30-1983

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Record createdJuly 23, 2010
Record URL
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