This poster was printed in London and designed to attract audiences to the American equestrian James Buckley's Benefit Night at Tom Price's circus - either his British and American Circus in London's Commercial Road, or on tour. It is generously illustrated by the Poplar printer Henry James Peterken with a selection of stock wood-cuts representing various equestrian circus acts. Peterken's printing works were at 208, Poplar High Street from 1845 until 1849.

Tom Price the proprietor made his name with Jem Ryan's circus at Brighton in 1836 as England's best vaulter, or performer of somersaults (or somersets). In July 1838 he was challenged for his title at Astley's Circus by the American circus performer Levi North. Despite their rivalry in somersaulting, in spring 1843 North joined Price to establish Price & North's Circus. North returned to the States that year leaving Price in charge of the circus, returning in the spring of 1844. By the autumn he had disposed of his interest in the show however, leaving Price as the proprietor of the show in which the American equestrian James Buckley appeared earlier in the season, as shown on another poster in the collection (S.3423-1995). Tom Price later established Circo Price in Madrid.

The Norfolk-born equestrian on this bill John Samwell, also known as John Samwells (1819-1833), was an equestrian from an early age performing with his parents' circus and later with circuses owned by William Batty, Charles Hengler, John Ginnett, and Ginnett & Bell, and with Macarte's Monster American Circus where he was often billed as The Great Star Rider of England. In 1862 Samwells joined Quaglieni's Circus for a six year engagement during which his daughter young Amy performed on the slack wire and on horseback. John Henderson (1822-1867), another performer on this bill advertised for a slack wire act, was one of the Henderson family featured in the lyrics of John Lennon's 1967 song For the Benefit of Mister Kite.