Advertisement for Barnum and Bailey's circus, Olympia, London, 11 November [1889], in the form of an illustrated double-sided playbill

Advertisement for Barnum and Bailey's circus, in the form of a double-sided playbill, with copious text and illustrations. One side, headed 'MOST POSITIVELY EXHIBITING IN LONDON ONLY.', includes illustrations of visitors in the Huge Wizard Temple of Supernatural Illusions; images of performing pigs, cattle, bears, a goat, seals and a walrus, zebras and horses; a chariot race; the stuffed skin of Jumbo the Elephant, two dramatic scenes enacted on horsedrawn carriages, and the Only Hairy Burmese Dwarf Elephant ('He Really Rides a Bicycle'). At lower edge, the venue, Olympia, and date, Nov.11. On the other side, headed 'A GRAND, FIRM-FOUNDED, PUBLIC INSTITUTION. P.T. BARNUM'S GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH', are illustrations of the drama, Nero; or The Destruction of Rome; Bo-Peep and her flock of trained sheep; performing elephants; a five-horse hurdle act; a diorama of the Burning of Rome; the skeleton of Jumbo the Elephant; and performing horses.

Gabrielle Enthoven Collection

Advertisement for Barnum and Bailey's circus, 'The Greatest Show on Earth', opening at Olympia, London, 11 November 1889.

The advertisement for Barnum and Bailey's circus, in the form of an illustrated double-sided playbill, lists the attractions in detail. There were 'Rarest Museum Prodigies', a Roman Hippodrome and 'Grand 3 Ring, 100 Act Circuses'. Audiences could watch Imre Kiralfy's spectacular drama, Nero; or the Destruction of Rome, marvel at the trained animals and view a host of exhibits. These included the stuffed skin and the skeleton of Jumbo, the enormous African elephant who had been sold to Barnum by London Zoo in 1882. Jumbo died in 1885 but had proved to be a major attraction for Barnum when alive, and even after his death, thanks to Barnum's flair for publicity and profit, continued to bring in the crowds.

S.37-2018