Circus Posters
Vintage Circus Posters
We have a beautiful collection of old and vintage circus posters dating from the late 1800s to the 1970s. These include posters from the Ringling Brothers circus, Barnum & Bailey circus, Adam Forepaugh circus, and Sells Brothers circuses, to name a few.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the circus was an annual event awaited with great anticipation. Weeks before the circus was due to arrive, colorful posters appeared on barns and fences, announcing the dates and new performers. When the circus arrived, excitement grew as wagons, elephants, and clowns paraded through town. Most circus posters feature dramatic new acts or exotic animals; many make outrageous (and sometimes utterly false) claims – the largest, the smallest, the most dangerous, the rarest, the one and only, etc.
These vintage circus posters make great decorator pieces and will brighten up any office, home decor, or kid's playroom. Available in a variety of sizes and every vintage circus poster comes with a money back guarantee so shop with confidence.
-
1900s Victorian Troupe Sword Swallowing Act Poster
$19.95Poster depicting a sword swallowing performance act. TITLE: The great Victorina Troupe originators and presenters of the most marvelous sword swallowing act on earth. Poster dates to early 1900s.Created by "The Donaldson Litho. Co., Newport, Ky."See Kar-mi" pasted over Victorina on top of poster; Victorina also performed as the magician, Kar-mi."Shoots a gun barrel while it is down his throat; swallows an electric light; the $10,000.00 novelty act; the limit of the marvelous. Learn More -
1902 Barnum & Bailey French Circus Poster
$19.95Barnum & Bailey played the entire season of 1902 in France. For this tour, posters like this Strobridge one were printed in America and shipped to the circus advertising department in France. Translation of the text: 'For the children: all kinds of tricks by trained animals. The largest and most wonderful entertainment organization in the world.' 1902 Barnum & Bailey Circus Poster in French. Learn More -
1903 Barnum & Bailey Horse Show Circus Poster
$19.95This 1903 Barnum & Bailey circus poster shows an intricate detail of acts and routines performed in the horse show circus acts. Learn More -
1903 Barnum & Bailey Spectacle of Balkis Circus Poster
$19.95In 1903 Barnum & Bailey presented an unusually lavish Spectacle of Balkis(the Arabic name of the biblical Queen of Sheba). At this period all the big railroad circuses staged these pantomine productions involving hundreds of beautifully wardrobed people, scores of horses and dozens of elephants, camels, zebras, and llamas. The subject might be Joan of Arc, Cinderella or Nero and the Burning of Rome. All these productions were part of the circus, presented in the big tent. Learn More -
1905 Barnum & Bailey Sensational Acts Circus Poster
$19.95On this Barnum & Bailey circus poster, the press agents of 1905 called this thrill act 'a fearful frolic with fate'. Indeed, all acts of this type - whether the performers operated somersaulting autos, rode hurtling bicycles over enormous gaps, or were catapulted from a huge crossbow or shot out of a cannon - were truly daring and dangerous. Learn More -
1906 Barnum & Bailey Horse Show Circus Poster
$19.95Seven scenes of beautiful horses and handsomely attired performers, neatly put together on one 1906 poster by the Strobridge artists, tell the whole story at a glance. Part of the Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth. Learn More -
1909 Barnum & Bailey Balloon Horse Circus Poster
$19.95This 1909 Barnum & Bailey circus poster advertises 'the latest and greatest thriller, the balloon horse jupiter'. Learn More -
1909 Barnum & Bailey Desperados Circus Poster
$19.95In 1909 Desperado made his terrific descent twice a day, and sometimes three times. The Strobridge artists captured all of the thrill of this unbelievable act on this beautiful Barnum & Bailey circus poster art. Learn More -
1909 Barnum & Bailey Equestrians Circus Poster
$19.95The wreath effectively sets off the formal group portrait of the equestrian family, and the shield below adds impact to their names. The scenes of the family in action are so vivid that only 12 words are needed to describe the act. This is a Barnum & Bailey circus poster from 1909. Learn More -
1912 Barnum & Bailey Street Parade Circus Poster
$19.95Although the daily street parade was in itself an advertisement that let the townspeople know for sure that it was circus day, the big shows used posters that advertised the advertisement! This Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth circus poster is from 1912. Learn More
