Comments on: Is That Old Circus Poster You Found Authentic or a Reproduction?

By: ej

ej — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 02:34:29 +0000

I have a set of 6 authentic reproductions which include:
Ringling Bros Show Greatest Show on Earth 14-R-189 1914
The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth – The Celebrated Ponies “Jupiter” and Joie 1903 B No. 46 1898
Christy Bros 5 Ring Wild Animal Show – Riverside Print Co. Chicago Milwaukee 3370
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows – The Children’s Favorite Clown R-?-2021 192?
The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth The Thriller Supreme – Desperado’s Terrible Leap for Life … ??? B No. 212 190?
The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth – Attraction Extraordinary – A Congress of 50 of Japan’s Famous Strong Men and Women, Gladiators, Swordsmen, Wrestlers, Jiu-Jitsu and Athletic Champions 13 B No. 221 1???

How do I get more information?
Thank you for your time.

By: sharon

sharon — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 08:30:34 +0000

I have the 7 clowns poster/billboard framed. It was given to me as a gift 18 years ago, and I was told it was an original and that she’d had it in her family for some time. It looks like it is made of card board and not regular poster paper if that makes sense. It has no folds of any kind to it but has some small ripples in the cardboard that are barely noticeable. Could it be an original? There are no letters or numbers showing, and I can’t remove it from the framing without ripping the framing’s backing. It is the 23 1/2 x 36 1/4.

By: chyna

chyna — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 23:41:58 +0000

Hi so i found 4 posters while i was cleaning out my attic and i have what appears to be original posters such as the red back ground with the polar bear… they seem to be legit but im not sure there deff not new they prolly be up there 20 years at least if there reproductions there old ones id assume they are the correct size and very bright still and in very good condition with the correct numbers on them if anyone knows more about this please contact me

By: Kim Franklin-Guarneri

Kim Franklin-Guarneri — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:07:07 +0000

Larry,

I purchased a poster at auction that appears to be attached to an old piece of tent canvas. It is a 1945 Ringling Brothers Poster of an elephant hoisting a clown. Is their any way to find out if this would have been on an actual circus tent or if someone bought it and put it on there at home? I paid $30. There are some tears around the edges and the poster is a little rough from obviously being outside.

Thanks,

Kim

By: Bonnie Stump

Bonnie Stump — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 20:47:06 +0000

I have three of the posters you mention in your blog P-6 – 1920 – Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey – Worlds Biggest Menagerie – Elephant Head & other Animals, P-118 – 1933 – Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey – Felix and 99 other Famous Clowns,and P-2 – 1895 – Ringling Bros. Mlle Elena. I bought them from the Ringling Brother Circus (probably around the time they were issued. One has a slight tear that has been restored and all three are currently in conservation framing. Now the question you probably get a million times a day, are they worth anything? Should I insure them? I love the circus and that is why I have these, but I would love to have some other posters, perhaps even vintage. E:mail blackcatexpress@yahoo.com

Thank you.

By: Judy Erickson

Judy Erickson — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:40:37 +0000

My friend has a1927 – Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey; May Wirth poster which has been identified by another appraiser as authentic but we would like to know what you think and what it’s worth. The poster measures 21 inches by 31 inches.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 23:55:13 +0000

I got poster labeled
“THE BARNUM & BAILEY GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH”
“ATTRACTION EXTRAORDINARY”
“A Congress of 50 of Japan’s Famous Strong Men, and women gladiators, swordsmen,wrestlersJiu-Jitsu and athletic champions”
Poster is framed but size including frame is 15-1/4 tall X 19-1/4 inches long.

Upper right corner is labeled “13-B NP 221″
Is this a reprint?

By: Larry Kellogg

Larry Kellogg — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:13:50 +0000

Darlyne,

I’ve sent you an email.

By: Darlyne Ide Truax

Darlyne Ide Truax — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:24:17 +0000

Hi, I am looking for information on an elaborately framed ringling bros poster of trains 1 and 1/3 miles long. It is framed in red and gold with gold swirls painted on the frame all the way around. It appears very old, frame is hinged together in the corners with an unusual fastener. I would be happy to send pictures if you are willing to share some information. Thank you darlyne

By: Julian

Julian — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:23:15 +0000

Hi I purchased four of the six 1960 posters. They all measure 13 1/2 by 19, and have the 1960 copyright. They are in good condition and I have pics. They are mounted to some kind of brown board. The boards look original to the posters I came across them at an estate sale and would love to see them go to a good home, I just need help determining the value because I can’t find a similar one on ebay. Thanks

By: Larry Kellogg

Larry Kellogg — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 13:08:43 +0000

Thank you for your question. I am not allowed to evaluate items here. If you will click on the “Research Your Items” tab you will find two ways to find advice about value—the “Worthopedia – Price Guide” and “Ask a Worthologist – Expert Advice.”

By: garywood

garywood — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 01:38:32 +0000

I HAVE A MIRROR WITH A POSTER BEHIND IT SHOWING 50 CLOWNS.IT IS 21 AND A HALF INCHES BY 16 INCHES AND AT TOP CENTER IT SAYS RINGLING BROS AND BOTTOM CENTER ARMY OF 50 CLOWNS.I CAN NOT FIND ANOTHER ONE LIKE IT TO COMPARE TO AND WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT IT WORTH.

By: garywood

garywood — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 01:35:05 +0000

I bought a picture mirror with it on has army of 50 clowns on bbottom middle and just RINGLING BROS ON TOP CENTER.IT IS A POSTER THAT IS IN BACK OF A MIRROR.I CAN NOT FIND ANOTHER LIKE IT AND WOUNDER HOW MUCH IT WAS WORTH.IT IS 21 AND HALF BY 16 MIRROR.

By: Larry Kellogg

Larry Kellogg — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:30:43 +0000

I am not familiar with any of the posters you list but judging from the size they are not originals. I would assume they are French reproductions.

By: pascual

pascual — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 07:42:01 +0000

bonjour,Larry,je viens de lire vos conseils sur les fausses affiches et je ne sais que penser;moi je possede 6 affiches avec des tailles 19X15 mais aucune ne correspond a celles que vous citez j’ai (jessie millar 1895?,coney island meme epoque,congo geant 1898,jumbo cloon elephant 1900?(london edition)madame bradanas 1914,et the ching-ling-he an tia pen trouper 1914 toutes sont strobridge cincinnati & new york elles ont ete achetees aux puces a Paris dans les annees 1960 je serais ravi si vous pouvez me donner un avis merci d’avance

By: Miranda Youmans Whitley

Miranda Youmans Whitley — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:52:08 +0000

Forgot Larry, it also says The Greatest Show on Earth Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey

By: Miranda Youmans Whitley

Miranda Youmans Whitley — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 02:56:06 +0000

Hi. Is there anyway I can send you a picture of one that I have..I cannot find it anywhere..nor even mention of it..It has 2 white clowns on either side of a girl standing on a white horse busting thru a round circle..there are also poodles at the ft of ea clown…thanks :)

By: karen

karen — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 23:41:33 +0000

Hi, I have a poster showing a menagerie at a water hole with Ringling Bros on the left and Barnum & Bailey on right and combined circus in the middle. Number at bottom is P-31-131. It is 36×24. I did not see the number included in your list. Does that mean it’s from 1978 and numbered incorrectly, but still only worth $5? Or is it an extremely rare and valuable item??

By: Sebastian E

Sebastian E — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 21:49:18 +0000

Hello Larry. First off thanks for your generosity in publishing this article and sharing your wealth of knowledge on this topic. I too have come across a cool looking poster it is approximately 40 x 28 inches and on the poster it reads 3 ring poster and in the lower left hand corner on the horizontal there is a marking No 101-F.

I’d be glad to forward along photos if you could help me!

Thanks,

Sebastian

By: Larry Kellogg

Larry Kellogg — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:24:17 +0000

Craig,

Your poster is a reproduction.