The Circus Comes to Town

Louis Galice, Cirque d'hiver, (detail).
Paris, 1900.

This exhibition features vintage photographs, posters, artist prints, illustrated books, heralds and programs from the Special Collections at Toronto Public Library.

About the Exhibit

The circus is a theatrical spectacle that is international in scope and appeals to all ages. With a cast of performers including acrobats, jugglers, aerialists, equestrians, clowns, wild animals and sideshows, the circus is the United Nations of popular entertainment. Thrilling to some and terrifying to others, it has the ability to overwhelm, delight and inspire.

Gallery Programming:

Film: La Strada, 1954 (Italy)

Director: Federico Fellini
Thursday, August 14, 2:00 pm
Toronto Reference Library
Beeton Auditorium

The Ins and Outs of Circus and Carnival Side Shows

Local author and former circus owner Al Stencell
Saturday September 6, 2:30 pm
Toronto Reference Library
Beeton Auditorium

For more information about the exhibit, free tours and other related programming, call 416-393-7158.

Exhibition Items:

August Brouet, 1872-1941
Etching
ca. 1923-27

August Brouet's series of circus prints paid homage to Pablo Picasso's saltimbanques (performers) of 1905.

Pyramid - Tamlyn and R. S. Timmis on top
Canadian National Exhibition
Photographer: Unknown
Photo Reproduction
1923 - original 3"x4"
R.S. Timmis fonds -2653

Gift of Mrs. J. Kitchen

Doctor Dolittle's Circus
Hugh Lofting, 1886-1947
New York: Frederick A. Stokes Co., 1924

Written and illustrated by Hugh Lofting, this fourth title in the Doctor Dolittle series featured John Dolittle, M.D., a physician whose human practice suffered because of his fondness for animals.

Gift of Jane Dobell
Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books

Royal Brothers Wild Animal Circus
Enquirer Printing in Cincinnati, Ohio Print.
Lithograph
1975

The hippopotamus image on this poster was a stock cut adapted to promote Royal Brothers Circus in Canada. It was operated by Al Stencell and Johnny Frazier from 1973-1976.