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(1810-1891) American showman famous for Barnum and Bailey Circus and "The Greatest Show on Earth."

Phineas Taylor Barnum

(1810-1891) American showman famous for Barnum and Bailey Circus and "The Greatest Show on Earth."

(1810-1891) Entertainer that teamed up with Bailey to start the Barnum and Bailey circus.

Phineas T. Barnum

(1810-1891) Entertainer that teamed up with Bailey to start the Barnum and Bailey circus.

"Ground Plan of the Circus."

Circus

"Ground Plan of the Circus."

"Spina of the Circus, from an ancient bas relief." — Smith, 1873

Circus

"Spina of the Circus, from an ancient bas relief." — Smith, 1873

The circus

Circus

The circus

A group of circus animals

Circus Animals

A group of circus animals

"Chariot-racing was a favorite amusement, and the great circuses were arranged especially for such contests. The space was broad enough to accommodate three of four chariots side by side, each with four horses abreast."—Ridpath, 1885

Circus Maximus

"Chariot-racing was a favorite amusement, and the great circuses were arranged especially for such contests.…

An illustration of a group of fleas doing various activities seen in a circus. Some fleas are pulling a carriage with fleas inside, some are riding bicycles, and some look like they are racing each other.

Flea Circus

An illustration of a group of fleas doing various activities seen in a circus. Some fleas are pulling…

A famous large African Bush Elephant used in the P. T. Barnum circus.

Jumbo

A famous large African Bush Elephant used in the P. T. Barnum circus.

An illustration of a giraffe looking at a young bear cub attached to a chain.

Giraffe Looking at Bear Cub Near Carts

An illustration of a giraffe looking at a young bear cub attached to a chain.

A horse trained to run around a circus ring with a man standing on his back.

Circus Horse

A horse trained to run around a circus ring with a man standing on his back.

A monkey swinging, in the circus.

Monkey

A monkey swinging, in the circus.

An illustration of a man holding an heavy ball with one arm and holding another man with the other.

Strong Man

An illustration of a man holding an heavy ball with one arm and holding another man with the other.

Tightrope walking is the art of walking along a thin wire or rope, usually at a great height. One or more artists performs in front of an audience or as a publicity stunt. Tightrope walkers sometimes use balancing poles and may perform the feat without a safety net for effect.

Wirewalking Toy

Tightrope walking is the art of walking along a thin wire or rope, usually at a great height. One or…

A horizontal cross-bar used by acrobats. It is often popularly associated with circuses.

Trapeze

A horizontal cross-bar used by acrobats. It is often popularly associated with circuses.

Men and women surround a collapsed elephant outside of the circus tent.

Circus

Men and women surround a collapsed elephant outside of the circus tent.

A circus ringleader on top of an elephant.

Man on Elephant

A circus ringleader on top of an elephant.