This fascinating, American Circus Photo Album measures approx. 11 1/2" by 14 1/2" and contains 325+ Snapshot Photographs ranging in size from approx. 3 1/2" by 2 ½" to 6” by 3 1/2”. The vast majority measure 5” by 3 1/2”. The Photographs were taken at various locations with the majority taken in western cities. As stated above, the vast majority of the Images are identified in detail with period, manuscript notations on the reverse. We could only uncover minimal information about the photographer and collector of these Photographs Robert J. Bernard. We did find a few mentions of his name in Circus and Hobby Magazines of the 1940’s where he is identified as a “Circus fan and model builder”.

    All of the Photographs in this Album are mounted loosely inserted into adhesive, slip-in corner mounts and can be easily removed if the buyer wishes to do so. All of the Photographs are "behind the scenes" Images and the photographer obviously had a fascination with the elaborately carved Circus Wagons and decorated wagons, trucks and banners of the Circus. We have included a large number of images below to give a good flavor of the content of this wonderful, one-of-a-kind Circus Photo Album and ask that those interested in this fantastic Album to please take the time to view this awesome collection of mid 20th century Circus Images.

    This rare and wonderful, American Traveling Circus Photo Album is bound in faux leather over paperboard covers with a braided silk string binding. The binding is complete however the front board is detached and both the front and rear boards exhibit edge wear. It appears that all of the interior pages are present but a dew are detached and although there are over 325 Photographs in the Album, there are a number of empty mounts where the Photographs that were originally present have fallen out and been lost over the years. It does not appear that any photographs were deliberately removed but since the Photos were mounted using paper corner mounts it was all too easy for some to become detached and lost (there are maybe 40 or so missing images). All of the Photographs are in excellent, physical condition – clean and crisp without damage or wear. The quality of the 325+ Photographs varies with the vast majority exhibiting sharp focus, strong contrast and rich, warm tonality but a few are light from overexposure and a few are slightly out of focus as one might expect from an amateur photographer. Overall this is a wonderful collection of Traveling Circus Snapshot Photographs from the second quarter of the 20th century which include some fantastic images of the Classic 19th century Circus Wagons which were still being used at the time.

    This exceptionally rare and simply fantastic 1922 to 1946 Snapshot Photo Album of 325+, behind the scenes Photos of various American Traveling Circuses is offered here, as always, without reserve and with the confidence that it will attract the serious attention that it justly deserves!!!