Potter & Potter Auctions
Live Auction

Step Right Up: Circus and Sideshow Memorabilia

Thu, Sep 3, 2026 11:00AM EDT
  2026-09-03 11:00:00 2026-09-03 11:00:00 America/New_York Potter & Potter Auctions Potter & Potter Auctions : Step Right Up: Circus and Sideshow Memorabilia https://auction.potterauctions.com/auctions/potter-potter/step-right-up-circus-and-sideshow-memorabilia-23625
Featuring the collection of lifelong circus collector John Diesso, this auction includes heralds, couriers, and posters advertising the "greatest shows" of yesteryear. Photographs, route books, scrapbooks, and circus costumes will be also be offered, spanning the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. A wide array of early European circus posters will be sold, along with a large library of circus books of several thousand volumes. Potter & Potter Auctions info@potterauctions.com
View Catalog (668)

Prev Lot
Next Lot
[ANIMAL ACTS]. Collection of Contracts for Trained Animal Acts.
Lot 583

[ANIMAL ACTS]. Collection of Contracts for Trained Animal Acts.

Estimate: $300 - $600
Inquire
Starting Bid
$150
[0 Bids]Bidding History
Bid increments chart

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$30 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000

[ANIMAL ACTS]. Collection of Contracts for Trained Animal Acts. 1890s - 1930s. Twenty contracts for trained animal acts of all types, for performances at the Bolton Theatre Royal and Grand, with each SIGNED by the performers or their representatives. Includes contracts for trained elephant acts (several different), Lord John Sanger and his Circus Revue, Arthur Joel (with Powers' Elephants and seven other acts), J. Hayman (with tigers, bears, baby elephants, and a trapeze act, etc.), the Royal Imperial Circus, Captain Woodward and his sea lions and seals, Douglas Bostock, and acts with motor cycling sea lions, trained mules, and other talented beasts. Many with typed or inked marginalia. 4to sheets. 

Condition

Old folds and wear from handling; generally very good. 

Available payment options

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Amex
  • Diners
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Union Pay

If your bid is successful, as an alternative to in-house shipping, we can provide you with a list of shippers. We will not be responsible for the acts or omissions of carriers or packers whether or not recommended by us. Property will not be released to the shipper without the buyer's written consent and until payment has been made in full. Packing and handling by us of purchased lots is at the entire risk of the purchaser, and Potter and Potter Auctions, Inc. will have no liability of any loss or damage to such items. Packing and shipping expenses shall be added to buyer's invoice and will reflect a charge for labor, materials, insurance, transportation, as well as actual shipper fees.

Follow Us

Auctions

Specialties

Potter & Potter

Contents and design copyright © Potter & Potter Auctions.