Original 1945 Clyde Beatty Trained Wild Animal Circus Poster – Greensburg, PA

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Original 1945 Clyde Beatty Trained Wild Animal Circus Poster – Greensburg, PA:
$1295.00

This original large-format poster announces the circus's appearance in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, at the Hill Top Lot, with Afternoon and Night Performances on Wednesday, May 16. Measuring approximately 27" x 41", it is a classic date stock poster used by the circus's advance advertising crews to promote a specific engagement.

Although simple in design, these bold typographic posters are among the most recognizable forms of American circus advertising. Printed in striking patriotic red, white, and blue, the oversized lettering was designed to grab the attention of passing motorists and pedestrians from a considerable distance. Even today, the colors really pop off the poster, giving it exceptional visual impact.

Based on surviving tour records and contemporary reporting, this poster almost certainly advertises the Wednesday, May 16, 1945 engagement in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. That performance became one of the best-documented dates of Clyde Beatty's 1945 season when a violent windstorm struck during the evening show, tearing the big top shortly after Beatty completed his famous wild animal act. Thanks to the quick response of circus employees, the audience was safely evacuated and panic was avoided.

Clyde Beatty was America's most celebrated wild animal trainer during the 1930s and 1940s, internationally famous for entering the cage with lions and tigers armed with little more than a chair, whip, and pistol. His fearless performances helped make the Clyde Beatty Circus one of the premier traveling tent shows in the United States, drawing enormous crowds throughout the country.

Unlike colorful pictorial circus posters, date stock posters such as this were customized for individual towns and used for only a few days before the circus arrived. Most were pasted outdoors and destroyed after the engagement, making surviving originals super rare, particularly in this large one-sheet format and professionally linen backed.

Approximate Size:

27" x 41"

Accurate:

Linen: 30 1/2 x 45

Poster: 27 1/4 x 41 3/4

Condition

his original circus poster has been professionally linen backed for long-term preservation and display.

The poster retains outstanding original color with bright, saturated inks and excellent contrast. Light age toning, minor handling wear, faint creases, and scattered surface marks consistent with age are present but are unobtrusive and expected for an original outdoor advertising poster of this vintage.

Professional restoration has stabilized the poster while preserving its original appearance.

As is common with professionally restored antique posters, some areas may have been professionally touched up or inpainted, although it can be difficult to determine the extent of such work on older restorations.

There is identification writing in permanent marker on the linen backing (outside the original poster image) used for inventory purposes. This writing is on the linen backing only, does not affect the original poster itself, and will be concealed once professionally framed.

Overall, this is an exceptionally attractive, highly displayable example of a scarce Clyde Beatty circus date stock poster with bold graphics and outstanding visual impact.

Shipping

The poster will be carefully packed and shipped rolled in a heavy-duty mailing tube to ensure safe delivery.

Flat shipping is available upon request for an additional charge due to specialized packaging requirements.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if additional photographs are desired.

Be sure to check out my other listings—I currently have 80+ antique theatre, circus, and advertising posters available, with more being added regularly. Thanks for looking!

Poster 89