Ringling Bros RBBB Old John Elephants Chicago Circus 1930s - Original Photo

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Ringling Bros RBBB Old John Elephants Chicago Circus 1930s - Original Photo:
$60.00

An original 10x8" vintage photo from a large archive of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus photos acquired from the estate of a collector who was particularly interested in elephants.

Photo Overview

Crisp 8x10 gelatin-silver publicity photograph showing the legendary Asian bull elephant Old John, senior member of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey herd, standing calmly beside a wide-eyed baby elephant on the paved circus lot in Chicago, Illinois, circa early 1930s. Chains hang loosely from Old Johns foreleg while rows of 1930s automobiles and lamp posts frame the background, clearly placing the scene at the show grounds before the big top went up. Verso bears the H. A. Atwell Studio credit stamp and period notations identifying the subject and decade.

Captured in India around 1872, Old John worked more than fifty seasons with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, leading countless street parades and becoming one of the most celebrated elephants in American circus history before his death in 1943. Publicity images pairing the venerable giant with a calf highlighted the circuss longevity and ongoing appeal - prints of this kind are coveted by animal, circus, and photo collectors alike. Own this scarce slice of big-top heritage today before another enthusiast snaps it up.

Text Present

Back, upper left: Ã¢??'OLD JOHN'Ã¢??
Back, upper left below: Ã¢??R.B.B.B.Ã¢??
Back, upper left: Ã¢??1930sÃ¢??
Back, upper right: Ã¢??Old JohnÃ¢??
Back, upper right: Ã¢??Ringling Bros & Barnum & Bailey CircusÃ¢??
Back, right edge stamp: Ã¢??PLEASE CREDIT PHOTO BY / H. A. ATWELL STUDIO / 81 W. Randolph St. / ChicagoÃ¢??

Condition: Good to very good vintage condition. Please see photos for scans of the surface. Photo may have natural curling or other imperfections from age.