1925 CIRCUS COLLECTORS 8x10 Artist Signed Drawing-JOHN RINGLING by Roland Butler For Sale

-expected wear

-photo wrap on the back

-edge wear

-light paper loss above his hat

The drawing depicts John Ringling (1866–1936), designated here as a \"Circus Magnate.\" He was the most famous and influential of the seven Ringling brothers who transformed a small family show into the massive Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. By the 1920s, John was one of the wealthiest men in the world, a major art collector, and a real estate developer.

John Ringling is depicted at the absolute peak of his wealth and physical maturity, just before a series of devastating financial losses from the 1929 stock market crash, illness, and lawsuits took a severe toll on his health and appearance.

The Artist\'s Timeline: Roland Butler was hired by Charles Ringling in 1923, briefly stepped away to work for the Sparks Circus, and returned to the Ringling operation in 1929 when the Ringlings bought out several competing shows. It was in 1929 that Butler was promoted to \"General Press Representative\" and took full creative control of the advertising imagery, official programs, and press portfolios.