Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Parade Wagon Bradbury 1923 - Original Photo For Sale

An original 4x3" antique photo (NOT a modern reprint) from a collection of well documented Hagenbeck-Wallace circus photos. This photo originated from the personal collection of Joseph Bradbury, noted circus historian and collector.

Provenance: Joseph Bradbury was a renowned circus historian and a president of the Circus Historical Society who specialized in the documentation of circus equipment and wagons. He is widely recognized for his extensive research and photography, which preserved the history of early 20th-century shows. We acquired this from his estate at sale.

Photo Overview

This photograph captures a close-up detail of a heavily ornate Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus parade wagon, photographed in 1923. The wagon side displays elaborate carved and gilded decorations featuring animal motifs - including what appears to be a lion or large cat within an oval medallion - surrounded by sweeping scrollwork and foliate ornament typical of the finest circus wagon craftsmanship of the era. The large spoke wheels with decorative hub caps are prominently visible, and a tent or structure is partially visible in the background. A coat or jacket is draped over what appears to be a cage door on the left side, giving the scene an authentic behind-the-scenes quality.

This image comes directly from the personal research collection of Joseph Bradbury, celebrated circus historian and president of the Circus Historical Society, widely recognized as one of the foremost authorities on circus wagons and equipment. The back annotation notes it as Photo No. 3, catalogued under \'P-6\' in his archive, and is marked \'(melun)\' - likely a wagon builder or reference designation - and dated 1923.

Historical Notes

The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus was one of the major American traveling circuses of the early 20th century, ranking just behind Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey in prestige. Founded by Carl Hagenbeck and Ben Wallace, the show was famous for its spectacular parade wagons, many produced by the Sebastian Wagon Works and the Bode Wagon Company. In 1918, the show suffered a catastrophic tragedy when a troop train collision near Hammond, Indiana killed 86 performers and crew in one of the worst railroad disasters in circus history.

The Hagenbeck-Wallace show continued operating through the 1920s and was absorbed into the American Circus Corporation, which was itself purchased by John Ringling in 1929. By 1938, the Hagenbeck-Wallace name had been quietly retired. Many of the ornate wagons documented by Bradbury are now preserved at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin, making documentary photographs like this one - taken while the show was still active - valuable records of wagons that may no longer survive in original form.

Browse our complete Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus photograph collection.

Text Present

Back of photo (upper right, pencil): (H-W) [melun]
Back of photo (upper right, pencil): Same size as original
Back of photo (center, blue ballpoint ink): Return to P-6
Back of photo (center, blue ballpoint ink): Joe Bradbury
Back of photo (lower center, blue ink): (melun)
Back of photo (lower center, blue ink): Photo No. 3
Back of photo (lower right, pencil): 1923
Front of photo (lower right margin, blue ink): 85

Print analysis

This is a small-format (4x3 inch) silver gelatin or early photographic print. The sepia tone, paper stock, and style are consistent with a photograph produced in the early-to-mid 1920s, closely matching the penciled date of 1923 on the back. Given the date of the image and the apparent age of the print material, this is likely a Type 1 original photograph made at or very close to the time the image was taken. The image is mounted on a slightly thicker paper stock consistent with period photographic printing practices.

Condition

Please see photos for condition. In fair to good vintage condition.