Auction

Updated September 3, 2026

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 artwork 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. Full catalog and bidding: view on liveauctioneers .

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In this auction (668 lots)

Categories: Antiques & Furniture · Fine Art & Prints · Memorabilia & Autographs · Comics & Books

• Lot 0001 — The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth / P.T. Barnum - J.A. Bailey.
• Lot 0002 — Barnum & Bailey / The Biggest and Grandest Street Procession Ever Seen.
• Lot 0003 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey / Congress of World-Famous Horse Acts.
• Lot 0004 — Die Barnum & Bailey / Groesste Schaustellung der Welt / Hastiges und aufregendes Wettrennen mä
• Lot 0005 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / Unique and Astounding Performing Animals. Cincinnati &
• Lot 0006 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / Rare Beasts and Birds. Cincinnati & New York: Strobridge
• Lot 0007 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / A Few of the Principal High Jumping and High School
• Lot 0008 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / Gargantua the Great.
• Lot 0009 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / Col. Tim McCoy.
• Lot 0010 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / The Gibsons [Knife Throwing]. Erie Litho Co., ca. 1938.
• Lot 0011 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey / Loyal Repenski Family.
• Lot 0012 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / India. Erie Litho Co., ca. 1937.
• Lot 0013 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey / Three Great Companies of World-Famous Acrobats.
• Lot 0014 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / Dorothy Herbert.
• Lot 0015 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / The Marvelous Marcellus Troupe. Erie Litho Co., ca.
• Lot 0016 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey / [Tiger]. Erie: Erie Litho, ca. 1940s.
• Lot 0017 — KAUFFER, Edward McKnight (1890 – 1954). The Greatest Show on Earth / Presents Its 50 Most
• Lot 0018 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / The Greatest Show on Earth. Circa 1937.
• Lot 0019 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / Panto's Paradise. 1944.
• Lot 0020 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / Jennie Rooney.
• Lot 0021 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
• Lot 0022 — Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus / Giants Trains of Thundering Steel.
• Lot 0023 — Hagenbeck-Wallace and Forepaugh-Sells Bros Combined Circus. Chicago: Central Printing, 1935.
• Lot 0024 — Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus / Jungle Bred / Trained Wild Animal Circus. Erie: Erie Litho Co., 1933.
• Lot 0025 — Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus.
• Lot 0026 — Christy Bros. Wild Animal Circus.
• Lot 0027 — Al. G. Barnes and Sells-Floto Circus.
• Lot 0028 — Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus.
• Lot 0029 — Three Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus Posters. Circa 1930s/40s.
• Lot 0030 — Downie Bros. Circus / Theresa Morales.
• Lot 0031 — The Great Sells-Floto Circus / and Mammoth Menagerie. Chicago: Illinois Litho Co., 1931.
• Lot 0032 — Cole Bros. Circus / Golden Street Parade. Erie: Erie Litho Co., 1935.
• Lot 0033 — Cole Bros. Circus / The Children's Favorite Circus.
• Lot 0034 — Wallace Bros. 3 Ring Circus.
• Lot 0035 — John Robinson's Circus / Cleopatra Queen of Egypt.
• Lot 0036 — Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus / The Celebrated Cristiani Troupe.
• Lot 0037 — FREELAND, Forrest Dean. Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey / The Great Alzanas.
• Lot 0038 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / World's Biggest Menagerie.
• Lot 0039 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / Incredible Unus.
• Lot 0040 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Three posters.
• Lot 0041 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Four posters.
• Lot 0042 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / [Leopard].
• Lot 0043 — Sells Floto Circus / World's Greatest Animal Acts.
• Lot 0044 — WOOD, Lawson (1878 - 1957). Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / [Monkeys and Elephant].
• Lot 0045 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Two circus posters.
• Lot 0046 — WOOD, Lawson (1878 - 1957). Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus standee. 1944.
• Lot 0047 — [PARKER, C.W. (Charles Wallace Parker)]. C.W. Parker / Leavenworth, Kansas, U.S.A.
• Lot 0048 — Parker's Sublime Creation or the Beginning.
• Lot 0049 — A Night at the Circus / Scenes from the Last Act.
• Lot 0050 — Ambassadeurs / Le Jongleur Paul. Paris: Ch. Levy, ca. 1890s.
• Lot 0051 — CHÉRET, Jules (1836-1932). Fantaisies. Paris: J. Cheret, 1876.
• Lot 0052 — CHÉRET, Jules (1836-1932). Folies-Bergère / Jefferson / L'Homme Poisson. Paris: J. Cheret,
• Lot 0053 — CHÉRET, Jules (1836-1932). Les Martinettes au Café-Concert des Ambassadeurs. Paris: J.
• Lot 0054 — CHÉRET, Jules (1836-1932). Les Frères Avone. Paris: J. Cheret, ca. 1870s.
• Lot 0055 — CHÉRET, Jules (1836-1932). Persivani & Vandevelde / Café-Concert des Ambassadeurs. Paris:
• Lot 0056 — CHERET, Jules (1836-1932). Cafe Concert des Ambassadeurs / Stewart & H. Dare. 1877.
• Lot 0057 — BLOCH, Marcel (1882-1966). Nouveau Cirque / Les Ski Norvégiens. Paris: Robert & Cie, ca. 1907.
• Lot 0058 — Concert de L'Horloge / Pietro & Theisey Knösing. Paris: E. Levy, ca. 1880s.
• Lot 0059 — Brother's Gayton / Musical Clowns and Skaters. Berlin: Alex. Hönig, ca. late 19th century.
• Lot 0060 — Holden's / La Belle et La Bête. Birmingham: J. Upton Ltd., ca. late 19th century.
• Lot 0061 — The Original Emile Girards. London: Montague Chatterton & Co., ca. late 19th century.
• Lot 0062 — The Lucien Girard's. London: Walter Mallyon Printer, ca. late 19th century.
• Lot 0063 — Hippodrome de Paris. Paris: F. Appel, ca. late 19th century.
• Lot 0064 — Arthur Klein Family. Hamburg: Adolph Friedlander (no. 7359), [1922].
• Lot 0065 — Odam et Miss Sarah. Paris: Vve Périé, ca. mid-19th century.
• Lot 0066 — Lars Larsen / Family / Scandinavian Troupe. Berlin: Alex. Hönig, ca. late 19th century.
• Lot 0067 — Willy Manns Wonder Elephants.
• Lot 0068 — [SHARPSHOOTER]. Alice Taylor/ The Female William Tell.
• Lot 0069 — [SIDESHOW / ODDITIES]. Anatomical Oddities / Medical Autopsy Stock Poster. Hamburg: Adolph
• Lot 0070 — BRANDOLY, J. S. Shaffer and Co / The Sensation of Davos. Berlin: Beitgat, ca. early 20th century.
• Lot 0071 — LEVY, Charles. Folies-Bergère / Tous les soirs / Les Griffith. Paris: Ch. Levy, ca. late 19th
• Lot 0072 — LEVY, Charles. Folies-Bergère / Tous Les Soirs / Les Lions de Bostock. Paris: Ch. Levy, ca.
• Lot 0073 — F. Hajex. Berlin: Paul Geissler Kunsterwerkstatt, ca. late 19th century.
• Lot 0074 — Professor Hotine's Excelsior Troupe. Birmingham: Fred Wakefield, ca. late 19th century.
• Lot 0075 — Schilly / Original Serpent-Man & Hand-Equilibrist. Hamburg: Adolph Friedländer, ca. late 19th
• Lot 0076 — The Craggs / John Bulls Adventure as a Gymnast. Alex. Hönig, ca. late 19th century.
• Lot 0077 — Bros Gillenos / Musical Clowns. Hamburg: Adolph Friedländer, ca. 1880s.
• Lot 0078 — Carl Hagenbeck's Tierpark.
• Lot 0079 — CHOUBRAC, Alfred (French, 1853–1902). Theatre De La Gaité / Rosa-Josépha. Paris: F.
• Lot 0080 — Alcazar d'Ete / Paulus Original-Comic.
• Lot 0081 — [EQUILIBRISTS]. Two vintage posters.
• Lot 0082 — FARIA, Candido de (1849 - 1911). Cirque Medrano / Boum Boum.
• Lot 0083 — BARBIZET. Folies Bergere, 1873-74.
• Lot 0084 — VERHOEFT, K. Celebre Troupe Lilliputienne Russe N. Ratoucheff.
• Lot 0085 — [CIRCUS]. Group of 4 European poster maquettes.
• Lot 0086 — The Famous "Edwards" Equestrian Troupe.
• Lot 0087 — Cirque D'Hiver hand-painted circus banner.
• Lot 0088 — [STOCK POSTER]. Adolph Friedlander Circus Dogs Stock Poster. Hamburg, ca. early 20th century.
• Lot 0089 — WAGNER, Louis. Circus Busch / Leinert's Raketen-Mensch.
• Lot 0090 — Flora / Reserveleutenant Linsemann - Peter Prang's Original Kolner Burlesken.
• Lot 0091 — Circus Cesar Sidoli / Royal Romanian Circus.
• Lot 0092 — Fledermaus / Nata-Kaljan Ballett.
• Lot 0093 — Vaterland Tanzraum / Mitja Rachmaninoff.
• Lot 0094 — Harry Bienenstein.
• Lot 0095 — Circus Busch / Eisbaren-Rutsch.
• Lot 0096 — Hagenbeck Schau / [Performing Animals].
• Lot 0097 — KORINGA (Renee Bernard, 1913 - 1976). Koringa.
• Lot 0098 — [REPTILE ACT]. Karah Khavak. Berlin: Primus Studios, ca. 1920s-30s.
• Lot 0099 — E. Merian's New Dog Comedy Sketch / "Soldier's Quartered."
• Lot 0100 — Pair of Adolph Friedlander magic posters. Hamburg: Adolph Friedlander (nos. 6965, 6966), 1920.
• Lot 0101 — Roca / [Magician].
• Lot 0102 — Roca / Musical.
• Lot 0103 — Sim Sala Bim / Carneval of Magic.
• Lot 0104 — Mlle. Emmelie Loyal and her Troupe of Canine Comedians / "A Trip to Switzerland."
• Lot 0105 — Circus Busch / Wohin gehen wit denn heute?
• Lot 0106 — Les 4 Frères Riego. Hamburg: Adolph Friedlander, [1907].
• Lot 0107 — Grande Menagerie du Dompteur Ed. Pezon / La Danse Serpentine. Paris: Ch. Levy, ca. 1890s.
• Lot 0108 — Group of 14 German Circus Posters. 1950s-60s.
• Lot 0109 — BEUCK. Schumann / 2 Aeros. 1943.
• Lot 0110 — Russian wall of death motorcycle circus poster.
• Lot 0111 — Pinder / le cirque serieux que l'on connait / presente 30 attractions nouvelles de super cirque.
• Lot 0112 — MAGNE, A. Cirque Robba / Rosar.
• Lot 0113 — CERVINO. Miaz Whirlwind Dogs.
• Lot 0114 — Group of 13 Circus Posters. Circa mid-20th century.
• Lot 0115 — SOURY, Gustave (1884 - 1966). Cirque Pinder / Ses Fauves. Two posters.
• Lot 0116 — Barum Circus Poster Featuring Margarete Kreiser-Barum and Her Elephants. Hamburg: Adolph
• Lot 0117 — Krone Zoo. Hamburg: Adolph Friedlander, [1932].
• Lot 0118 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Group of 5 Cyrk Posters with Bears and Horses. Circa 1970s.
• Lot 0119 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Group of 5 Clown Cyrk Posters. Circa 1970s.
• Lot 0120 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Group of 5 Cyrk Posters. Circa 1970s.
• Lot 0121 — Choroszucka, J. Five Polish Cyrk Posters. 1974.
• Lot 0122 — Zirkus Budapest. Circa 1970.
• Lot 0123 — URBANIEK, Maciej. Cyrk. Circa 1970s.
• Lot 0124 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Cyrk: Group of 5 Lion Posters. Circa 1970s.
• Lot 0125 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Cyrk: Group of 5 Clown-Themed Posters. 1970s.
• Lot 0126 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Cyrk: Group of 5 Posters with Equestirans and Horses. 1970s.
• Lot 0127 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Cyrk: Group of 5 Polish Posters. 1970s.
• Lot 0128 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Group of 5 Cyrk Posters with Performers and Animals on Bi- or Unicycles. Circa
• Lot 0129 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Group of 5 Cyrk Posters Featuring Animals and Balls. Circa 1960s-70s.
• Lot 0130 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Group of 5 Cyrk Posters. Circa 1960s-70s.
• Lot 0131 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Group of 5 Cyrk Performer Posters. Circa 1960s-70s
• Lot 0132 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Group of 5 Cyrk Animal Posters. Circa 1970s.
• Lot 0133 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Group of 5 Cyrk Posters with Female Performers. Circa 1960s-70s.
• Lot 0134 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Group of 6 Cyrk Posters. Circa 1960s-70s.
• Lot 0135 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Cyrk: Group of 5 Trapeze Artist Posters. Circa 1970s.
• Lot 0136 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Group of 5 Cyrk Posters with Tigers. Circa 1960s-80s.
• Lot 0137 — [VARIOUS DESIGNERS]. Group of 5 Cyrk Posters Featuring Lions. Circa 1960s-70s.
• Lot 0138 — ASLAN (Alain Gourdon, 1930-2014). Folies Bergere / Folies de Paris.
• Lot 0139 — The Elephant Man and Chained for Life. Three movie posters and one lobby card.
• Lot 0140 — The Greatest Show on Earth. Three posters.
• Lot 0141 — The Greatest Show on Earth. Two lobby card sets.
• Lot 0142 — Circus World Technicolor Advertising Proofs. Circa 1964.
• Lot 0143 — Al. G. Kelly and Miller Bros / Circus. Circa 1950s.
• Lot 0144 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus / [Lion & Tiger].
• Lot 0145 — Cole Bros. Circus / Jennie O'Brien Famous Equestrienne.
• Lot 0146 — Pair of Cristiani Bros. Circus Posters. Circa 1950s.
• Lot 0147 — Cristiani Bros. Circus / Finest Menagerie on Earth.
• Lot 0148 — Pair of Lewis Bros. 3 Ring Circus Posters. Circa 1940s.
• Lot 0149 — Nine Carson & Barnes Circus Posters. 1990s/2000s.
• Lot 0150 — Group of 18 Carson & Barnes Circus Posters.
• … and 518 more lots

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