Not currently on display at the V&A

Circus, Hull

Playbill
1806 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Circus was a relatively new form of entertainment in 1806, although trick riding and rope dancing were ancient fairground attractions. Circus brought these and other performance skills together, including ventriloquism and animal imitations at Hull in 1806, and the popular comic equestrian act The Tailor's Journey to Brentford that had been invented by Philip Astley showing the journey of the inexpert rider Billy Buttons going to vote at Brentford.

Since handbills like this were printed daily they could advertise a change of programme or issue an apology such as the one on this handbill apologising for the deficient horsemanship at a previous performance due to 'one of the Principal Riders being Lame'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleCircus, Hull (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Woodcut and letterpress
Brief description
Small poster or handbill for the Circus, Hull, advertising a change of performance on 14 October 1806, including The Tailor's Journey to Brentford, and 'Poney Races'. Printed by Robert Peck, Hull, 1806
Physical description
Letterpress handbill printed in a variety of typefaces, headed with Circus, Hull, advertising a change of performance for Tuesday 14th October, featuring Ventriloquism, the English Rosignol, Horsemanship, Slack Wire, Tight Rope, The Learned Spanish Poney, Venetian Performances, The Tailor's Journey to Brentford and 'the much-admired Poney Races'. Featuring a woodcut image of balancing feats on two table tops, and a horse on a pedestal, below which there is a manager's apology for the deficient horsemanship at a previous performance due to 'one of the Principal Riders being Lame'. With the time of the door opening, 6pm, the time of the performance starting, 7pm, and the prices of admission.
Dimensions
  • Height: 27.1cm
  • Width: 14.3cm
Gallery label
Circus was a relatively new form of entertainment in 1806, although trick riding and rope dancing were well-established fairground attractions. These and other performance skills were brought together in the Circus at Hull. Handbills like this were printed daily to advertise the changing programmes and, in this case, to thank the public for their ‘liberal Encouragement’.(16/08/2016)
Subject depicted
Summary
Circus was a relatively new form of entertainment in 1806, although trick riding and rope dancing were ancient fairground attractions. Circus brought these and other performance skills together, including ventriloquism and animal imitations at Hull in 1806, and the popular comic equestrian act The Tailor's Journey to Brentford that had been invented by Philip Astley showing the journey of the inexpert rider Billy Buttons going to vote at Brentford.

Since handbills like this were printed daily they could advertise a change of programme or issue an apology such as the one on this handbill apologising for the deficient horsemanship at a previous performance due to 'one of the Principal Riders being Lame'.
Collection
Accession number
S.231-1978

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Record createdMarch 15, 2007
Record URL
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