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Lillian Leitzel's dressing room warm-up rings and her contract for the season of 1922, signed by Charles Ringling. Gifted to the Tegge Circus Archives by William Codona-Adolph, 1992.
About the Collection
The TEGGE CIRCUS ARCHIVES has grown into an internationally-recognized resource of all things circus. The collection is constantly expanding, thanks in part to the generosity fellow collectors, performers, and enthusiasts like you. Over the past twenty-five years, countless people have contributed to its holdings, knowing that these materials are being conserved, exhibited, and being made accessible to the public. Such additions, whether a single item or an entire collection, often become the basis of new displays, research projects, lectures, seminars, and even live performances.
Monetary donations help maintain the collection; restore lithographs; digitize photographs, negatives, and film; preserve costumes and artifacts; and create new itinerant exhibitions.
A portion of the archives' acquisitions includes:
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THE KENT GHIRARD COLLECTION of original lithographs, photographs, and sideshow cabinet cards.
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THE TED SATO COLLECTION of original negatives and prints documenting the final five years of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus under canvas (1952-1956).
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THE CODONA FAMILY COLLECTION of original photographs, letters, documents, and costumes showcasing the famous Flying Codonas, Lillian Leitzel, Princess Victoria, and Circo Codona.
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THE HERMAN BRANDMILLER COLLECTION of original lithographs and ephemera.
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THE ROBERT HAYDEN hand carved, 1/2” scale miniature circus train.
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THE JAMES M. PARKER COLLECTION of original, professional clown costumes, props, photographs, documents, and ephemera.
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THE DOROTHY HERBERT COLLECTION of original lithographs, personal photographs, documents, and costumes.
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THE HAROLD HAMLYN COLLECTION of original motion picture footage (1930's-1980's).
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THE EARL TEGGE LIBRARY of rare and antiquarian books showcasing circus and variety artists worldwide.
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THE HENRY SYLVESTER BRAUN LIBRARY of rare and antiquarian books, films, and documents showcasing circus and wild west shows.
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THE BARRIE AND SHELAGH SLOAN COLLECTION of professional circus costumes, parade heads, and props.
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THE HAROLD STEKLY LIBRARY AND COLLECTION of rare and antiquarian books, photographs and slides, artifacts, and ephemera.
. . . and much, much more.
YOUR donation will help the TEGGE CIRCUS ARCHIVES continue its mission, expand its potential, and further realize its ultimate objective: to deliver the rich heritage of the circus to the doorstep of communities from coast to coast.
