1848 ISAAC VAN AMBURGH TRAINED WILD ANIMALS CIRCUS BROADSIDE ADVERTISING POSTER

Description

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE and historically important, original 1848 illustrated American Circus / trained Wild Animal Advertising Broadside Streamer Poster for an appearance of “Mr. Van Amburgh and His Unequaled Collection of Trained Animals” as the Traveling Circus established by the preeminent wild animal trainer and American Circus pioneer Isaac Van Amburgh was then known.
This exceptionally rare, wonderful and very early, Circus Advertising Broadside measures approx. 8 7/8” by 16 3/4” and is printed on a delicate, paper stock. It advertises an appearance of the preeminent Wild Animal Trainer Isaac Van Amburgh at the Theater Royal, Edinburgh on November 14, 1848. Van Amburgh would perform that night for only the fourth time in an adaptation of “The Wandering Jew” titled “Morok The Beast Tamer”. This production was written specifically as a vehicle to showcase Van Amburgh and his Trained Wild Animals – mostly various Big Cats including lions, panthers, jaguars, leopards and tigers. Included on the Broadside is a simply fantastic wood block illustration depicting Van Amburgh grappling with a jaguar while Arabian warriors look on in astonishment.
Isaac A. Van Amburgh (1808–1865) was an American animal trainer who developed the first trained wild animal act in modern times. By introducing jungle acts into the circus, Van Amburgh paved the way for combining menageries with circuses. After that, menageries began using equestrian and clown performances in circus rings. Gradually the distinction between circus and menagerie faded. From the humble beginning of cage-cleaner in the Zoological Institute of New York, Van Amburgh quickly gained notoriety for his acts of daring, for example placing his bare arm and even head inside the jaws of a wild cat. Also known for his domineering attitude toward his animals, he earned the title "The Lion King." Despite the disapproval of some for his brutal treatment of animals, Van Amburgh remained very popular and successful, beginning his own menagerie which he took to Europe. He died a wealthy man, and his name continued to be used in the circus world for more than a century after.
While we have owned a number of 19th century Traveling Circus Advertising Broadsides over the past 42+ years this is the first and earliest such Broadside Poster we have ever encountered depicting Isaac Van Amburgh and Advertising a performance of his first and most important Trained Wild Animal act. This is certainly among THE earliest example of a Broadside Poster from an American Circus Trained Wild Animal Show that is likely to come to the market and is worthy of a place at the center of even the most advanced American Circus Collection!!!
This exceptionally rare and original, 1848 Trained Wild Animal Illustrated Theatrical Broadside is in very good condition. The printed text and illustrations are dark and bold and the Broadside displays nicely. The sheet is clean and crisp with no significant soiling or staining. There are two small tears at the upper corners that have been repaired using archival document repair tape and there are two small piece of black paper affixed to the back of these corners that testifies to the fact that the Broadside was once tipped onto a backing. Overall this nearly 175 year old Van Amburgh Trained Wild Animal Circus, Theatrical Advertising Broadside is very well preserved and will display beautifully with a quality matting and framing. Please see the scans below for a good representation of the content and condition of this exceptionally rare, mid 19th century Van Amburgh Trained Wild Animal Show / Circus Broadside Poster.
An exceptionally rare and original, 1848 illustrated American Circus / trained Wild Animal Advertising Broadside Streamer Poster for an appearance of “Mr. Van Amburgh and His Unequaled Collection of Trained Animals” and a fantastic addition to any Circus, Trained Animal or Theatrical Collection!!!
This Historically Important, 1848 American Circus Illustrated Advertising Broadside Poster is offered here, as always, without reserve and with the confidence that it will attract the serious attention that it justly deserves!!!
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