In the archive there is a large flat box labelled ‘Circus Posters’ (WHI/D2/D2.4/3) which features simple, disposable handbills about 23cm wide and 50cm long, with woodcut illustrations, announcing the arrival of the travelling circus. The paper is thin and now fragile as they are 180 years old. They were not intended to last this long! They would have been printed quickly (and locally) a few days before the performances and pasted up around the town with tantalising tag lines about the thrills to come.
The posters in the box all date from 1841 to 1850 and the circuses seem to have been in town for three or four days. Locations vary – Union Mill Field, The Paddock on Silver Street and the Pier among them. The posters relate to Tourniaires and Cooke’s circuses.
Cooke’s Circus has an interesting history. Thomas Cooke started their first circus in the 1780’s. Robert Burns described seeing their fiddle player perform in 1784 in Mauchline, Scotland. By the turn of the 18th century the performing family were touring Scotland and England and were particularly known for their equestrian acts.
“Among the scenes of the ring, THE RIDING MASTERS LESSONS, An interesting equestrian act in which Mr Smith will introduce and Tutor The beautiful Steed, Victoria. In this Scene she will ungirth her saddle, take it off, and Fire off a Pistol, at the word of command.”
Cookes’ Circus, Silver Street, Whitby
Below is an example of an Equestrian performance:
In 1830 they became Cooke’s Royal Circus following a well-received performance before King William IV and Queen Adelaide – and by this time nearly 40 family members took part.
One of my particular favourites is ‘Mr Tomkinson the Clown with his newly invented Stomach Pump’, apparently a laughable scene…more stomach churning, I think!
If you are interested in viewing these posters email [email protected] to book an appointment. The library is open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm. Or listen to our ‘Talking Archive’ and discover more about circus life.
I decided to have a little search on the Digital Whitby Gazette and found a few articles relating to the circus in Whitby. One titled ‘A Storm In A Tea-Pot’ (WG July 3rd 1869) a meeting organised to protest the erection of a circus on the West Cliff. A meeting was held in the Iron Church to discuss this issue –
“That the meeting considered the field on the West Cliff not a proper site for the erection of the circus.” Sixteen hands were held up for the motion, and fifteen against it. The Chairman declared the proposition carried by the majority of one, and observed that at least six of the minority were given by boys – Mr Mortimer, the agent for the circus, wished to make a few remarks, but as the chairman ruled that the business of the meeting had terminated, the greater part of the company left the church with Mr Mortimer, who, when outside, said he merely wished to read the rector a letter respecting the circus from the Vicar of Doncaster but as it appeared to be only ‘a storm in a tea-pot,’ perhaps it was not worth his while to do so.”
The Circus did take place on Friday September 17th 1869 and featured acts such as “EUGENE THE MARVELLOUS!!! THE PRINCE OF TRAPEZISTS” and “DICK TURPINS RIDE TO YORK AND THE DEATH OF BONNY BLACK BESS”.
…and glowing reviews:
“Dick Turpin’s Ride to York and the Death of Bonny Black Bess, which has been received with deafening applause. The training of the beautiful mare exhibits an amount of skill and perseverance which it is difficult to conceive, and the character of Turpin is well maintained by Mr A.E.Cooke.”
Finishing with this interesting advert from October 1869…
The Digital Whitby Gazette is available for public use when the library is open where you can read these articles in more depth or do your own personal research.
By Claire Marris (Archive Development Officer) & Lynn Hilton (Volunteer)
#archivesforall #HeritageFund
