Archives

Tibbals Greeting Card Collection

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Tibbals Greeting Card Collection

Overview

Administrative Information

Historical Note

Description of the Papers

Contents of the Collection

Overview

Repository Archives

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

5401 Bay Shore Road

Sarasota, Florida 34243

archives@ringling.org

Creator Tibbals, Howard, 1936 –

Title Tibbals Greeting Card Collection

Dates 1850s – 1998

Physical Description 3.5 linear feet

Physical Description 472 items

Language English, German

Arrangement Organized in one series arranged in alphabetical order by name of

circus or last name of correspondent. Correspondent names and

dates are noted when present on the cards. Those with no

correspondent information are noted as blank.

Summary The Tibbals Greeting Card Collection holds cards received by

Janet and Howard Tibbals over the years as well as cards from the

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circus collections he has acquired. The collection contains

predominantly Christmas cards from major 20th century American

circuses and New Year’s greeting cards with the exception of a

Valentine’s Day card from the Kenneth Feld family. There are

Christmas cards originating from circuses, performers, circus fans

and non-circus sources. Some cards include envelopes and contain

handwritten notes. Many of the cards sent by circuses were signed

by individual employees of that particular circus, such as the

general representative or the advertising manager. Blank cards do

not have a correspondent signature. Approximately half of the

cards are undated. Several incorporate original artwork and

designs. Of special interests are the cards illustrated by Bill

Ballantine and Roland Butler as well as the outstanding artwork

created for Carl Hagenbeck, Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus and

the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Administrative Information

Provenance Collected by Howard Tibbals who purchased collections of other

collectors including those of James Dunwoody and Harold Dunn.

Information about Access Use of certain materials is restricted by statute, by the office of

origin, or by the donor. For the protection of its collections, the

Archives also reserves the right to restrict access to records which

are not arranged, are being processed, or are exceptionally valuable

or fragile. In some cases, copies may be substituted for the

originals.

Ownership & Copyright Copyright status for the material is unknown. Transmission or

reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title

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17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written

permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public

domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of

the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively

with the user.

Cite As The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Florida State

University, Tibbals Greeting Card Collection, and should include

the box and folder listing.

Processing Notes Processed by C. Smithers. Finding aid completed and edited by H.

Connor October 2015. Updated April 2016.

Historical Note

Cards date from the 1920’s through the 1990’s. There is one greeting card in the collection that

dates back to the 1850’s from Strand, London. During the 19th century, many middle class

families began using greeting cards as a form of annual communication. These cards were often

sent before or during holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas, New Year’s, and birthdays.

Greeting cards were often chromolithographed and were embellished with moveable parts,

tassels, and cut out shapes. Greeting cards were also personalized by the sender with handwritten

messages. However, during the 20th century, as disposable income by the middle class in the

west began to grow along with workers demanding better conditions and pay, the makers of such

elaborate cards declined. In order to keep up with high demands, greeting cards became the

typical shape we see today with humorous line drawings or works of art.

Description of the Papers

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The Tibbals Greeting Card Collection holds cards received by Janet and Howard Tibbals over

the years as well as cards from the circus collections he has acquired.

Contents of the Collection

Box no. Box title Folder no. Folder title

1 A-Ch

1 No source identified, with cards featuring Buffalo

Bill-Miller Bros, Wild West Show Band season

1916; John Robinson Circus Band 1899 season;

Ringling Bros. Circus Band 1901 season; and Henry

D. Keys, cornetist and band director, undated.

2 No source, featuring Sells-Floto Circus, undated.

3 No source, one side show and one general, undated.

4 _____, Nedra and Chuck, undated.

5 _____, Jenny and Andy, undated.

6 _____, John, children’s menagerie, undated

7 _____, Dilly and Oliver, undated.

8 _____, Van, photograph with Walter L. Main, no

date.

9 _____, Quida and Ginger, no date.

10 Adler, Felix: undated; 1929; and 1945.

11 Aitchison, Ned and Helen, 1963.

12 Al*F*Wheeler’s New Model Shows, 1930.

13 AL G. Barnes Circus, 1926.

14 AL G. Barnes Wild Animal Circus: S. L. Cronin

manager, 1929; 2 blank, 1930; Wm. Denney and

Jack McAfee, 1932; and S. L. Cronin, manager, and

undated, S. L. Cronin manager, 1936.

15 AL G. Barnes and Sells-Floto Combined Circus,

S.L. Cronin, manager, 1937.

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16 AL G. Kelly and Miller Bros. Circus: 1961; seven

unique, Arthur W. “Art” Miller, general

representative, undated, 1951, 1954, 1956, and

1958; Arthur E. Bitters, director of publicity,

undated; The Millers, undated, 1953, 1955, 1956,;

The Miller family, 1952 and Obert and D. R. Miller,

1963.

17 Arnold, Ray, 1952.

18 Atwell & Atwell, 1944.

19 Baker, Senator and Mrs. Howard, 1974.

20 Ballantine, Bill and Berta, 1946 and 1954.

21 Barker, Fred G., 1935-1936.

22 Barlow III, Marylyn and George, three undated.

23 Barnett Bros. Circus, 1932 and 1933.

(Beaconsfield Terrace, London W).

24 Bartok Circus: Doc, Betty and Lil David Bartok,

undated.

25 Baugh, Harry, Circus Fans of America, 1930.

26 Cirkus Berny, undated.

27 Big Apple Circus, Don Covington, undated and

1998.

28 Biller Bros. Circus, Mr. and Mrs. Winn Partello,

1950.

29 Bowers, Mr. and Mrs. Bert C. undated.

30 The Braathens, undated.

31 Bradna, Ella and Fred, undated.

32 The Brunetts, no date

33 Buckingham, Walter, M., Circus Fans of America,

undated and 1935.

34 Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill, no date.

35 Bundy, Rudy and Katie, undated and 1972.

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36 Butler, Roland and Estelle M., undated.

37 The Campbell family, no date.

38 Cancie, Mr. and Mrs. N. Harry, 1930.

39 Carson & Barnes Circus: undated, 1991, and 1993.

40 Chambers, Spencer, 1947.

41 Chipman, Harry, 1937 and 1940.

42 Christian, Gene, 1964-1965.

43 Christy, Mayor George and Mrs. W. “Beth” and

George, Jr. undated and 1972.

2 Ci-E

1 Cinema Circus, 1960.

2 Circus Flora, ca 1990.

3 Circus World Museum: blank, undated; Bob

Parkinson, 1973; 1973; blank, 1974; blank, 1976;

and blank, 1977.

4 Clark, Walter L. no date

5 Clark, Mildred and Bud, no date.

6 Clyde Beatty Circus: Clyde and Harriett Beatty,

1946; Arthur E. Bitters, 1951; and undated.

7 Clyde Beatty Cole Bros. Combined Circus,: Edna

Antunes, Sec’y Treas. 1967-1968; Arthur E. Bitters,

advertising manager, 1958-1959 and 1959-1960;

Roger Boyd, equestrian director 1970, 1971 and

1976; Harry Brown, public relations, 1966-1967

and 1967-1968; Roland Butler, art director 1960-

1961; William Elbrin, public relations, 1967-1968;

Theo Forstall, road show treasurer 1960-1961;

Floyd King, general agent, 1958 – 1966; Steve

Kuzmicz, advertising car manager 1960-1961 and

1961-1962; Frank McCloskey, 1962-1963, 1965-

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1966, and 1967-1968; Walter Rairden, legal

adjuster 1960-1961 and 1961-1962; Robert F.

Reynolds, general superintendent 1967-1968 and

1969; Charles Seldman, contracting agent 1964; and

Col. Roy F. Zinser, dir. Public relations, 1970,

1971, 1974, 1975, and 1976.

8 Cole Bros. – Clyde Beatty Circus, blank, 1935.

9 Cole Bros. Circus: Floyd King, advance manager

and press staff, R. B. Dean, Robert E. Hickey and

Ora O. Parks, 1936; Cole and Mrs. Harry Thomas,

1936; Jess Adkins and Zack Terrell, owners, 1937;

George Banque, 1944; Ralph Havis Miller, 1944;

and blank, 1945.

10 Colleano, Winnie and Con, undated and 1948.

11 Condon, Chalmer, undated.

12 Codona, Alfredo, 1931-1932.

13 Conley, M. D., H. H., 1941.

14 Cook, Frank A., undated.

15 Cridlebaugh, Jr., Cam, ten undated.

16 Cristiani Bros. Circus, blank, two undated.

17 Cristiani-Wallace Bros. Circus, Pete and Norma

Cristiani, ca 1962.

18 Cutler, John, no date.

19 Dailey Bros. Circus: Bertha Drane, ca 1946; The

Davenports, ca 1947; F. Beverly Kelley, 1948;

blank, ca 1949 and blank, ca 1950.

20 Davenport, Lulu, 1929-1930.

21 Dawson, Stanley F., undated.

22 Denman, M. G.: undated; 1933; 1934; and 1935.

23 Dhotre, Damoo & Sonia: 1970 and 1971.

24 Diano Bros. Circus, blank, 1953.

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25 Downie Bros Circus: Jerome T. Harriman, general

agent, 1927; Charles Sparks, manager, ca 1930; and

Harry Mack, 1939.

26 Duffy, George: undated; 1927; and 1934-1935.

27 Dunn, Harold, 1944.

28 Evans, Merle: undated and ca 1983.

3 F-J

1 Fairhurst, Mr. and Mrs. Ted, 1944.

2 Feld, Bonnie and Kenneth; undated and 1993.

3 The Felds, undated.

4 Feld, Irvin and Kenneth, ca 1984 and undated.

5 Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. Bob, undated.

6 Francis, Don B., miniature circus and collection of

circusania, two undated.

7 Frank, Henry John, 1949.

8 Frye, Edward, N., 1930.

9 F. S. Wolcott Rabbit Foot Show (minstrel show),

blank, ca 1912.

10 GAC-Hamid, Inc., blank, ca 1950s.

11 Grace, John P., 1927.

12 Grand Continental Circus, 1927-1928

(reproduction).

13 Great American Circus, blank, undated and 1992.

14 Green, Bill “Calliope Bill,” 1951.

15 Gonzales, Chuck and Nedra, undated.

16 Haag, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest: undated; 1930; 1933;

and 1934.

17 Haag, Mr. and Mrs. Harry, 1930.

18 Hagen Bros. Circus, Joel McMahon and Jack La

Pearl, ca 1953.

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19 Hagenbeck, Carl: undated; 1951; 1955; 1957; 1959;

1960; 1961; 1964; and 1965.

20 Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus: Eddie and Janil

Brownil, undated; Ira M. Watts, ca 1925-1932; J. C.

Donahue, 1920s; J. R. Clawson, ca 1934; and Jess

Adkins, manager, ca 1931.

21 Hagenbeck Wallace and Forepaugh Sells Bros

Combined Circus, ca 1935.

22 Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows Company, 1920.

23 Hammond, Harry, 1986.

24 Hanneford Circus, 1993 envelop only.

25 Happytime Dog and Pony Circus: blank, ca 1969-

1991; 1993-1994; and 1997.

26 Harper, Joy, 1930 and 1933.

27 Hartless, Frank, 1934.

28 Henderson, J. Y., undated.

29 Heniott, John and Mary Ruth, six unique, undated.

30 Holst, Tim, 1985 and three undated.

31 Hughes, Emily and B. F. “Doc”, no date.

32 Hunt Bros. Circus, blank, 1942.

33 Hunt, Charles T., undated.

34 Hunt’s Circus: 1947; The Hunt family, 1950; and C.

T. Hunt and family, ca 1951.

35 Ingham, Rex M., undated and Mr. and Mrs. Rex

Ingham and son, 1946.

36 International All Star Circus, Frank Fallon, undated.

37 Le Claire, Jackie, 1995.

38 Jacobs, Terrell, 1948.

39 John Pawling Circus: H. J. Rambaugh, 1949.

40 John Robinson Circus: undated, ca 1900 and 1927.

41 Joseph, Herman, five unique, 1960s.

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42 Jung, Elsie and Paul, undated.

4 K – M

1 Kasiska, William, 1946 and two undated.

2 Kay Bros. Circus, Oscar Decker, undated.

3 Kelley, Beverly, undated.

4 Kelly, Emmett: six unique undated; two unique

1948; 1959; 1963; 1969; 1970; and 1971.

5 Kelly- Miller Circus, Art Miller, general

representative, 1966-1967.

6 Kern, Henry, ca 1930.

7 King, Bob and Agnes, undated.

8 Kitchie, Mr. and Mrs. Si, 1933.

9 Knecht, Karl and Kae, undated.

10 King Bros. Circus: The Boyds, undated; Floyd

King and A. F. Maley, 1954 and 1955; Bob

Snowden, manager, 1955; Johnny Fulgham, 1962;

and James M. Cole, general manager and Floyd

King, general agent, 1967, and Art Miller, undated.

11 King Bros. Cristiani Circus: Bill Wilcox and blank,

1953.

12 King Royal Bros. Circus: John, Charles, &

Davenport families, undated and 1995.

13 Knecht, Karl, member of Circus Fans of America:

undated; 1926; 1927; and 1933.

14 Kunzog, John C.: undated; two unique 1968; 1969;

1970-1971; 1971;1972; 1973; 1974-1975; 1975-

1976; 1977; 1978; 1978; 1979; 1980 and 1981.

15 Lalage, two undated.

16 Leonard, John V., undated.

17 Lerche, Bill and Jenny, Circus Fans no date.

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18 Lester, Mr. and Mrs. William J., undated.

19 Linney, William, member Circus Fans of America,

1927.

20 London Zoological Garden, ca 1868.

21 The Mac Dougalls, two ca 1992.

22 McGuire, Frank and Evelyn, 1930.

23 Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West, three unique,

blank, undated.

24 Mills Bros. Circus: Jack and Jake Mills, undated;

1947, and ca 1948.

25 Minchin, Joseph E., member Circus Fans of

America, 1933 and Phyllis and Joe Minchin, 1940.

26 Morell, Eliza and Forrest, no date.

27 Morris-Castle Show, blank, 1928 and ca 1945.

28 Museum of the American Circus, blank, 1945 –

1955.

5 Ne – Ri

1 Garner, Newton, undated and 1930.

2 Noell’s Ark, ca 1970s.

3 Odom, Dan, undated and 1926.

4 Oliver, William L., undated and 1956.

5 Parker and Watts Circus, blank, ca 1938-1939.

6 Parks, Mr. and Mrs. undated.

7 Pawnee Bill, ca 1888 – 1908.

8 Polack Bros. Circus, 1960.

9 Posey, Jake; undated and 1933.

10 Raymond Mander and Joe Mitchenson Theatre

Collection, undated.

11 Reynolds, Richard J., undated.

12 Rimmer, E. Strand, London, ca 1960.

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13 Ringling, Edith, undated.

14 -----, Blanch, Ringling Bros Circus, undated.

15 Ringling Bros. Circus, George W. Burkhart,

manager advance car no.1, ca 1909.

16 Ringling Bros World’s Greatest Shows, Lester

Thompson, 1918.

17 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, 1921.

18 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, George

Hartzell, principal clown, 1922.

19 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, Roland

Butler, 1922.

20 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, Herbert S.

Quantom, 1923 – 1924.

21 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, 1924-1925.

22 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, Jno M.

Kelley, 1925-1926.

23 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, Frank A.

Cook, 1927.

24 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, 1928 and

1929.

25 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, 1930-1931.

26 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, 1931.

27 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, 1932-1933.

28 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Dexter W.

Fellows and Samuel W. Gumpertz, 1933.

29 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Dexter W.

Fellows, Frank A. Cook, and unknown, 1934.

30 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Roland

Butler, general press representative, J. C. Donahue,

traffic manager; and Eddie Jackson, 1935.

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31 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Walter S.

Wappenstein, 24 Hour Man; Ralph J. Clawson,

legal adjuster; and Frank A. Cook, 1936.

32 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Roland

Butler, general press representative, 1937 and blank

1938.

33 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: John Ringling

North; Roland Butler, general press representative,

1939.

34 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Roland

Butler, general press representative, 1940.

35 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: William J.

Conway, contracting agent, 1937-1941.

36 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Frank Braden,

1942 and blank, 1943.

37 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Ed M.

Jackson, ca 1946.

38 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Mildred and

Leonard Aylesworth and blank, 1947; Roland

Butler; John and Henry Ringling North and blank,

1948.

39 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Allen J.

Lester; The Concellos; and Roland Butler, publicity

director, 1949.

40 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, blank;

Mildred and Leonard S. Aylesworth; Roland Butler,

general press representative; Arthur M. Concello;

Frank McClosky; John and Henry Ringling North;

and Rick Pfining, 1950.

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41 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: blank; Roland

Butler, director of publicity; Arthur, Antoinette and

Randy Concello; and Nena Thomas, 1951.

6 Ri-Sh

1 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Mr. and Mrs.

J. Besser; The Buckharts; Roland Butler, publicity

director; Arthur M. Concello; Arthur, Antoinette

and Randy Concello; Don Kidder; and Pat Valdo,

1952.

2 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: blank; Bill

Ballantine; The Burkhardts; Count Nicholas;

Donald Kidder; Mary Jane and Mike Miller; and

John and Henry Ringling North, 1953.

3 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: blank; Bill

Ballantine; Hilda and Noyelles Burkhardt; Roland

Butler, publicity director; Donald Kidder and Frank

and Fannie McClosky, 1954.

4 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Rudy Bundy;

Harold Genders; and Pat Valdo, 1964.

5 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: The Feld

Family and The Hofheinz Family, 1968.

6 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, ca 1971.

7 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey: Valentine’s

Day card, ca 1995; Bill; and Peter Kubig, ca 1995.

8 Roberts Bros. Circus, 1982.

9 The Royal Hanneford Circus: Tommy and Struppi,

undated and Tommy, Struppi and The Royal

Hanneford Circus, 1998.

10 Royal Wild West Circus: four unique, undated;

Ozzie & Lila, 1969 and Ozzie & Lila, 1971.

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11 Rudy Bros. Circus, blank, undated.

12 Rudynoffs, Rudy and Erna, two unique, undated.

13 Runser Bros. Circus: 1964, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971,

1973, and 1974.

14 Rupp’s Circus and Animal Acts, undated.

15 Russel Bros. Circus: Arthur and Antoinette

Concello and Bill and Edna Antes, ca 1943.

16 Saluto, Little Frankie, undated.

17 Sateja, Chuck, undated.

18 Schlentz, Ozzie & Lila, undated.

19 Seibert, B. E., undated.

20 Seibert, Marion, undated.

21 Seils - Sterling, three, undated and Albert C. and

Sister Clara, undated.

22 Shell Bros. Circus, undated.

23 Sells and Gray Combined Circus: two undated

blank; Arthur M. Miller, general representative,

1961 and Charles Boas, general agent, ca 1977.

24 Shook, Mr. and Mrs. William, 1927 and 1930.

25 Smith, A. Morton, Dan and Jerry, undated.

26 Smith, Don F., Circus Historical Society, two

undated.

27 Somers, Ellsworth W., 1949.

28 Sonnenberg Bros Circus, Patty Sonnenberg, 1973.

29 Sparks Circus, Roland Butler, general press

representative, 1928.

30 Spotlight Graphics, Pat Davison, undated and 1992.

31 Stacey, Don, undated.

32 Stark, Mabel, ca 1965.

33 Stensvad, Arthur, no date.

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34 Sturtevant, C. G., historian, Circus Fans

Association, ca 1950.

35 The Billboard, Nat Green, ca 1945.

36 The Circus Inn, undated.

37 Tinn, Mr. and Mrs. Steve, no date.

38 Toby Tyler Circus: Frank Myers, Margaret Myers

and Clarence Randall, ca 1985 – 1988.

39 Tom Pack’s Circus, blank, undated.

40 The Tracy’s, no date.

41 United Nations Circus: Doc, Tina, Betty and Dave

Bartok, 1962.

42 Valdo, Pat, undated.

43 Van Arnam, John and the Uncle Ezra Barn Dance

Frolics, 1935.

44 Voise, Harold and Eillen, 1958.

45 Wagner, Jacob, Circus Fans of America, undated.

46 Walker Bros. Circus: Mary, Jane Bob, and Blossom

the elephant, 1998.

47 The Wallendas: Helen and Karl, undated and the

Wallendas, undated.

48 Walter L. Main Circus, Fletcher Smith, general

press representative, ca 1921.

49 Ward, Joe E., ca 1945.

50 Ward-Bell Circus, A. Morton Smith, public

relations director, ca 1955.

51 W. H. Wilkie’s Circus, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Tingle,

ca 1950.

52 Williams, Cleveland, Circus Fans of America, 1935

and 1936.

53 Williams, the Gunther Gebel Williams family, 1993

and undated.

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54 Williams, Peggy, 1995.

55 Wilson, Burt, 1936.

56 Winter, Marie and Wallace, no date

57 Wixom, Clyde, undated.

58 Woodcock, Buckles and Barbara, undated.

7 Oversized materials

1 Barnum & Bailey staff with Buffalo Bill’s Wild

West, 1903-1904.

2 Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, a peace congress bringing

nations and us together, ca 1906.

3 The Circus Fans Association of America, ca 1949-

1951.

4 Duffy, George, 1930.

5 Kenneth Feld family: 1971; early 1980s; 1981 and

1985.

6 Hertzberg, Harry, 1930 and 1939.

7 Hoxie Bros. Circus, 3 unique, undated.

8 Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, 1941.