SARASOTA - THE RINGLING I

Howard Bros. Model Circus

Sarasota was the winter quarters of the greatest names in the history of the circus. It's fitting that the Ringling Museum is located there. Now visitors are also able to see Howard C. Tibbals' 1/16th-scale miniature circus fully assembled in an area that's large enough to park 11 school buses. Begun in 1956 and dubbed the "Howard Bros. Circus", it depicts a circus coming to town on rail cars, complete with its sideshows, a parade of exotic animals and a big top with 7,000 intricately carved folding chairs. Tibbals has handcrafted nearly 1 million pieces to make up his miniature circus, including 1500 performers, 152 wagons, 7000 folding chairs for spectators, and dishes and tableware to serve 900 people. Everything can be packed up into the 55 train cars, also individually hand-crafted.

The display is designed to replicate the shows that toured from 1919 to 1938, although Tibbals has said he did depart to include exact replicas of some costumes from the 1952 film, "The Greatest Show on Earth".

The decision to post some of the photos from the Howard Bros Model Circus was a difficult one. There were several challenges in getting photographs. The reflective glass was the giant stumbling block. The lighting came from many directions and the figures were small. Inevitably some parts of the room were visible, except in the tight shots. And then there were those pesky other people. 

"Circus Day - By the early twentieth century, the circus was as American as apple pie and baseball.  Circus Day in any town or city was an annual tradition providing a brief escape from the everyday routine.  In some communities, schools and factories closed to allow everyone time to enjoy the wonders and sights of the circus grounds." 

Posters for the circus put up by an advance team.

The miniature video screen shows images of 1920's circus life.

The open-air bathrooms.

Take a look at this small curated gallery of photos of the Howard Bros. Circus on Flickr.