Payne, James A. (Tiny the Musical Clown)

Reflections of a Clown

S. l. (Santa Cruz [?]), By the author, 1981. Soft cover. First edition presumed, n. d. (ca 1981); 5 1/2 x 8 1/2; pp. i-vi, [2], 1-80 including text to last page; pink wraps, decorated in black; spine slightly faded; a few minor spots to upper margin of front cover; profusely illustrated with photographs, cartoons, and drawings; very good. James A. Payne was born in the early 1900s in Ithaca, NY. He entered the entertainment business at an early age - traveling with a circus as a barker and later performing as a magician and a clown. He also worked as a "ham" (an amateur radio operator). He spent his later years mostly in California and authored two other books: "The Best of Tiny" and "Tiny's Balloon Animal Zoo." His current book contained a short autobiography and amusing stories from his life as a clown, as well as tools of the trade, do's and don'ts of clowning, etc. Ill.: 0. Very Good .

ZH BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 000433

Catalogue: Circus

Keywords: Clowns, Circus, Autobiography, California 0

Strong, John

Big John Strong's Circus. A Proven Crowd Pleaser Approved by the State of California

Thousand Oaks, CA, Big John Strong's Circus, 1960. Large, tri-fold brochure; 11 x 17 1/4 unfolded; textured white stock, printed in bright red, blue,and yellow and illustrated with photographs; a bit of creasing to upper right corner; minor wear to edges; in very good or better condition. Unfolding to reveal a single, colorful, poster-like image, the brochure advertised Big John Strong's Circus, a major California attraction in the mid-20th century. Founded in 1948 by newlyweds John and Ruth Strong, the circus literaly started out with one dog and one pony, when they took the show on the road. It was successful and it got bigger and by 1954, they had bought a few acres in Thousand Oaks, for their "winter quarters," and had over 50 animals, which were trained by Ruth. Within 15 years, the show was one of the biggest, tented, three-ring ones around. The entire family, relatives and children, performed, including the 4-year-old daughter, who began riding the elephants at the age of 4. The Strongs retired and sold the circus in 1983. Very good .

ZH BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 002890

Catalogue: Circus

Keywords: Circus, California