Men in Costume Pose for Photo

Title: Men in Costume Pose for Photo
Circus Name: Union Circus
Date: May 8th, 1909
Location of Event: Ferry Field, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Creator: Stowell Stebbins, collector; Lyndon, (potential) photographer
Subject: University of Michigan students dress in costume for their circus roles
Description: Students participating in the Union Circus dress in various costumes for a photograph. This photo was found in the scrapbook of former University of Michigan student, Stowell Stebbins. Some are knights and cavemen, while the most notable are animals (bear, rabbit, giraffe, monkey, and large cats). The image was inscribed "The Wild Beasts" which a caption below reading "GR-R-R-R-R-OWL", perhaps in reference to the large animals often found in other circuses of the day. No exotic animals made an actual appearance at the Union Circus, so students themselves filled that particular role. They pose for a group photo outside of the Ferry Field tents.
Rights Holder: Bentley Historical Library
References: Photograph, 1909, Lyndon, Box 2, Stowell Cortland Stebbins scrapbooks, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan