The popularity of brass bands at the beginning of the 20th century is made evident by this image of musical performers in the Union Circus. The band, clad in clown costumes and police uniforms, holds a variety of instruments, including: trumpets, trombones, and tubas. The group of more than 12 men appears to be waiting for their performance to begin. The inscription below the photograph reads "A Bunch of Clowns"
A student in the Union Circus dubbed "A Tin Soldier" by the inscription under the image, trots through Ann Arbor on his dark horse. He is costumed from head to toe in metal material to appear as a knight. A large plum sticks up from the top of his helmet. Based on the circus' known parade route, the location the image was taken is likely along State Street.
A few people outside of the main large tent for the Barnum and Bailey's circus. Shows the ticket stand and a young boy with a bicycle next to a few signs reading "Barnum & Bailey Annex"
Four images of the Barnum and Bailey's circus in Eaton County. The first is of tarps being laid out in preparation to set up their tents, the second is of a man in an enclosure with a large snake, the third is of buffalo grazing in front of some tents, and the last is of a resting man.
A storefront in Escanaba, Michigan with four posters advertising the Carl Hagenbeck Circus coming to town on July 29th. Two of the advertisements are primarily typed information, one shows performers doing tricks, and one features a clown.
One of several activities in the Union Circus was a student-led chariot race. Two men, dressed in Roman costumes, race in chariots pulled by horses. A large crowed watches the performance from the sidelines of the Ferry Field ring.
Found within the Stowell Stebbins scrapbook, this Circus Guide Book is inscribed with the name "Miss Catherine Clarke". To illustrate the upcoming events, a red clothed clown appears to burst through the guide's cover. An artistic signature (Yanning?) is printed in the illustration's corner. The contents of the book exhibit advertisements for local businesses, the "Minstrel and Vaudeville Show," and the Chicago tent company hired by the circus. Amongst the advertisements are descriptions of circus features, including clowns. An illustration of a clown in blackface accompanies the description.
Inscribed "720 Lyndon", this image shows four clowns participating in the Union Circus. The circus ring, located in Ferry Field, is surrounded by bleachers full of people. They watch as the clowns run across the arena.
Taken from the Kapp scrapbook, this image is inscribed with "Lyndon. 1133" and captioned with sentence "Elephants at 'Parade Rest'". It depicts the Union Circus parade, temporarily paused next to the university campus. White students clad in blackface perform various roles as either elephant trainer or indigenous person. Their costumes depict stereotypes of native peoples and of South Asians. Circus goers watch with interest from the sidelines. The Ann Arbor trolly tracks can be seen along the grass.
A lengthy article describing the upcoming "Mammoth Circus" put on by University of Michigan students for the purposes of fundraising. The Union Circus was organized by Director Bert St. John of Detroit. Various acts, including dance routines, horse back competitions, a western stage show with "Michigamua Indians"(white men in brownface), a slide down the big tent's top, and a variety of unspecified children's activities. Students and people beyond Ann Arbor's city limits are encouraged to visit.
Three white men, costumed as stereotypical Native Americans, wear thin gowns and feathered headdresses. Additionally, the men are covered in brown makeup to mimic some Indigenous skin tones. The photograph is inscribed "INDIAN BRAVES". It's likely these men are part of the Union Circus' "Michigamua Indians" student group. Importantly, all members of this group were white men.
One of several blackface performances in the Union Circus, "Jumbo" the elephant and his guide drew much attention from the watching crowds. In place of real exotic animals, students dressed in animal costumes. The elephant, dubbed "Jumbo" by the inscription, required two students to act as legs. The white man guiding Jumbo wears a turban and blackface.
The phrase "All Together Julia-" is inscribed under the second image in the Low scrapbook.
