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History of the Inter-Cooperative Council of Ann Arbor

Men in Costume Pose for Photo

Item

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

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