Ringling brothers

"To build up that relationship of trust between a handler and an elephant is absolutely sacred," says the circus' Director of Animal Stewardship.

Ringling Brothers, family of U.S. circus proprietors who created the Ringling Brothers circus empire in the late 19th century. They organized their first small circus in 1884. In 1907 they bought the Barnum & Bailey Circus, becoming the leading circus in the U.S., the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

The Ringling brothers built a fortune after creating the "Greatest Show on Earth." Here's how the legendary circus family fell from riches to rags.

The Urmann’s Affiche Circus Knie, ontwerp en druk Adolph Friedländer, 1927 Signatuur: TEY0010001785 Collectie: Jaap Best DOWNLOAD

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus returning to Coney Island after deal with landlord BY Erin Durkin DAILY NEWS WRITER Wednesday, March 17th 2010, 4:00 AM The circus is back in town. …

1900 – Ringling Bros.; Portraits of the five brothers

The Greatest Show on Earth - Ringling Brothers

Dare to wear the foolish clown face Mexican Clown Jandaschewsky Clowns 1900, Australia Australian acrobats, ca. 1890s. La Sousa Clown Band at Luna Park, 1909 Clown by Frederick W. Glasier, 1902 Pete and Florence Mardo, sparks circus 1923. By Frederick W. Glasier 1930's…

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey arrives in L.A. this week missing some of its best known stars: the elephants. Q&A with a show producer and animal trainer about the evolution of the circus.

Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus Show Posters May Wirth 1910-1920 by janwillemsen, via Flickr