S. H. Barrett & Co.'s New United Monster Railroad Show broadside poster

(New Castle, PA.): New Castle Courant, 1896. First Edition. Poster. Very Good. First Edition. Poster. "Next to the Presidential election, the greatest occurrence among the people of this section this year will be the advent of S. H. Barrett & Co.'s great show, which will exhibit in Walnut Ridge on Saturday, October 18th. This monster organization, the fame of which extends over two hemispheres, comes to us with the highest encomiums favorably given from all quarters. We can safely say ourselves that the man or woman who misses this opportunity of seeing the greatest show in the world (that is what it is) will not have our sympathy if the miss was intentional, because sympathy will be needed and much vain regret will be in order - after the show has gone - by those who did not see it." Full page (14"x21") of the New Castle Courant (Pennsylvania), in fine condition, advertising the imminent arrival of S.H. Barrett and Co.'s Monster Railroad Shows. Illustrated with engravings depicting the wonders that await anyone lucky enough to dwell in the territories through which this apparently gargantuan (Barrett's was second only to Ringling's in terms of fame, and may in fact have eclipsed them on occasion in the early 1880's) convoy of marvels. The Wonderful Charest Family and their bicycle riding on the high wire shenanigans; a multiplicity of equestrian marvels; bears with guns, which seems unsafe; and a group of gaudily Asiatic gentlemen producing birds, rabbits, cats and a rather disgruntled looking piglet out of a sack whilst in the background a man shoves burning swords into his mouth. Clearly a good time is going to be had by all, or at least everyone not on fire. The images are surrounded by lists of the other fabulousness on display in a beautiful example of the kind of perfect storms of typefaces and composition that only circuses seem to take advantage of. These include "6 Complete Circus Companies Combined"; "7 Enormous Metropolitan Menageries United." and making mention of the " Egyptian Caravan and Universal Exposition of Living Wonders." which sounds awesome. Combine that smorgasbord of crazy with "A Gigantean Riding Cynocephalus" (which I am guessing must be a massive baboon, thus appearing really high on the list of "things I am not going to sit on"), "30 Arabian Camels"; "The Only Genuine Horned Horse"; "Xerxes, the largest animal in Captivity and nearly 200 years old."; "10 Funny Clowns." (which is the only thing I don't believe) and most mystifyingly "The Great and Only Low Comedy Bear, Bruno." In addition to the Jubilee Cabin Shouters there is also a free Steam Air Ship outside the grounds. One of the most interesting things to take away from this unlikely survival of an extremely bygone age and form of entertainment; is the effort, expense and hardship involved in travelling around the United States with all of that in tow. Barrett's travelled in their own railroad convoy, and tour diaries recount derailments, escaped animals, murder, racism and hostility. It appears that a yearly tour that didn't result in several deaths and 20 injuries was a good one. It must have been a hard life, and its only remaining relics are mostly pieces of paper like this one. "Next to the Presidential election, the greatest occurrence among the people of this section this year will be the advent of S. H. Barrett & Co.'s great show, which will exhibit in Walnut Ridge on Saturday, October 18th. This monster organization, the fame of which extends over two hemispheres, comes to us with the highest encomiums favorably given from all quarters. We can safely say ourselves that the man or woman who misses this opportunity of seeing the greatest show in the world (that is what it is) will not have our sympathy if the miss was intentional, because sympathy will be needed and much vain regret will be in order - after the show has gone - by those who did not see it.". Double sided printed broadsheet from newspaper edition. Minimal chipping and toning, else wrapped in mylar on board. 14.5x21" in black with illustrations.