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This is a candid photograph of the tents being erected during the 1940s. Ringling Brothers USA.
These two amazing photographs are taken from the book British Circus Life by Lady Eleanor Smith and published in 1946. These two photos must be 1944 or 1945 and show the local children helping willingly to put the old circus together! I do remember this happening with the smaller circuses and never a problem. They would receive free tickets! Always great excitement for children to be involved with the circus and its tasks. Local schools would also become involved with visits and general knowledge. This circus was most popular at that time. It was called ‘Reco Brothers’. Reco and May (see other photos) were exceptional artistes at that time with Reco performing a comedy wire-walking routine and appeared with Bertram Mills.
A classical photograph of a rather classical circus Reco during the 1940s (most likely post-war) from the same book
Rico and May (photograph from Jim Stansfield)