Vintage Circus

I love photos of almost anything vintage. I love the old circus photos because I can simultaneously remember wanting to go to the circus as a kid, and also wonder what it was like to live in a really small town, where the circus was maybe the most exotic thing that happened all year. The costumes were all handmade, so vivid and lovely. I wonder what it was like to be a renegade and run away and join the circus. How many options were there for women in the 40s and 50s? Housewife, secretary, oh, and circus performer!






All images from The Circus Book: 1870-1950 by Dominique Jando