R.T. Richards Supreme Show of the World was a short-lived early 20th century American circus that toured during the 1917 and 1918 seasons. This circus was notable as an attempt to create a "hybrid overland-motorized show"[1] (using a combination of trucks and wagons for transport).[2]
This letterhead for the R.T. Richards Supreme Show of the World was used in 1917-18 (Chris Berry Collection)
Founded by Alfred T. Ringling's son, Richard T. Ringling (1895–1931) in 1917, it was based out of Ringling Manor in Jefferson Township, New Jersey.[3] The name of the circus was a reversal of the younger Ringling's personal name. Young Richard T. Ringling was known for his "reckless behavior" and pursuit of decadent indulgences.[4][5] The circus was essentially a gift from his father, who was hoping to persuade his child to fall in love with the family business.[5] However, the younger Ringling "lacked gusto" or genuine interest in the circus industry[5] and was generally said to have "failed miserably taking out the quasi-motorized R.T. Richards Circus in 1917."[4] There was an attempt to improve procedures for the 1918 season but the U.S. entrance into World War I made logistics an even greater challenge for non-essential civilian projects like circuses. The R.T. Richards Circus is remembered for proving "that operating a hybrid circus with selective use of railroad show procedures would not work."[6]
Richard Ringling bought five elephants for this circus from William Preston Hall.[2] One of these elephants was the notorious Black Diamond[7] who later went on to kill several people during the Al G. Barnes Circus parade in Corsicana, TX on October 12, 1929.
^Circus Historical Society (1996-09-01). Bandwagon Vol 40 No 5 (1996).
^ abCircus Historical Society (2011-01-01). Bandwagon Vol 55 No 1 (2011).
^NJ.com, Marisa Iati | NJ Advance Media for (2017-01-16). "Ringling Bros. circus closing but its deep ties to N.J. remain". nj. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
^ abCircus Historical Society (2014-10-01). Bandwagon Vol 58 No 4 (2014).
^ abcHammarstrom, David (1994-01-15). Big Top Boss: John Ringling North and the Circus. University of Illinois Press. ISBN978-0-252-06405-0.
^Circus Historical Society (1996-09-01). Bandwagon Vol 40 No 5 (1996).
^Circus Historical Society (1992-07-01). Bandwagon Vol 36 No 4 (1992).
January 01, 1970
richards, supreme, show, world, richards, supreme, show, world, short, lived, early, 20th, century, american, circus, that, toured, during, 1917, 1918, seasons, this, circus, notable, attempt, create, hybrid, overland, motorized, show, using, combination, truc. R T Richards Supreme Show of the World was a short lived early 20th century American circus that toured during the 1917 and 1918 seasons This circus was notable as an attempt to create a hybrid overland motorized show 1 using a combination of trucks and wagons for transport 2 This letterhead for the R T Richards Supreme Show of the World was used in 1917 18 Chris Berry Collection Founded by Alfred T Ringling s son Richard T Ringling 1895 1931 in 1917 it was based out of Ringling Manor in Jefferson Township New Jersey 3 The name of the circus was a reversal of the younger Ringling s personal name Young Richard T Ringling was known for his reckless behavior and pursuit of decadent indulgences 4 5 The circus was essentially a gift from his father who was hoping to persuade his child to fall in love with the family business 5 However the younger Ringling lacked gusto or genuine interest in the circus industry 5 and was generally said to have failed miserably taking out the quasi motorized R T Richards Circus in 1917 4 There was an attempt to improve procedures for the 1918 season but the U S entrance into World War I made logistics an even greater challenge for non essential civilian projects like circuses The R T Richards Circus is remembered for proving that operating a hybrid circus with selective use of railroad show procedures would not work 6 Richard Ringling bought five elephants for this circus from William Preston Hall 2 One of these elephants was the notorious Black Diamond 7 who later went on to kill several people during the Al G Barnes Circus parade in Corsicana TX on October 12 1929 See also editList of circuses and circus ownersReferences edit Circus Historical Society 1996 09 01 Bandwagon Vol 40 No 5 1996 a b Circus Historical Society 2011 01 01 Bandwagon Vol 55 No 1 2011 NJ com Marisa Iati NJ Advance Media for 2017 01 16 Ringling Bros circus closing but its deep ties to N J remain nj Retrieved 2023 02 20 a b Circus Historical Society 2014 10 01 Bandwagon Vol 58 No 4 2014 a b c Hammarstrom David 1994 01 15 Big Top Boss John Ringling North and the Circus University of Illinois Press ISBN 978 0 252 06405 0 Circus Historical Society 1996 09 01 Bandwagon Vol 40 No 5 1996 Circus Historical Society 1992 07 01 Bandwagon Vol 36 No 4 1992 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title R T Richards Supreme Show of the World amp oldid 1197078400, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
