R. T. Richards Supreme Show of the World

This letterhead for the R.T. Richards Supreme Show of the World was used in 1917-18 (Chris Berry Collection)

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, and rail lines for transport).[2]

Founding

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]

Decline

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]

Elephants

Richard Ringling bought five elephants for this circus from William Preston Hall.[2] One of these elephants was Black Diamond[7] who later killed several people during the Al G. Barnes Circus parade in Corsicana, Texas on October 12, 1929.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Circus Historical Society (September 1, 1996). Bandwagon Vol 40 No 5 (1996).
  2. 1 2 Circus Historical Society (January 1, 2011). Bandwagon Vol 55 No 1 (2011).
  3. ↑ NJ.com, Marisa Iati | NJ Advance Media for (January 16, 2017). "Ringling Bros. circus closing but its deep ties to N.J. remain". nj. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Circus Historical Society (October 1, 2014). Bandwagon Vol 58 No 4 (2014).
  5. 1 2 3 Hammarstrom, David (January 15, 1994). Big Top Boss: John Ringling North and the Circus. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-06405-0.
  6. ↑ Circus Historical Society (September 1, 1996). Bandwagon Vol 40 No 5 (1996).
  7. ↑ Circus Historical Society (July 1, 1992). Bandwagon Vol 36 No 4 (1992).
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