American circus in London.- Horses.- The Great United States Circus, Howes and Cushing, Proprietors, Alhambra Palace, Leicester Sq....Programme, handbill programme, wood-engraved small royal arms at head and a decorative border, folds (the central horizontal with very short mostly marginal split), a few small holes, slight fraying to upper margin, the odd very small stain, lightly soiled and browned, 250 x 190mm., London, no printer, [1858-1859].

⁂ A rare survival. We cannot trace this particular issue in WorldCat. The circus travelled nationwide for a year prior to opening at the Alahambra Palace, where they remained for around a year. Here they gave a private performance for Queen Victoria on 14th May, 1858. In her journal she recorded 'a very varied and wonderful performance...[with] excellent riding - absurd mules...a very clever black horse which did all sorts of things (at a command, not ridden)...and some very amusing Bedouin Arabs'. The Great United States circus was strong in equestrian acts, including "Miss Ella", in fact Omar Kingsley, who famously performed in female guise, Emma Madigan ('the smallest Female Equestrienne now before the public'), Mr Davis Richards ('The Wild Horseman of the Praries'), and the famous American-bred 'Black Eagle', who 'seemingly understands every word spoken to him'.