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8vo; A rare 1878 broadside (printed on both sides) of W. C. Coup and his Equescurriculum circus. The sheet measures about 9 1/4 X 22 1/4 inches and is printed on purple tissue colored paper. The top edge has been trimmed, but the trimmed lettering can still be read. You can see a fold line, but otherwise in beautiful condition. Great woodcut of an octupus attacking a sailing ship. From Wikipedia: William Cameron Coup (1837 March 4, 1895) was a Wisconsin businessman who partnered with P. T. Barnum and Dan Castello in 1871 to form the "P. T. Barnum s Museum, Menagerie and Circus". Previously Barnum had a museum at a fixed location in New York City and the traveling circus allowed him to bring his curiosities to more paying customers. Coup's innovations were the circus train to transport the materials from town to town; and he added a second ring to the circus. His father was a tavern keeper in Indiana. After his mother died in 1849 he moved from Martin County, Indiana to Terre Haute, Indiana, to work as a printer. In 1853, he discovered Mabies' Grand Olympian Arena and U. S. Circus, the largest of the early touring shows. He took a job as a "mud-packer" and "all-around boy". Under Coup s direction, "P. T. Barnum s Great Roman Hippodrome" opened at the site of Madison Square Garden in 1874. Elephants, camels, ostriches, llamas, horses, chariot races, high wire acts and acrobatics were presented in a multiple ring format. In 1876, Coup opened the New York Aquarium and later organized "The Equescurriculum", "The New United Monster Shows" and several touring Wild West Shows. A train wreck near Cairo, Illinois, damaged him financially. The Chicago Museum and "The Enchanted Rolling Palaces" were his last business ventures. He died in Jacksonville, Florida on March 4, 1895. His autobiography is called Sawdust and Spangles. Ed Mabie and Jere Mabie sold the circus in 1865, he was their side show manager. Between 1866 and 1869, he managed the Yankee Robinson Circus then retired to livestock breeding in Delavan, Wisconsin. Former clown Dan Castello suggested an alliance with P. T. Barnum. On April 10, 1871, Coup and Barnum launched "P. T. Barnum s Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Circus and Hippodrome" in Brooklyn, New York. Using a big top support pole system he innovated and a specially designed end-loading rail system, he was able to travel 100 miles overnight. On one side of this broadside, Coup challenges any other show to compare with his, offering a cash reward. He profusely touts his show. Reverse side is A Spicy Interview with Mr. Coup, the Prince of Managers. States that the Equescurriculum Will Exhibit at Worcester, Mondya, Sept. 16th, 1878. Seller Inventory # 19014
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