Handbill: The Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth for Woonsocket, June 20, 1893 featuring Imre Kiralfy's Columbus

Handbill for The Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth performing at Woonsocket, June 20, 1893. Printed on yellow paper, Imre Kiralfy's production of "Columbus and the Discovery of America" is featured on both sides. On one side of the handbill, the advertisement for Columbus leads first, and is followed by promises of an immense three ring circus, beautiful ballets, two mammoth menageries, wild beasts, two droves and Asiatic camels, elephants, supernatural illusions, and a new million-dollar parade. Illustrated on this side are portraits of P.T. Barnum and J.A. Bailey at the top of the handbill; a circus ring with various riders and their horses running about; a long team of horses being driven by one rider; trapeze artists doing various feats;and another image of various horses performing in front of a circus crowd. The other side of the handbill features an illustration of more trapeze artists at the top, and at the bottom are riders and their horses performing tricks. The middle of the handbill is dedicated to promoting Imre Kiralfy's production of Columbus and the Discovery of America. The description boasts of the production's enormous cast and cost, as well as the pageantry of the performance. Illustrated is a scene titled superb ballet of 300 beauties before the Moorish king which features a number of women dancing in elaborate costume against a backdrop of people watching and Moorish influenced architecture behind them. Measures 28.5 by 10.25 inches. Printed by the Courier Company. Imre Kiralfy (originally Königsbaum) (January 1845-April 28, 1919) was a Hungarian born producer of spectacles, with a number of his elaborate productions being put on by the Barnum and Bailey circus. Originally working to produce shows with his brother Bolossy, the two put on what were known as spectacles - elaborately staged multi-media productions with music, lavish costuming, massive sets, dancing, extensive use of new electrical lighting, and minimal emphasis on dialogue. The two had a successful partnership, but split in 1887 following a falling out for reasons unknown. Imre went on to produce shows like Nero; or the Fall of Rome, Columbus and the Discovery of America and The Fall of Babylon that toured as a part of the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Kiralfy died in Brighton, England on April 28, 1919.