Handbill advertising the Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth for Lowell, Mass. on Monday, June 22, 1891, featuring the interior of the Greatest Show on Earth on one side and "Nero; or the Destruction of Rome" on the other. Printed on yellow-green paper, the double sided handbill features a portrait of P.T. Barnum on the upper left of the front of the handbill, and J.A. Bailey on the right. The front of the handbill advertises the show "Nero; or the Destruction of Rome" directed and produced by Imre Kiralfy, tremendous open menageries, all kinds of thrilling races, the three rings of the circus, and supernatural illusions. Illustrated on the handbill is the interior of the Greatest Show on Earth, featuring all three rings of the circus with chaotic chariot races, the backdrop to the Nero production, clowns, and a great crowd; Roman standing races from the Nero show; and a hall of 40 supernatural illusions with individuals streaming past the illusions. The back of the handbill is dedicated solely to Imre Kiralfy's Nero, or the Destruction of Rome. A lengthy description of the show takes up most of the page, but the illustration at the top depicts the burning of Rome whose caption reads Tremendous tableau of Rome's destruction in Imre Kiralfy's stupendous spectacle of Nero. 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. Measures 28 inches by 10 inches. Printed by the Courier Company. Barnum is best known for his involvement with the circus that bore his name, but his circus ventures came about when he was in his 60s. The first show was called P.T. Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan and Circus. Railroads propelled the circus to success, making it easier to reach a number of locations, and the intake was significant. Barnum then opened the New York Hippodrome with similar acts. In the 1880s, he encountered competition from other circuses. A merger between Barnum's show and the Great London Show of Cooper, Bailey, and Hutchinson formed the Barnum and London Circus. Negotiations in 1887 formed the Barnum and Bailey circus. The name remained until 1919 when it became the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. It came to an end in May 2017 when the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus ceased performances after 146 years.
