Delavan Circus

The Nelson Delavan Circus

Information on the Delavan Humpty Dumpty Circus is courtesy of
Kathy Jans-Duffy
Collections Manager
Seneca Falls Historical Society

In 1950, Nelson B. Delavan, former owner of Delavan Engineering Company of Seneca Falls, New York, obtained the rights from the A. Schoenhut company to produce toys in the Schoenhut circus style and to use the Schoenhut and Humpty Dumpty Circus names. These circus toys were produced from 1950 until 1952 in Seneca Falls. Judging by the numbers of these toys that come to the market, many must have been sold. Unfortunately, they are often misidentified as original 1920s Humpty Dumpty Circus items. However, they are collectible in their own right as they are very well made and fun 1950s circus toys.

The Schoenhut Company turned over to Mr. Delavan material to help him design good reproductions of their early circus toys. Mr. Delavan also collected about 50 original Humpty Dumpty circus pieces for his own examination. His collection is now part of of the Seneca Falls Historical Society. The Seneca Museum of Water Way & Industry also has a Humpty Dumpty circus. The Seneca Falls Historical Society welcomes interested parties to view and study their collection. They can be reached at: sfhs@rochester.rr.com or 315 568-8412.

Among the documents Mr. Delavan received from the Schoenhut Company were fascinating photographs of Humpty Dumpty circus setups they did so illustrations could be made for their 1918 Copyright catalog. Many of these images have editor's notes. These historical images can be seen by clicking here.

The following newspaper article from the November 11, 1951
Magazine section of the Rochester, N.Y. Democrat Chronicle tells the story of
Nelson B. Delavan and his revived Humpty Dumpty circus.
Click on the thumbnail below to read it.
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Courtesy of Kathy Jans-Duffy
of the Seneca Falls Historical Society

Delavan Circus Ads Click on the thumbnails to enlarge

The following photographs are from fine collections of the Delavan Humpty Dumpty circus.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norman Cole The Delavan circus with clowns, a cowboy, horses, and accessories.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norman Cole Delavan made an assortment of popular accessories including - a octagon ring, ball, ladder, tub, pedestal, chair, and barrel.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norman Cole The cowboy, palomino horse, and coral are unique to the Delavan circus - the Schoenhut Company did not make these characters.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norman Cole This is the box top for the Delavan circus set.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norman Cole	Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norman Cole
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norman Cole	Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norman Cole
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norman Cole	Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norman Cole
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norman Cole The Delavan elephant is about the same size as the Schoenhut reduced elephant; however, the Delavan elephant has articulated hooves, while the Schoenhut reduced does not.	Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norman Cole
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norman Cole	Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Gene Metcalf This pair of clowns are from the collection of Gene Metcalf'. They were his as a child in the early 1950s.

Delavan Newspaper Articles

List of Known Delavan Humpty Dumpty Circus Pieces
Name	Description
Tent	Red and white striped top, blue base, American flags at two corners.
Clown	Suits come in combinations of green, blue, red, and white stripes and dots. Faces distinctively different from original Schoenhut clowns.
Cowboy	Unique to Delavan circuses. Cute character.
White Horse	Similar to reduced original but has no platform.
Black Horse	Like the Delavan white horse.
Palomino	Has saddle and stirrups- probably designed for the cowboy.
Ring	Nicely done sectional ring piece made in eight straight sections. Blue with stars along top.
Barbell	Similar to the Schoenhut 50 lbs original but has no markings.
Round Pedestal	Red and white, or blue.
Square pedestal	All red with white band around middle.
Ladder	Similar to reduced original.
Barrel	Similar to reduced original.
Ball	Similar to reduced original.
Chair	Similar to reduced original.
Elephant	Similar to reduced original elephant but Delavan's elephant has articulated hoofs like the original regular sized elephant.
Donkey	Similar to reduced original.
American Flag	Much simpler than original
Pennant	Comes in yellow or red. Unique to Delavan.
Wagon	Parade wagon
Fence	Brown dowels and posts - can be connected to form a fence.

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