Acrobats

The Acrobats
What is a circus without acrobats? The Humpty Dumpty circus acrobats faithfully represent the real circus performers of the time. They made both gent and lady acrobats, a Chinese acrobat, a Dude acrobat, and a clown acrobat. To support the acrobat's acts, the company made slotted balls and tables, and high wire accessories.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee Chinese Acrobat Chinese acrobat acts are a tradition in the American circus since the late 1800s. The Chinese acrobat tradition goes back for centuries. The Schoenhut Chinaman acrobat followed one design throughout its life - a Chinese face (both 2-part and 1-part) with a queue of early wooly material or later a woven cloth material. Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Gene Metcalf	Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Jim Sneed Gent Acrobat The Gent Acrobat is most often found in the bisque head version. Hair is usually black or brown but red-brown and blonde are known. Shoes of all acrobats are made in two parts - the bottom part being slotted front to back, and side to side. Unfortunately, the soles often fall off.	The Wallenda family performs in circuses to this day. They are especially famous for their high wire acts. Three of today's Wallendas - Olinka, Aurelia, and Tino after a performance in Charleston SC on May 2006 in Circus Flora. Here they are shown performing the exciting Seven- Person Pyramid at Circus Flora. Click on either of the thumbnails to see a larger picture.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Lajla Duffy The Dude Acrobat Acrobat's shoes are rarely found on Dudes. Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Gene Metcalf	Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Jim Sneed Lady Acrobat The Lady Acrobat is known in both the bisque and one-part head versions. Early ones were made with gold tone rickrack and gold paste decorations on the front of her suit. Sometimes the legs were painted red to simulate leggings.	Photo by Judith Lile Clown Acrobat The clown came in an acrobat version. Its shoes were grooved side to side and front to back just like the other acrobats.