The ring master is the performance conductor of the circus. The traditional dress of the ring master copies that of a gentleman rider - a red or black coat and tails, black top hat, black boots, with white shirt and pants. All Humpty Dumpty circus ring masters followed this tradition. Their faces were done with a mustache and usually a goatee.

Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee

Two-part head, black coat and tails

This is the earliest ring master. His face has a mature look. Notice the flower in the lapel. His hat is black with a gold band like those used on some tubs. His coat is black, shirt white, and his vest is usually white but rarely yellow.
Keller Style I - Rare

Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee

Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee

Two-part head, red coat and tails

This ringmaster is the same as the previous except for the red coat and tails, and no lapel flower. Red is the traditional color of the coats of ringmasters and gentlemen horse riders. Early coats have sewn-down collars.
Keller Style II - Rare

Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee

Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Judith Lile

Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Judith Lile

Photo by Judith Lile

Redesigned carved head, red coat and tails, no goatee

The head of the ringmaster, for some reason, was redesigned so it has a more boyish look. The head on this ring master seems to be similar to that of the gent acrobat. The hat band and bowtie on this example are replacements.
Keller Style II - Rare

Photo by Judith Lile

Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Lajla Duffy

Redesigned molded face, red coat, with goatee

This hat and hat band are original.
Keller Style II - Rare

Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Lajla Duffy

Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Jim Sneed

Bisque head

This style is the same as the previous except now the head is bisque. The arms in this example bend at the elbow. Some straight arms are found in this version. The orange vest is uncommon.
Keller Style III - Scarce

Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Susan Turner

Bisque Head, Black Coat

This is a very unusual coat color for a bisque ringmaster. Notice the spats over the shoes. Spats were popular in the 1920s.

Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Vicki and Mike Smith

One-part head

The last regular size ring master is much like the bisque head except that the hats are often white, and the coat and sometimes the vest buttons are metal. Keller Style IV - Common

Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Vicki and Mike Smith

Reduced size, no hat

This reduced style is characterized by a head with no hat and a face with no goatee.

Reduced size, with top hat

This ringmaster features a face with goatee.

Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Susan Turner