Ring Masters

The Schoenhut Ring Masters
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 a private collection. 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 a private collection. Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee
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 Jim Sneed from the collection of Jim Sneed Special Jacket The jacket of this ringmaster differs from others we've seen. Its material is cloth - not felt. It has stitching all around its edges and its sleeves are overcastted. Notice the gold rope decoration on the collar. Probably a special factory limited production.	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	Photo by Keith Kaonis from the collection of Donna and Keith Kaonis The Schoenhut Manikin, Factory Dressed as a Ringmaster About 19 inches tall ca 1914-1918 and possibly made as a point-of-sale piece to attract customers in department and toy stores.
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
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Jim Sneed Euro Ringmaster This Humpty Dumpty circus compatible was made in Europe ca 1910. He is about 9 inches tall. His head appears to be bisque and slightly larger than the heads on A. Schoenhut Ringmasters. One example known.