The
Ring Masters |
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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 coat and tails, black top hat, black boots, and
white shirt and pants. All Humpty Dumpty circus ring masters followed
this tradition except that very early ones have black coats. Their faces
were done with a mustache and usually a goatee.
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Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee
Two-part head, black coat
This is the earliest ring master. His face has a mature look. Notice the flower in the lapel.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee
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Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee
Two-part head, red coat
This ringmaster is the same as the previous except for the
red coat and no lapel flower. Red coats are the traditional color of
ringmasters and gentlemen horse riders.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee
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Photo by Judith Lile
Redesigned carved head, red coat, 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.
Photo by Judith Lile
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Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Lajla Duffy
Redesigned molded face, red coat, with goatee
This hat and hat band are original. |
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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 but now unique.
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. These 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 buttons,
and sometimes the vest buttons are little metal buttons.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Vicki and Mike Smith
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Reduced size, no hat
This reduced style is characterized by a head with no
hat and a face with no goatee.
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Reduced size, with top hat
This ringmaster features a face with goatee.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Susan Turner
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