National Library News

October/November 1996, vol. 28, nos. 10-11

An 1812 Montreal Circus Broadside

Before brightly coloured posters became part of everyday life, broadsides were used to advertise events to the public. Instead of arresting images, words alone drew attention. One example of such a document was recently acquired by the Rare Book Collection of the National Library of Canada: a Montreal circus broadside advertising a performance by the Cayetano Circus on March 12, 1812. This is probably the earliest known Canadian circus broadside. Printed in red and black and displaying different typefaces, it is as striking as any poster. This acquisition was made possible through the financial support of the Friends of the National Library of Canada.

The first multi-act circus performance in North America was by Francis Ricketts and took place in Philadelphia in April 1793. The Ricketts circus came to Montreal and Quebec City in 1797 and 1798, but no broadsides or handbills are known to have been produced for these performances.

The next circus of importance to tour America was that of Pepin and Breschard. In 1810, to satisfy public demand, this circus split into two groups that travelled in separate parts of the country. One group was led by Cayetano Mariotini (billed as Mr. Cayetano). He arrived in Montreal with his group in November 1811 and spent some time setting up his circus. There were a few performances, including the one advertised by the broadside in the Library’s collection, between February and April 20, 1812, when the Cayetano company left Montreal to return to the United States. A few months later, the United States declared war on Great Britain.

At that time, circus performances included riding, tight-rope acts, clowning, vaulting, and theatrical presentations such as dramatic scenes or farces. On March 12, 1812, in Montreal, Mrs. Redon, the first woman rider in America, was scheduled to delight the audience, Mr. Cayetano to perform a scene called The Canadien Peasant, and Mr. Codet to conclude with The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford, which he performed in French for that night only.

Tickets were available at Messrs. Cunningham & Co. Bookstores. Henry H. Cunningham was a Montreal bookseller and publisher from 1810 to his death in 1853. Since he was selling the tickets, it can be assumed that he also printed handbills, which were then often used as programs, and a few broadsides to put in public places and in stores.

The National Library of Canada is pleased to have acquired such an early witness to the history of the circus in Canada, and is grateful to the Friends for their support.

Reference

Thayer, Stuart, Annals of the American Circus 1793-1829. Ann Arbor: Thayer, 1976, pp. 48-55.