Mlle Flora, Rider with Sparks Circus, ca.1929 de Photographer Unknown - 1929

1929. Very good +. Gelatin silver print mounted on board, 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (241 x 190 mm) from the Roland Butler Collection, Press Agent, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (1930s-1960s) Roland Butler Collection hand stamp on verso. This photograph is featured in the article "Famous Artists on Sparks' Program," published in the Greensburg Daily Tribune, Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pa. on Tuesday afternoon, May 7, 1929, p. 7. "Sparks Circus, which exhibits in Greensburg tomorrow afternoon and night, includes on its program some of the most famous artists of the circus world. . . . Sparks' Circus this season features in its arenic displays the bareback riding acts, which no matter what innovations may be made in the program of the modern circus, America's greatest outdoor amusement, still make the strongest appeal to the millions of lovers of the sawdust ring. Flora Bedini, known as the Circus Beauty, and the Riding Guices, will be seen in the equestrian displays."
The Boston Sunday Herald published this article, "Beauties in the Circus," on May 31,1903, p. 14. The circus has its "beauties" as well as the stage. The old idea that circus life is hard, and that life "on the road" is prejudicial to health, is a mistake. As a matter of fact, the open-air life of the arenic stars adds to their health and beauty." Much of this beauty and personal charm can be seen among the women of the Barnum & Bailey circus. . . . Another of the circus beauties is Flora Bedini. Miss Bedini is described on the programme as a "champion principal equestrienne." But this does not tell the story of her cleverness as a rider nor picture the beauty of her face and figure. Miss Bedini is noted for the richness of her costumes and the grace with which she wears them.