Circus World Museum

Birdcage hat worn by Felix Adler, circa 1940-50.

Bruce White/Somers Historical Society

Wagon wheel from the late 19th century made of painted wood and metal.

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Tibbals Collection

Circa 1920 photograph by Harry Atwell, and signed "Best wishes from May Wirth," billed as "the world's greatest bareback rider" when she joined Barnum & Bailey.

Paul Mutino

An 1871 ticket from the Barnum Museum collection in Bridgeport, Conn.

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Tibbals Collection.

A 1909 two-tone lithograph depicting the Ringling brothers.

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Tibbals

A poster from 1882, the year P.T. Barnum purchased Jumbo from the Royal Zoological Society in London.

American Antiquarian Society

An 1859 poster spotlighting a bareback rider from Nixon & Co's Mammoth Circus.

Hertzberg Circus Collection of the Witte Museum

Striped pants, worn by Dan Rice, circa1860s.