BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS HISTORY- ANIMAL TRAINER JEANETTE WILLIAMS PHOTO & JEWELRY: Signed photograph of circus legend Jeanette Williams in full costume and including the same pair of German Crystal chandelier earrings seen in the photograph, taken by and signed by Henry and Sally Payne, inscribed in ink verso: Taken at Frankfort, Ky July 14-16 Stand 1972 R.B.+B “Red Unit” With Love to Jeanette [Williams] Henry + Sally Payne Louisville, Ky” Photo: 7”h x 5”w.

A little history on Jeanette Williams and Henry and Sally Payne......

Jeanette Williams is a figure from classic Circus history. She is a distinguished animal trainer, breeder and circus owner who currently resides in Sarasota, Florida. Before moving to the United States she was part of the Williams Circus in Germany where she was recognized for presenting 24 Lipizzaner stallions in the haute école or "High School" movements of classical dressage; an incredibly difficult feat for anyone, she is credited with being the first woman to do so.

In 1968, Barnum and Bailey’s leased the entire Williams Circus circus and brought it to the United States where it became the core of the “Red Unit”. This unit was noted for the calibre of its animal trainers, which included Ms. Williams. In addition to her work with animals in the circus she also started the first white tiger and white lion breeding program in Germany, at the Grosswild Safari Park Stukenbrock and was instrumental for the largest cheetah breeding program in the USA.

Henry and Sally Payne never performed in the circus but they may have been it's #1 fans. They followed the circus, collecting history and stories of the performers and once having the lucky opportunity to sell tickets. Henry saw his first circus in 1921 and took Sally to her first in 1932. In the 1970s Sally published articles and poems in the ‘Circus Report – America’s Favorite Circus Weekly’, such as CIRCUSES, GREAT OR SMALL They let us forget our world, if only for a day. They give us happiness and laughter and make our troubles go away. At circuses, great or small, we’re really happy for a day. Whether they are under canvas, or in a great big “hall” No matter what the size is, if you are great or if you are small We look forward to the circus be-cause we Love You All. Sally Payne.

As two people with such sincere enthusiasm it comes as no surprise that they would have been acquainted with Jeanette Williams well enough to be allowed to take this candid photo of her backstage which was then sent back to Jeanette for her records.

PROVENANCE: From the Living Collection of Sarasota’s exclusive “Burke’s Antiques”, founded in 1944, with over a lifetime of multi-generation worldwide sourcing and supply to the finest hand-selected American, European, Asian and Primitive arts and antiques. Burke’s Antiques is currently curated by Cheryl Burke – a former Aide-de-Camp to famous Opera Soprano, Rosa Ponselle – an exquisite needle-point artist who founded her own design firm while in Baltimore; and who now manages the Day-to-day operation of Burke’s Antique’s luxurious downtown Sarasota location.