The Tibbals Circus Collection of Trade Cards is comprised of 848 lithographic and print trade cards. The contents of the collection date from approximately 1876 to 1940, with the bulk of the dates unknown. The trade cards advertise and promote a variety of circuses, Wild West shows, companies, goods, and services, including Adam Forepaugh Circus, Burr Robins Circus, P. T. Barnum Shows, Professor D. M. Bristol’s Eques-Curriculum, Howes & Cushing’s Circus, Liebig Company, J. & P. Coats, The Sweets Company of America, with various advertisements featuring Jumbo. Jumbo was a 19th-century male African bush elephant purchased by P. T. Barnum. Many of the cards illustrate caricatures, animals, performers, clowns, attractions, fantastical scenes, people, places, and products.
