Items Similar to Antique Mechanical Circus "Wonder Of The Age" Large Banner
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9
Antique Mechanical Circus "Wonder Of The Age" Large Banner
$8,250
£6,261.63
€7,217.04
CA$11,561.75
A$12,903.91
CHF 6,788.93
MX$156,746.84
NOK 86,065.53
SEK 80,546.55
DKK 53,863.30
About the Item
This antique canvas banner advertises for a historic mechanical circus. The banner likely originates from around the turn of the century. Please take a close look at the photos for details on condition of the banner.
Regarding it's history, if the banner came from Europe then there are a few possibilities. If it came from the U.S. then one rather strange, but strong, contender is Professor Faber's Wonderful Talking Machine. It was invented right at the human-aided automaton era (later followed by the coin-operated era) in the early 1840s, although it did take Australian inventor Joseph Fabre a few tries to get it right. In 1845 he presented it in Philadelphia, and again in 1846 in London.
A revamped version started touring with P.T. Barnum in the 1870s.
What made "Euphonia" such an interesting machine is the movements of the throat and mouth that emulated human movements in sound. It was so eerie and weird that people believed there was a trapped soul or a reanimated corpse being manipulated - hence the overemphasis on the word "Mechanical."
- Dimensions:Height: 60 in (152.4 cm)Width: 171 in (434.34 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Style:Other (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. Some grime/stains and faded paint, but still legible.
- Seller Location:Dekalb, IL
- Reference Number:Seller: 44441stDibs: LU10033242574732
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
Established in 2010
1stDibs seller since 2024
6 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 4 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Dekalb, IL
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View Allc. 1930 Linen Steam Cleaning Banner
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1930 linen banner (likely cotton) advertising a dry/steam cleaner business. There are no identifiers as to which business, so this was likely placed on the storefront to draw in b...
Category
Vintage 1930s American Industrial Tapestries
Materials
Cotton
Massive Antique Garage Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
Carved and painted dimensional lettering adorned to a large painted plank to advertise a service station/car repair garage.
145.5" W x 25" H
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage Motor Rythm Tin Litho Advertising Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1940s; R. M. Hollingshead Corp. - Camden, NJ
Vintage tune-up fluid advertising sign.
This piece advertises Whiz's "Motor Rythm", a now-defunct line of tune-up fluids. The sign m...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Signs
Materials
Tin
Massive Vintage Chinese Coromandel Screen
Located in Dekalb, IL
Massive vintage Chinese coromandel screen with measurements of 144"W x 96"H when folded out. Each panel is 18" in width. The screen can be f...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Paintings and Screens
Materials
Wood
Circa 1900 Architectural Roman Revival Tin Livery Garage Pediment
Located in Dekalb, IL
This beautifully preserved store facade is in the Roman Revival style and came off of the oldest building in Clinton, Wisconsin. The building was originally a livery, and with the in...
Category
Antique Early 1900s American Architectural Elements
Materials
Tin
Early 20th Century Butchers Products Co. Painted Tin Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
1910s-20s; Fulton Meat Market district - Chicago, IL
The property at the northeast corner of Peoria and Fulton streets in Chicago was most recently a burger joint, but in the late 1...
Category
Early 20th Century American Signs
Materials
Tin
You May Also Like
Early 20th Century Circus Banner
Located in Brecht, BE
For magician and circus lovers. This early 20th century circus banner. Hand painted on canvas.
Category
Early 20th Century British Carnival Art
Materials
Linen
Vintage Late 19th Century Canvas Circus Carnival Midway Folk Art Sideshow Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Very early American circus or carnival Sideshow Banner, circa 1890-1900. Fantastic paint detail. Great example of American folk art banner painting. The Great American African Camel...
Category
Antique Early 1900s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas
Hand Painted Circus Banner of Armless Wonder
By Snap Wyatt
Located in Queens, NY
American painted vertical double circus side show banner of Armless Wonder and Jose de Lyon (signed: SNAP WYATT, Tampa, FL).
Category
Early 20th Century Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Paint
Carnival Midway Sideshow Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Original hand-painted canvas sideshow banner for carnival midway sideshow entrance. Not signed but most likely out of Chicago Tent and Awning's banner ...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas
1950s "Prince Buddah" Circus Sideshow Banner
Located in Chicago, IL
1950s "Prince Buddah" circus sideshow banner.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
19th Century Paris Magicians Poster on Canvas
Located in London, GB
19th Century Paris Magicians Poster on Canvas
A rare example of a late 19th century lithograph on canvas Paris magician’s promotional poster. By Effi...
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Victorian Posters
Materials
Canvas
More Ways To Browse
Antique Talking Machine
Circus Banners
Coin Operated Machines
Starburst Sculpture
Talavera De La Reina
Teak Secretary Desk
Terracotta Elephant
Thomas Germany Porcelain Vintage
Tibet Statue
Trunk Desk
Used Cross Stitch Patterns
Victorian Blue Sofa
Viking Red
Vintage Bakelite Knobs
Vintage Goggles
Vintage Seal Coat
Vintage Stereo Cabinet Furniture
Wall Hanging Display Case