Bailey Brings the Adam Forepaugh Show to Lewiston on August 14, 1894

In 1894, James A. Bailey once again brought the Adam Forepaugh Show to Maine as we have discussed in previous installments on this blog. Be sure to click here for for information on the 1894 Forepaugh show and to see how the advertisement featured here compares with others. There are two striking differences I see with this ad compared to the ad for

Bailey Brings the Adam Forepaugh Show to Waterville on August 11, 1894

       In 1894, James A. Bailey once again brought the Adam Forepaugh Show to Maine! This tour would be proudly advertised as the 31st annual tour however it would also be it's last. The next time we would see the Forepaugh name would be in 1896 as a combined show

Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth 1893 Season

Years had gone by since the passing of the great P.T. Barnum and in that time, James A. Bailey was the sole proprietor of "The Greatest Show on Earth". 1893 was also the year that the World's Fair in Chicago themed it's presentation to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus' arrival in the new World, although technically it would have been the 401st (1492). "The Greatest Show on Earth" also adopted this them for the season bringing a massive show to local towns around the country and Maine was not left out of this great tour. The dates in Maine were July 15 in Biddeford, July 17 in Portland, July 18 in Bath, July 19 in Augusta, July 20 in Bangor, July 21 in Waterville and as the ad showcased here indicates, July 22 in Lewiston. The ad for this show reads:

Containing a World of Wonders and Delightful Attractions TOGETHER WITH IMRE KIRALFY'S FAMOUS SPECTACLE COLUMBUS AND THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA, IT'S GRANDEUR ALMOST SURPASSING BELIEF WITH 1,200 HISTORICAL CHARACTERS REPRESENTED.
3 RINGS, 2 ELEVATED STAGES, RACING TRACK!
SUBLIME BALLET, with 300 DANCERS
The most Wonderful and Grandest of Earthly Displays on a Stage 400 Feet Long.
In Addition to Circus, Hippodrome, Illusions, 2 Monster Menageries, Museums, Aviary, Aquarium and Horse Fair. 

Forepaugh & Sells Brothers’ Circus 1902 Season Advertisement

Adam Forepaugh had passed away in 1890 and left a lasting legacy. So much so that even in 1902 (and beyond) his namesake was still a valuable draw. Having once been a legitimate competitor to the Barnum & Bailey Circus, even having more animals than them and paying higher wages to major acts, the purchase of his show by James A. Bailey proved to be a somewhat lucrative one at times. In 1894, the Great Forepaugh Show