Ladies and gentlemen! Come one, come all! Step right up to the wonderful world of vintage circus images! We’re stepping back in time to explore the golden age of a classic American pastime: the circus. From majestic acrobats to charming (and slightly creepy) clowns, the circus holds a certain nostalgic charm of a bygone era. We’re exploring the way things once were and how they’ve changed over the decades of entertainment. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in. These vintage circus photos are a sure ticket to a thrilling good time.
#1: Stretch It Out
Contortionists have always been a source of fascination and delight for many people. That’s why these extra-flexible performers are perfect for the circus! This vintage image of a contortionist shows just how flexible they had to be to draw in the crowds. This performer is bent completely backward to the point where his head is touching the back of his thighs.
We know that morning stretches are great for the body, but this is on a whole other level. The man is dressed in his full circus costume, which looks a lot like something we’d see at a modern-day circus. He’s wearing a flexible one-piece that allows plenty of movement. Perhaps the black-and-white stripes give the illusion that his body is longer.