Islington World’s Fair
Leamy Ladies Poster

Collection of Circus and Allied Arts, Milner Library, Illinois State University
Collection of Circus and Allied Arts, Milner Library, Illinois State University

One of the finest collections in the world of circus related materials can be found in the Milner Library at Illinois State University. Among their possessions is the extremely rare poster pictured above. It is an advertisement for the Leamy Ladies’ appearance at the Islington World’s Fair in London during the winter of 1907-1908. This was the troupe’s final appearance in Europe before joining Barnum & Bailey for its 1908 stand at Madison Square Garden.