Description:

FRED G. JOHNSON "NELLIE THE DOG CHILD" SIDESHOW BANNER
Rare, well-executed sideshow banner, ca. 1940s, 8' wide, 7 1/2' tall, canvas with metal attachments in corner reinforced with leather corners, painted in oil. The poster depicts a child in diapers with a rattle, doll and Teddy Bear, with the head of a canine. The top of the banner blazes: "NELLIE the DOG CHILD" with the come-on beneath: $1,000.00 IF NOT REAL". A 5" x 3" clean tear in one corner easily repaired, a quarter-sized hole affects one letter at lower-right, else excellent. The banner was painted by famed sideshow artist Fred G. Johnson. Johnson is considered one of the finest sideshow banner painters in the history of the circus and sideshow world. He had a 65-year career of banner painting, creating many works that are still prized by collectors and museums around the world. He worked for the O. Henry Tent and Awning Company in Chicago for 40 years from 1934-1974. Known as the 'Picasso' of circus art, Johnson designed advertisements for the Century of Progress Exposition, the 1933 World's Fair held in Chicago, the city's old White City and Riverview amusement parks, traveling shows throughout the country, and all the great circuses, including Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey and the Clyde Beatty Circus. His banners have been exhibited at the State of Illinois Building, some now hang in museums, and others were auctioned at Sotheby's in New York in 1981.

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September 28, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 + $1,000