Birmingham state herald., 1896-10-29
WAIT FOR
THE MASTER CONSOLIDATION.
J. A. Bailey and Sells Brothers Strike Hands in Uniting Americas Two
 Greatest Shows.

In referring to the recent consolidation of the great Adam Forepaugh show with Sells Brothers enormous united railroad shows, which is to exhibit at Birmingham
 on Friday, November 6, the press of New
 York city speaks of it as consummation destined to exercise a most potent and
 far-reaching influence In arenic affairs, and such it undoubtedly is. The Herald terms the new aggregation lone of the
 most powerful in the world" The World says: Under the new arrangement all the cages, cars, horses and the menag- cries, material and paraphernalia of the Forepaugh show will now be added to the already big show of the Sells Broth- CTS" The Journal says it is Ideal in volving two of the largest amusement en- terprises In the country" The Record says that 'it brings into alliance the three biggest show enterprises in the world"
 The Adam Forepaugh show was found- ed in 1864 by the able and extraordinarily successful manager whose name 1t bears, and for over thirty years has maintained leading position among the greater tented enterprises. It has always been a
 most popular and all-around great show,
 and is especially strong and attractive in
 it's menagerie department
 On the death of MT Forepaugh, MT.
 J. A. Bailey became sole owner of this
 show, for which, it is stated, something
 like $250,000 was paid MT. Bailey is also sole owner of the Barnum x Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, and has a joint interest in the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show.
 Messrs. Ephram, Lewis and Peter Sells form a noted circus triumvirate, and their show has been dominant one for quar- ter of century, during which time 1t has not only achieved a most enviable and lu- crative national reputation, but also won much fame and many shekels in Austra- lia and the far Antipodes They are
 among the wealthiest and most influential residents of Columbus, O.. where the ex- tensive winter quarters of their show are
 located. It is, therefore, evident that the
 new aggregation will not lack the ''sinews of war;
 The practical, material results of this consolidat ton are of impressive magni- tude. Under one management, and but for one price of admission, are stupend- ously concentrated two separate, unsur- passable menageries, clrcuses, hippo dromes and parades, either of which has singly heretofore easily taken rank as among the greatest and most famous shows on earth. The tents, railroad trains and other accessories of exhibition and transportation must necessarily be on a proportionate gigantic scale and the number of performers, people and horses employed unprecedented. In fact, so grand. rich, rare and attractive is this eliminating enterprise in geological, are nic, amphitheatrical and spectacular dis play that it may fairly be said to inaugu- rate new era in popular entertainment, and one which will compel all others to
 either retire from the field or put forth
 much greater efforts to secure recogni-
 ton.
 And while 1t should be considered that
 this master coalition is in no sense of the
 word either a monopoly, trust or selfish
 combine for the purpose of raising the
 prices of admission, or of conflicting with
 other shows and showmen, from the na-
 ture of the individual interests represent
 ed. it incidentally leads up to at least the esta blishment of modified arenic
 millennium among the amusement giants, and to the advantage of both the princi- pals and the public, for not only is the maintenance of a high, progressive and reputable standard of entertainment as- sured, through the permanent co-opera- ton of managers of undoubted responsl- bility and character but patrons will get more-and the very best of everything without a penny's additional costa double and most excellent consummation, justifying mutual congratulations and giving amplest promise of great results.