Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-15

bail rings attached to tiny pulleys to draw the
canvas to the tops of the center poles Barlow
has achieved the largest miniature circus tent
yet constructed-2l feet long with five rings
four stages. hippodrome track and 6440 grand
stand seats.
This tent requires 242 poles to raise. and IL is
so faithful to detail OF construction that more
than 10000 parts used IN erecting and
equipping IT
still another circus lover who has specialized
in one particular branch Of the miniature circus
hobby is John r. Shepard Chicago miller, whose
admiration for miniature animals lured him
into the acquisition of the most varied and
complete collection in America.
His menagerie, which numbers over SEQ speci-
mems. includes more than 100 varieties Of
animals and brds-saddle- back tapirs Arabian
dromedaries, Tartarian yaks. white tailed and
brindled gnus, 4ebus kafir buffalo, OkApi
African gazeiles, Alpine ibex, and the mere
familiar creatures of forest and field including
n herd of "a elephants.
Joe Taggart started his miniature circus when
y youngster back in 1912 using broken toys
and cast iron wheels with improvised cigar
box bodies for his circus wagons. He overcame
many difhculties of construction through long
and patient experimentation
1T is the greatest hobby in the world" is
his enthusiastic comment as he surveys his
handiwork Of two decades. There seems to be
no limit to the extent you may carry your
and follow it up by building or creating"
Young Matthie's parents whose first attitude
toward their sons hobby was that it was only
q silly idea" have since realized the singular
achievement Of the youth and recall that
walter has always been interested in miniature
construction Since he was old enough to
handle q pocketknife and q hammer he had
built model sailing boats motor boats. airpaneS
and automobiles. In 1929 he made contact with
circus people for the nrst time. and with the
frOa his home, he was inspired 10 reproduce
circus equipment in Miniature.
BARLOW, the DAnRhAnaton show btsRAer
saw his arst circus 20 years ago, and with
. playmate, Fred Bailey, operated . backyard
otroAs under the name of Barlow and Bailey"
changing pins for AAnission. He began baiiding
miniature circus tents In 1895 and Ia the past
fc~r years has constructed some tnreescere
tents for his show.
The chance discovery Of some clever model
animals in a department store in 1908 proved
aIluring to John Shepard and he purchases
several OF these composition miniatures fot
no apparent purpose other than that he adj
mired the appearance Of the replicas Oo-
casionaly he found new pieces that matched
his collection and before long he had set
seriously about the hobby of acquiring the
miniature tmenagerie he now possesses.
Only those thoroughly familiar with every
piece Of circus equipment could set up the
Joe Taggart show in its entirety. This process
involves the knowledge of loading each of the
wagons with its proper tents. poles and prop
critics, the laying out of the tents on the lot in
their proper relation to each other the intricate
procedure of erecting tent poles, lacing canvas
and stalking it out in circus style.
To be a practical reproduction of the real
thing. the miniature show equipment is loaded
in its entirety into the tiny wagons, and this
alone requires extraordinary skill
Several innovations in design and CONSTRUCT
ton of circus wagons, Incorporated in Taggart:S
miniatures, have been adopted by circus wagon
builders after seeing these models.
It is altogether probable that one or more of
these scale model exhibits will find their way
into museums SO that posterty may understand