Item #20753 Official Programme, The Circus Maximus of Caesar Augustus Reproduced by the Sacramento Athletic Club at the California State Fair, Sept. 4th to Sept. 16th, 1893. CALIFORNIA, FAIRS, EXPOSITIONS.
Official Programme, The Circus Maximus of Caesar Augustus Reproduced by the Sacramento Athletic Club at the California State Fair, Sept. 4th to Sept. 16th, 1893
Official Programme, The Circus Maximus of Caesar Augustus Reproduced by the Sacramento Athletic Club at the California State Fair, Sept. 4th to Sept. 16th, 1893

Official Programme, The Circus Maximus of Caesar Augustus Reproduced by the Sacramento Athletic Club at the California State Fair, Sept. 4th to Sept. 16th, 1893

Sacramento: Press of H.S. Crocker, 1893.

6 x 9.25 inches, [28] pp, in original color lithographed wrappers. Chipping to spine, light soiling and handling wear; about very good. Due to competition from the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, attendance was expected to be down at the 1893 California State Fair. In order to boost their numbers, the fair board decided to try something new. As explained in that year's annual report for the fair, they created "an auxilliary display in the shape of a representation of the Roman Circus Maxiumus, in commemoration of olden times. Therein was given a vivid illustration of ancient Roman games, arranged not only as an historical event, but educational to a great degree, because presenting, for the edification of all, many of the practices and customs so often referred to in Roman history, where man's vigor, as well as valor, was tried in numerous ways. In this we were aided by a representative class of citizens composing the Sacramento Athletic Club...who labored without pay to make the exhibition the splendid success it was." The program contains some wonderful half-tone photographs of the performers, much local advertising, the text of two odes by Horace and the "Ode of the Gladiators" written by Mrs. Douglas Adam (and, when performed, accompanied by music written for the occasion by H.J. Stewart of San Francisco). There is also a lengthy cast list, crediting the roles of standard bearers, mounted swordsmen, Roman soldiers, laureled victors, musicians, lictors, sacrifants, incense burner, cymbal dancers, and dancing girls. OCLC lists one copy, at the California State Library.

Item #20753

Sold

See all items in Californiana
See all items by , ,