Circus Museum is an Internet image bank storing thousands of posters, photos and prints which were used to advertise freak shows and circuses between about 1880 and 1930. The prints can be ordered in a variety of sizes - from A2 to several square meters.
The collection is from the late Dutchman, Jaap Best, who was not only a circus collector, but also a circus historian. Ironically, he gave very little access to his collection during his lifetime, but intended it to be enjoyed by all after his death.
L’Homme Poisson (Fish-Man), pictured fourth above, would look great in my kitchen... so would the Lion man, Lionel, who was highly regarded for his wit and could speak five languages, pictured in the seventh poster.
There’s so many quirky posters to select from, you can easily spend a fair bit of time on this site.
Freaky Sideshow Art
Circus Museum Art Isn't For People With Clown Phobias
Trend Themes
1. Vintage Circus Art - Opportunity for artists and designers to create modern interpretations of vintage circus art for home decor and fashion.
2. Online Image Banks - Opportunity for the development of specialized online platforms that curate and sell niche collections of vintage art and photography.
3. Circus History Preservation - Opportunity for museums and organizations to digitize and make accessible historical artifacts and artworks related to circus culture.
Industry Implications
1. Home Decor - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating a line of vintage circus-inspired home decor products that appeal to a niche market of art enthusiasts.
2. E-commerce - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Building an online marketplace dedicated to the buying and selling of vintage circus art and artifacts.
3. Museums and Archives - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing digital platforms that allow users to virtually explore and interact with collections of historical circus art and memorabilia.