Poster "The Barnum & Bailey greatest show on earth" 1899

The poster advertises the "Greatest Show on Earth" by the American circus company Barnum & Bailey. It shows numerous "human curiosities", among them members of different ethnic groups in their traditional attires being presented on a large stage. The captions read: "The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth – the peerless prodigies of physical phenomena and great presentation of marvelous living human curiosities – the world's largest, grandest, best amusement institution."

The Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, coloured lithograph, USA, 1899, unknown artist, The Strobridge Litho. Co., Cin'ti & New York; source: Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/, Prints and Photographs Division Washington, http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/cph.3g03333/, no known restrictions on publication.