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Step Right Up: Circus and Sideshow Memorabilia
Potter & Potter Auctions, Chicago · 3 Sep 2026
This sale ended on 3 September 2026. The page is kept for reference.
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About this listing: the details were supplied by the auction house. Bidding, payment and collection are handled by the auction house, not by Auction Eagle, and Auction Eagle is free for bidders. Spotted an error? Tell us.
About this sale
This sale offered 668 lots, listed under Antiques & Furniture and Fine Art & Prints. It closed on Thursday 3 September 2026. Potter & Potter Auctions has 3 other upcoming sales on Auction Eagle.
Highlights from this sale
A selection of lots from the catalog.
Lot 1BRANDOLY, J. S. Shaffer and Co / The Sensation of Davos. Berlin: Beitgat, ca. early 20th century
Lot 2CHÉRET, Jules (1836-1932). Persivani & Vandevelde / Café-Concert des Ambassadeurs. Paris: J. Cheret, ca. 1870s
Lot 3BARNUM, P.T. (1810 - 1891). Document signed
Lot 4LEVY, Charles. Folies-Bergère / Tous Les Soirs / Les Lions de Bostock. Paris: Ch. Levy, ca. 1880s
Lot 5MILLIE-CHRISTINE (Millie and Christine McKoy, 1851-1912). Cabinet Card Portrait. Circa 1880s![[WILD WEST]. HILL, Richmond C. A Great White Indian Chief. 1912](https://s1.img.bidsquare.com/item/l/3773/37731391.jpeg?t=1WEFRL)
Lot 6[WILD WEST]. HILL, Richmond C. A Great White Indian Chief. 1912
The auction house’s description
Featuring the collection of lifelong circus collector John Diesso, this auction includes heralds, couriers, and posters advertising the "greatest shows" of yesteryear. Photographs, route books, scrapbooks, and circus costumes will be also be offered, spanning the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. A wide array of early European circus posters will be sold, along with a large library of circus books of several thousand volumes.
Full catalog and bidding: view on bidsquare.
Catalog Lots
668 lots in Step Right Up: Circus and Sideshow Memorabilia.
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Lot 1
BRANDOLY, J. S. Shaffer and Co / The Sensation of Davos. Berlin: Beitgat, ca. early 20th century
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Lot 2
CHÉRET, Jules (1836-1932). Persivani & Vandevelde / Café-Concert des Ambassadeurs. Paris: J. Cheret, ca. 1870s
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Lot 3
BARNUM, P.T. (1810 - 1891). Document signed
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Lot 4
LEVY, Charles. Folies-Bergère / Tous Les Soirs / Les Lions de Bostock. Paris: Ch. Levy, ca. 1880s
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Lot 5
MILLIE-CHRISTINE (Millie and Christine McKoy, 1851-1912). Cabinet Card Portrait. Circa 1880s
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Lot 6
[WILD WEST]. HILL, Richmond C. A Great White Indian Chief. 1912
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Lot 7
CODY, William F. ("Buffalo Bill," 1846–1917). Archive Including Cody Family Memorial Scrapbook, Signed Photograph, Signed Book, Original Photographs
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Lot 8
Sells Bros. circus cage wagon side, attributed to Samuel Anderson Robb
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Lot 9
Death Defying lion tamer circus sideshow banner
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Lot 10
Collection of 20 albums of vernacular circus photographs
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Lot 11
BOGARDUS, Adam Henry (1834 - 1913). Capt. A. H. Bogardus trunk
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Lot 12
Archive of 24 Scrapbooks of Circus and Magic Ephemera. Circa early to mid-20th century
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Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was the Step Right Up: Circus and Sideshow Memorabilia?
Step Right Up: Circus and Sideshow Memorabilia was held on Thu, Sep 3, 2026 · 11:00 am (ET) in Chicago, Illinois by Potter & Potter Auctions.
Is this auction online or in person?
This is an online-only auction, so you bid through the live catalog.
How do I bid or view the catalog?
View the full catalog and register to bid on the live catalog at https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/potter-potter/step-right-up-circus-and-sideshow-memorabilia-23625.