{"product_id":"ringling-bros-barnum-bailey-circus-bell-calliope-wagon-1940s-photo-3-x-4-5","title":"Ringling Bros Barnum Bailey Circus Bell Calliope Wagon 1940s Photo 3 x 4.5","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"338\" data-end=\"498\"\u003eThis photograph dates to the 1940s and shows the famous Ringling Bros. Bell Wagon, a distinctive musical parade wagon used by the circus during its touring era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"500\" data-end=\"1010\"\u003eCircus parades were an essential promotional spectacle for traveling American circuses from the late nineteenth century through the early twentieth century. Elaborately carved wagons carrying bands, performers, and musical instruments rolled through town streets to announce the arrival of the show. One of the most unusual parade wagons created for the Ringling organization was the Bell Wagon, a musical wagon equipped with a row of tuned bells that could be played to produce melodies during the procession.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1012\" data-end=\"1624\"\u003eThe photograph shows the ornate wagon standing on the circus lot, mounted on rubber-tired running gear typical of later touring adaptations. The wagon features elaborate carved scrollwork and winged decorative figures surrounding a set of large bells mounted across the center platform. A player seated at the rear operated spring-loaded levers to strike the bells and perform tunes while the wagon traveled in parade formations. The original wagon was commissioned for the Ringling Bros. circus in 1892 and carried nine bells with a combined weight of roughly 4,300 pounds. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1012\" data-end=\"1624\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe item shown in the listing is the exact item the collector will receive. We have tens of thousands of items to choose from. Shipping will always be combined (or refunded) to save you as much money as possible. Please contact us with any questions, or visit our store page for specifics.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Everything Ephemera","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52907114922168,"sku":"20260303x","price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0939\/8740\/6008\/files\/57_2f8ed96f-3dca-4528-9850-8d0525239431.jpg?v=1772605552","url":"https:\/\/everythingephemera.com\/products\/ringling-bros-barnum-bailey-circus-bell-calliope-wagon-1940s-photo-3-x-4-5","provider":"Everything Ephemera","version":"1.0","type":"link"}