The first: Cole Bros Circus and Clyde Beatty's Wild Animal Exhibition, lithographic poster in colors, elements of offset lithography, circa 1950s, Erie Lithography & Printing Co., Erie, PA; the second: advertisement for "Safety Circus, With A Thousand Laughs" in Pennsylvania, early/mid 20th century, lithographic poster in colors; both linen backed, unframed.

Sheet Size 40 5/8 x 28 1/4 in. (the first), 21 1/2 x 13 7/8 in. (the second)

Vintage Circus Posters, Estate of B. Thomas M. Smith, Sr., Petersburg, Virginia . Smith established this extensive collection of circus and theater posters over the course of 40 years, between 1936 and the early 1970s. Portions of his collection are now held by the Ringling Circus Museum, Sarasota, Florida and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, Washington, DC.

Condition B/B-: scattered repaired loss, tears, and stains (the first). Condition A-/B+: some repairs at corners; several smudges. Both professionally restored and linen backed.