P.T. Barnum’s name today echoes the word circus. Programs with his circus’ title provide fascinating examples of ephemeral utility and marketing in the late nineteenth century to early twentieth century. Naturally, there’s a listing of both the acts doing the performance and the order in which they will appear. Also evident, a description of what the act will display and where to look for it - be it in one of three rings on one of two stages. Advertisements pervade throughout and cover all manner of local businesses ranging from questionable patent medicines with garish illustrations to exclusive offers to be procured only in the city’s finest haberdasheries.
Sometimes printed on newsprint, with time programs such as these decay and crumble from the acid in the wood pulp used to make the paper. Digitization helps forestall the loss of interesting cultural artifacts like circus programs, route books, photographic negatives, and films – saving them digitally so that they may fascinate, confound, or interest future generations.