This vivid Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus poster promotes Bombayo, “the Man from India,” performing what the advertisement calls “the most astounding midair somersaulting exploits ever witnessed.”
At the centre of the composition, an aerialist is shown suspended upside down in mid-somersault above a grand circus procession. Below him, richly decorated elephants carry riders and performers, while attendants, camels and costumed figures gather in a theatrical scene designed to suggest spectacle, exoticism and adventure.
The enormous red-and-blue Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus lettering dominates the upper section, giving the poster the visual impact required for street and railway advertising. Bright reds, greens, yellows and deep blues contrast with the softly aged paper ground, while the combination of aerial action and ceremonial procession creates a strong sense of movement.
The poster also reflects the period’s romanticised and stereotyped presentation of Indian and North African cultures within Western circus entertainment. Today, it can be viewed both as a striking example of early American commercial lithography and as a historical record of the theatrical conventions and cultural attitudes used in popular entertainment at the time.
The work broadly dates to circa 1907–1929 and identifies Erie Litho. & Printing Co. as the lithographer and publisher. The original colour lithograph measures approximately 71 × 52 cm and belongs to the Billy Rose Theatre Division’s circus poster collection.
This restored reproduction has been carefully prepared to improve clarity, colour balance and print presentation while preserving the gently aged surface and historic character of the original poster. The product gallery may include both the restored artwork and a styled interior mock-up illustrating how the print could appear when framed and displayed.
Colourful, energetic and full of period detail, Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus — Bombayo is especially suited to a games room, study, theatre-inspired interior or collection of vintage circus and performance art.
