I did a quick search after my previous post and I think I have found the name of the show where the photo was taken. The internet is truly an amazing thing. I will paste the info I found here:
PURCHASE, Andrew. (2). Menagerist. Born 1835, in Sheffield, the son of Andrew Purchase, senior. Not a vast concern, but in 1899 had a good collection of animals, 5 or 6 cages, with 3 cages of waxworks. In 1908, his lion tamer Marco, a coloured man, was attacked at Purchase's menagerie. Partner in Purchase Brothers' Circus and Menagerie, which altogether comprised twenty wagons, which travelled in fourteen different countries, eight years abroad, before the Great War. Bob Gandey started out with them. Married twice, first to Elizabeth Jane Treloar, and second to Grace Grant. Died 11th August 1909, aged 74 years, in Brighton. Buried Brockley Cemetery, London. Retired but was with the menagerie for a time during the summer. His son Andrew (3) (1867-1942) was in partnership with his father, and continued the menagerie. Son Thomas (1877-1932) was a showman, daughter Jane (b.1877, married a Mr Abrahams), son James (b.1880) was a showman, who married Annie, as was son William (1884-1951, married Alice), daughter Grace Emily (b.1887) and son John Benjamin (born 1886, married Vic), manager of Pat Collins' lion show in the 1920s (Sources - Worlds Fair, 15/2/1908; ibid, 14/8/1909, ibid, 18/9/1909; ibid, 9/3/1929, p.18, col.3; ibid, 10/8/1929, p.24, col.2; ibid, 14/9/1929, p.11, col.1; ibid, 23/11/1935, p.19, col.2; ibid, 4/4/1953, p.20, col.5; Nick Brady, e-mail of 4/7/2003).
PURCHASE, Andrew. (3) Of menagerie fame. Born 11th March 1867. Still alive in 1937, living in retirement with his son John (Sources - World's Fair, 13/3/1937, p.1, col.3; Nick Brady, e-mail of 9/9/2003).
PURCHASE, Andrew. (3). Of waxworks and menagerie fame. Born 11th March 1867, the son of Andrew (2). Was with his father's waxworks show. As a young man set up a side-show of a performing seal, then added a giant horse. After the death of his father, he inherited the waxworks and toured this for some time. Gradually he introduced wild animals, making a waxworks and menagerie. In the meantime he had married, twice, and his sons became animal trainers, under the names Capt. Beaumont and Prof. Williams. Married first to Harriett Buckley and second to Daisey. Died 28th February 1942, 74 years of age. Father of Victoria Jane (married Cornelius Mahoney), Frank, John (1897-1958, showman, married Ann Crowther), Matilda (1896-1945, married Francis Brady), Albert (b.1898) and Edward (b.1900).(Sources - The Showman, 7/3/1902, p.41, col.2; World's Fair, 7/3/1942, p.1, col.2; Nick Brady, e-mail of 4/7/2003).
PURCHASE, John. Menagerist and circus manager. John Benjamin, born 6th March 1886, at Cranbrook, Kent, the son of Andrew Purchase (2) of Menagerie and Waxwork Show fame. Brother of Andrew (3) (1867-1942), Thomas (1877-1932), Jane (b.1877, married Abrahams), James (b.1880), William (1884-1951) and Grace Emily (b.1887). Born with his father's menagerie show, on the village green. The fourth generation of the menagerie family. Travelled with the show in fourteen different countries, eight years abroad before the Great War. The show incorporated the Purchase Brothers, the circus and menagerie (8 wagons), and the New Wild West, altogther 20 wagons. Did his share of the ring work. In 1913 joined Thomas Ord Pinder's circus, with his uncle, under the names of 'Lariat Tom' and 'Jack Corbett'. In 1914 he went to South Africa with Bostock's Royal Italian Circus, staying three and a half years. At Singapore joined H.M. Forces, but was invalided out with malaria. Had three seasons with Frank Bostock, including one in France. Manager of Pat Collins' lion show in the 1920s. Joined G.B. Chapman's Zoo Circus, for the 1928-9 season, as general manager. At liberty in February 1929, his position having been taken over by Albert Flexmore. In 1948 was reported to be in South Africa, with John Kirk's circus. Said to have engineering qualifications. His brother William died in the USA in 1951. Celebrated his 78th birthday in 1964, at his home in Hanwell, London. Died 11th August 1964, at his home in Hanwell, London. Buried 17th August (Sources - World's Fair, 2/3/1929, p.10, col.3; ibid, 9/3/1929, p.18, col.3; ibid, 20/11/1948, p.1, col.5; ibid, 28/1/1950, p.14, col.5; ibid, 14/3/1964, p.1, col.5; ibid, 15/8/1964, p.1, col.5; Nick Brady, e-mail of 4/7/2003).
Friday, November 16, 2007
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