A rare collection of more than 150 images of the Lord George Sanger circus in the late 19th and early 20th centuries went under the hammer with Dominic Winter Auctioneers in Cirencester today (October 4).
The Lot contained cabinet cards, large-format photographs and small snapshots, showing circus performers training, relaxing and travelling. There are also images of the animals from the shows including lions and horses.
‘Lord’ George Sanger ran shows and circuses throughout much of the 19th century with his brother John.
He was also the founder of Dreamland amusement park predecessor Hall By The Sea in Margate after taking sole ownership of the site in 1875.
David Sanger, Lord Sanger descendant and head of the Sanger’s travelling troupe which is the last horse-drawn show of its kind, said he was hoping for a Margate buyer.
He said: “What an amazing show of pictures, I think these belong in Margate.
“I’ve seen a few of these before, a couple of them are really famous pictures. I didn’t realise the originals still existed.”
The lot sold in the auction room for £1,950. The institution which won the lot wishes to remain anonymous.