Dan Noonan, Circus Elephant Trainer, Photographic and Manuscript Collection

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American Historical Ephemera and Photography

By Cowan's Auctions

Nov 19, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-11-19 10:00:00 2020-11-19 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American Historical Ephemera and Photography https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-historical-ephemera-and-photography-5894
Cowan’s Auctions, a Hindman Company, is pleased to present the November 19 Fall Auction, featuring over 400 lots of historically significant photography, manuscript material, artwork, and other ephemera dating from the 18th through the early 20th century, including the Civil War. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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• Lot Description
  Archive of Daniel "Curley" Noonan (1884-1933), the elephant trainer and manager of Robinson's Military Elephants. Compiled in 1972 by Helene McNeil Schumer includes 16 large 8 x 10 in. photographs, 40 snapshots, 3 typed letters signed to Noonan, 6 autograph letters signed from Noonan to his wife Rose, 2 telegrams, and 15 newspaper clippings and assorted ephemeral items. Most images depict Noonan with the elephants in both staged promotional photographs and candid snapshots. Organized in a scrapbook, the items come from Noonan via his widow Rose Noonan, whom Schumer describes as her "adopted Aunt Rose." His obituary in the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that Noonan "was a little tike when he joined a road show and began taking care of the pony herd. And he was still a little tike when he was assigned to the 'bulls' - those saying gray hulks that pad around three rings when the show starts, dignified in their oblivion to the crowd." Robinson, quoted in the same article: "'I don't believe Curly was ever away form those elephants 24 hours in 20 years." Noonan began working for Robinson around 1913 or 1914 and spent the rest of his life working with the four elephants: Tillie, Clara, Tony, and Petite (Pit). In a typed letter signed ("J. Augustus Jones") to Noonan on Jones Bros. & Wilson's illustrated letterhead from Muskogee, OK, dated 9 Sept. 1914, Circus owner Jones writes to Noonan, wishing to employ him: "Mr. Wilson told me he thought you could be engaged to handle my Elephants...I wish to get a sober and reliable man who will stay with me and I will treat him right. Dick Jones is now handling my Elephants but I am not satisfied with him as he drinks [too] much whiskey to suit me. My Elephants are nice and gentle. I need a man to finish their Act for Vaudeville." It is clear that his services and temperament were in high demand. John Robinson's Circus, based out of Terrace Park, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio, was one of the most popular traveling shows in the United States. The main attraction of the show were the Military Elephants and they were so popular they became an independent act. Of all the elephants, the most famous was Tillie. They would often preform a scene in which Noonan and Tillie would "die" after being wounded in combat. The other elephants would act as medical staff and carry off the wounded soldier. Another would wave an American flag. An image of this scene is captured in an 8 x 10 in. promotional photograph. Tillie was also known to say "Papa" at the climax of the show. Archive includes a typed letter signed ("John G. Robinson") to Noonan on illustrated John Robinson's Military [Elephants] stationary. Atlantic City, NJ, July 12, 1916. Robinson writes to "Curly" with details of the show, with a suggestion for the act: "I think at the wind up of the act it would be good to have Tilly carry an English Flag in her trunk and if you are doing the Battle stuff have the English flag to [throw] over you. It will all help." He also agrees to give Noonan a raise to $40 per week when the act is working, and $25 when they are not. The group was involved with fraternal organizations, especially the Shriners, with several images picturing men in the iconic fez. Also includes a series of 4 snapshots each with an elephant emblazoned with a word, together reading "Syrian Temple Cincinnati Ohio."Noonan would work with the elephants until his death from kidney disease at 44. He is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery in a plot owned by Robinson.

  Condition

  Various, several items are affixed to scrapbook pages. Envelopes are present with most letters with splitting at folds. Some chipping, creasing to images. 
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