Hartford Circus Fire: Elephants Saved from the Flames
DateJuly 6, 1944
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions: 9 × 7 1/8in. (22.9 × 18.1cm)
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineGift of Lynn Ferrari
DescriptionBlack and white Acme Newspictures photograph of evacuated Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus elephants and their handlers in a field after the destructive Hartford Circus Fire, July 6, 1944. The elephants are standing in a line in the middleground and their handlers in the foreground.
Object number2017.86.14
CopyrightCopyright held by Acme
InscribedTyped on paper affixed to back of photograph: "HARTFORD, CONN.––WHEN ROARING FLAMES SWEPT THE / "BIG TOP" OF THE RINGLING BROTHERS AND BARNUM / AND BAILEY CIRCUS THIS AFTERNOON, THESE / ELEPHANTS WERE LED TO SAFETY IN A NEARBY FIELD. / MORE THAN 10,000 PERSONS--MOSTLY WOMEN AND / CHILDREN--WERE WATCHING THE PERFORMANCE OF / "THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH" WHEN TRAGEDY STRUCK. / THE DEATH TOLL STANDS AT 127 LATE TONIGHT, AND / MANY OF THE HUNDRED OF INJURED ARE EXPECTED / TO DIE. / CREDIT LINE (ACME) 7-6-44 (ML) / BUR DJH #1A MGS" Stamped in purple on back: "CLEVELAND PRESS / JUL 12 1944 / REFERENCE DEPT."
Handwritten in red on back: "A1066 fin"
On View
Not on view
