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Ye People of Australia proceeding To enjoy Themselves at Mister Rowe his Circus
Ye People of Australia proceeding To enjoy Themselves at Mister Rowe his Circus

Ye People of Australia proceeding To enjoy Themselves at Mister Rowe his Circus

Artist (1818 - 1880)
Lithographer (Australian)
Date1852
Object number00047657
NameLithograph
MediumLithograph on card
DimensionsOverall: 191 x 254 x 1 mm
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionLithograph by Samuel Thomas Gill showing people flocking to a Melbourne circus presented by American showman Joseph Andrew Rowed during the Australian goldrush. During the latter half of the nineteenth century at least ten American circuses made the long but placid voyage across the Pacific to tour the Australian colonies. Joseph Rowe arrived in Australia and stayed to prosper in Melbourne for over two years. He reputedly left with 40,000 pounds in cash and numerous chests of treasures.HistoryJoseph A Rowe was born in North Carolina in 1819 and joined a circus company in 1829 as a child performer. In 1837, he became independent, engaging in various circus activities, and touring the east coast and South America. In 1849 he came to San Francisco and gave the first circus entertainment. In 1851, he brought his North American Circus from San Francisco to Melbourne. During the time of the gold discoveries, so he stayed and prospered for over two years, returning a rich man in 1854. In 1854, he purchased the Rancho Sant Anita near Los Angeles, living there for several years. In 1856, he assembled a new company, the Pioneer Circus; however, a combination of hard times and stiff competition drove the company into bankruptcy in 1857. At this point, a business friend, John Center, purchased the circus and resold it to Rowe at a fair price. In 1860, Rowe again toured Australia, this time unsuccessfully. After 1867, he worked at various jobs, dying in obscurity in San Francisco, November 5, 1887.SignificanceIn 1849 Rowe went to San Francisco and provided the first circus entertainment on the California goldfields. In 1851, he came to Australia, touring the Victorian mining towns and returned to America a rich man in 1854. American entertainers were popular among the colonial residents and immigrant populations on the goldfields. In 1860, Rowe again toured Australia, this time unsuccessfully.
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