Photograph: Barnum and Bailey show department of prodigies at Olympia, London

Photograph of the various performers who were a part of the department of prodigies while the Barnum and Baily Show was in London from 1898-1899. The performers range from those of East Asian descent, a dog, Waino and Plutano (sometimes Plutanor), a giant, Circassian Beauties, and a number of those who cannot be identified. Behind them a ferris wheel can be seen. Barnum is best known for his involvement with the circus that bore his name, but his circus ventures came about when he was in his 60s. The first show was called P.T. Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan and Circus. Railroads propelled the circus to success, making it easier to reach a number of locations, and the intake was significant. Barnum then opened the New York Hippodrome with similar acts. In the 1880s, he encountered competition from other circuses. A merger between Barnum's show the Great London Show of Cooper, Bailey, and Hutchinson formed the Barnum and London Circus. Negotiations in 1887 formed the Barnum and Bailey circus. The name remained until 1919 when it became the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus. It came to an end in May 2017 when the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus ceased performances after 146 years. Measures 11.75 by 9.75 inches. Photographed by Jason E. Hunt.