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1930s Bonnie and
Clyde Freak Show Banner
An amazing, and all
together totally unique, item in the world of serious Gangster
collectibles, an original and authentic early 1930s traveling
sideshow banner exploiting the antics of criminals, Bonnie and
Clyde, and perhaps the only one of it's type still in existence
upon the face of the planet.
This Crime Wave
Bonnie and Clyde banner was originally found by noted freak show
banner expert, Bruce Webb. He found the banner in Kansas City,
Missouri, nearly two decades ago inside a barn. He
professionally unwrapped the piece, and produced what you see
now. The banner has never been restored, nor requires a
restoration as the rotted left side, and few holes within the
piece remain as a natural testament for what it is! Webb did
'treat' the banner to prevent any further damage resulting from
insects, or the like, and has made the canvas stable.
One of he first ever
Bonnie and Clyde road show banners to to exploit Bonnie and
Clyde when they were still living. Bonnies' beret is featured on
in this banner's art (like the Joplin, Mo. pictures), which
could date the banner back to 1933, but the banner could have
possibly been manufactured at the very first part of 1934. These
dates all are in sync with how this particular banner was
constructed. This is why their names are not printed at all upon
the poster as the road show profiteers were not stupid, because
if their names were on it, that might have led to a visit from
the gangsters, and the outcome of that visit could have been
less than pleasant.
The banner has
been on exhibit in a freak show banner display held at
the Webb Gallery in Waxahachie, Texas.
The art style is
like that of freak show banners, which are highly sought and
collected today.
Above from the
Collection of Thomas Carl Rainone.
See Bonnie and Clyde's
Death Car!
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Sideshow World
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