Collection 09: Mark St Leon further papers and pictorial material, ca 1850 to 2013

MLMSS 9612/Boxes 1-6, 8-12
MLMSS 9612/Box 3 (Folder 8X), Box 7X

sub-fonds

ca 1850 to 2013

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Photographs, Clippings, Drawings, Ephemera

1114843

2 metres of textual material (10 boxes, 2 outsize boxes), including approximately 415 photographs, 2 drawings, and epherema - watercolour, albumen, gelatin silver, colour; manuscript, typescript and printed

BOX 1

Folder 1

Ashton's Circus. Research and author correspondence, notes and newspapers clippings, 1980-2010

Folder 2

Bud Atkinson. Copies of archival records, correspondence, 1900-2000

Folder 3

Hazell Barry. Correspondence re proposed film project "Colleano", 1990-1999

Folder 4

Henry Burton. Research correspondence, copies of archival records, 1990-1999

Folder 5

Harry Cardella. Research correspondence, copies of archival records, 1980-1999

Folder 6

Chiarini's Royal Italian Circus. Copies of press reports, advertisement, Sydney program, 1870-1879

Folder 7

W. W. Cole’s Circus. Copy of Sydney program, 1881

Folder 8

Colless Family. Research correspondence, copy of press report, letter, 2004

Folder 9

Cooper, Bailey & Co. Copies of booklets, articles; research correspondence; photographs, 1870-1879

Folder 10

Luigi Dalle Case. Copies of documents from South African Archives, research correspondence, 1850-1859; 2000-2010

Folder 11

Eureka Stockade. History of 40th Regiment, 1854; 1985

Folder 12

Circus film search. Research correspondence, 1980-1999

Folder 13

Fitzgerald Bros Circus. Copy of program, news clippings, 1890-1899

Folder 14

W.H. Foley. Research correspondence, 2000-2010

Folder 15

Harmston's Circus. Research correspondence, copies of archival records, 1890-1899; 1990-1999

Folder 16

Licensing Records. Research correspondence, 1850-1859; 1990-1999

Folder 17

Harry Lyons. Research correspondence, copy of letterhead, death certificates, 1800-1899; 2000-2010

Folder 18

James Elville. Research correspondence, photographs of graves etc. 1850-1859; 2000-2010

Folder 19

Wirth's Circus. Booklet, programme, clippings, obituary of Marizles Wirth, 1920-1929; 2000-2010

BOX 2

Folder 1

Nicola Brackhertz. Thesis manuscript ‘Glorious Success, triumphant reception’, 1997

Folder 2

Mark St Leon. Draft no. 3 thesis manuscript ‘Wattle in the sawdust, Australia’s circus heritage, no date

Folder 3

Historical articles. Copies of published articles on circus etc from New York Clipper, 1873-1876

BOX 3

Folder 1

St Leon, Lillian Gertrude. Personal papers pertaining to the life, career, death and family of Lillian Gertrude St Leon (nee Savern), at one stage known professionally as Lillian Seabert, 1898-1985, circus equestrienne, wife of Alfred George St Leon, Australian- born circus performer. This envelope includes research notes, correspondence between her executor (Virginia B Young) and other, memorabilia from her career in circus and vaudeville. Owing to her husband's riding accident in 1919, which left him partially crippled, Lillian had to carry the family act on her own, although George served as ringmaster and program manager. During World War II, Lillian served as a driver for a large truck manufacturer. George died in Los Angles in 1955, Lillian in Los Angeles in 1985. ca 1870 to 1990.

Folder 2

St Leon, Lillian Gertrude. Childhood family photographs, ca 1900 to 1910.

Folder 3

St Leon, Lillian Gertrude. Photographs of family members including husband, Alfred George St Leon and sister-in-law, Golda St Leon, ca 1900 to 1959.

Folder 4

St Leon, Lillian Gertrude. Photographs of tour of Walter L Main Circus through eastern US in 1936. Lillian performed in this circus with her troupe of riders. Lillian's husband, Alfred George St Leon, served as equestrian and program director. 1936.

Folder 5

St Leon, Lillian Gertrude. Photographs of Lillian and her riding act as presented in US vaudeville in the 1920s. The act was billed as "Lillian St Leon" or as "Bostock's Riding School", and "Lillian St Leon and her circus police dogs". 1920-1928.

Folder 6

St Leon, Lillian Gertrude. Various photographs of Lillian's horses and dogs as used in her riding act, as well as several 'action' photos. ca 1920 to 1939.

Folder 7

St Leon, Lillian Gertrude. Some photographs of Lillian taken later in life. About 1946, she retired from active performing. She and her husband moved to Detroit, where they opened a photographic studio for several years before finally retiring to California on account of George's declining health. ca 1930 to 1949.

Folder 8X

St Leon, Lillian Gertrude. Photographs of the Seabert family's riding act, including some action photographs. ca 1910.

BOX 4

New York Dramatic Mirror. Original copies of eleven (11) issues of a leading New York theatrical magazine. The magazine regularly published items of Australian theatrical and vaudeville news, some of which have been marked. 1901 to 1903.

BOX 5

Folder 1

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Other reviews of published & broadcast material. ca 1980 to 1990.

Folder 2

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence concerning Margaret Monaghan (ca1830-1897), the wife of the circus proprietor, Matthew St Leon, founder of the family circus, 1990 to 2000.

Folder 3

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. St Leon clippings, concerning the activities of the St Leon family. ca 1940 to 2010.

Folder 4

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. General 'St Leon' research correspondence, ca 1980 to 2000.

Folder 5

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. General 'St Leon' publisher correspondence, ca 1980 to 2000.

Folder 6

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Reviews of The Wizard of the Wire: The Story of Con Colleano, ca 1990-1999.

Folder 7

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Reviews of Spangles & Sawdust: The Circus in Australia, ca 1980-1989.

Folder 8

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence with Peter Bennett, UK-based Australian researcher (Part I), chiefly concerning the search for the elusive family origins of John Jones, later known as Matthew St Leon, Australian circus proprietor. 1995-2013

Folder 9

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence with Peter Bennett, UK-based Australian researcher (Part II), chiefly concerning the search for the elusive family origins of John Jones, later known as Matthew St Leon, Australian circus proprietor. 1995-2013

Folder 10

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence concerning the Montgomery, a 'lost' line of the St Leon family began by the 2nd son of the circus proprietor. This line took the name 'Montgomery'. ca 2000.

Folder 11

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence concerning the Westminster origins of John Jones, later known as Matthew St Leon, colonial circus proprietor. 1985-95

Folder 12

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence regarding p[ossible family connections that proved to be not so. These are families which, for whatever reasons, had also adopted the name 'St Leon'. ca 1980-1989.

Folder 13

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Correspondence with libraries and institutions concerning self-published works. ca 2000.

Folder 14

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Correspondence with Californian researcher, Ms Karen Buss, chiefly concerning tracing the various St Leon and Honey family members known to have settled in California. ca 1990-1999.

Folder 15

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Reviews of The Silver Road: The Life of Mervyn King, Circus Man. ca 1990-1999.

Folder 16

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Papers of Norman Valentine St Leon (b.1921) including personal reminiscence and a letter from his teacher to his mother, about 1926.

Folder 17

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Photographic copy of a letter from Mrs Alf St Leon to Marizles Wirth Martin, a sister of the Wirth brothers of Wirth's Circus, informing her of the death of her brother, Harry, written from Hong Kong. Note: the original of this letter is already contained within the Mark St Leon collection. 1896

Folder 18

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence with Norman St Leon (b.1929), USA, a fourth generation St Leon, ca 2000.

Folder 19

St Leon, Mark, correspondence Research correspondence with Freda Krake (b.1923), a fourth generation St Leon. ca 1980-1989.

Folder 20

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence with Lily Graham (b.1907) a fourth generation descendant of both the St Leon and Ashton circus families. [RESTRICTED]. ca 1970 to 1999. Not to be released without the express permission of Mark Valentine St Leon.

Folder 21

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence with Walter Ditchburn, a St Leon descendant. ca 1990 to 1999.

Folder 22

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence with children of Ray Graham (b.1904), St Leon descendant. ca 1990-1999.

Folder 23

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence with Phyllis Hopkins, St Leon family descendant, as well as her daughter, Sue Canvan. ca 1990 to 1999.

Folder 24

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence with Walter 'Mick' St Leon (b.1909) and his wife Jessica, and also Mick's nephew, Rex Wharfe. ca 1980 to 1999.

Folder 25

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence with Ray and David St Leon, brothers and 4th generation St Leon descendants. ca 1980 to 1999.

Folder 26


St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence with Phil St Leon (1920-2007), a fourth generation St Leon and a performer. ca 1990 to 2000.

Folder 27

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence concerning the Honeys, a branch of the St Leons who took their acrobatic act to the USA in 1926 and did not return. ca 1980 to 1999.

Folder 28

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence with Leo St Leon (b.1934) , a bareback rider and a member of the Five Riding St Leons, a featured act with Wirth's Circus in the late 1940 and early 1950s. ca 1970-1989.

Folder 29

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence with Barbara St Leon (b.1932), wife of Joe St Leon, one of the Five Riding St Leons. Barbara is descended from the Wirth circus family. ca 1990-1999.

BOX 6

Folder 1

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence with Russell Ward concerning the Woodyear and Cousins' circus families. ca 1980-1989.

Folder 2

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Research correspondence with Frank Gribble concerning the Onzalo circus family. ca 1990-1999.

Folder 3

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Copy extracts from the cash book of McConville's Wild Australia, a combined circus and rodeo show. 1946-50

Folder 4

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Original photographs of some of the women of Perry Bros Circus. ca 1927.

Folder 5

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Photocopy of manuscript entitled 'Circus memories' by Charles Fredericksen, as published in The Outdoor Showman in 1949. Original manuscript held by the Performing Arts Museum, Melbourne. ca 1949

Folder 6

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Birth, marriage and death certificates (4) of early Australian circus identities. ca 1860 and ca 1900.

Folder 7

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Photocopy of will and associated documents of Edward La Rosiere (Edward Hughes), ca 1824-1857. Early colonial circus proprietor. Original documents held by Queensland State Archives. ca 1850-1859.

Folder 8

St Leon, Mark, correspondence. Copies of papers concerning the career of Thomas King, colonial circus proprietor and showman by James Fogarty, circus historian. ca 1870-1889.

Folder 9

Theatrical licensing records. Photocopy of list of theatrical licenses issued to traveling shows in New South Wales, obtained from NSW State Archives 1890-1900, except 1891.

Folder 10

Theatrical licensing records. Photocopy of list of theatrical licenses issued to traveling shows in New South Wales, obtained from NSW State Archives. 1880-1889

Folder 11

Theatrical licensing records Photocopy of list of theatrical licenses issued to traveling shows in New South Wales, obtained from NSW State Archives. 1861-1879.

BOX 7X

St Leon, Elsie May. Three large photographs acquired from the executor of Mrs Powers' estate. ca 1910 to 1939.

BOX 8

Folder 1

St Leon, Elsie May. Research correspondence regarding the life, career and death of Elsie May Powers, nee St Leon, (1884-1976), Australian-born circus equestrienne. Includes brief biographical account. ca 1990-1999.

Folder 2

St Leon, Elsie May. Copies of photographs of Elsie May St Leon obtained from the New York Public Library. These photographs did not form part of Mrs Powers' estate. [RESTRICTED]. ca 1900 to 1919. Contact New York Public Library for permission to reproduce/publish.

Folder 3

St Leon, Elsie May. Photographs acquired from the executor of Mrs Powers' estate. ca 1890 to 1976.

Folder 4

St Leon, Elsie May. Collection of poems written by Freeman L Powers, mostly dedicated to his wife, Elsie, about 1918.

BOX 9

Folder 1

St Leon Research papers. Copy of manuscript by Charles Fredericksen, 'Life Story of Showman'. Original held by Performing Arts Museum, Melbourne. ca 1870 to 1949.

Folder 2

St Leon Research papers. Copy of article from Australian Variety, 1967, 'Poverty Point' by Tassy Tol. 1967.

Folder 3

St Leon Research papers. Copies of colonial theatrical license applications made by circus proprietors in Victoria, New South Wales & Queensland. ca 1850 to 1899.

Folder 4

St Leon Research papers. Copy of Cooper & Bailey's International Programme as published for tour of New Zealand, March 1878, from McCaddon Collection, Firestone Library, Princeton University, New Jersey. [RESTRICTED]. 1878. Contact Firestone Library for permission to reproduce/publish.

BOX 10

Folder 1

St Leon Research Papers. Original newspaper articles and other papers, ca 1980 to 2000.

Folder 2

St Leon Research Papers. Photographs and printed material relating to the circus activities of the St Leon family and others, with included contents enumerated on list, Nos 46-74, ca 1900 to 1959.

Folder 3

St Leon Research Papers. Photographs and printed material relating to Australian circus activities, with included contents enumerated on list, Nos 10-45. Late 19th-early 20th centuries.

Folder 4

St Leon Research Papers. Aug 1928 issue of Popular Mechanics (US) with article 'Training circus horses' & images of Australian riders, May Wirth and Phil St Leon Wirth, 1928, with included contents enumerated on list, No 9.

Folder 5

St Leon Research Papers. Photographs and printed material relating to Australian circus activities, with included contents enumerated on list, Nos 1-8. Includes photographs of Aboriginal Australian circus performers, Maurice, Bonar and Con Colleano. Late 19th-early 20th centuries.

BOX 11

Folder 1

Honey Family of acrobats. Drawings and photographic material concerning the activities, mostly in the US, of the Honey family of Australian acrobats, a branch of the St Leon family. Also images of Coochies Poodle Grooming business, and History of the Honey Family. ca 1920 to 1969.

Folder 2

Honey Family of acrobats. Photographic material concerning the activities, mostly in the US, of the Honey family of Australian acrobats, a branch of the St Leon family, ca 1920 to 1969.

Folder 3

Honey Family of acrobats. Letters, memoirs, cards concerning the activities, mostly in the US, of the Honey family of Australian acrobats, a branch of the St Leon family, ca 1920 to 1969.

Folder 4

Honey Family of acrobats. Photographic material concerning the activities, mostly in the US, of the Honey family of Australian acrobats, a branch of the St Leon family, ca 1920 to 1969.

Folder 5

Honey Family of acrobats. Newspaper clippings concerning the activities, mostly in the US, of the Honey family of Australian acrobats, a branch of the St Leon family, ca 1920 to 1969.

Folder 6

Honey Family of acrobats. Photographic material concerning the activities, mostly in the US, of the Honey family of Australian acrobats, a branch of the St Leon family, ca 1940 to 1969.

Folder 7

Honey Family of acrobats. Programmes, invitations and other material concerning the activities, mostly in the US, of the Honey family of Australian acrobats, a branch of the St Leon family, ca 1940 to 1969.

Folder 8

Honey Family of acrobats. Tax, bank and financial material concerning the activities, mostly in the US, of Florence 'Coochie' Honey, acrobat, ca 1960 to 1979.

Folder 9

Honey Family of acrobats. Photographic material concerning the activities, mostly in the US, of the Honey family of Australian acrobats, a branch of the St Leon family, 1950-1959.

Folder 10

Honey Family of acrobats. Photographic material concerning the activities, mostly in the US, of the Honey family of Australian acrobats, a branch of the St Leon family, ca 1930-1959.

Folder 11

Honey Family of acrobats. Photographic material concerning Florence 'Cochie' Honey and friends, also photo of May Wirth, Australian rider, ca 1920 to 1959.

Folder 12

Honey Family of acrobats. Photographic material concerning the activities, mostly in the US, of the Honey family of Australian acrobats, a branch of the St Leon family, ca 1930 to 1959.

Folder 13

Honey Family of acrobats. Studio portrait of the Gus St Leon, taken in San Francisco, shortly after arriving from Australia. 1901

Folder 14

Honey Family of acrobats. Correspondence and research notes concerning the lives and activities, mostly in the US, of the Honey family of acrobats from Australia (1 of 2), ca 1980 to 2000.

Folder 15

Honey Family of acrobats. Correspondence and research notes concerning the lives and activities, mostly in the US, of the Honey family of acrobats from Australia (2 of 2), ca 1980 to 2000.

Folder 16

Honey Family of acrobats. Pocket diary kept by Florence 'Coochie' Honey, while travelling US with her all-female troupe of acrobats with transcript thereof, 1946 to 1962.

Folder 17

Honey Family of acrobats. Papers concerning legal, financial and medical advice obtained by Florence 'Coochie' Honey as result of injury sustained in course of work as acrobat, 1968-early 1970s

BOX 12

Folder 1

John Clark of Wagga Wagga, NSW. Copies and transcripts of birth, marriage and death certificates pertaining to John Clark and his wider family, ca 1820 to 1959.

Folder 2

John Clark of Wagga Wagga, NSW. Papers, correspondence, images relating to the family of Mrs John Clark (Ann Varney), ca 1900 to 1999.

Folder 3

John Clark of Wagga Wagga, NSW. Photographs relating to the life of John Clark.

Folder 4

John Clark of Wagga Wagga, NSW. Research notes and correspondence relating to the life of John Clark, ca 1970 to 2000.

Folder 5

John Clark of Wagga Wagga, NSW. Research papers, notes, correspondence and photographs relating to the life of William 'Tinker' Brown and his wife, Susannah Eleanor, identities of early Wagga Wagga, ca 1850 to 1950.

Folder 6

John Clark of Wagga Wagga, NSW. Publications relating to Wagga Wagga and Bridgnorth (Salop, UK), ca 1940 to 1999. Bridgnorth was [reputedly] the home of the families from which John Clark descended.

Folder 7

John Clark of Wagga Wagga, NSW. Photographs concerning family of John Clark and the St Leon circus family, ca 1890 to 1939.

Folder 8

John Clark of Wagga Wagga, NSW. Draft of a biography of John Clark of Wagga Wagga, 2012. Clark's second daughter, Amy, married Walter St Leon, of the circus family.

Arrangement of collection and contents list were provided by the donor.

Partly restricted: Applies to: MLMSS 9612/ Box 5/Folder 20 Box 8/Folder 2 Box 9/Folder 4
For access to this collection please submit your request through Ask a Librarian: Permission required to access and/or reproduce the restricted records.

Copyright restrictions may apply: Photographs in this collection created before 1955 are all out of copyright. Photographs created after 1955 are in copyright for the life of creator plus 70 years.
Copyright status:: In copyright - This collection has multiple rights owners.
Rights and Restrictions Information:: No publication without prior written approval of copyright holders
Approval for reproduction required: No reproduction without prior written approval of copyright holders
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Detailed contents lists for photographs are included in each folder. Contents lists also include JPEG and TIF copy images of photographs. SLNSW does not hold these electronic copies. -

Collection arrived is 3 consignments of Boxes 1-2; 3-9; 10-12.

Most photographs are inscribed on verso.