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M'Toto - Famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Gorilla
by Photographer Unknown
- Used
- Condition
- Very good +
- Seller
-
Middletown, New York, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
1940. Very good +. Gelatin silver print, 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (241 x 190 mm) from the Roland Butler Collection, Press Agent, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (1930s-1960s) Roland Butler Collection hand stamp on verso. Animals have always played a big role in the circus; elephants, tigers, lions. But decades ago the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus wowed their crowds with gorillas. One of those gorillas was known as M'Toto. She quickly became a household name in Sarasota, and her legacy lives on today. . . .
"She was nice to have around. Just to know that you had a friend who was a gorilla and a lot of people enjoyed that," says former clown Toby Ballentine. M'Toto -Swahili for little child- was brought to the Suncoast in the 1940's by A. Maria Hoyt. The arrival happened in a time many in the U.S. knew very little about gorillas, says Pamela Rosaire, a long-time circus primate trainer. "In those days, you didn't see gorillas...even in zoos. They hardly had any in this country or anywhere else for that matter."
The Ringling Circus quickly put M'Toto to work, pairing her with another well-known gorilla at the time: Gargantua. The two were supposed to mate, but it never happened. "They wanted her to be his bride in the circus. They dressed it all up like they were going to get married in the circus. They didn't get along at all."
When M'Toto wasnt performing in the circus, she spent her time here at a home on Virginia Drive in Sarasota; a very unique, very long structure. Why a house like that? "On the circus train, she liked the train car, which was 80ft long. So in 1944, they built this house, and it's 79 feet long," says Ballentine.
He says M'Toto was practically human. "She was adopted as a human baby, and she wanted to wear pearls, and she brushed her teeth every day with a toothbrush and toothpaste in a sink."
Max Wintiz, "Circus Confidential: M'Toto the gorilla's Sarasota legacy," May 5, 2014 [http://dick-dykes.blogspot.com/2014/05/circus-confidential-mtoto-gorillas.html].
"She was nice to have around. Just to know that you had a friend who was a gorilla and a lot of people enjoyed that," says former clown Toby Ballentine. M'Toto -Swahili for little child- was brought to the Suncoast in the 1940's by A. Maria Hoyt. The arrival happened in a time many in the U.S. knew very little about gorillas, says Pamela Rosaire, a long-time circus primate trainer. "In those days, you didn't see gorillas...even in zoos. They hardly had any in this country or anywhere else for that matter."
The Ringling Circus quickly put M'Toto to work, pairing her with another well-known gorilla at the time: Gargantua. The two were supposed to mate, but it never happened. "They wanted her to be his bride in the circus. They dressed it all up like they were going to get married in the circus. They didn't get along at all."
When M'Toto wasnt performing in the circus, she spent her time here at a home on Virginia Drive in Sarasota; a very unique, very long structure. Why a house like that? "On the circus train, she liked the train car, which was 80ft long. So in 1944, they built this house, and it's 79 feet long," says Ballentine.
He says M'Toto was practically human. "She was adopted as a human baby, and she wanted to wear pearls, and she brushed her teeth every day with a toothbrush and toothpaste in a sink."
Max Wintiz, "Circus Confidential: M'Toto the gorilla's Sarasota legacy," May 5, 2014 [http://dick-dykes.blogspot.com/2014/05/circus-confidential-mtoto-gorillas.html].
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Details
- Bookseller
- Rob Zanger Rare Books LLC
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 227
- Title
- M'Toto - Famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Gorilla
- Author
- Photographer Unknown
- Book Condition
- Used - Very good +
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Date Published
- 1940
Terms of Sale
Rob Zanger Rare Books LLC
All items are guaranteed as described. Any purchase may be returned for a full refund within 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged, as long as it is returned in the same condition and is packed and shipped correctly. All items subject to prior sale. Prices quoted on our web site are subject to change without notice. Prices are net, and do not include shipping charges.
About the Seller
Rob Zanger Rare Books LLC
Biblio member since 2018
Middletown, New York
About Rob Zanger Rare Books LLC
We're passionate about rare books, fine art, and photographs. We're captivated by remarkable creations by writers, artists, photographers, editors, and designers; the extraordinary craftsmanship by printers, illustrators, and binders are sources of joy and wonder. We're enthralled by the innovations by publishers and dealers; and the devotion of collectors and scholars to discover, document, and celebrate the works and creators they love.
Rob Zanger Rare Books is located amidst a serene pastoral setting in the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York State. We offer rare books, fine art (primarily works on paper), photographs, and antiques. Our commitment is to authentic presentation of the works we offer based on scrupulous research; with integrity and ethical conduct, and responsive, respectful and friendly service. We have zero tolerance for dissembling, shenanigans, or hornswoggling.
The books, artworks, photographs, and cabinet items shown here are a selection from our inventory. We welcome Inquiries for particular books, artworks, or photographs you're searching for, or for something similar to the works we're offering. Please visit our website, www.robzangerrarebooks.com to communicate your interests or questions.
Rob Zanger Rare Books is located amidst a serene pastoral setting in the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York State. We offer rare books, fine art (primarily works on paper), photographs, and antiques. Our commitment is to authentic presentation of the works we offer based on scrupulous research; with integrity and ethical conduct, and responsive, respectful and friendly service. We have zero tolerance for dissembling, shenanigans, or hornswoggling.
The books, artworks, photographs, and cabinet items shown here are a selection from our inventory. We welcome Inquiries for particular books, artworks, or photographs you're searching for, or for something similar to the works we're offering. Please visit our website, www.robzangerrarebooks.com to communicate your interests or questions.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Verso
- The page bound on the left side of a book, opposite to the recto page.
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