From the end of the 1800s through the early 1900s, managers of traveling shows would work with managers of theaters and opera houses to schedule annual tours. One of the most famous traveling performances was the trained animal show developed by Frank Bostock. Bostock began his career in England and became a world-reknowned lion tamer. He eventually brought his shows to America and opened an arena/jungle at the famed Coney Island Amusement Park. From this location, a traveling show toured the United States and Canada.

This lot is a letter written from John P. Church, manager of the Bostock Arena at Coney Island to A. J. Small, owner, operator, and manager of a group of theaters and opera houses in the eastern half of Canada. The letter is inquiring about the availability of performance dates in one of Small’s Ottawa theaters. The letter was handwritten on Bostick Arena’s company letterhead and signed by Church. As interesting as the Bostick Arena connection is, it gets even better when one knows the details about Ambrose J. Small.

The story of Ambrose J. Small is quite intriguing. He built an empire of performance venues and a reputation as a gambler, womanizer, and shrewd business man. On December 1, 1919, Ambrose Small sold all his theatre holdings at a profit of CA$1.7 million. The following day he met with lawyer F. W. M. Flock in Small’s office at the Grand Opera House. Flock left at 5:30 p.m. and was the last person to see Small. Ambrose took no money with him, there was no ransom note, and no evidence of foul play. Reports of his disappearance were delayed by weeks since he would frequently take off to meet women and carouse. No one ever saw or heard from him again and no body was ever discovered.

This letter is a rare piece of Canadian theatre history with a wonderful connection to a rare piece of American circus history.

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