Miss Aboko and his Indian Only one in the World Circa 1930

Original circa 1930 circus and music-hall poster advertising the spectacular balancing act “Miss Aboko and His Indian,” proclaimed at the bottom as the “Only One in the World.”

The extraordinary composition presents a costumed performer balancing an enormous cannon vertically upon the head. Flames emerge from the cannon’s muzzle, suggesting that the weapon was discharged during the performance. Behind its large wheels appears a Native American figure wearing a feathered headdress, representing the mysterious second member of the act mentioned in the title.

The unusual phrase “Miss Aboko and His Indian” is printed exactly as it appears on the poster. Contemporary entertainment notices, however, referred to the attraction as “Miss Aboko and her Indian,” indicating that the masculine pronoun was most probably a printing or translation error. Such inconsistencies were not uncommon on posters produced for travelling international performers.

The extremely narrow vertical format emphasises the seemingly impossible height and precarious balance of the stunt. The cannon forms a powerful central axis, rising from the performer towards the upper edge of the sheet. A restrained turquoise background allows the silver machinery, red and ochre costume and dramatic feathered headdress to stand out with remarkable clarity.

The performer’s fringed costume, decorated with portraits and Western-inspired details, reflects the fascination with American frontier imagery that appeared frequently in European circus and music-hall entertainment during the early twentieth century. The claim “Only One in the World” belongs to the wonderfully exaggerated language of circus advertising, presenting the act as an attraction without equal.

No artist or printer is identified on the poster. Its bold illustration, theatrical subject and imposing elongated format nevertheless make it a particularly memorable example of interwar circus advertising.

An unusual and highly decorative original show poster documenting the inventive balancing and strength acts that fascinated international audiences during the golden age of travelling circus and variety entertainment.

Original Poster

Circus - Show - American

Good condition, trace of folds