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Object Timeline

1942

  • Work on this object began.

1963

  • We acquired this object.

2013

2015

2025

  • You found it!

Poster, The Greatest Show on Earth

This is a Poster. It was designed by Edward McKnight Kauffer and made for (as the client) Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. It is dated 1942 and we acquired it in 1963. Its medium is lithograph on white wove paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

This object was donated by Mrs. Edward McKnight Kauffer. It is credited Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.

Its dimensions are

48.9 × 70.6 cm (19 1/4 × 27 13/16 in.)

It is signed

Printed in script, in blue ink, center right: [abstract symbol] / E McKnight Kauffer

It is inscribed

Printed in black ink, lower left: LITHO. IN U.S.A.

Cite this object as

Poster, The Greatest Show on Earth; Designed by Edward McKnight Kauffer (American, active England, 1890–1954); Client: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey; USA; lithograph on white wove paper; 48.9 × 70.6 cm (19 1/4 × 27 13/16 in.); Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer; 1963-39-115-b

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18447055/ |title=Poster, The Greatest Show on Earth |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=22 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>