Clowning around: circus snaps

1949: A contortionist with the Cole Bros circus Photograph: Taschen

1956: Harold Alzana was a daring British high-wire acrobat who performed most of his act solo. This bicycle stunt, which ended his act, was spectacular but actually not very difficult and less perilous than the rest of his performance Photograph: Taschen

1950: A circus performer tries to keep dry in the rain. Buckets are being used to stem the flood Photograph: Taschen

1954: Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey clown Charlie Bell puts on his makeup in the open, a rare occurrence since clowns typically made up away from prying eyes, in Clown Alley Photograph: Taschen

1947: For children who grew up with the circus, performing chimpanzees were part of their extended family Photograph: Taschen

1948: Dorothy Herbert practises her famous 'layback', a dangerous and difficult trick. A 1939 circus programme described Herbert as 'the most recklessly fearless and expert rider of reinless rearing and jumping horses ever known' Photograph: Taschen

1945: Popular performer Corky Cristiani was part of the Italian Cristiani family of extraordinary bareback riders and acrobats Photograph: Taschen

1946: Though not over-affectionate, snakes get used to their handler and are rather placid when fed regularly. The Cole Bros snake charmer pictured here knows this, but her audience does not Photograph: Taschen