All the World Loves a Clown

Spotlight on an artifact at the North Carolina Museum of History

Artifact H.1992.93.9 from the North Carolina Museum of History. CLOWN DOLL; FIGURE FROM SCHOENHUT’S HUMPTY DUMPTY CIRCUS; JOINTED; PAINTED WHITE FACE WITH RED AND BLACK FEATURES; WHITE SUIT WITH THREE RED POM-POMS ON FRONT, PAINTED CAP WITH THREE SMALL POM-POMS, RIC-RAC BRAID, NECK RUFFLE, AND RED SHOES.

The Schoenhut company of Philadelphia produced the Humpty Dumpty Circus toys from 1903 until 1935. The set grew over the years to include a Ringmaster, acrobats, a lion tamer, a band, a variety of animals, and clowns — lots of clowns.

The clowns were about 9 inches tall and made of individual wood pieces that were jointed with strings so that the dolls were fully poseable.

A fuller look at the circus set appears innocent enough, but I would not want to trip over one of those clown dolls in the dark.

Lon Chaney is credited with the following truth:

A clown is funny in the circus ring. But what would be the normal reaction to opening a door at midnight, and finding the same clown standing there in the moonlight?

~Ansley Herring Wegner