Julia Zimmerman, Dean of Florida State University Libraries, and the Ex Libris Special Collections Committee cordially invite you to Soar into the Big Top: FSU Libraries Sayre Circus Collection. Support FSU Special Collections by joining us at A La Provence on the evening of December 1 for this very special event. Attendees will enjoy a white glove examination of selections from the Sayre Circus Collection, a presentation by FSU Flying High Circus Director Chad Mathews, and a five-course dinner with wine pairings.
While on the surface a quiet, reserved Navy veteran from New England, Harrison Sayre (1913-2005) also had an alter ego that loved the spectacle of the Big Top. For nearly all of his adult life, Sayre visited the circus whenever he could and fastidiously photographed and collected artifacts of all that he experienced. As a member of the Circus Fans of America, he traveled to see circuses in places as far away as Australia, Russia, and Hawaii.
The Harrison Sayre Circus Collection contains approximately 8,000 photographs, including 8″ x 10″ autographs, snapshots, slides, and negatives, as well as circus programs, posters, and other circus memorabilia collected from circuses attended mostly in the mid-Atlantic region during the second half of the 20th century. As a collection, many of the photographs offer a comprehensive study of circus performer costume design and production style. The collection also includes over 300 books consisting of signed autobiographies, biographies, and circus histories.
Date: December 1, 2011 6:30-9:00
Event Registration: $75 per person, $140 per couple
Attire: Business casual
Venue: A La Provence
1415 Timberlane Road
Tallahassee, FL
RSVP by November 28 to Sabine Butler by email at snbutler@fsu.edu or by telephone at (850) 644-1437.
