1968 Decal Appraisal

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Decal / Sticker (1968)

This item is a vintage decal or sticker featuring iconic imagery associated with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The primary colors are vibrant and include shades of brown, orange, blue, red, yellow, and white, printed on a white background. The central design is framed by a pink-outlined oval shape with a jagged outer edge. At the top, a cartoon-style brown gorilla with large teeth and a smiling orange tiger with black stripes are depicted, both resting their paws on the frame. Below them, prominently displayed in stylized blue script, is 'Ringling Bros.' and 'BARNUM & BAILEY™' in bolder blue sans-serif capitals. Further down, a blue elephant with white tusks is shown next to a smiling clown character with a red nose, rosy cheeks, a striped hat, and a yellow bow tie. Above the clown's shoulder is a circular blue emblem with white text that appears to read 'THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH.' At the very bottom, 'CIRCUS' is printed in large blue block letters. Beneath this, in smaller black text, is the copyright information '© RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY COMBINED SHOWS, INC. 1968'. The material appears to be paper or a similar decal substrate. The decal shows slight wear around the edges, with a minor crease or bend visible on the bottom left corner and perhaps a slight curl from age. The colors remain largely unfaded, indicating good preservation, possibly due to being kept in its packaging as noted. Its overall condition is good, with no overt tears or major damage, reflecting careful storage for its age. The cartoonish yet detailed artwork suggests it was designed to appeal to children and families, typical for circus merchandise of the era. The clear copyright date provides a precise manufacturing detail and estimated age.