When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Up
for sale a RARE! "Uncle Soapy" Duane Thorpe Hand Written 4 Page Letter Dated 1994. This sale also includes an additional lot of 6 picture postcards with descriptions of each hand written on the reverse by Duane Thorpe.
ES-3388D
Inducted into the 2000 Clown Hall of Fame. Duane “Uncle Soapy” Thorpe is one of
the few clowns to have had a successful career while working for only one circus. (Although Duane was in his fair share of soap gags through
the years, his moniker was actually based on a family nickname.) A professional dancer, Duane sought a job with Ringling
Bros. and Barnum & Bailey for the fresh air and good
food. He was given a job in the wardrobe department. Before long, he was
learning to be a web sitter for the aerial ballet. In 1950 he made it to Clown Alley and stayed there until 1986. Duane’s list of
accomplishments is quite lengthy. A prolific producing clown, he created ring
gags, track gags, and numerous walkarounds. Duane Thorpe was associated with
the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus⢠from 1949 to 1990. He
was a member of the clown alley for thirty-six years (1950-1986). A prolific
producing clown, often working with Paul
Jung. He created ring gags, track gags, and many walkarounds.
When Irvin Feld started the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Clown
College, he publicly declared the existing clowns with the show were too old to
be good clowns. With few exceptions, these old clowns resented the young Clown
College graduates. Duane Thorpe was one of the exceptions. He is fondly remembered by many of the graduates because
of his willingness to help and encourage them.