#8 • 1920s George Engesser Circus of St. Peter, MN Vaudeville Act Poster

Part of NICOLLET, MN - Auction 90 - Unique Antiques & Incredible Collectibles, Part 34 (timed auction by Southern Minnesota Auctions)

High bid $5.00

Status: Available

Bidding closes Oct 26, 2026 7:01 PM CDT

Category: Antiques and Vintage

Shipping Available | George Engesser, although born into the local beer brewing family, did not want anything to do with the suds. Rather, he wanted to be in show business. He learned how to play the piano and when a vaudeville act was playing in town and the piano player fell ill, he had a chance to fill in. From then on, he was hooked. He later put together a musical comedy act called “The Two Oles” and took it on the road. On a trip out west, he met and eventually married Vates Swanson in 1912. She was also a performer doing an impression of a “windup doll” in circus acts. Both yearned to have their own circus. They begged and borrowed the money, and eventually, the Engesser Circus was born. It was a success. The Circus ceased in 1935 due to the Great Depression. Based on these dates, July 4 was a Sunday in 1915, 1920, and 1926. This is the closest I can get to actually dating this poster. Poster is approx. 42" x 28". All items sell AS-IS, WHERE-IS. All descriptions are deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Please call or text to come and inspect. We're usually here 9 AM to 6 PM Monday - Thursday and 9 AM to 5 PM on Fridays. NO REFUNDS will be given at the time of pickup. | Location: D10