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Up for sale is a rare and original vintage paper broadside featuring the renowned European equilibrists and perche-performers, Dellion & Margaretha, dating circa 1920s–1930s. Known as "The Musical Head & Head and Perche-Performers," the act toured internationally, blending high-skill balancing arts with musical novelty acts as illustrated by the floating musical notes and horns in the print.
Dimensions: Approximately 24 x 18 inches
Medium: Original vintage paper poster/broadside, featuring graphic illustrations signed "Angeros" in the lower right corner.
Condition: Grade B+/B. Displays expected age-consistent character, including horizontal/vertical folds, scattered spotting, light paper discoloration, and minor edge chipping/tears consistent with vintage ephemeral display material.
A magnificent piece of early 20th-century circus, vaudeville, and variety arts history, ready for framing and display.
Maker Biography & Historical Context
The Artists (Dellion & Margaretha): While detailed personal vital statistics remain scarce due to the ephemeral nature of travelling vaudeville and circus acts, "Dellion & Margaretha" were part of the golden age of European specialty balancing acts. Billed globally as "The Musical Head & Head and Perche-Performers," they combined two demanding disciplines: perche (pole balancing, where an acrobat balances a long pole or apparatus on their chin, shoulder, or forehead while a partner performs aerial feats atop it) and musical performance integrated directly into the physical routine.
The Illustrator (Angeros): The artwork is signed by Angeros, a commercial and theatrical illustrator active during the early-to-mid 20th century whose graphic style captured the charm and physical dynamism of European traveling performers.
Interesting Facts
Global Acclaim: True to the streamer banner graphic on the poster reading "A Really Sensation Everywhere on the Whole World," acts like Dellion & Margaretha frequently crossed international borders, headlining major vaudeville circuits across Europe and North America.
The Art of "Perche": Perche balancing is one of the oldest and most dangerous circus traditions. Unlike standard balancing, incorporating musical elements (such as playing instruments or coordinating audio cues while supporting a human pyramid) added an extraordinary layer of difficulty.
