“The greatest show on earth” now in London
Subject(s): Carriages and carts, Coronations, Edward VII, King of Great Britain, 1841-1910, England--London, Great Britain, Knights and knighthood, Parades, Processions
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At the procession for the coronation of Edward VII, King of Great Britain, many of those participating in the pageantry are wearing medieval costume. Caption: Barnum was not the only man who knew that the public likes to be humbugged.
Comments and Context
Due to exigencies of publishing deadlines, this cartoon depicts an event that did not take place, at least at its scheduled time. Ehrhart’s critique of the excessive pomp that was planned for the Coronation of England’s King Edward VII was a valid observation, and part of one of Great Britain’s strangest ceremonies. The former Prince of Wales was 59 years old and his mother Queen Victoria had been on throne for a seemingly interminable 64 years. The prince was, famously, overweight and a playboy. The Queen’s Golden and Diamond jubilees had been rather lackluster, so ostentatious celebrations were anticipated, with royalty from around the world, potentates from England’s far-flung empire, performers of all sorts, just as cartoonist Ehrhart anticipated. However, two days prior to the coronation, the future Edward VII took ill and needed abdominal surgery; the coronation was postponed. Commoners and a staff of thousands were given sweets and thanks in consolation. When the coronation did occur in August, it was in many respects a comedy of errors: a crotchety Archbishop of Canterbury who died four months later, crowns falling from royal heads, botched protocol, and stage-whispers among the royal family.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1902-06-25
Creator(s)
Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
Repository
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Page Count
1
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
“The greatest show on earth” now in London. [June 25, 1902]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o276239. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937. “The greatest show on earth” now in London. [25 Jun. 1902]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o276239.
APA:
Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937., [1902, June 25]. “The greatest show on earth” now in London.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o276239.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
APA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
