Fred G. Johnson

Fred G. Johnson (January 1892, Chicago, Illinois – 11 May 1990, Sun City, Arizona[1]) was a prolific sideshow banner artist whose career spanned 65 years.

His banner paintings were displayed at the Chicago World's Fair of 1933, called A Century of Progress, and by circuses such as Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey, and Clyde Beatty.

Johnson resumed working for the United States Tent & Awning Co. after World War I, producing banners for owners Walter and Charles Driver between 1921 and 1930.

Early circuses routinely used brightly painted ones to lure paying customers to their quirky sideshows of freaks and curiosities – snake charmers, sword swallowers, two-headed babies and five-legged cows were some of the exaggerated attractions offered for 'your shock and amazement for just five cents!'.

[2] Most of his banners were lost, but survivors are preserved in circus museums in Baraboo, Wisconsin – home to Ringling Brothers – and Sarasota, Florida.