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Message:: [QUOTE="AJefferson, post: 271313, member: 5347"]No cereal boxes surprises here. They were mostly likely for promotional use either sold or given away. I little history I found: Legendary early American Circus Clown named, "Billy Andrews" circa 1860's. He is dressed in the traditional attire worn by another similar early clown named "George L. Fox." Billy Andrews was Born 1840? and Died in 1895. Billy was a clown with Orton Brothers Circus 1865-68, then with John W. Robinson's (not "Old John") in 1870. He then went to Haight in 1871, Great Eastern Circus in 1872 and then to the American Circus in 1873. He partnered with Wootten for a circus troupe in 1873, then Basye's in 1879 and returned from retirement to fill engagements with the St. Louis Circus in the winters of 1879-1880. He acted as a press agent and clown in Thornton's 1880 as well. Finally a returning to a clown role in 1881 with Shelby, Pullman and Hamilton Circus in 1881. His wife was Lotino Andrews. Billy died Kankakee, IL. in an insane asylum, as did many other clowns of this era. A number were institutionalized in insane asylums until their deaths due to the lead poisoning in the white face paint.[/QUOTE]