GARGANTUA the GREAT, AKA Buddy

Here is another ad from the 1940 edition of Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus Magazine and Daily Review. I love the look of the ad. I think it's great. I intended to do a little online search for information about it, but frankly it just breaks my heart.

I'm an animal lover. I cannot visit a zoo or a circus because I cannot stand to see animals confined and used by people to do things against their nature. I find it heartbreaking.

So, though I love the look of the ad, I can't stand what happened to this incredible animal. His journey to the circus and this Eveready battery ad should have never happened.


Click on image to see it larger.
(SOURCE: Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus Magazine and Daily Review, 1940)

From the Find a Grave website about Gargantua "Buddy" the Gorilla:

Birth:  unknown, Congo, Democratic Republic Of

Death: Nov., 1949, USA

Born in the Belgian Congo he was captured by missionaries and given as a present to Captain Arthur Phillips, who named him "Buddy" and was extremely fond of him. A drunk freighter accidentally scarred the ape's face with acid and the Captain gave Buddy to Gertrude Lintz, an eccentric socialite and animal lover and her husband Dr. John Lintz. He grew to over 450 pounds and too large for the Lintzs to care for. He was bought by John Ringling, who renamed him Gargantua because of his large size and scarred face. Ringling put Gargantua on display at his circus and billed him as "The Largest Gorilla in World" and saved The Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus from bankrupcy by attracting millions of visitors. Despite being given special care and attention, Gargantua died from double phonomnia in 1949. His life story and that of Massa another gorilla who belonged to Mrs. Lintz, inspired the 1997 movie, "Buddy". 

Burial: Peabody Museum, New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut, USA

Plot: Skeleton in musuem collection

To see another version of the ad click here and here.