Trixie (Larue) appeared on the Spade Cooley Show doing her usual fine job with four straw hats, six discs, and ball spinning and bouncing off the head. (IJA Newsletter, April 1955)

At the Circus Sollien, I have seen and spoken with Tom Wells, (a young German jug). His act is very good. He juggles three up to seven tennis balls with head and mouth balance. His routines with three and later five big soccer balls are very great form! Max Koch letter from Berlin (IJA Newsletter, September 1955)

Two Fravensteins with a novel act featuring juggling while balancing on one hand. Also wire walking. To quote Max - "Standing on a wire, he catches, with the head, cups tossed from his wife by means of a little springboard. Ending in the same manner, he catches with the forehead where he has a little cork - a knife! Max Koch letter from Berlin (IJA Newsletter, April 1956)

"Had enjoyable visit with Ringling Circus and tossed clubs with the jugs on the bill between shows. The Chiesa Bros. are still using clubs I made for them in 1948 and props are in perfect condition. Hardly believable, but true." Harry Lind letter (IJA Newsletter, August 1956)

Dressed in naval officer's uniform, billed as the Commodore of Juggling, he offers a unique.performance with hoops and diabolos. In complete darkness, the large spools shoot forth colored flame which change colors while turning. His is a nicely dressed and cleverly routined act. Press notice of Al Belmont's (of the Belmont Bros.) solo act (IJA Newsletter, November 1956)

East Berlin - Friedrichstadt-Palast (November) The Russian Circus of Moscow came to Berlin. The big stage of the Vaud was changed into a very fine circus ring... The juggler Iwan Chromow starts his act with a somersault into the ring, juggles very fast and good with four sticks, then bouncing ball and four sticks, juggling all five things rolling and catching with one big ball and two smaller ones. He juggles four rings interrupted with a somersault, then continued juggling immediately five rings with bouncing ball, six rings bouncing ball and skipping rope, seven rings and sword balance on the forehead - A very good sword swinging to the fine music of the sword dance by Chatschaturjan. He finishes his act with three burning torches, a good and very fast act. Max Koch letter from Berlin (IJA Newsletter, December 1956)

Ballade Of Chautauqua
(Chautauqua was the site of the IJA's 10th Anniversary fest)
by Louise (Mrs. Homer) Stack

Clubs do twirl and balls do roll
Birds are loud the livelong day
Oh! The jugglers in their prime
Take up their scepters in every way

The land around beneath their feet
Gets pounded down in hours of heat
Glows a dream as the long day closes
With burnished brows and bright red noses
Lights and shadows gently fall
As they all troop into the dining hall
Hark! the rich recurrent chatter
Of jugglers as they clean the platter
Fancy no more glooms or props
Evening comes and invites dozes
As joyously they trip away
To juggle more another day

(IJA Newsletter, July 1957)

After a long time of three years, I saw and spoke again to Bob Bramson. He shows a great, amazingly clever act with his mother in hoop rolling and juggling. Really splendidly and charmingly presented. Three and four hoops rolling over back and shoulders. One hoop as head balance and juggling four hoops with left hand tossing through the balanced hoop. Five hoops juggling with right and left tossing over the shoulder. Seven large hoops juggling. Bouncing ball, two hoops spinning around the legs and six hoops juggling. Four hoops rolling around the neck seems to be child's play for him. Bob, in my opinion, is one of the top jugglers I have seen in years. He was applauded by the Friedrichstadt Palast audience in the heartiest way. An act radiating great personality and showmanship. Max Koch letter from Berlin (IJA Newsletter, December 1957)

Joe Taylor, who was a member of the IJA from July, 1947 until 1954 when he was in armed services, has returned to the fold. Joe is one, if not the only one, of the few professional Negro jugglers in the world. He traveled formerly with an all star colored baseball team where he did his juggling act on the ball diamonds. He is currently with the Magician's Basketball Team. He met Roger Montandon while in Tulsa and renewed his membership in IJA. His clever and fun packed act is always well received. (IJA Newsletter, April 1958)

I will close with another topic, with a question - "Who was the First Juggler?" Perhaps it was Adam? Perhaps he juggled the apples before Eve??? But shortly said, the first jugglers we heard of are girl-jugglers. Wall pictures on the Beni-Hassen tombs in Egypt, 1900 years B.C., show us girls juggling in various routines so with three balls, crossed arms and in pick-a-back combination with two and three balls tossing. Max Koch letter from Berlin (IJA Newsletter, May 1958)