Silk and satin theatre playbills and programmes were produced from the 18th century onwards to commemorate special evenings at the theatre. Most theatres and some circuses in the 19th century had some made to mark grand openings or milestone performances. By the end of the First World War however the practice had generally died out, only being revived very occasionally, more often at London's opera houses than any other theatres. This programme was produced for the opening in Philadelphia of Adam Forepaugh's circus for the 1891 season which toured the United States, frequently moving towns daily. Adam Forepaugh (1831-1890) sold his circus to James A. Bailey and James E. Cooper in 1889, but by 1891 Cooper is credited as 'Sole Owner'. Cooper previously owned James E. Cooper's Circus, later called The Great International Circus, but kept the name Adam Forehaugh's Shows for this circus, described here as a: 'Zoological, Equestrian and Trained Animal Exhibition'. Adam Forepaugh Junior was its Equestrian Director. Adam Forepaugh Snr. was born in Philadelphia but moved to New York City and became a circus proprietor in 1865 after taking partial ownership of a circus whose owner defaulted on a debt for the sale of some horses. Forepaugh was an astute if unethical businessman and during the 1870s and 1880s Forepaugh and P.T. Barnum owned two of the largest circuses in America. Despite the competitive nature of their businesses, they combined their shows for performance in Philadelphia in 1880 and at Madison Square Gardens in 1887.