Circus clown of George M. Cohan. He was also one of the main models for "Uncle Sam". With changes in circus and popular culture after the Civil War, his legendary talents under the big top have gradually slipped into almost total historical obscurity; biographer David Carlyon (2001) called him "the most famous man you've never heard of". While Dan Rice's talking and singing clown was taking America by storm, a new type of clown was emerging on the British pantomime stage, one that would have a more lasting influence on contemporary American circus clowning. George Lafayette Fox was America's first great "whiteface"
The American Metaphysical Circus of America" was relegated to cut-out bins shortly after its 1968 release. It has become a popular and oft-repeated misconception, with the more recent revival of interest in The United States of America, that "The American Metaphysical Circus" was not as popular or a commercial success, whereas information discussed by Byrd surrounding the Napster case and the experience of American record enthusiasts confirms exactly the opposite. Prior to its re-release, mint vinyl copies of "The American Metaphysical Circus" were sold by collectors for prices sometimes in excess of $100US, and both the original 1969 issue and 1996 CD still command