Cooper & Bailey Circus

Cooper & Bailey Circus was a major American traveling circus of the 1870s. James A. Bailey had begun working with James E. Cooper before the operation became one of the era's prominent touring shows.

The circus was co-founded by James A. Bailey, James E. Cooper, and several partners. Bailey later became one of the most important figures in American circus history and was associated with the later Barnum and Bailey tradition.

The company toured widely across the United States and also traveled in Latin America. Its broad touring network helped make it one of the largest American circuses of the late nineteenth century.

Cooper & Bailey was a separate earlier operation associated with James A. Bailey. Bailey later became linked with P. T. Barnum's circus, contributing to the history that led to the famous Barnum & Bailey name.