RIVEL CHARLIE: (1896-1983) his real name being Josep Andreu i Lasserre. ...

RIVEL CHARLIE: (1896-1983) his real name being Josep Andreu i Lasserre. Spanish internationally known Spanish circus clown. His parents were circus artists as well. Signed postcard photograph by Rivel, the image depicting the Spanish clown in a half-length pose, in costume and playing his accordion. Signed in bold blue ink to a clear area of the image. VG

He debuted at the age of three in a group of siblings known as "Los Pepitos". Later he formed the group Trío Rivels with his brothers Polo Rivel and René Rivel. He took his artistic first name from Charlie Chaplin whom he encountered first in 1910. Each respected the other. Legend says that Chaplin later asked him: "Is it you who imitate me or I who imitate you?". He later discovered his definitive routine, featuring a chair, a guitar and a long jersey. In 1970, he appeared in Fellini´s film The Clowns.