American Carnival Art

American carousel ride container in the form of a Swan, 1930s (NY9253/UMR) An American metal container, originally made as a carousel ride, with a swan head on the front. Our cl...

EXCEPTIONALLY GRAPHIC AND COLORFUL RACE HORSE GAME WHEEL, MADE BY H.C. EVANS, CHICAGO, CA 1920-50 Elaborately embellished race horse gaming wheel, made by Evans & Company in Chicago. Each of the wheel's 10 panels are brightly colored lithographs behind glass, framed by lengths of decorative metal trim, cast from an alloy that appears to be comprised of copper mixed with zinc or aluminum. This may have at one time been nickel plated. The four crown-shaped center panels are fancifully paint-stenciled mirror, framed with the same trim and tipped with whimsical stars. Numbers that run around the outer edge of the wheel, which functioned like a ball-in-cage lottery, with payouts that alternated based on the changing number in the cylindrical tower. This is spring-driven and interesting to witness when in operation. The wooden post that supports the wheel is polychrome-painted wood, has a cast steel, tripod base and breaks down for transport. The frame of the wheel is heavy laminate wood, 1 3/4" thick, with metal spokes cast from an alloy similar the trim. The wheel is signed on the giant cast and nickel-plated washer in the center. This reads "H.C. Evans & Co.; Chicago, Ill." Established in 1892, the firm was incorporated in 1907. By 1909 it was located at 125 Clark Street. By the 1920s, it had moved to 1528 West Adams Street. In 1929 it claimed to be the oldest firm of its kind in existence and, at 52,000 square feet, maintained the largest factory in the world engaged in the exclusive manufacture of the types of products for which it was known. When an Evans wheel...

Eight panel printed carnival screen, circa 1940. Large printed panels reproduce a whimsical, hand-painted scene of elephants and performers. Can be installed on the wall as a pain...

Original black, red and white paint with wood peg in the centre.

Two sided hand-painted on wood carnival or gaming wheel decorated with heart shaped openings and random star and floral painted patterns in green, red, and white on each side. Hand-p...

“Wild Animal Exhibit” painted carnival sign, circa 1940. Hand-painted on canvas.

Charming mid-20th century fairground "strongman" figure, the slight gentleman wearing a beanie cap and sporting a handlebar moustache in mid squat position standing on original paint...

Carnival Lion. Region: American circa late 19th century. Material: Oil on a single plank of pine. Dimension: H 22” x W 16”. Condition: Overall Excellent, original surf...

Thirty foot-long American painted side show circus banner depicting a colorful array of different circus performers. The banner is signed by Fred Johnson-...

Bejeweled and armored American carousel horse, an outside jumper made by C. W. Parker in Leavenworth, Kansas in the early part of the twentieth century, probably the mid-teens. A masterpiece of American carousel carving...

Elaborately embellished race horse gaming wheel, made by Evans & Company in Chicago. Each of the wheel's 10 panels are brightly colored lithographs behind glass, framed by lengths of decorative nickel-plated trim. The four crown-shaped center panels are foil-decorated mirror, framed with the same trim and finished with whimsical stars. Numbers would have once ran the outer edge of the wheel and were the real source of the game it was used for, which functioned quite like a ball-in-cage lottery with payouts that alternated based on the changing number in the cylindrical tower.

The wooden post that supports the wheel, which has a cast-iron, tripod base, is polychrome-painted wood and sheet metal. It collapses for easy transport. The frame of the wheel is heavy laminate wood, 1 3/4" thick, with metal supports and nickel-plated pins.

Condition: The outer ring (red in color) of the wheel has been re-surfaced. This was probably not unusual, as the edges were the most susceptible to damage as these extremely heavy wheels were rolled around and transported by leasing companies. Glass and mirror was probably broken and replaced as needed. A company renting gaming equipment...

AMERICAN CAROUSEL DECORATION, FOUND IN MASSACHUSETTS, 1870-1910:

Fantastic carousel adornment with dynamic form and color, made from carved and painted wood. The scrol...