Category: Historical stuff
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Showpeople and the two world wars
SHOWPEOPLE AND THE TWO WORLD WARS A hundred years ago Britain was in the third year of the First World War (1914-1918). This conflict altered the lives of everyone who lived through that time – including Glasgow’s community of showpeople. The war touched the lives of nearly every citizen of Glasgow and left an enduring mark…
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Joy Wheel
Taken approx. early 1920s (probably 1924). Taken at Newcastle Town Moor. Joy Wheel bought from Evans by Joe White Sr. Probably the first ride of many. This photograph belongs to Natalie Cowie-Kayes. All rights reserved.
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Exciting Sensation Swallow’s Select Studs Photo
This photograph belongs to Natalie Cowie-Kayes. All rights reserved. Date – 1898 – 1914 c.1900s – Cinematograph in background which would place between 1897/8 and 1914. Where – Largs Swallow’s steam gallopers next to swingboats – no tarpaulin on which suggests it may be the last day of the fair. Cinematograph owned by same family…
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The Magic of Moving Movie Shows – Part 2
In 1894 Pepper’s Ghost Illusion was a popular entertainment, being presented in fairgrounds, as were Marrionettes. Shows were of much larger dimensions than the ground booths already described, they were able to use larger screens, on rollers, which were lowered in front of the stage with which all Marrionette and ghost shows were equipped. There’s…
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The Magic of Moving Movie Shows
I thought I’d post a little about the things we talked about regarding show folk and the development of cinema. So, like I mentioned at GMRC, the magic lantern has been around since the 17th Century and showmen created and used ingenious methods to animate their shows. From complex glass lantern slides with layers of glass…
Fair Scotland 