Jones, Arthur, Active c1890 -1979 (Fairground Enthusiast)
Dates
- Existence: Active c1890 - 1979
Biography
Arthur Jones was the librarian of the original fairground enthusiast organisation the Friendship Circle of Showland Fans (FCSF). His role was to coordinate the borrowing of photograph albums and books. The nature of the prominence of certain individual members in the FCSF, and its over-riding imperative to document a 'bygone era' through its rapid disappearance meant that much of the photographic material of the FCSF became homogenised. Arthur's own photographs, taken in and around his Burton-on-Trent base, were not widely circulated apart from his more 'obvious' images of rides, organs and engines.
Arthur had a keen eye and fascination for documenting the social scene of the fairground. Most of his images came from the visits of the Pat Collins firm to Burton-on-Trent, Arthur's regular ventures east in neighbouring Leicestershire to see the Holland families and the odd trip into the bordering Derbyshire to see showmen such as Tom Jervis.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Arthur Jones Collection
The photograph library of the Friendship Circle of Showland Fans (FCFS). This collection includes material relating to famous fairs, engines and rides. As well as containing a full bound set of 'Merry-Go-Round' journals and numerous books, letters and other journals. The collection includes various catalogues and notebooks documenting the use of traction engines on the fairground.