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Paul Braithwaite Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0114

Scope and Contents

This collection contains issues of ten different fairground related publications, transcriptions of taped interviews with different fairground showmen and families, related correspondence and research used for the purpose of Paul Braithwaite’s publication work. There are also small pockets of photographic images, advertising material and an obituary for Joe Fletcher.

Dates

  • Creation: 1958 - 2004

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Items are available to view by appointment in the NFCA reading room

Conditions Governing Use

Copies may be supplied or produced at the discretion of National Fairground and Circus Archive, subject to copyright law and condition of the material

Biographical / Historical

Paul became interested in fairs in order to make models, being attracted by the lights, colour and movement as a change from my usual professional architectural and railway miniatures. A scarcity of useful information caused him to delve into the subject until he became fascinated with the history of the travelling amusement world. This saw him taking thousands of photographs in the 1980-90s and accumulating masses of historical stuff: many of the books were acquired by the NFA about 2002. He provided material on which Langley Miniature Models based their admired range of model kits.

His stream of publications caught the attention of the late, showman John Carter, who had an idea to commission a booklet about his beloved gallopers ride in order to promote his Steam Fair. This led to commissions for a series of books, only four being produced due to his untimely demise. In addition, contributions to periodicals included Fairground Society's "Jottings, "FAGB's "Mercury", National Carousel Assoc. (USA) "Merry-go-Roundup" and Steve Hunt's "Deal Directory"/later "Antique Amusements Magazine." Also, I had pleasure in contributing to Norman Anderson's authoratative work on "Ferris Wheels."

Paul spent some time in local archives and elsewhere to create a manuscript History of Coventry's Pleasure Fairs" and to compile data for an historical directory of the amusement business.

Paul has presented slide shows on "History of Pleasure Fair,." Waxworks, Corris Railway and Photochrom postcards. Also there are 24 panels which formed the basis of an exhibition "Mobile Villages" at the Architecture Centre, Bristol that are now available for loan to bone fide events.

His particular interest is in the past of amusement rides (1590-1870), games and shows around the world. That was over a period of difficult travelling conditions so that fair tackle had to be either built on site or made very light to move by small cart, or later by railway. He did some work on the development of dodgems.

Waxworks has also greatly interested him, to the extent that he edited and published the bi-monthly "Waxworks International Newsletter" and a booklet history of the wax-figure business.

Due to extreme pressure in his work life and an overdue model-making commission Paul was obliged to abandon the fair hobby in the early 2000s and has only revived attention over the last couple of years. In particular he is now completing the bumper cars book and has also amassed material on the origins of amusement rides in Britain as well as about some early ride manufacturers. The American National Carousel Association published his feature on the patent history of gallopers over a number of issues of "Merry-go-Roundup." he also contribute irregularly to the "Ferris Wheel Newsletter."

Extent

9 Box(es) (8 boxes of publications and 1 box of research, manuscripts, interview transcripts and correspondence)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Catalogued according to type

Related Materials

Dick Price Collection

Status
Completed
Author
Arantza Barrutia
Date
1 May 2014
Description rules
International Standard for Archival Description - General
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the National Fairground and Circus Archive Repository

Contact:
The University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2TN United Kingdom
0114 222 7231