Caravans used to be simple wooden carts. Nowadays most showmen live in well equipped mobile homes.
Before the mid 19th century the children of showmen differed little from any other children. They learnt their trades with their families. It was only with the growth of public education that this changed. The rhythm of the fairground meant that most children of showmen missed a lot of their school education. Most of them would travel with the fair for many months and help their parents. Education was learning the business. Some showmen sent their children to boarding-schools. Others let their children stay with foster parents. Nowadays there are special arrangements for fairground children in some countries. In the Netherlands there are Rijdende Scholen (Travelling Schools) which actually travel along with the showmen during the fair season. Currently they teach some 350 children from 4 to 13/14 years old. In the UK there are specialist teachers who visit fairgrounds, and who helped to provide work for children to do in their own homes. A similar service can be found in parts of Germany.
Showmen are very inventive: this bus is converted into a caravan. The picture’s from the 1970s.
Caravans in front of a concrete block. Somewhere in Italy in the 1940s, probably in the outskirts of Milan.
This modern caravan is built in Bergantino.
The living wagon of the Turner family, somewhere in Yorkshire in 1903. Wilfred and Jane Turner covered the side of their wagon with a sun shield to stop the varnish on the paint peeling in the sun.
Walter and Renee Marshall and a poodle in their mobile home. Walter Marshall is owner of W. Marshall Amusements, father of Sandra Marshall and ex Chairman of the Yorkshire Section of the Showsmen’s Guild of Great Britain.
Caravan life around 1900: showmen preparing their tour, and a showman’s lady preparing a meal.
Brandy for all.
Near the polar circle. Northern countries were no terra incognita for travelling showmen and salesmen. Since the 12th century a lively trade took place. They traded in goods such as copper, fish, furs, iron, tar and timber. In addition, a lively market place is always interesting for a showman. On this picture we see a merry meeting of showmen and salesmen, probably fur traders.
Marlborough Mop in Wiltshire with the showmen’s caravans huddled together. Christopher Hughes drew this scene in 1913. This local hiring fair still exists today.
Nottingham Goose Fair 1993, with the showmen’s caravans in front.
A mobile village. Living quarters at Nottingham Goose Fair in 1993.
Caravans overshadowed by a rollercoaster. Nottingham Goose Fair, 1996.
J. Studt owned a sumptuous caravan. The year is 1909.
The interior of J. Studts living carriage shows how the ornate style of the great shows was reflected in the living spaces of the showmen. The decor also demonstrates the intense respectability of this sucessful showman.