Showmen have always travelled as comfortably as they could and in the most appropriate manner.
Showmen have travelled in many different ways. In the early days most of them went on foot. In the many mountainous regions of Europe it was the often the only practical way to travel. Some showmen stayed overnight in common lodging-houses. Others could afford a horse and a cart. The horses were often for carrying material and the showman would walk Large shows, such as the portable theatres or the travelling menageries required complex travelling arrangements sometimes involving several wagons and many animals. Prosperous showmen would travel by ship or train if appropriate. The materials were loaded on the ship, unloaded at the next port, and transported to the desired location on wagons. They travelled in saloon carriages. Sometimes they even had a special caravan for cooking. Some of those living carriages were very plush. Today in Europe transporting modern attractions requires specialised lorries. Often these have been customised and form an integral part of the ride.
Showmen are very inventive: this bus is converted into a caravan. The picture’s from the 1970s.
This modern caravan is built in Bergantino.
A family portrait.
Annie Holland in front of the carriage for the Palace of Light Cinematograph Show and loads photographed in 1908. Mrs Annie Holland was one of ten women who travelled a fairground cinematograph in the early 20th century. Hers was described as the biggest and brightest on the road.
Some more prosperous showmen travelled by boat.
Jan van Morkhoven once travelled from Alexandria to Cairo by train. The family’s caravan is on the wagon on the left.
“Holiday Time is Felixstowe Time”! Manning’s Galloper Ride packed up at Nottingham Goose Fair in 1960.
Pat Collins travelled on big wheels. White Waltham Steam Fair, 1964.
Tilburg (the Netherlands) awaiting the 1972 fair.
One of the earliest lorrys used to transport travelling shows. It doesn't look too comfortable!
A wintry tragedy: Die letzte Fahrt Cocos (Coco’s last journey).
Showmen applying for permission to stay.
Many people think that travelling showmen are independent, free and homeless. But nobody has to carry more certificates, identity papers, letters of reference, licences and permissions. Take Germany before 1871: that was a confederation of 39 sovereign states. For travelling showmen that meant borders, changing currencies, custom fees and permissions to stay almost very few days! Authorities sometimes were prejudiced against fairground people. So it was best to be as servile as possible. Like the company on this picture. Not every showman had a living wagon of his own. A lot of showmen had to look for hotels or inns. If you like to have a lively impression of that time, Ingmar Bergman’s movie Ansiktet (The Face, with Max von Sydow, 1958) is recommended!
On the road.
Since 1888 Dunton & Sons in Reading, Berkshire, are famous as coach and carriage builders. Showmen stopped on the fairground opposite Reading railway station and came in for repairs or to order a new living wagon. Dunton & Sons also had gypsies, hawkers and horse dealers among their clients. Gypsies and showmen go their own ways, but both tour in what the settled population calls the gypsy-caravan. The van on this picture is a characteristic Dunton’s Reading Van with sloping walls, an arched roof and big wheels. It is lavishly carved. The interior of these wagons was often gilded.