All the fun of the fair could be yours thanks to a rare opportunity to buy a colourful piece of British fairground history – a 1970s Super Danter’s Waltzer car.
The hand-painted item, once owned by the Danters, a family renowned for providing fairground attractions since the 1930s, is coming up for sale at Hansons Auctioneers with a guide price of £800-£1,200. It’s just one item in a quirky single-owner collection of unique fairground items consigned for sale.
The seller, Mark Peacock, 51, a senior IT manager from Glasgow, said: “The Waltzer car is a superb piece of fairground history. It was owned by the Danter’ Funfair business which still operates.
“This particular Waltzer car was produced by George Maxwell & Sons, a ride manufacturer that previously traded in Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland. Maxwell was arguably the best-known manufacturer of the ride in the UK. This example was built in 1975 but the hand-painted artwork is based on an earlier 1950s design.
“I have been finding items like this for several years now. Buying unearthly cool or collectable things is a great hobby and I am often invited to places others don’t get into. I enjoy owning them for a while but then move them on to make way for the next batch!”
The colourful artwork and quirky nature of vintage fairground finds make them hugely popular with collectors, according to Hansons. It’s expecting strong interest when the items go under the hammer in January 2022.
Lots include a fibreglass clown head with a large gaping mouth which would have been used as target to throw balls through, £200-£300. There are also two hand-painted Mickey Mouse signs with a ‘Rings must lay flat’ sign, £150-300, and three advertising domes, which would have been illuminated, emblazoned with ‘Candy Floss’, ‘Toffee Apples’ and ‘Fortune Teller’, £300-£500.
There is also an ‘Auction This Way’ wooden board and confectionery sign, £100-£200; hand painted headliner wooden boards emblazoned with ‘Pridgeons Super Thriller’, £350-£550, and hand painted side panels, £350-£550. Together the entire collection could make in excess of £3,000.
Steve Fulford, valuer at Hansons, said: “You don’t need to be a fortune teller to predict that this collection will do well. Fairs have been part and parcel of British life since the 19th century. Some of our earliest childhood memories are made at the fair. Most people can remember the excitement of childhood visits – the music, the lights, the candy floss, toffee apples and hot dogs and, most of all, the colourful rides.
“Bright and bold fairground artwork reminds us of those magic moments. It opens up a rich vein of nostalgia. It’s been wonderful to see appreciation for fairground art grow over the years. As well as enjoying the vibrant designs, some collectors like to research the history and stories attached to items like these.”
The fairground items are due to be sold in a Toy and Nostalgia Auction on January 20, 2022 at Hansons Auctioneers, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire. To find out more, email Steve Fulford: [email protected].
Entries invited for forthcoming sales
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