BOOKS
about
CAROUSELS
The Carousel derived from medieval times where a crude
turntable with a horse model was used to train horsemen
and knights. As a jousting practice, they would try to
spear a ring with a lance while the frame turned. The
Italian "carosello" essentially means "quarrlesome".
Here is an alphabetical list of books that deal exclusively with
carousels. Be sure to consult the other
Books sections because
many of those books may also have carousel information.
Also look under Videos.
THE FOLLOWING MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED
WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR ©
________
THE AMERICAN CAROUSEL (1979)
By Nina Fraley. *(No Further Information.)
Published By:
Redbug Publishing
Benecia, California
U.S.A.
ISBN:
Price:
________
THE AMERICAN CAROUSEL (1991)
By Sally Scott. *(No Further Information.)
Published By:
Scott Publications
ISBN: 091680948X
Price: $9.80 (U.S. Funds)
________
THE AMERICAN CAROUSEL ORGAN (1998)
By Ron Bopp. This is a chronological encyclopedia of American
carousel organs, from Artizan to Wurlitzer, with lots of
great photos and reproductions of sales literature. The book
also includes a one-hour music CD of a Wurlitzer 153. *(The
book is 285 well-written pages and is well worth the somewhat
steep price if you enjoy real merry-go-round music.) Book
suggestion and review courtesy of Seth Briliant of Atlantic
City, New Jersey, U.S.A.)
Published By: Order From:
Magic Carousel Shoppe
Seaside Heights
New Jersey, U.S.A.
(800) 830-8374.
ISBN: 0-9663429-0-9
Price: $60 (U.S. Funds)
________
ART OF THE CAROUSEL (1983)
By Charlotte Dinger. This book emphasizes individual carvers
and horses more than complete machines. *(The text is
well-done and the photography is stunning.) Book comment
courtesy of Seth Briliant of Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Published By:
Carousel Art
Green Village, New Jersey
U.S.A. 07935
ISBN: 0-914507-00-1
Price: $40.00 (U.S. Funds)
________
THE CAROUSEL ANIMAL (1983)
By Tobin Fraley. The emphasis here is on particular horses,
with each one getting a separate page and short accompanying
text. *(The photos are magnificent.) Book comment courtesy of
Seth Briliant of Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Published By:
Zephyr Press
Box 3066
Berkeley, California
U.S.A. 94703
ISBN: ISBN# 0-913751-00-6
Price: $20.00 (U.S. Funds)
________
CAROUSEL ANIMAL CARVING (1998)
By Bud ?, an artist with a carousel animal carving school.
His carving course, techniques and ideas are given in the
book, which is a source for the beginner as well as the
skilled carver. Pictures of school workers and students
carving their own horses are included along with an
explanation of carving terms. *(Not Reviewed.)
Published By:
Sterling Publications
ISBN: 0806903058
Price: $19.95
________
CAROUSEL ART POSTCARDS (1991)
By Author William Manns, who is considered a leading
authority on American carousel art and history. The book
contains thirty 125 X 175 mm colour post cards in perforated
displays, so they may be used for mailing. *(Not Reviewed.)
Published By:
Zon International Publishing
Box 47
Millwood, New York 10546,
U.S.A.
ISBN: 0939549034
Price: $16:99 (U.S. Funds)
________
CAROUSEL HORSES: (2000)
"A Photographic Celebration"
By Sherrill Anderson. This starts with a condensed history of
the carousel, focusing on the "Golden Age" (1890-1925), with
coverage of both the United States and England; then the
1940 to 1960 period, when one couldn't give carousels away and
many were either scrapped or burned - there was just no demand
for them. The second half of the book deals with the creation
of new carousel animals and contains an in-depth explanation
of the procedure involved in creating a hand-carved wooden
horse, using classic techniques and modern materials. *(The
photography is spectacular, the reproductions are excellent,
and the text reads well. Fascinating reading and wonderful
pictures. My only caveat is that the book is probably not the
best for people just learning about carousels; other books
have far more detailed histories, but for someone already
familiar with that information, the general overview provides
a historical perspective and is a real eye-opener. it's
certainly a wonderful addition to anyone's carousel library.)
CAROUSEL HORSES:
(Continued)
Book suggestion and review courtesy of Seth Briliant,
Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Published By:
Courage Books/Running Press
ISBN: 0-7624-0847-2
Price: $35 (U.S. Funds)
________
THE CAROUSEL KEEPERS (1998)
By Carrie Papa. This is an oral history of the carousel
industry, given by, and from the perspective of, carousel
owners and operators, particularly those in New Jersey/New
York. There are fascinating stories of purchasing, operating
and restoring carousels from the mouths of those who lived it.
There's also the poignant and all too familiar story of how
and why antique carousels were broken up and sold as they
become too valuable, or the parks that they inhabit become
obsolete or worth more for other uses. *(It's a wonderful
addition to any carousel library, with great pictures of the
machines at Olympic Park, Seaside Heights, Asbury Park, Ocean
City, Bertrand Island, Palisades Park and other notable past
and present amusement parks in New Jersey and New York. The
book is well-written, has a good bibliography, and in my
opinion is well worth the price.) Book suggestion and review
courtesy of Seth Briliant of Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.A.
THE CAROUSEL KEEPERS
(Continued)
Published By:
MacDonald & Woodward Publishing
Box 10308
Blacksburg, Virginia
U.S.A. 24062
ISBN: 0-939923-67-X
Price: $16.95 (U.S. Funds)
________
CAROUSELS BEFORE 1880 (19 ? )
By Paul Braithwaite. This book profiles the person, animal,
and steam-driven carousels in history. *(Not Reviewed.)
Published By:
ISBN:
Price:
No publishing information, but contact the author at:
Paul Braithwaite
65 Sandown Road,
Brislington, Bristol
England
BS4 3PL
________
CAROUSELS OF CONEY ISLAND (1970)
By Roland Summit. *(No Further Information.)
Published By:
ISBN:
Price:
________
THE CAROUSELS OF THE PHILADELPHIA TOBOGGAN COMPANY (1984)
By Charles Jacques. This book is actually Volume 5, No. 4 of
the Amusement Park Journal and discusses the carousels made
by PTC. It lists every carousel manufactured by them from 1904
until production ceased in the early 1930's. *(It's a well-
researched and well-documented look at PTC and its carousels.
The author had access to the PTC archives and made the most of
the opportunity. Don't let the low price fool you -- great
text, great pictures and great reproduction of them.) Book
review courtesy of Seth Briliant of Atlantic City, New
Jersey, U.S.A.
Published By:
Amusement Park Journal
P.O. Box 478
Jefferson, OH 44047-0478
U.S.A
ISBN: Price: $7.50 (U.S. Funds)
________
C.W. PARKER (1987)
"Carnival King"
By Bob Goldsak. A book on the man that created carousels
and other rides.
Published By:
Midway Museum
ISBN:
Price:
________
DIAMONDS ON THE MIDWAY (Expected 2002)
"A Guide to America's Classic Carousels"
This book, by Carrie Papa, will be about present and past
carousels in The United States. It is also expected to
include Canadian gallopers, as well, and be part of the
McDonald & Woodward "Guides to the American Landscape"
series. *(Not Yet Released)
Published By:
McDonald & Woodward
Box 10308
Blacksburg, Virginia
U.S.A. 24062
ISBN:
Price:
________
GRAB THE BRASS RING (1990)
By Anne Hinds. Discusses not only the history of carousels,
but also the various public and private restoration efforts
which have taken place, resulting in the preservation of
complete carousels. *(A beautiful book, with thoughtful,
informative text and wonderful pictures, many of them
"action" photos of carousels in operation with delighted
riders.) Book review courtesy of Seth Briliant of Atlantic
City, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Published By:
Crown Publishers
New York, New York
ISBN: #0-517-57486-1
Price: $30.00 (U.S. Funds)
________
THE GREAT AMERICAN CAROUSEL (1994)
"A Century of Master Craftsmanship"
By Tobin Fraley. Traces the development of American carousels
from their immigrant beginnings in the last century to the
today's restoration efforts. Many of the great carvers have
individual profiles. With index. *(Recommended. This book has
over 125 photos with more than 75 in color. Many close-ups of
the carvings in various stages, and of the variety of animals
other than horses that dotted merry-go-rounds of the past. A
great plus is a list of carousels by state along with a list
of museums and displays in The United States.)
THE GREAT AMERICAN CAROUSEL (Continued)
Published by:
Raincoast Books
112 East Third Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia
V5T 1C8
ISBN: 0-8118-0634-0
Price: $18.95 (Cdn. Funds)
________
JUBILEE STEAM GALLOPERS (19 )
By Paul Braithwaite. Profiles the steam-driven carousels of
John Carter are discussed. Other rides are also included.
*(Not Reviewed.)
Published By:
ISBN:
Price:
No publishing information, but contact the author at:
Paul Braithwaite
65 Sandown Road,
Brislington, Bristol
England
BS4 3PL
________
PAINTED PONIES (1986)
"American Carousel Art"
By William Manns, Peggy Shank, and Marianne Stevens. This
book's 650 colour photos show antique carousel art and
focuses on individual animals as well as entire carousels.
The rarest and most unique animals were selected from private
collections and operating carousels. There are charts,
directories and guides for collectors, artists, and enthusiasts.
*(My personal favourite among the carousel books, mainly
because of the excellent photography.) Book suggestion and
comment by Seth Briliant of Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Published By: Price: $40 (U.S. Funds)
Zon International Publishing Company
Box 47
Millwood, New York 10546,
U.S.A.
ISBN: 0-939549-01-8
________
PAINT THE PONIES (19 )
By Bette Largent. This book is in looseleaf format so that
one may add notes or updates. It is a manual for those
interested in carousel animal refinishing & painting, and
discusses preparation, priming, colour & brush selection,
paint sequence, golding, etc. *(Not Reviewed)
Published By:
ISBN:
Price: $28.50 (U.S. Funds)
________
A PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE CAROUSEL (1964)
By Frederick Fried. This book traces carousels up to the
present day. *(The pictures aren't quite as good as some of
the newer carousel books, but as the FIRST serious book about
carousels, chock full of great information, and the book that
sparked the current preservation movement, it deserves a place
in your library if you can find a copy anywhere.) Book
suggestion and review courtesy of Seth Briliant, Atlantic
City, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Published by: Price: Unknown
Vestal Press
320 North Jensen Road
Box 97
Vestal, New York
U.S.A. 13850
ISBN: 0-911572-29-5 (Reprint. Now Probably Out of Print).
________
PTC AMUSEMENT CATALOG (19 )
This is a reprint of the 1929, 36-page catalog given out by
the company. It features photographs of many of the best PTC
built coasters including the Coney Island (Cincinnati)
"Wildcat", the Woodside "Wildcat", the "Zip" at White City in
Massachusetts, plus many others. Beside the 23 coaster
photographs, also shown are carousels, carousel buildings,
and old mills. *(Not Reviewed.)
Published By:
ISBN:
Price: $6.95 (U.S. Funds)
________
ROUNDABOUT PEOPLE (1998)
By Brian Steptoe. This book features the stories of the
builders of carousels, their art, and experiences. Also
spotlighted are restorers and five of their works. With
pictures, 83 in colour. *(Not Reviewed.)
Published By:
?
Order From:
Jumper Books
99 McCarthy Way
Wokingham, Berkshire
RG40 4UB
England
ISBN: 0 9523112 1 6
Price: 19.95 (U.K. Currency)
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