This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/16/2019
C.W. Parker Carousel and Amusement Factory Archive. Approximately 100 items related to, sent to, or created by the Parker Co., reported to be the largest business building carousels, Ferris wheels, shooting galleries, and related amusement devices in the first half of the twentieth century. Ephemera includes lithographed window cards, tickets, metal ride tags, business cards, Parker’s own membership card in a local Kansas club, promotional materials (including several letterheads), shooting gallery flyers and photographs, three German pipe organ/band organ catalogs, promotional newspapers and heralds, Showmen’s League of America programs, and other associated ephemera. Accompanied by three CDs of photographs and negatives of Parker. Neatly kept and organized. Parker founded his carousel-making business in Abilene, Kansas in 1896. Later, the firm moved to Leavenworth, where it flourished and grew in to what was, perhaps, the largest concern of its kind. This earned Parker the title of “Amusement King.” Best known for making elaborate and showy carousels, Parker also built shooting galleries, Ferris wheels, and related equipment. The firm closed in 1955.