|
World of Mirth Shows a remembrance by Bob Goldsack Soft Cover
World of Mirth Shows. a remembrance by Bob Goldsack
Soft Cover
144 pages
Copyright 1984
CONTENTS
Introduction vii
Chapter 1 - THE LARGEST MIDWAY ON EARTHPage 9
Chapter 2 - JOINING FORCESPage 12
Chapter 3 - THE BERNARDI YEARSPage 15
Chapter 4 - EARLY WORLD OF MIRTHPage 20
Chapter 5 - BUILDING A SHOW AND A REPUTATIONPage 27
Chapter 6 - TOP OF THE CARNIVAL WORLDPage 38
Chapter 7 - THE WAR YEARSPage 47
Chapter 8 - THE BERGEN ERA BEGINSPage 55
Chapter 9 - RIDING THE CRESTPage 70
Chapter 10 - THE GOOD YEARS CONTINUEPage 88
Chapter 11 - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ADVENTUREPage 100
Chapter 12 - CHANGES AND PROBLEMSPage 110
Chapter 13 - QUICK DECLINEPage 119
Chapter 14 - THE ENDPage 126
Chapter 15 - POST-MORTEMPage 131
AppendixPage 134
ON THE BACK COVER
The author's interest in the World of Mirth Shows started back in 1938 during my first visit to the midway as part of the newspaper boys contingent. Although only eight years old, I had a special dispensation to attend as my father was always the circulation executive in charge of the boys from the local newspaper. The evening of rides and shows was eagerly awaited each year, and when I finally received my own paper route in 1942 I proudly became an official guest of the World of Mirth management.
The arrival of the train on Sunday and the pageantry of unloading became an annual ritual that lasted through the show's last visit in 1961. Around the age of 12, I even attempted to build a model carnival patterned after the "Big Orange" show with wagons made of wooden cheese boxes from a nearby market, and wheels from "Tinker Toy" and "Erector" sets.
Over the years, the yearly excitement brought by the World of Mirth lingered in my memories, and I often thought how little I knew about the carnival and how interesting it would be to find out more about it. As time passed, the Carnival Historical & Model Builders Society of America came to my attention and through its publication, Carousel, I discovered that many others were interested in the old carnivals, and particularly in the World of Mirth.
The original intention of my research was to write a history of the carnival covering its make-up regarding train, wagons, rides and shows, plus its routes for the years it operated. However, once the project was underway it became clear in my mind that it would be an injustice to include only the physical part of the show. An organization the size of the World of Mirth involved so many colorful and interesting people that it became necessary to include additional details about its owners, managers, troupers, sponsors, fairs and just plain fans.
The history of the World of Mirth proved not only to be fascinating, but quite exciting, as the huge carnival experienced just about everything Mother Nature, man and man-made devices could dish-out over a period of three decades. Had Cecil B. DeMille been aware of the World of Mirth's true adventures, there is an excellent chance the Greatest Midway On Earth might have replaced The Greatest Show On Earth, as the subject of his Oscar-winning film in 1952.
All pictures are of the actual item. There may be reflection from the lights in some photos. We try to take photos of any damage. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
Shipping charges
US Shipments: Ebay will add $1.25 each additional items, there are a few exceptions.
Ebay Global shipping charges are shown. These items are shipped to Kentucky and forwarded to you. Ebay collects the shipping and customs / import fees. Refunds may be issued if you add multiple items to your cart and pay with one payment. For direct postage rates to these countries, send me an email. Shipping varies by weight.
Payment options
Payment must be received within 7 days. Paypal is accepted.
Terms and conditions
All sales are final. Returns accepted if item is not as described. Contact us first. No warranty is stated or implied. Please e-mail us with any questions before bidding.
Thanks for looking at our items.
| 
