The New York Clipper (February 1914)

February 14 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER. 47 FAIRS AND EXPOSITIONS OF THE PAST AND PRESENT. 8T ETHEL HOBINS0N. The cuual observer nnd tbc person not 'jorougfcly acquainted, which, of course In- clude! the generous outpouring of American Idea of the greet growth., development and advancement of this distinctly American Institution. A fair Is the moat difficult and trying angle of the siow business, compris- ing, as It does, no many different branches, such as agriculture, horticulture, live stock, poultry, mechanical devices and Implements, liorees. horse racing, and last, ana perhaps most Important, the circus business. The latter takes a most Important posi- tion In the success of fairs and expositions through the great development In the varied entertainment provided wvileh is according to the size of the (air and Its location. It Is Indeed surprising how scrutinizing and care- ful fair authorities are In the selection of desirable free attractions, and how familiar they have become with the worth and value of acts, through years ot diligent Rcarc.i for novelties of all kinds, and that they recog- nise the fact that it Is not the amount paid (or an attraction that always determines its value. On the contrary it oftlmes oc- curs that the lowest priced act proves to be the moat desirable and fie most novel. KTIIBI- RODINSON. So discriminating have the larger fairs end expositions become, that the markets of the world are searched for features and un- usual stunts of all kinds, and this Is particu- larly the case In the larger cities, where there are large vaudeville theatres located, presenting a cCianged program of choice vaudeville artists each week. In such ln- ttances great care must be taken to avoid showing, on a fair ground, wbat has per- haps been repeatedly shown in a local thea- tre. Another noticeable feature of the fair business la the general Ignorance displayed by (bowmen In general. There are really so very few theatrical managers of experience who have any Idea, or conception of the na- ture of an entertainment that would be desirable for out-door purposes for the latter day (airs and expositions of Importance. The American Association of Pairs and Expositions 1s a particularly comprehensive body of tiie most important and most ex- perienced managers of State fairs and cxpo- bltlons, men who have devoted years to the development and improvement of agricultu- ral pursuits and the legitimatizing of the rnclng game, and also the encouragement of the breeding and exhibitions of cattle and horses. Of late also iavc been Included the baby show, In which unusual Interest has been taken by the army of proud mothers who vie with one another as to the posses- sion of the most perfect infant. The meetings of this National Association have assumed, tudi groat Importance, by virtue of the learned discussions on every- thing portalnlng to the fair an* exposition business. In turn, the county nna street fairs in the various States have also been associated together, and they also have their regular meetings for discussions and the arbitration of the many questions that arise for adoption and decision. The fair and ex- hibition business really Is a huge compre- hensive project, and from these occasions the educational advantages are, each year, proving to bo of Inestimable value. Aside from the professional artists thnt are engaged, the fairs generally, both county and State, aro encouraging local aspirants of every kind to seek recognition, and the proper enthusiasm and encouragement in any branch, whether It be local Juvenile brass bands, contingents of boy scouts, Juvenile agriculturalists and horse trainers, and In certain localities, the Indian schools and reservations have been creditably repre- sented. Of course, one of the most Interesting angles of the larger fairs Is the horse show, where the prized stock 1b paraded and prem- iums vied for. The selection of grandstand free attractions Is conceded to be one of the most trying and most important features of the fair secretary or manager's duties. In this connection the largest and most Important booking offices publish annually, bandsome and expensive catalogues in winch are beautifully illustrated and carefully de- scribed, the series of novelties and attrac- tions that each have to offer. These cata- logues arc Invariably artiBtlc, and they give a wonderful variety of acts that have been selected especially for their suitability tor out-door exhibition purposes. As has been said before, It Is not nlways what is pnla for attractions, but it Is distinctly the care iu selecting and the source from which it is obtained, Ihe office through which it is booked, and as to that office been depended upon to fulfill the letter what is contracted Si *.„, The markets of tho world are searched for tho most expensive animal trainers dis- tinguished riding acts, fearless aortallsts, seemingly impossible acro/batic and gymnas- tic feats, noted equlllbrlstB, an* nearly every nationality Is called upon to famish the leost skilled In Ciese various lines. Arabs, Ksyptlana, Italians, Germans, Russians, French, Spanish. Mexicans, Chinese, Japan- ese, are a few of the most Important that have contributed their skillful display to appreciative American audiences. In the earlier days tho stabling accom- modations and buildings on fair grounds were of the most primitive kind, rough, un- couth, cheap structures that simply were supposed to serve the purpose as some Ugat protection against the elements. Now, how- ever, by reason of the wonderful progress made, buildings of great architectural beauty and design, of steel, concrete, brick and sometimes granite construction, each, parocu. lsrly adapted for the purpose intended, more THE TIP TOP TOY CO. BIDS YOU WEL- Above la a picture of one portion ofour offices, devoted totho needs of paildlo wheel workers and all who require high-class stuffed toys, Teddy Heats. "September Morn" Dolls, 1'oodlc Dogs, etc., etc. We are the largest manufacturers In our line and we take tills occasion to thank all of our patrons who have marts this possible. This coming season we will glvo you even better service than you have tiaii before and onr aim will tlways be to give you the best possible quality of merchandise for the money. Whenever yon come to New York wc Invite you to make our offices your headquarters. Writing papor Is always handy and back numbers of TUK ci.iri'KR on (lie. Ilomomlier (he address and bear In mind that our "latch string" Is always out. Tip TOP TOT COMPANY, 280 W. l&th Su, N«w York City World's Largest Manufacturers of Stuffed Animals and Toys. SOLOMON & DORBEAN'S LIBERTY SIOWS S. SOLOMON.'General Agent GEORGE F. DORMAN. General Manager OPENS 8EA8ON 1014 APRIL 20 IIN THI PITTSBURGH DISTRICT WILL PLACE Two More SHOWS, with or without their own outfits, and a Few More Legitimate CONCESSIONS Will always plaoe COOD PEOPLE In any line «*••! SOLOMON & DORMAN P. 0. Box 387, Braddock, Pa, W. M. MOSELHY. Mr. Moseley Is well known as a promoter. The season of 1002 he served for Morris A Bergcr Carnival Oo. During the Winter of 1902-8 be was secretary tor the Oriental Carnival Co.. onder the management of K. U. Barkoot, bis first adventure into the carnival business. In the Spring of 1003 he agala affiliated himself with the Morris * Ucrger Carnival Co., as a promoter, and remained with them until tie latter part of the season, after which b« organised a vsad>vllle show of his own, known as "The Girl in Hed," which was very successful, daring the Fall of 1008 and the Winter of 1008-4. The season ot 1904 be was with the Muody 8hows until they jiliycd the ex- hibition In Winnipeg. Owing to the fact that ho had t good proportion to take charge of the "I'olaw of Dreams," at the St Louis Exposition, lie severed bis connections with the Mundy Shows and took charge of tbe nforeaild attraction, and t-efore the closing of tbe exposition showed a profit for tbe stockholders. Toe season of 1000 he managed the "Train Robbery" and vaudeville phow with Verarl Bros. Carnival Co. Winter of lDon-e be was the general agent for the Jack Hampton Shows. Spring and Summer of 1000 ho had all the concessions la Put-In-Bay, O. In Bildlllon to owning and controlling Ihcso conces- sions he managed and booked a carnival organi- sation for Jim Bturats and Al Andrews, that tonred the Upper Peninsula. The Winter of 10O0-7 bs spent In Onba selling diamonds. The Boring of 1907 be Joined tbe Great Parker Sbows, at Brunswick, Oa., under (lie management of Con T. Kennedy, and remained with them for the past seven seasons, serving In several different < opacities. Beason of 1014 will And him with tbe Rice A Dore Shows as a promoter. ATTENTION, PARK MANAGERS! PRESSEY BROTHERS (Inc.) PATENTEES, Owners sand Manufacturers of Pressey Brothers* Fisting- Amusement Deviee A legitimate emusoment that appeals to all classes of Exposition, Park, Stato Fslr, Street Pair and all outdoor celebration patrons. A clean, novel and moral pastime, especially for Park patrons. PARK MANAGHIUl NOTE!.— iAII Infringers will bo prosecuted under our patent number, 86018. So beware: Book th« Presiey Brothers' Fishing Amusement Device only. Address all communications to PRESBET BROTHERS (Ino.» P. O. Bex 268, BeariU* (Be* County), Teres NOW OOOKIlfO FOll SEASON 1014. WRITE TO-DAY, IjISTBN —Press*} Brothers' Fishing Amusement Dovlce played tbs Canadian Nttlonal BablDltlon, Toronto, tbe Texas State Fair. Dallas, the Michigan State Pair. Detroit, and the No-tsuoh, at Houston, last season. Our sixth consecutive season at the Texas State Fair. We tiavo played nearly every other big: Exhibition and Urate Fair oo the American Continent. JOHN D. WRIGHT JR. Wishes all the Readers of The Old Reliable a Prosperous 1914 Season I want to hear from all of my frlntiils from all over file worlil. Address JOHN D. WRIGHT JR., 5*» South Third HI., Lafayette, Indiana. drniry Bros.' Show No. 9, Season 11)14. DANA THOMPSONS' Funny Dixie Minstrels Can use a few more Oolorsd Musicians. Tlio Lnrictsl anil Host Colored Minstrel on tlio Itoail Address DANA THOMPSON, Manager Care Hew York Clipper, 4T W. UMth Mt., New York COREY BROTHERS' SHOWS COMBINED Wants for their Sixth Successful Season in the Northwest 6 Cylinder SNOWS and ATTRACTIONS and CONCESSIONS Season Opens May 4th, 1UI4 Address 31S K. 4Nth Hi , Chicago. Ill, K. D. COHBY—Owacri-I. D.COHBY THE BATH HOUSE BEAUTIFUL £fc c MAURICE MOST COMPLETE IN THE WORLD Hot Spring's, Ark. Anniversary Greetings to PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE THE OLD RELIABLE ALWAYS WELCOME W. O. MAURICE, President and General Manager WRITK FOR IUUbTRATbD BOOKLET. My best wishes for a very prosperous season for all my professional friends, Drop sue a card, MANNING B. PLETZ particularly tho building or pavilion de- voted to the boTSO show, which are distinctly tbe society event of tbe meeting. Grandstands of steel, concrete and brick construction, TrtCi a seating capacity, In some Instances, up to twenty-live thousand, are to be found, and the large amounts of money Invested In buildings of every kind ore a great credit to tbelr promotors, and will stand as a living monument to tbelr untiring efforts in the encouragement and ndvanccment of the locality In which they are situated. . While the fair season eitends over a period of fifteen weeks at most, preparations for the famishing of amusements and free attractions requires an entire year in which to bo fully prepared and equipped wlCi ma- terial, selection of artists, publication of catalogues and distribution of same, and the contracting of the attractions for tbe vari- ous fairs -which is done from Arc to seven months in advance of their intended engage- ments, No particular section of our broad and Jrospcrnus country can be found but that airs of all kinds, from the largest to the smallest, aro held, with attendance varying from twenty thousand to eight hundred thou- sand. The fair and exposition has developed Into one ot America's most Important insti- tutions. (Mil THE CON. T. KENNEDY SHOWS 8EA8ON 1914 Permanent address, MANNING B, PLETZ, (luntir Hotel, Ban Antonio, Tex. PAUL HUNTER Hlgh-Clasa Conoetslont PUtt KVIHSJ, I'AIIKH. EXPOSITION*, ( KI.EIJH \ l'lorv *, HEUNIONM, PICNICS, TItADE DAY* AND AM, BIMIhAIt »HT-I)il(llt KVKNTn. Permanent Address I'Alil, auNTKK, 1707 Young Mt., UiiIIsk, Tex, WILL C. JONES WITH THE CON. T. KENNEDY SHOWS