Early Fairground Stalls c.1870

The pictures on this page are among the earliest taken of a fair in the City, and date from around 1870. They are the work of F.C. Earl, who had a studio in Foregate Street.

All three were taken at Pitchcroft, bottom left shows a throwing stall, not the usual coconut shy, but at characters with painted faces. The bottom right shows a boxing booth, with the 'pros' challenging any one out of the crowd to take them on. In competition next door is the 'Pretty Girls of Paris', an attraction of scantily dressed ladies, and finally the monstrosity not to mention safety item the early version of the Big Wheel, against a tapestry built 'castle'  

The early version of the 'Big Wheel'