Historical 1952 Greater Tampa Showmen’s Association Year Book – Carnival Circus

Description

Historical 1952 Greater Tampa Showmen’s Association Year Book – Carnival Circus & Clowns
This exceeding rare 1952 year book titled “Third
Annual Greater Tampa Showmen’s Ass’n” is possibly a once in a lifetime acquisition since a very limited amount were ever printed or put into circulation. The few that exist are locked down in museums in Florida where the majority of carnival and circus workers call home.
This book records historical carnival and circus events accompanied by many mid-century advertisements.
The centerpiece ad is for Coca-Cola with a happy clown, is in color and is in great condition.
I was told that the Coke advertisement alone is worth several hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars.
I have no idea of the value of this impossible to find year book might be.
I could not find a single copy that has ever changed hands during my online research.
It contains incredible graphics scattered throughout its large ~94 (not counting covers) 12” by 9” pages.
Gibsonton, a town a few miles south of Tampa, was famous as a sideshow wintering town, where various and many famous people in the carnival and circus business would spend the off season, placing it near the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus.
The Tampa
area is considered the capitol of this type of entertainment and included amongst its ranks are, Percilla the Monkey Girl, the Anatomic Wonder, Siamese Twins and Lobster Boy to mention a few.
I came across this year book and two others with different dates while going through some estate items I have been storing for years.
I sold a rare set of Tarot cards in a mystic brass inlayed wood box a few weeks ago here on eBay.
They turned out to be an ultra-rare set of De Laurence’s cards and were found in the same chest as the yearbooks.
Needless to say, the winning bidder acquired them at a fraction of the value they would have realized in another venue besides eBay.
I am paying to warehouse thousands of items and do not have more than a few minutes to research each and every offering.
I do not normally deal in this type of item and I am certainly no expert on this type of collectable.
Perhaps, additional research on your part will prove that these items are being offered at a fraction of their true value.
Condition:
I would rate this book in very good vintage condition.
Please see images to get a better idea of condition.
Shipping:
Free USPS Media Mail with insurance in the US.
.00 USPS Priority Mail International with insurance shipping for those overseas.
I combine shipping on multiple items whenever possible.
Inventory: 2298