Antique Victorian fairground carousel for auction in Nantwich

Carousel recalls a bygone era

A chance meeting on a train 12 years ago led to this rare Victorian fairground carousel coming up for sale at Nantwich fine art auctioneers Peter Wilson.

Principal Robert Stones explained: 'Being a live steam enthusiast, I'd travelled to Derbyshire to ride on a special steam train excursion on the Peak Railway and found myself in the same carriage as a couple who obviously shared the same interests.

We got talking and I explained I was an auctioneer and the conversation ended up with them inviting me to their home, which I discovered was full of very unusual collectables.

However, it was something outside in one of the barns that interested me most. Although it was dismantled and covered in dust, I realised I'd stumbled on a children's fairground, ride with carved giltwood horses and cockerels.

It was an amazing find.' Twelve years later, the owner telephoned and spoke to Mr Stones. 'He called out of the blue and said he'd put it all on a lorry and was sending it to the saleroom. I was amazed that he'd remembered me but he was obviously a man of his word.'

The carousel, complete with magnificent carved gallopers and amusing running cockerels sold for £6,400.

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