RARE CONEY ISLAND BUTTON PROMOTING "CRAZY TOWN LUNA" FROM HAKE COLLECTION AND CPB.
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Winning Bid:
$69.00 (Includes 15% Buyer's Premium)
Bids:
3
Bidding Ended:
Thursday, September 4, 2008 1:00:00 PM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Thursday, September 4, 2008 1:00:00 PM)
Time Left:
Ended
Auction:
Auction #195-Part II
Items 994-2570 in Auction 195
Value Code:
F/G - $75 to $200 Help Icon
Item Description
This 1.25" reads "I'm A Real Nut/I Qualified At Crazy Town/Luna." Complete with Bastian backpaper. Used only 1907-1920 with button being c. 1913. The creators and owners of Luna Park were Frederick Thompson and partner Skip Dundy. They made a name with a cyclorama show titled "A Trip To The Moon" exhibited at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition. The "Luna" name was that of the enormous 'ship' with huge flapping wings that carried visitors on their trip. Impressed by the success of this attraction, George Tilyou, owner of Steeplechase Park at Coney Island, made a deal for the attraction to appear at his park in Coney Island in 1902. After a fabulously successful season, Tilyou tried to cut the fee he was paying for the upcoming season. Instead, Thompson and Dundy decided to strike out on their own and purchased initially 22 acres to build their own "Luna Park." "Crazy Town" opened in 1913 and was the last of Frederick Thompson's inspired attractions at Luna Park. The attraction was a strange collection of room-size or larger structures resembling children's blocks set at various angles. Each attraction cost a penny. For example, one called Jack and the Beanstalk required a girl to sit in a chair while her boyfriend would hit a dial striker with a mallet. The girl would shoot up into the air and it would cost her boyfriend another penny and strike to get her back down. An attraction called "Bug House Theater" had patrons enter into a barn where they took an involuntary ride into a hay mound. Another attraction was called "House That Jack Built" and consisted of a cage at the top of a barber pole where a bearded lady shaved customers for 1¢. The ticket seller to this madness was dressed in convict stripes surrounded by money while wardens with guns prevented people from robbing the convicts. To enhance the strangeness of the surroundings, several dozen freaks and albinos mingled with the paying customers. This button is the Hake Book Collectible Pin-Back Buttons photo example Amusement Parks, Beaches Section #18. Comes with Hake's COA. N. Mint and displays Mint. Believe first we've offered.
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