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Doe And Hope
Tel07729 213013Please quote Antiques Atlas.
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Non UK callers :
+44 7729 213013
Huge Wall Of Death Fairground Panel Sign
1 of 3
Presenting fairground art at its very best is this truly wonderful hand painted vintage sign in fantastic all round condition, designed to draw in the crowds at fairgrounds all over this fair land.
Suspended from two corner holes, the panel, painted naively with a mainly sunburst yellow ground and bordered by a ruby red border, boldly advertises the “Wall Of Death” in turquoise and teal blue shadowed script. The board depicts three riders, of 1930s era, two on motorcycles and the central rider in an Austin Seven motorcar each numbered 6, 8 and 4. Smoke billows from the exhausts and the look of fiery concentration on the driver’s faces is splendidly captured amongst the dappled faces of the crowd, brightly coloured vehicles and screeching tyres. The panel is signed lower left ‘J Bell’.
Measuring around five by four feet, there are a few scuffs consummate with age and the edges suffer from nicks here and there but the condition is generally very good.
The very first Wall of Death purportedly appeared at Coney Island Amusement Park in New York in 1911 with the first perpendicular walled version surfacing from around 1915. The Wall of Death has the audience viewing the spectacle from the top of the drum, looking downward whilst the riders start at the bottom centre and ascend a ramped section until they gain enough velocity to drive around the walls, horizontally to the floor.
In the UK they enjoyed a period of vast popularity from the 1930s until the early 1970s and all of the major fairs would have had at least one Wall of Death as part of the overall set. Many different stunts were tried and it was quite common for a lion to be taken on the wall in a sidecar whilst bears and monkeys would also be featured. The Austin Seven motorcar was also adapted for riding on the wall, as we see depicted in this panel. There are only three Walls of Death in the United Kingdom performing today, traveled by Graham Crispey, Ken Fox and Allan Ford the others not being able to meet the exacting standards required nowadays.
The fact that the Wall of Death is almost extinct in fairgrounds today makes this artwork even more desirable, and the quality of the painting, the condition, and the sheer size of the panel all contribute to produce a sight to behold.
Perfectly capturing the noise, speed, and smell of this never to be forgotten experience this is a real decorative gem.
SellerDoe And Hope
View all stock from
Doe And Hope
Private dealer, By appointment only
The Onion Barn, Shoe Cottage,
15 High Street, Blunham,
Bedfordshire, MK44 3NL.
MK44 3NL
Tel : 07729 213013
Non UK callers : +44 7729 213013
Get directions to Doe And Hope
Suspended from two corner holes, the panel, painted naively with a mainly sunburst yellow ground and bordered by a ruby red border, boldly advertises the “Wall Of Death” in turquoise and teal blue shadowed script. The board depicts three riders, of 1930s era, two on motorcycles and the central rider in an Austin Seven motorcar each numbered 6, 8 and 4. Smoke billows from the exhausts and the look of fiery concentration on the driver’s faces is splendidly captured amongst the dappled faces of the crowd, brightly coloured vehicles and screeching tyres. The panel is signed lower left ‘J Bell’.
Measuring around five by four feet, there are a few scuffs consummate with age and the edges suffer from nicks here and there but the condition is generally very good.
The very first Wall of Death purportedly appeared at Coney Island Amusement Park in New York in 1911 with the first perpendicular walled version surfacing from around 1915. The Wall of Death has the audience viewing the spectacle from the top of the drum, looking downward whilst the riders start at the bottom centre and ascend a ramped section until they gain enough velocity to drive around the walls, horizontally to the floor.
In the UK they enjoyed a period of vast popularity from the 1930s until the early 1970s and all of the major fairs would have had at least one Wall of Death as part of the overall set. Many different stunts were tried and it was quite common for a lion to be taken on the wall in a sidecar whilst bears and monkeys would also be featured. The Austin Seven motorcar was also adapted for riding on the wall, as we see depicted in this panel. There are only three Walls of Death in the United Kingdom performing today, traveled by Graham Crispey, Ken Fox and Allan Ford the others not being able to meet the exacting standards required nowadays.
The fact that the Wall of Death is almost extinct in fairgrounds today makes this artwork even more desirable, and the quality of the painting, the condition, and the sheer size of the panel all contribute to produce a sight to behold.
Perfectly capturing the noise, speed, and smell of this never to be forgotten experience this is a real decorative gem.
Price The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 16/APR/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Phone or visit the website to buy, Free UK shipping.
DimensionsWidth 61 inches
Height 47.5 inches
Depth 0.5 inches
Category Advertising Antiques
Date Date c.1930-60
1930s Antiques Origin British
Condition Very Good.
Item code as155a390
Status Sold
£800.00 
$1060.56 
€931.68 
$
€
Conversion rates as of 16/APR/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Phone or visit the website to buy, Free UK shipping.
View all stock from
Doe And Hope
Private dealer, By appointment onlyThe Onion Barn, Shoe Cottage,
15 High Street, Blunham,
Bedfordshire, MK44 3NL.
MK44 3NL
Tel : 07729 213013
Non UK callers : +44 7729 213013
Get directions to Doe And Hope
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