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Whirligig Collection

Step right up and take a whirl on the fairground carousel known as the "whirligig"

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Fairground carousel

Fairground carousel. Time-exposure image of a merry-go-round at a funfair

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Dorma Leigh in 1920

Dorma Leigh in 1920
Dorma Leigh (1890 - ?), British stage performer, appearing here in The Whirligig, at the Palace Theatre, London. 1920

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Whirligig, c. 1937. Creator: Joseph Stonefield

Whirligig, c. 1937. Creator: Joseph Stonefield
Whirligig, c. 1937

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Whirligig, 1935/1942. Creator: Luther D. Wenrich

Whirligig, 1935/1942. Creator: Luther D. Wenrich
Whirligig, 1935/1942

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Whirligig, c. 1936. Creator: Bernard Westmacott

Whirligig, c. 1936. Creator: Bernard Westmacott
Whirligig, c. 1936

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Whirligig, c. 1937. Creator: Bernard Westmacott

Whirligig, c. 1937. Creator: Bernard Westmacott
Whirligig, c. 1937

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Whirligig, c. 1937. Creator: Bernard Westmacott

Whirligig, c. 1937. Creator: Bernard Westmacott
Whirligig, c. 1937

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Wooden Whirligig, c. 1942. Creator: Laura Bilodeau

Wooden Whirligig, c. 1942. Creator: Laura Bilodeau
Wooden Whirligig, c. 1942

Background imageWhirligig Collection: DDE-90019056

DDE-90019056
Abstract pattern formed by spinning whirligig. Date: 21/07/2004

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Whirligig, 1935 / 1942. Creator: Yolande Delasser

Whirligig, 1935 / 1942. Creator: Yolande Delasser
Whirligig, 1935/1942

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Whirligig, c. 1939. Creator: Selma Sandler

Whirligig, c. 1939. Creator: Selma Sandler
Whirligig, c. 1939

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Sailor Jack Whirligig, c. 1938. Creator: Jane Iverson

Sailor Jack Whirligig, c. 1938. Creator: Jane Iverson
Sailor Jack Whirligig, c. 1938

Background imageWhirligig Collection: The Palace Girls in the show Whirligig, Palace Theatre

The Palace Girls in the show Whirligig, Palace Theatre
The Palace Girls in Albert de Courvilles show Whirligig, Palace Theatre, London, 1920 Date: 1920

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Christmas card, Present Time

Christmas card, Present Time
Christmas card by Robert Dudley, Present Time (Father Christmas, Old Father Time and children with presents and a tree). (5 of 5) Date: circa 1890s

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Christmas card, Playing Time

Christmas card, Playing Time
Christmas card by Robert Dudley, Playing Time (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter playing with a blindfolded Old Father Time). (4 of 5) Date: circa 1890s

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Christmas card, Greeting Time

Christmas card, Greeting Time
Christmas card by Robert Dudley, Greeting Time (Father Christmas shaking hands with Old Father Time). (3 of 5) Date: circa 1890s

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Christmas card, Coming Time

Christmas card, Coming Time
Christmas card by Robert Dudley, Coming Time (the New Year replacing the Old Year). (2 of 5) Date: circa 1890s

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Curtis British Entomology Plate 79

Curtis British Entomology Plate 79
Coleoptera: Gyrinus bicolor (Elongated Whirl-wig or Whirligig Beetle) [Plant: Parnassia palustris (Grass of Parnassus)] Date: 1824-39

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Whirligig, c. 1937. Creator: Isabelle De Strange

Whirligig, c. 1937. Creator: Isabelle De Strange
Whirligig, c. 1937

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Whirligig: Hessian Soldier, c. 1937. Creator: Mina Lowry

Whirligig: Hessian Soldier, c. 1937. Creator: Mina Lowry
Whirligig: Hessian Soldier, c. 1937

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Whirligig Peddler, 1742. Creator: Caylus, Anne-Claude-Philippe de

Whirligig Peddler, 1742. Creator: Caylus, Anne-Claude-Philippe de
Whirligig Peddler, 1742

Background imageWhirligig Collection: A hint for another Statue - or, a Sketch of a Modern Weather Cock, 1804

A hint for another Statue - or, a Sketch of a Modern Weather Cock, 1804. William Windham standing on a whirligig. On each side of his pedestal stands a (contrasted) volunteer

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Whirligig Amsterdam merry-go-round roundabout

Whirligig Amsterdam merry-go-round roundabout
Whirligig in Amsterdam, merry-go-round, roundabout, chair o plane, Amsterdam, Isaac Israels, Netherlands, c. 1900, paper, h 510 mm × w 705 mm

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Abstract pattern formed by spinning whirlygig

Abstract pattern formed by spinning whirlygig
Abstract pattern formed by spinning whirligig. Credit as: Steve Terrill / Jaynes Gallery / DanitaDelimont

Background imageWhirligig Collection: A block for the wigs or, the new state whirligig, Gillray, James, 1756-1815, artist

A block for the wigs or, the new state whirligig, Gillray, James, 1756-1815, artist, engraving 1783, a carousel on which sit government ministers Charles Fox, Lord North

Background imageWhirligig Collection: A Block For The Wigs Or

A Block For The Wigs Or, The New State Whirligig, Gillray, James, 1756-1815, Artist, Engraving 1783, A Carousel On Which Sit Government Ministers Charles Fox, Lord North

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Head of a whirligig beetle, SEM

Head of a whirligig beetle, SEM
Whirligig beetle. Coloured scanning electron micrograph of the head of a whirligig beetle (Gyrinus natator). Whirligig beetles are small

Background imageWhirligig Collection: Whirligig Beetles

Whirligig Beetles (Gyrinus natator). Date: 1960s


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Step right up and take a whirl on the fairground carousel known as the "whirligig". This delightful amusement ride has been captivating audiences since its creation by Dorma Leigh in 1920. One of the earliest this enchanting contraption is the Whirligig from 1935/1942, designed by Yolande Delasser. Its intricate details and mesmerizing motion make it a true work of art. Another notable whirligig is Selma Sandler's creation from around 1939. With its whimsical design and playful colors, it brings joy to all who behold it. Sailor Jack Whirligig, crafted by Jane Iverson circa 1938, pays homage to the maritime world with its nautical theme. It spins gracefully, evoking images of sailing ships on choppy seas. The Palace Girls stole the show at the Palace Theatre with their dazzling performance on the whirligigs. Their graceful movements and synchronized routines left audiences spellbound. Even during Christmas time, these merry contraptions found their way into people's hearts through charming holiday cards. Whether it was Present Time or Playing Time, these cards captured the magic of this beloved ride. But let's not forget that whirligigs aren't just for entertainment; they can also be educational. Curtis British Entomology Plate 79 showcases an intricately designed whirligig featuring various insects. It serves as a reminder that learning can be fun too. So next time you come across a whirligig at a fair or in an antique shop, take a moment to appreciate its rich history and timeless charm. Step aboard and let yourself be whisked away into a world full of wonder and delight.