Be sure to consult our Buyer's Guide & Fakes Database before purchasing a carousel figure. Each day, more and more knock-offs come on the market. Some look old but looks can be deceiving. Become an informed buyer.
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Miniature Carousel Builders Corner
This month let us introduce you to William 'Bill' Edwards of Missouri, and his first of two miniature carousels, built in 1994. Upon retiring, Bill decided to take up carving as a hobby. Before long he was challenged to carve carousel animals and, consequently, build a carousel. Carving with knives was too hard on his arthritic hands so now he does power carving. His wife, Evelyn, painted the animals, figures, and carousel.
Arrangements are on-going to have this carousel permanently displayed in the St. Louis Carousel House, Faust Park, Chesterfield, MO. which houses the antique Dentzel St. Louis Carousel.
THE DETAILS:
- Base: Hexagon (6-sided)
- Carousel: 36" Diameter; 26" Height
- Twelve sweeps, 3 rows
- Type: Overhead Crank
- Lights: Over 500 clear
- Original Design
Bill hand carved the 32 menagerie animals, ticket booth with man/child buying tickets, and man operating the control lever. The animals are 1" to 1' replicas of Dentzel, Hershell-Spillman and M. C. Illions originals. Molded Dentzel Jesters and mirrors adorn the rounding board. Evelyn painted three castles on the mudsill scenery panels, (a Disney World castle and two European castles) and mirrors are mounted on the picture board. Note the concession stand, and a brass ring machine which complete the merry-go-round scene.
The carousel is powered by an HO model train pack so the speed is variable. Three transformers operate the mechanism; one for the platform, one for the lights, and one for the car stereo that supplies music.
 
They have exhibited the carousel at Knobels Park, Kennywood Park, Hershey Park, PA; Niagara Falls; Binghampton, No. Tonawanda, NY; Merry Go Round Museum, Grand Rapids, MI; Sandusky, OH; Meridian, MS; Dolly wood Park, TN. Special exhibits at First National Bank, Camdenton, MO; Rockler Woodworking & Hardware, St. Louis; St. Louis Miniature Club; Woodcarvers shows in Lake of the Ozarks, MO, St. Charles, and Wonder of Wood Show. This carousel has been featured in Lake Sun Leader, St. Charles Post and Carousel News & Trader (May 1999).
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