December 19, 2017
Posted By : Barrett-Jackson
Written By : Barbara Toombs

CAR LOVER’S CAROUSEL: An exquisite transportation-themed ride destined to star at the 2018 Scottsdale Automobilia Auction

CAR LOVER’S CAROUSEL: An exquisite transportation-themed ride destined to star at the 2018 Scottsdale Automobilia Auction

December 19, 2017
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

Written by Barbara Toombs

1957 German Hennecke transportation carousel Automobilia

A very rare, handcrafted transportation-themed carousel made in Germany (Lot #9499) will highlight the 2018 Scottsdale Automobilia Auction.

There will be more than 1,000 incredible pieces of our motoring past crossing the block at the 2018 Scottsdale Automobilia Auction, but the one item sure to outshine them all won’t make it up onto the stage at all. That’s because it’s a beautiful, handcrafted carousel that is 32 feet in diameter and 16 feet tall.

Lot 9499 - 1957 German Carousel - scooters1Rudimentary carousel rides became popular at festivals in Europe in the 1600s, but it wasn’t until the mid-19th century that German Michael Dentzel became the first carousel maker. Lot #9499 was also born of German craftsmanship: Wilhelm Hennecke Karussellfabrik, located in Uelzen, Germany. The company produced its first carousel in 1923. Initially featuring animals and gondolas, later versions sported assorted motor vehicles, such as the example being offered in Scottsdale.

Made in Germany circa 1957, this delightful piece is the only Hennecke automotive-related carousel to exist in North America today; only five were ever imported to the U.S. and one to Canada from the factory in the 1950s. This remarkable piece of mechanical art is considered the finest original example in the world, with craftsmanship second to none.

Lot 9499 - 1957 German Carousel - firetruckThere are 27 different vehicles on the carousel; many handmade of wood with leather interiors and working headlights and taillights. You’ll find a Mercedes-Benz 190, an Alfa-Romeo 2000 and two “flitzers” (a “fast car” in Germany), as well as six Vespa-style scooters, six German bicycles from the Kano Manufacturing Company, two airplanes and six real Sachs 50cc motorcycles (with wooden tanks). There are also three large vehicles: a Mercedes fire truck with a hand-carved fireman clinging to the ladder, a wooden sky tram with a leather interior and a “flitzer” 4-door vehicle with opening doors.

Every piece of the frame is wooden, and the vehicles roll on an oak floor painted gray by the factory. The fully functional ride is illuminated by 1,500 lights; 16 rounding boards adorn the top, whimsical characters and scenes hand-painted by noted German artist Fritz Laube, who reportedly did commission work like this as a side hobby. The flower-shaped centerpiece of the carousel is festooned with lights, mirrors and hand-painted designs, and features four hand-carved wooden figures playing musical instruments.

Lot 9499 - 1957 German Carousel - centerThe ride was delivered new to a children’s amusement park in the Midwest, where it spent 59 years of its life before being moved to a climate-controlled facility in the southern part of the United States. This highly original masterpiece is in excellent condition and is ready to entertainment a new generation of children (and those young at heart) yearning to get behind the wheel.

“For me, what makes this so special is that I’ve seen dozens of wonderful, vintage carousels,” says Barrett-Jackson Automobilia Director Rory Brinkman, “but this is one of the only transportation-related examples I’ve seen in my entire life – and it is available for purchase at No Reserve.”

Those attending the 2018 Scottsdale Auction can see the carousel’s illuminated magnificence on display in the Equidome at WestWorld of Scottsdale, where it will be set up and running during the nine-day event.

For up-to-date information on this carousel, click HERE. For the entire 2018 Scottsdale Automobilia docket, click HERE.

Heritage Partners