Check out the gypsy caravan from England we are maybe buying!

[Jim Jarzabek]

I have stumbled across pictures of a similar gypsy caravans from time to time and we are in correspondence to purchase this caravan and have some restoration work done in England

What do you think

[flyfshr]

That is way cool! Looks to be fit for the Queen herself. How did you find such a beauty and across the pond too?

Brad
FF

[Jim Jarzabek]

There are not very many of them and independent history on them is hard to find....

Here are two more pictures

I think the fireplace is very cool

[tin sista]

What a blast it would be to camp/caravan in Europe in one of those. Good luck with it!

[Jim Jarzabek]

Doesn't this kinda say "New Orleans Party Time"?

[SmokelessJoe]

Jim:

As in your post last week on the subject, this is more likely to be a British SHOWMAN’S CARAVAN than a Gypsy Caravan.

“Tinkers” or “Roma” as they are called in England and
“ Travelers” as they are called in Ireland don’t often have such elaborate digs.

My good friend AL STENCELL is the current president of the CIRCUS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. This is an American based organization but Al knows A LOT about European Outdoor Show business.

If you wanted to contact him he would be able to steer you to all kinds of European sites that will produce information for you.

Try Goggle UK for the terms they use over there like “fun-fair” and “fairgrounds”.

Check there too for GEOFF WEEDON’S many books on the subject including “Fairground Art”, a massive volume.

The National Fairgrounds Archives at the University of Sheffield can help. I forget the name of the lady that runs it but look them up at

http://www.shef.ac.uk/nfa/index.php

People selling these sometimes call them gypsy caravans because they don’t know better or because the name sounds more romantic and makes it easier to sell.

I think Showman’s Caravan is as romantic. Each unit’s history will be easier to trace and authenticate if it’s a Showman’s Wagon.

Sergei

[Jim Jarzabek]

In my research one thing I came across was several heated discussions as to the correct terminology of this and other caravan styles of the same nature.

I reside in the camp with the "Gypsy" sign on the entrance

While I might be technically incorrect, I love the romanticism and mystery surrounding the very word......

At the same time, I know somewhat of the history of the gypsy....

"A gypsys' life for me is what I long to see"

[SmokelessJoe]

Jim:

If you wanna be a Gypsy that’s OK too.

All the Showmen I know will understand that.


Sergei

[bigplum]

This is funny , I am in England dreaming of getting a Airstream ,then i come across this , Its a gypsy or pikey van , these type of vans would not be allowed onto any of the holiday camp sites due to the bad reputation of the gypsies . the old image of carefree travellers was lost more than 30 years ago . I am not saying that they are all bad, but most folk dread the arrival of them near their homes

[AYRSTRM2]

Like the line from the movie 'Snatch' - "<bleepin'> Pikeys!"

[rebel beck]

Really cool trailer. Wonder what the Mississippi folks would think if I pulled into the local campground with that. Awesome!!!

[AYRSTRM2]

Do they come in Periwinkle Blue? (ok, I really like that movie).

[maxandgeorgia]

I think it's really neat, but then we think of our Airstream as Gypsy and call her our Gypsy wagon. We love the curve of her ceiling as we look from the rear bedroom toward the front of the trailer. The small back bedroom with its rich wood and curves is beguiling. One of my favorite sights on vacation was in Montana where we discovered a collection of old sheepherder wagons-similar in shape and spirit. I'd LOVE to have one of those. I had taken a picture to use for our avatar, but managed to lose all the shots. If we ever get back to that place, what are our chances they'll still be there? Probably nil. ~G

[safari57]

The roof has a similar shape as the Award trailers made in Ontario, Canada. Not identical but similar. I have a friends stored on my property, a 23', and it's quite a beauty. Not as fancy inside as yours but still kinda neat. I harass him a lot about not having an Airstream, but really his unit is reasonably unique and they love it. I like trailers like the one you are looking at - they are different than the norm. Good luck with the acquisition.
Barry

[bigplum]

Do you know what the construction is of the van ? , most of our european vans have wooden frames , these rot very badly and make most vans beyond repair once the rot has set in , I have seen vans that are less than 6 years old that need major repairs due to water ingress and rotten wood. Once you peel back the pretty trimmmings on a european van , the structure is lousy , flimsy bits of wood , plastic and polystyrene. That being said ,the Pikey Vans are built a bit better than the touring vans but at the very least get a damp meter test done as our English weather is often wet

[Bettymsb]

Hi Jim what a interesting traler. Our license plate was Gypsys for a long
time until some folks looked like they would attack us in Boise....kinda
scared us so changed.Also Maxgeorgia, is that correct? We have a sheep-
camp, (wagon) on our property in Steamboat Springs, Co. It is sooo darn
cute and we use it for guests. If you are ever in the area come on up and
visit, we have a Tipi as well so you can have a choice. I might say our little
Quicksilver looks great beside them. There is a ranch South of interstate 80
toward Baggs,Wy. and they have about 16 sitting outside. Better yet come
to Ketchum, Sun Valley and they are up most gultches in the spring headed
for the Mts with their bands of sheep.....So beautiful to see.. warm regard,
Betty

[nickcrowhurst]

Originally Posted by bigplum

Its a gypsy or pikey van , these type of vans would not be allowed onto any of the holiday camp sites due to the bad reputation of the gypsies . the old image of carefree travellers was lost more than 30 years ago . I am not saying that they are all bad, but most folk dread the arrival of them near their homes

Bigplum is right about locals dreading the arrival of these trailers. The term I'm familiar with for the people using some of them in England is "Travellers". Very few are Roma, the normal term for "gypsies". I've had considerable law enforcement experience dealing with these folks since the 1960s, particularly in Bigplum's territory, just north of Cheltenham. They often take a great pride in their trailers. They often had a "day-to day" trailer as well as a "Sunday Best Trailer". The one in the photos looks to me like a "Sunday Best" trailer. The trailers are usually pulled by medium-sized trucks, which are used when uncoupled to collect scrap metals or to carry out tarmaccing (black top), on people's driveways. Because of the problems associated with the travellers, local councils are obliged to provide official campsites for them, to minimize the random camping at the roadside that causes so much aggravation with local residents.The identical trailers are also often used by "Showmen", as described above, working the travelling fairgrounds, so the correct term for the trailer would, IMHO, depend on how it had been used in the past.
Nick.

[canny_banjo_man]

... Nick, I'll back U on that one My Friend, I have had the pleasure many, many times, sittin in those vans drinkin tea, in My younger Youth, I was always at the Fairground, when it hit Town, I used 2 go look at the heavy Vehicles, the tow trucks, & loved the Travellers vans also, I used 2 drink tea with Mary, She was the Queen of Gypsy site, I met Her one day, when My pal failed 2 stop & both vehicles had a bit of a kissin contest, back in the mid '70s, We used 2 buy & sell & paint up cars, so we repaired Her car 4 Her, it WAS a top job 2, Mary offered us TEA, so it is jus bad manners 2 refuse, also the murmor of the Gypsies Curse... I actualy asked Her if She put a spell on US, She jus laughed, & said Hocus-Pocus... She told Us many a tale of the street horse racin bk in Ireland, & Her tales of the road....
... But Yes those vans R very sought after indeed... they R the Rolls Royce of Caravans...Chris.....

[Jim Jarzabek]

Originally Posted by Bettymsb@msn

Hi Jim what a interesting traler. Our license plate was Gypsys for a long
time until some folks looked like they would attack us in Boise....kinda
scared us so changed.Also Maxgeorgia, is that correct? We have a sheep-
camp, (wagon) on our property in Steamboat Springs, Co. It is sooo darn
cute and we use it for guests. If you are ever in the area come on up and
visit, we have a Tipi as well so you can have a choice. I might say our little
Quicksilver looks great beside them. There is a ranch South of interstate 80
toward Baggs,Wy. and they have about 16 sitting outside. Better yet come
to Ketchum, Sun Valley and they are up most gultches in the spring headed
for the Mts with their bands of sheep.....So beautiful to see.. warm regard,
Betty

Hi Betty!

I photographed this around Christmas 2005 in Southeast Idaho....
It is a government trapper wagon that was in a small town welders' shop in for repairs....there is a colorful story that goes with it, but I will save that for some other time.

You sound very nice......what a great collection you have!

Thanks for posting.....

[maxandgeorgia]

Jim, we loved your photo. I wish we had not lost ours that we took in Montana. Please share your "story" that goes with the photo when you have time to post ~G