Fans of HBO’s short-lived period drama Carnivale will likely appreciate these vintage black and white gems that were recently unearthed by Retronaut. In the photos of UK circus caravans, we meet a variety of different subjects, from a “Real Gypsy, character reader and clairvoyant” to a beautiful young woman tending to her birds. There are also families engaged in your typical domestic activities, like cooking and cleaning. Looking at these narrative images, you can’t help but invent back stories for each and every person, and try to imagine to what their life on the road was like. In other words, it’s easy to get lost in them for a while. See for yourself after the jump.
Desert Dream caravan on the road, 1950. Photo courtesy of the Arthur J Fenwick Collection of circus material, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
A.J.Fenwick sat on the steps of a showman’s caravan. Photo courtesy of the Arthur J Fenwick Collection of circus material, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
Outdoor stove. Photo courtesy of the Arthur J Fenwick Collection of circus material, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
Young lady and birdcages. Photo courtesy of the Arthur J Fenwick Collection of circus material, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
Group of travellers. Photo courtesy of the Arthur J Fenwick Collection of circus material, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
Travelling showman’s caravan. Photo courtesy of the Arthur J Fenwick Collection of circus material, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
Circus Showman’s caravan. Photo courtesy of the Arthur J Fenwick Collection of circus material, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
Travelling showman’s covered caravan. Photo courtesy of the Arthur J Fenwick Collection of circus material, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
Character reader and Clairvoyant. Photo courtesy of the Arthur J Fenwick Collection of circus material, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
Manders Menagerie. Photo courtesy of the Arthur J Fenwick Collection of circus material, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums