Hal Denver Collection

Scope and Content

This collection contains photographs, business papers, newspaper cuttings typed pages and notes (probably for an autobiography) with some correspondence about a proposed book. There are also some costumes and props.

Administrative / Biographical History

Ralph Norman, son of Tom Norman the Silver Dollar King, appeared in films and rodeos in North America as a Wild West Performer from the 1930s to the 1950s. He travelled throughout Europe and America as a Wild West performer and appeared with his knife throwing act on the Ed Sullivan Show in America.

Although the popularity of Wild West shows in America declined considerably in the 1930s their popularity continued in Britain where Hal Denver toured on his own and with the Denver Troupe.

Arrangement

Items catalogued by type

Access Information

Research by appointment. The costumes are not accessible to view, but may be in exhibitions from time to time.

Acquisition Information

Donated by the Denver family

Other Finding Aids

Some items have been listed and a finding aid is available in the reading room.

Archivist's Note

Description compiled by Jane Donaldson

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright: National Fairground Archive

Related Material

Shufflebottom Collection

Personal Names