SWISS WATER - TOBOGGAN USED TO COPY “CHUTES” AT CONEY ISLAND NEW YORK - 1896

Description

Rare early original vintage photograph of the WATER-TOBOGGAN as seen here at the 1896 Switzerland Exposition held in Geneva
Embossed stamp at lower right reads, “EXPOSITION SWISS - 1896 - BUREAU OFFICIEL DE LA VENTE”.
The ride was built by Paul Boyton and Thomas Polk around 1895 for Sea Lion Park at Coney Island, with replicas of similar chute rides popping up all over the U.S. at the time. These early rides had a "flat bottom boat [that] was pulled up the ramp by cable... In the ride at Sea Lion Park, the passengers arrived at the top by elevator. The bottom of the ramp curved upwards, causing the boat to skip across the water until it came to a stop. The boat was guided to a landing by a boatman on board." Naturally, those taking the plunge were fully clothed in head-to-toe dress, as was the style of the time.
Photograph measures 6 1/2 x 8 3/4 inches mounted on a 7 1/2 x 11 inch gray matte board. It is in excellent condition with no bends, tears, or creases and is very sharp and has strong tones with good contrast and clarity.  Back has notation about embossed stamp.
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