EXCEPTIONAL CARVED AND POLYCHROME PAINT-DECORATED POPLAR REINDEER CAROUSEL FIGURE, E. JOY MORRIS CAROUSEL COMPANY, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, CIRCA 1897

Gemini Antiques, Bridgehampton, New York;

Sotheby's, New York, Important Americana, January 15, 2004, sale 7959, lot 287

Antiques and the Arts Weekly, February 6, 2004, p. 33.

Joy Morris was a prolific carousel manufacturer. Though the company existed for only five years, it produced numerous carousels before the company was purchased by Henry Auchy, the founder of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. Some of the best carousel carvers worked in the Morris shop—including Charles Leopold, Frank Carretta and David Lightfoot. While other makers were still creating square saddle blankets, the carving team at E. Joy Morris began using sweeping lines and ornate tassels—innovative details that spurred other companies to modernize and adapt.