514. Beech-Nut Circus Wagon. New York: Beech-Nut Gum, ca. 1934. This wagon was used in a nationwide promotional Beech-Nut circus campaign. Such wagons were used on promotion buses and were also set up as displays in shopping centers and fairs. It is believed the company produced only about 12 sets of these elaborate displays, and very few are known to exist today. The only known complete display is located at the Beech-Nut company museum in New York. Several were destroyed in a small fire and others fell into disrepair and were destroyed. This piece received partial restoration, the most major work having been performed to the top head of the alligator. Repairs were made based on a contemporary photo of a similar wagon, however after restoration was completed a clearer photo of the alligator head surfaced than what was first available. Thus the head is somewhat larger and the alligator’s appearance less ferocious than what is seen in an original. Together with a full-page color ad from Good Housekeeping showing several other circus wagons; an original advertising side panel; and a photograph of the same side panel (not pictured).