Libertyland carousel could fetch $1 million

Historians? You mean Norton. It's only worth what somebody is willing to pay for it. He's famous for inflating the value of items, especially antique carousels, when he appraises them for auction, Means more money for him.

The Norton family is notorious for doing this. Every park is a 'fine quality institution'.

Wait...because SFAW's fetched how much?

If I recall properly, we don't know how much the AW machine went for. It was purchased before the auction by Brass Ring Entertainment for an undisclosed third party. I've heard, however it was the same person who bought the Broadway Flying Horses out of San Diego two years ago.

Any news on the coaster yet?

The Zippin Pippin is to be auctioned along with the rest of the rides by Norton Auctioneers in June. It was in an article in the Memphis Commercial Appeal and the auction is listed on the Norton website.

And now all that has, maybe, changed. The Memphis City Attorney, Sara Hall, has determined that the carousel and the Pippin are owned by the city's parks department, not by the Mid-South Fair, and that the fair has no right to sell them. She stated on Tuesday (4/25/06) that she would, if necessary, file an injunction to stop the sale.

Robert Barnard of the T-Rex Group, which operates Magic Springs in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is meeting with the city council next week to discuss a proposal to buy and renovate the Memphis Coliseum - but apparently one of his conditions is that he acquires and operates Libertyland as well. Stay tuned....