August Wolfinger                                              (Banner Painter)

Banner From Hubert's Museum, Painted 1930

Lived Circa: 1879-1950
Biography: Although not as well known as many other banner painters, Wolfinger was responsible for many banners at Coney Island,
as well the classic work done at Hubert's Museum in New York City. Called by the Brooklyn Eagle "the Michaelangelo of the Midway,"
Wolfinger constructed stained-glass murals in Switzerland and his native Germany before emigrating to the USA in 1906.  Moving to Brooklyn.
he painted sideshow banners at Coney Island which included the Crocodile Girl, the Elephant Lady, Dora the Bearded Woman, the Human
Skeleton, as well as working for The William F. Mangels Company where he painted carousels, shooting galleries, and decor for dance
halls. On December 1, 1950 Wolfinger was struck down by a car while crossing the street. 
(Freely adapted from "America's Forgotten Folk Arts".)