Trade Publications

American outdoor show business, as well as vaudeville, novelty and variety entertainment, supported four great printed trade publications over its 150-year history. All of them are gone now.

The New York Clipper was the first such publication and is still considered by many as the most important. The New York Clipper (and later, titled The Clipper) was published by Frank McQueen from 1853-1924. In 1924 it was absorbed by The Billboard.

The Billboard continues on as a music-only publication, ending its coverage of the outdoor show world in 1960. The Billboard covered the show world from 1894-1960.

The Greater Show World is the least-known publication of the four and had its heyday in the 1930s when the carnival business was at its peak. The Greater Show World 1927-1950(?)

The last to cease publication was Amusement Business often referred to as A.B., ended in 2006. Amusement Business 1961-2006.