'All the Fun of the Fair'

[wolfinthewood]

Title of eighteenth-century children's book, published by John Newbery:

'The Fairing: Or, Golden Toy for Children,
In which they may see all the Fun of the Fair,
And at Home be as happy as if they were there.
A Book of great Consequence to all whom it may concern. Price Six-pence bound, gilt, and adorned with Cuts.'

It first appeared in 1767, and went through a number of editions.

I don't know whether it was the source of the catchphrase 'All the fun of the fair', or whether it borrowed a phrase that was already current, but it is the earliest occurrence I can find.

I have posted some more pictures of the gallopers on Flickr; quite a lot more. For anyone who has enough enthusiasm and stamina, there is now a set of 50.