A Timeless Celebration

This digitally colorized image of a 1938 archival print proves that some things forever stay the same.

Some of the most beloved aspects of Carnival are the cherished, time-honored traditions. While it could have just as easily meandered down Royal Street this February, this gilded king’s float made its rounds on the parade route in 1938. Gordon Porcher Hamilton reigned as King Felix III, while Miss Helen Fowlkes was crowned queen for the season. Vernon Fowlkes and Gordon Stimpson served as her pages and Peter Bryce Hamilton, Jr. and Carl Haas served as pages to His Majesty. George Haas, Jr. and John Selby were equerries for the Court. This year’s royals will likewise don the exquisite regalia of silk and satin jeweled garments, hats, tights, capes and crowns as they ride along the parade route on the Saturday and Monday prior to Fat Tuesday. One of the original page costumes from this 1938 photograph can now be seen on display at the Mobile Carnival Museum.


Original photo from the Doy Leale McCall Rare Book and Manuscript Library, USA Archives • Colorization by Dynamichrome Limited

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