Alma Johnson and Skid Skinner
Alma Johnson and Skid Skinner.
Ref: NFA 0046
Title: The Alma Johnson/Skid Skinner Collection
Scope: This collection contains a facsimile of 674 photographs c.1930 from the Wall of Death riders highlighting their travels mainly in Norway and Sweden and featuring other acts of that era. Included in the collection are photographs of the Crown Prince of Sweden opening the show in 1936 and staff working at Butlins, Skegness.
Dates: c1930s
Level: Fonds
Extent: 674 images, posters and handbills
Name of creator: Alma Johnson
Administrative / biographical history: Alma 'Dare Devil' Skinner worked working at Butlin's in Skegness when a wall-of-death show was brought in to entertain the visitors. Eager to earn more money, she became proficient as a stunt rider in just two weeks becoming quite a novelty as a female rider.
Alma toured as a Wall of Death rider across the UK and also Scandinavia and Germany. Whilst working abroad, she me her husband, Horace 'Skid' Skinner, who was also a Wall of Death rider.
The outbreak of the Second World War brought her career to an end, although she continued riding motorbikes until the age of 80.
Skid Skinner was killed in a hunting accident in 1944. Alma died in July 2008.
Related Collections: Billy Bellhouse
Source: Skid Skinner was killed in a hunting accident in 1944. Alma died in July 2008.
System of arrangement: Catalogued by type
Subjects: Wall of Death, snake charmer
Names:Skid Skinner, Alma Johnson
Conditions of access: These items make up part of the image database collection which is available to view by appointment in the NFA reading room.
Restrictions: none
Copyright: Alma Skinner
Finding aids: Photographs on image database. Other items listed by type. Contact the NFA for further information.
Linked pages:
Alma Skinner general gallery
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