originally posted on 6/7/2019
Sometimes the right people connect at the right time.
In making preparations for ACE South Central’s off-season event, Winterfest, the regional rep team tasked member Tim Baldwin with accumulating door prizes. Helped by his connections in the industry with ACE publications and his work with Amusement Today, Baldwin made some contacts.
Enter Nick Paradise from Kennywood. Paradise asked if the ACE South Central region might appreciate some “AstroWorld posters.” Flummoxed, Baldwin said “yes,” assuming the posters were most likely from a gift shop from the park’s days of operations. When asked why Kennywood had them, Paradise was uncertain, but thought the Texas region would enjoy them.
When the delivery arrived, Baldwin was stunned that the posters were actually artwork renderings of the park from 1968. Consulting with the regional representatives made it clear that these items were more than just door prizes. Unquestionably, the posters would have raised significant funds as auction items, but the unshakeable fact was front and center: The posters belonged in a museum.
Artwork: Courtesy Astroworld. View full-sized image.
Knowing many members would love to own such a historic keepsake, Baldwin had an idea. After a search through a handful of printers in the Ft. Worth area, he met with the team at Cockrell Enovation, a company that prints and creates all sorts of products. The company was intrigued at the idea of reproducing these artifacts.
Putting up the money to get the project rolling, Baldwin was not only impressed with the final results — vivid color, sturdy paper stock, visual repairs to the source material — but delighted to see the end product retain the large 24-inch by 36-inch format of the originals.
The original posters have been donated to the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives (NRCMA) and a set of the reproductions will be heading to the ACE Archives. A limited run has been created of the six originals. They feature AstroWorld’s train, Astro Needle, sky ride, Alpine Sleighs, Astro Wheel and River of No Return.
NRCMA board members Gary Slade and Richard Munch receive a donation of 1968 AstroWorld posters from Tim Baldwin.
Photo: Jeffrey Seifert. View full-sized image.
The posters have been reproduced as fundraisers. ACE members and park fans are now able to own a piece of amusement park history. Half the profits will be donated to the ACE Archives Fund and half to the NRCMA. Interested fans can contact Baldwin for prices and shipping information at tbaldwin@aceonline.org.
— Jeffrey Seifert
@#$%&!
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