The Showmen

THE SHOWMEN

The advent of showmanship, in the form of whipcracking, played a major part in producing the Golden Age of the stockwhip. Performers required a greater standard of excellence in their whips than the stockmen. The balance, dynamics and decoration of these whips became important for their aesthetics. The resulting products have never been surpassed. The showmen (as well, of course, as the craftsmen themselves) were responsible for elevating the status of the stockwhip from a basically utilitarian item to a collective art form. The whips of people such as Dan Hassett, Burt Sheppherd, Salt Bush Bill Mills are desirable to collectors, as items of historical value, as well their aesthetic qualities.

The Cracker! is a short film featuring Dan Hassett and was created by British Pathe, London in 1934.

 

THE FOUNDATIONS OF SHOWMANSHIP

Although these supreme examples of stockwhips were produced in the major population centres, the craft draws its roots from the rural areas of Australia. The same applies to the showman, he owes his skills to skills developed by the stockman, though he enlarged on this.

Skills associated with the cracking of whips would have developed regionally. The competence of the individual would have increased continuously, through using the whip on and off the job. Left to his own devices the hired stockman developed his own, active, time passing activities. Whip cracking, as well as things such as campdrafting would have been popular at this time.

As talents expanded, regional pride in their own champions led naturally to competitions to decide the question of who was the greatest whipcracker. These competitions began locally and later expanded in areas concerned as well as popularity.  The popularity of whipcracking and its spread through rural areas and their townships was due to its being an outdoor event, it was possible all year round and it did not require expensive equipment or setting. It was accessible to the ordinary person. These early events would have been down-to-earth shows, much like tent boxing. Later, the circus supplied more showmanship to the act.

Travelling shows, as pre TV entertainment, were already established, with a variety of acts. In populated areas these shows were quite frequent, but in rural areas, the arrival of a travelling show generated great excitement. Feats of horsemanship, roping, boxing, acrobats and contortionists, were part of a small scale circus.  The people in these travelling shows were challenged by those locally considered as champions. This was one of the ways whipcracking entered the field of showmanship. The whipcracker contested various things, such as who could crack the longest whip. They competed in accuracy, with men trying to take a penny off the tongue of a volunteer, or knocking hats off heads. As could be imagined the resulting accidents were horrific though not frequent, and depended on the skill and sobriety of the whipcracker.

THE EFFECT OF SHOWMANSHIP ON THE STOCKWHIP

The popularity of whipcracking as entertainment had a dramatic effect on the development of the Australian stockwhip. It was the stockwhip that was favoured in this field, although bullwhips were also used. This was because of its graceful appearance, its greater speed and accuracy, and its loud rapport. The overall effect was stunning. It was vital to generating the excitement achieved in these events. Decoration of the stockwhip became more important. Complex patterns of plaiting were seen on the handles, and sometimes the thongs of these whips. Whips of this era had a sleeker and more attractive appearance. Many handles had expensive whalebone as the core, rather than steel. Often silver, brass or even gold collars, displaying the makers name or sometimes presentation inscriptions. There was a symbiotic relationship between the whipmaker and the whipcracker, the reputation of one complimenting and enhancing the reputation of the other. It was the showman who was largely responsible for the introduction of the Australian stock whip overseas.