Welba “W.P.” Wilcox
1919-2012
By Caroline Caverly
It is with a heavy heart that I report the passing of my long-time close personal friend and mentor, Welba “W.P.” Wilcox. He passed away on April 6, 2012 in Anaheim, California, at the age of 83.
His interest in carving wooden horses began at the tender of age of 10, when he carved a horse less than two inches tall. Later in life he would become internationally known as a Master Carousel Carver, being able to faithfully and accurately reproduce carvings in all of the carousel factory styles.
W.P. Wilcox carved carousel giraffe and Dentzel-style cat on the cover of the March 2009 Carousel News Carver’s Issue.
He was a master of many different trades during his lifetime. Recently, his sister, Virginia, shared with me that as a very young child, W.P. was tested and his intellect was found to be near genius. Reflecting back on the many complicated things he built by hand, I am not surprised by his sister’s revelation.
W.P.’s impact on carousel art, history and appreciation has proven to be immeasurable and his greatest accomplishment in life. His artful restoration of valuable carousel antiques has been appreciated by numerous collectors. Many more collectors and connoisseurs of carousel art have sought out his carvings for their own personal collections. Every summer for over 20 years, W.P. was an institution at the Los Angeles County Fair.
W.P. and his giraffe at the Nevada State Fair, Reno, NV, in the fall of 1992. Painted by Marge Swenson. The figure is now in the private Collection of Lourinda Bray.
Many fairgoers reported that his masterfully carved carousel animals and his showmanship were the main reasons why they attended the fair. I was at his side each September for 12 years, and I can attest his audience was delighted by his skills as a carver, his wit and sense of humor. It was a lot of hard work, but he really enjoyed sharing carousel lore and his carved creations with the public. His carousel knowledge and carving skills took him across North America, from San Diego, CA, to Miami, FL, and many points in between. In 1993, he was invited to, and participated in, Canada’s Calgary Stampede. He also received offers from Australia and other foreign countries to perform his art. W.P. will be greatly missed by his many carving students. Through his classes, he passed on the skills required to carve full-size carousel animals. His beginner classes included tool sharpening and care, and instruction on carving a child-size carousel horse. To his students, he was a formidable taskmaster. It was made abundantly clear that he was the master-carver, and you were instructed in his way of carving. The education gleaned from his classes, however, was priceless. He also taught advanced classes for students interested in the construction of carousel blanks and the techniques for realistic fur carving. I still recall the very day I met W.P., much like the rest of us first-time collectors,
I had always wanted to “have just one” carousel horse displayed in my home. I had no idea how to find one, and it seemed an unobtainable dream. My next thought was then to carve one myself, yet another daunting prospect. By sheer luck, I happened to visit the Buena Park Mall where W.P. was giving a demonstration of carousel carving in association with the California Wood Carver’s Guild. I was completely transfixed by his many hand-carved carousel animals, and I knew that my life had changed at that very moment. After a few moments, I was able to summon up my courage – I stepped forward and we began to talk. We remained close friends ever since.
W.P. took me to my first auction in San Francisco, CA, and was at my side when I purchased my first antique carousel horse. He took me under his wing and introduced me to the “movers and shakers” of the carousel world. Many of these important collectors I now count as close personal friends. Through his guidance and contacts I have learned so much. He has been my mentor, my close personal friend, and like a father to me. Today, my own carousel collection is sizable, a credit to W.P.’s influence. I am also the proud owner of several of his carvings, which are treasures in their own right.
He did have the reputation of being quite the curmudgeon. Those close to him however, were able to break through this gruff exterior and glimpse a heart of pure gold. He was ever so kind to me, and the knowledge he shared with me are gifts that I will always cherish.
– Carolyn Caverly
(Reprinted from the September 2012 Carousel News & Trader)
