George Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd (1875 - 1977)
Dates
- Existence: 1875 - 1977
- Usage: 1925 - 1977
Biography
Orton, Sons and Spooner Ltd., were an engineering company, which produced some of the most sophisticated and sought after rides, wagons and show fronts in the British fairgrounds at the turn of the nineteenth century. The company gained an unrivalled reputation, applying industrial and artistic design to produce some of the most spectacular rides in the sector through a combination of innovative engineering, entrepreneurship and decorative finishes applied by some of the best artists and carvers in the trade.
Orton and Spooner elevated ride manufacturing from its humble man and animal powered beginnings in the pre-industrial revolution to sensorial experiences of beauty, speed, discovery and thrill, matching the social aspirations of an entire nation.
George Orton first stablished the Lion Carriage Works in 1875, making Gipsy and other transportation wagons. It wasn't until 1883 that Orton started trading with fairground showmen by building highly decorative living wagons, which exteriors worked as showfonts. This diversification signified the company’s transition from the transport industry to the entertainment industry.
Charles Spooner was a skilled woodcarver mainly supplying the thriving Burton-on-Trent brewing industry with drays and handcarts. Spooner set up his own business in 1892. His impressive finesse as a woodcarver brought him to the attention of George Orton in 1894. Initially, Orton sub-contracted Spooner to supply carvings for his living wagons and showfronts. Their skills were so complementary that the business became dependant on each other and Orton and Spooner entered into a long partnership, which resulted in the amalgamation of their companies in 1925.
The manufacturing of living wagons soon evolved into lavish showfronts and ambitious rides that dominated the market, especially after the company’s main competitor, Fredrick Savage of King’s Lynn, went into liquidation in 1910.
The company was requisitioned by the government during both world wars; during WWI to manufacture portable aircraft hangers and during WWII to build military vehicles.
Orton and Spooner managed to resume business in the supply of the entertainment sector after both wars, but started winding down the manufacturing of fairground equipment after WWII as the company experienced the effects of fundamental changes on labour conditions and market demand.
From the end of WWII until 1953 they diversified into the manufacturing of light engineering products to offset the unpredictability of the entertainment sector. Orton, Sons and Spooner Ltd., finally stopped trading in fairground equipment in 1954 to specialise exclusively in the manufacturing of mechanical handling equipment until 1977 when the company finally closed.
Found in 806 Collections and/or Records:
Noah's Ark Plan, c1930 - 1939
Plan for small Noah's ark pole and rafters.
Noah's Ark Plan, c1930 - 1939
Complete plan and section of Noah's Ark , scale 1/2".
Noah's Ark Plan, c1930 - 1939
Section plan for small Noah's Ark platform.
Noah's Ark Sleepers Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Noah's Ark sleeper floor plan at half scale, stamped Geo. Orton, Sons & Spooner, Burton on Trent.
Normand Electric Boat Unit Bllueprint, 10 February 1932
Complete boat unit in first go boats by Normand Electric Co., Ltd. Scale full size, drawing No.8336 with accompanying letter.
Opera House Elevation, 27 July 1934
Section of staircase for Burton-on-Trent Opera House. Signed by John Fairweather F.R.I.B.A. architect, 182 Frontgate Glasgow. Pencil and red ink on tracing paper
Opera House Elevation, 4 August 1934
Section through part of balcony for Messrs Geo. Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd Burton-on-Trent Opera House. Signed by John Fairweather F.R.I.B.A. architect, 182 Frontgate Glasgow. Pencil on tracing paper.
Opera House Elevation, May 1934
Logitudinal elevation for proposed reconstruction of Burton-on-Trent Opera House, showing four floors and underground store. Drawing C.3. Signed by John Fairweather F.R.I.B.A. architect, 182 Frontgate Glasgow. Pencil and red colour pencil on tracing paper.
Opera House Elevation, May 1934
Longitudinal elevation of Burton-on-Trent Opera House showing four floors and foundations. Scheme D, drawing No.4. Signed by John Fairweather F.R.I.B.A. architect, 182 Frontgate Glasgow. Pencil and red,green and yellow colour pencils on tracing paper.
Opera House Elevation, May 1934
Plan of balcony floor for proposed reconstruction of Burton-on-Trent Opera House. Drawing B2. Signed by John Fairweather F.R.I.B.A. architect, 182 Frontgate Glasgow. Pencil and colour pencils on tracing paper.
Opera House Plan, 28 July 1934
Proposed amendment Burton-on-Trent Opera House design, to retain end and side walls. Signed by John Fairweather F.R.I.B.A. architect, 182 Frontgate Glasgow. Pencil and red ink on tracing paper.
Opera House Plan, May 1934
Plan of balcony floor for proposed reconstruction of Burton-on-Trent Opera House. Drawing C.2. Signed by John Fairweather F.R.I.B.A. architect, 182 Frontgate Glasgow. Pencil and red colour pencil on tracing paper.
Opera House Plan, 28 July 1934
Plans for Burton-on-Trent Opera House building, showing internal room distribution and details of wall structure. Signed by John Fairweather F.R.I.B.A. architect, 182 Frontgate Glasgow. Pencil and red ink on tracing paper.
Opera House Plan, May 1934
Plan of stalls floor for Burton-on-Trent Opera House, scheme D, drawing No.1. Signed by John Fairweather F.R.I.B.A. architect, 182 Frontgate Glasgow. Pencil and red ink on tracing paper.
Opera House Plan, May 1934
Plan of stalls floor for proposed reconstruction of Burton-on-Trent Opera House. Drawing B1. Signed by John Fairweather F.R.I.B.A. architect, 182 Frontgate Glasgow. Pencil and colour pencils on tracing paper.
Opera House Plan, May 1934
Plan of balcony floor for proposed reconstruction of Burton-on-Trent Opera House. Drawing B2. Signed by John Fairweather F.R.I.B.A. architect, 182 Frontgate Glasgow. Pencil and colour pencils on tracing paper.
Opera House Plans, May 1934
Plans for Burton-on-Trent Opera House entresol and balcony. Scheme D, drawing No.3. Signed by John Fairweather F.R.I.B.A. architect, 182 Frontgate Glasgow. Pencil and red ink on tracing paper.
Opera House Plans, May 1934
Plans for Burton-on-Trent Opera House tea room and basement floor and foundations. Scheme D, drawing No.2. Signed by John Fairweather F.R.I.B.A. architect, 182 Frontgate Glasgow. Pencil and red ink on tracing paper.
Original Artwork, c1900 - 1929
Drawings and designs used for the decoration of fairground rides.
Orton and Spooner Collection
This collection contains a large selection of archives from the Orton and Spooner Company. The collection comprises photographs and cabinet card images showing carved work, structural work and classic painted work, 4 boxes of notes, invoices and clippings, 8 drawers of plans and blueprints, 2 folders of ride specifications and order forms, accounts books and a library of source books showing turn of the century art used by the artists in the company.