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:
Over the Top Blueprint, 20 March 1936
Blueprint for arrangement of Over the Top ride by Messrs Orton & Spooner scale 1" to 1 FT O.B355. Drawing W4367, showing front and top elevations.
Oversize Plans for Fairground Rides, c1920 - 1939
Oversize plans for fairground rides including No.20, No.42, No.45 Noah’s Ark, Codona’s No.3, Slater’s Platform, Rocket Speedway, Ghost Train and No.57 Dodgem.
P. 3 Machine Blueprint, 28 November 1911
Magnet case and commutating poles for P. 3 machine. Full size, drawing X782 by Mather & Platt Ltd, Manchester.
Painter and Tiger Drawing, c1900 - 1929
Sketch of humorous scene showing an artist painting a tiger. Pencil on grid lined paper.
Paltform Brackets, Hand Rail and Storage Tank Blueprint, 25 July 1928
Blueprint showing hand rail, platform brackets and storage tank for Whirlwind Racer with table of dimensions by Traver Engineering Co, Beaver Falls, P.A.
Parry's Show Front Design, c1930 - 1939
Design for Parry's Famous Shows frontage, showing a female and a male figure at either side of the central rounding board, a large stretched, smiling face in the centre and four columms.
Part of Living Wagon Plan, c1880 - 1899
Small part of drawing of the interior plan for No.209 living wagon.
Paybox Front Board Design, November 1913
Design for the decoration of a ride or paybox front board, signed Orton Sons & Spooner, contains some measurements. Pencil on paper.
Philip Swindlehurst Collection
This collection contains original cabinet cards relating to Orton and Spooner of Burton upon Trent and postcards depicting fairs from the turn of the 19th century.
Photographs, c1900 - 1970
Balck and white photograph and cabinet cards relating to Orton and Spooner of Burton upon Trent and postcards depicting fairs from the turn of the 19th century. Also images related to Philip Swindlehurst’s preservation work
Photographs, 1880 - 1950
Black and white photographs and negatives of fairground rides, living wagons, transport, fairground organs, carvings and other artwork from the Orton and Spooner company. Also contains some photographs of employees and showmen.
Plan for Boxing Platform, 1924
Plan for C. Heals' boxing boards platform.
Plan for Dray, c1875 - 1885
Side elevation drawing for Merss Worthingtons Dray for Worcester with annotations and dimensions on the side. Pencil on paper.
Plan for Living Wagon No.213, c1875 - 1900
Floor plan for living wagon number 213, showing different living areas including the kitchen and bedroom. Pencil on paper.
Plan for No.2 Swoop Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Blueprint of No.2 swoop alteration to track line to scale.
Plan for No.55 Ark Blueprint, 7 December 1937
Blueprint for plan of No.55 ark, four bay extension front to scale, inscription on reverse 'Nobles entrace extension'.
Plan for Noah's Ark Roundabout Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Blueprint of plan of Noah's ark roundabout to scale, stamped Geo. Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd Burton on Trent.
Plan for Ride Track, c1920 - 1939
Scaled plan of flooring section for starting track and elevations. Pencil on paper.
Plan for Steel Trailer Frame, c1900 - 1939
Design for a trailer frame, showing side elevations and floor plan. Pencil on paper.
Plan for Switchback, 31 August 1894
Plan and narrow frames for switchback for Aspland, stamped F. Savage Co. Limited, King's Lynn England, Engineers and Machinists.