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:
Chalk Rubbing of Window Design, c1930 - 1939
Rubbing from an etched door frame window design showing a folliage and ribbon decorative pattern. Charcoal on paper.
Chalk Rubbings, c1928 - 1939
Chalk rubbings in black and blue of Fletcher’s window and door frame patterns and Pullman window foliage patters.
Chamberlain's Show Front Design, c1890 - 1910
Front elevation of Chamberlain's show front with woodcarvings by W.G. Hilton, Burton-on-Trent, containing war and patiotric references
Chas. Relph Ride Frontage Design, c1900 - 1929
Design for the entrance frieze of a ride for Chas. Relph, showing a large smiley face in the centre. Pencil on paper.
Chicken and Couple Drawing, c1900 - 1929
Sketch of humorous scene showing a couple in the countryside being scared by people in large chicken costumes. Pencil on grid lined paper.
Chimney and Rafter Elevation, c1920 - 1939
Elevation drawing of section of chimney and rafter for fairground ride, scale 1".
Chinmey and Engine Elevation, c1920 - 1939
Elevation drawing of central engine and chimney for ride.
Coaster Track Plan, c1930 - 1939
Track plan and elevetion of coaster for John Collins at Yarmouth. Scale 1" to 20Ft.
Codona's Ark Centre Elevation, c1930 - 1939
Elevation of proposed centre for William Codona's ark.
Collector for Ghost Train Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Details of collector for ghost train by Messrs Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd. Drawing Y203.
Column Capital Drawing, c1875 - 1899
Drawing of decorative column capital with foliage carvings.
Column Designs, c1890 - 1900
Three designs for columns with fish and foliage decorations. Pencil on blue paper.
Commutator End Cover Blueprint, 14 August 1911
Special commutator end cover for P3 motor by Mather and Platt Ltd Manchester, full size. Drawing X7609.
Company Incorporation and Dissolution Documents, 1924 - 1925
Company incorporation and dissolution contracts and legal arrangements between, Davenport and Hackett, Hackett & Co., and Geo. Orton & Sons and Mr Spooner, including the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Hackett and Company Ltd dated 22nd December 1924.
Contract, 27 February 1927
Contract between Orton and Spooner and Enoch Farrar for loan of Devils Disc and trucks. Manuscript and typescript.
Corner Columns Designs, c1890 - 1900
Three designs for short corner columns in the shape of an eagle, a peacock and two fish. Pencil on paper.
Correspondence, 1901 - 1976
David Braithwaite's correspondence with various people and organisations including Orton and Spooner, Savages, The British Fairground Society, the Showland Library, The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain, Allan Herschell and Kenneth Brown. Some correspondence is under his old name David Bottoms.
Corringan's Front Rounding Board Artwork, c1920 - 1930
War themed design for Corrigan's front rounding showing a seascape with war ships and biplanes.
Cradle Construction Blueprin, c1930 - 1939
Detail of cradle construction, showing several sections.
Cradle Layout Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Layout of cradle with portable pretzel.