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W. E. Berry Ltd (1888 - 2004)

 Organisation

Dates

  • Existence: 1888 - 2004

Biography

The W.E. Berry Ltd printing company was founded by William Edward Berry in the early 1900s after taking over his father’s printing company and splitting with his business partner. The original company had been founded by William Berry in 1888 at 13 Currer Street in Bradford to print advertising posters. Business soon started to specialise in the railway and entertainment sector, specially the circus industry and over time became one of the most significant printers of entertainment posters in the UK.

In the 1920s the company started to print posters for the film industry after W.E. Berry met Fred Martin at Paramount Pictures. This developed into a lucrative partnership with Berry becoming one of only three companies in Britain to specialise in printing large format posters. Successive contracts with Disney and Columbia arrived, turning Berry into one of the leading producers and distributors of film posters in the UK. Some of the most famous posters include Star Wars (1977) and Flash Gordon (1980).

The mid of the twentieth century saw the production of Berry’s most beautiful and sought posters in the entertainment sector and the company continued experiencing success until the end of the late 1990s when it employed around 140 people, including Chief Illustrator Leon Crossley and a team of freelance commercial artists. However, by the early twentieth century Berry’s fortunes started to turn and after heavy financial losses the company went into administration in 2004, ceasing business on the 4th day of February that year.

Found in 110 Collections and/or Records:

Billy Smart's New World Circus and Menagerie Poster, 16 November - 5 December 1953

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.129
Scope and Contents

Birmingham, Greyhound Stadium, car park. Red and blue type on white background with red border. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd, Nesfield Printing Works, Bradford.

Dates: 16 November - 5 December 1953
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Smart Circus Posters

Billy Smart's New World Circus and Zoo Poster, 3 - 4 June 1955

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.79
Scope and Contents

Cheltenham, Sandford Park. Colour illustration of wild animals running on grass including elephants, lions, bears, polar bears, camels, llamas and cebras in a circle on the centre of the poster. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd Bradford.

Dates: 3 - 4 June 1955
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Smart Circus Posters

Billy Smart's New World Circus and Zoo Poster, 20 December 1954 - 22 January 1955

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.89
Scope and Contents

Birmingham, Bingley Hall. Colour illustration of wild animals running on grass including elephants, lions, bears, polar bears, camels, llamas and cebras in a circle on the centre of the poster. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd Bradford.

Dates: 20 December 1954 - 22 January 1955
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Smart Circus Posters

Billy Smart's New World Circus and Zoo Poster, 3 - 4 June 1955

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.107
Scope and Contents

Cheltenham, Sandford Park. Colour illustration in a circle in the centre of the poster of dancing elephant wearing a pink tutu and woman also wearing a pink tutu in a circus ring. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd Bradford.

Dates: 3 - 4 June 1955
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Smart Circus Posters

Billy Smart's New World Circus and Zoo Poster, 3 - 8 September 1956

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.109
Scope and Contents

Preston, Queens Road site. Colour illustration of dancing elephant and woman both wearing a hula skirt and flower necklace, in a circus ring. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd Bradford.

Dates: 3 - 8 September 1956
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Smart Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1961

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.189
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and Company. Colour illustration of a clown on a rocket in space with a collection of circus animals, monkeys, an elephant, a cat and a giraffe, background is a blue and purple night sky, type multicoloured. Printed by W. E. Berry.

Dates: 1961
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1960

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.190
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company clown, The Bob Gerry Troupe, 5amandis, Knie's chimpanzees by Dudi Smith, The Myrons, Fattini, Schaller Bros, 2 Balcombes, 3 Houcs, The Cycling Therons, King King, Our Sammy, Little Jimmy, Gerb Siemoneit's animals from Benneweis, Sacha Houke presents Knie's horses, Rupert Bemmerl presents Knie's elephants. Colour illustrations of a clown and clothed chimpanzees at the top, a lion and a tiger at the bottom, acts listed in multicoloured fonts against...
Dates: 1960
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.191
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul clowns, Schickler Sisters, Josef Wiesner's 7 tigers presented by Helene Pimmer, Knie's log rolling elephants presented by Ruppert Bemmerl, 4 Palacios, Eldino and assistant, Trio Morlidor, Tibor Alexander's dogs, The Great Barton, The Great Pusztai Troupe, Carmel Gowan, The Two Angelos, 4 Dubowys, Knie's Tiger horses presented by Edith Schickler, Knie's 18 ponies presented by Ingrid Schickler, Hoppe's kicking mule. Colour illustrations of a clown, an elephant and a...
Dates: 1959
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1957

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.192
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul, Krone's ponies and polar bears presented by Jozsi Vinicky, Krone's Arabian horses presented by Doris Arndt, Excess Baggage presented by Alma Michaels, Flying Marilees, Five Cristianis, Nino Rubio, Bedini Troupe, Yokoi Troupe, Aerial Chapmans, Little Jimmy, Golden Linders, Frances Duncan. Colour illustrations of a clown, monkeys in clothes, a polar bear balancing on a ball, two horses, two ponies pulling carts and a man on a ladder balancing teacups on his head,...
Dates: 1957
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1963

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.193
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company, The Great Pusztai Troupe, The Flying Zemgannos, Los Onas, Rudi Llata, Ruppert's bears, Knie's lions, tigers, leopards, polar bear, panthers and black bear presented by Eugen Weidmann, Baranton Sisters, Robert Brothers's elephants presented by Edith Schickler, Sacha Houcke's Ben-Hur, Roman riding, Sacha Houcke and Edith Schickler high school act, The Hermanis, Desmond and Marks, The Bearis. Colour illustrations of a clown, a lion, a tiger, a polar bear, and...
Dates: 1963
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1962

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.194
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company, The Bronleys, Hugh Forgie and Company, Circus Williams' lions presented by Miss Yvonne, The 2 Carmenas, Circus Knie's Norweigan and Legion horses, zebras and ponies presented by Franz Althoff, The Diors Sisters, Circus Knie's animal carousel presented by Franz Althoff, The Four Soranis, 2 Dominicis, Willem Lenz and his chimpanzees, Tiber Alexander's Canine Revue, Desmond and Marks, Circus Knie's 4 elephants presented by Joseph Hack, Dagenham girl piper....
Dates: 1962
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1966

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.195
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Gerd Siemoneit's lions, tigers, leopards, pumas and panther, Ruppert's bears, Rogana, Seven Lukacs, Jörgen and Conny, Desmond and Marks, Circus A. Althoff's Eight Arab Liberty horses presented by Franz Althoff Jnr, Maryse Begary, Tower Circusettes, Roberto Mariani Trio, Triple High School by Franz Althoff Jnr, Elene Althoff and Evi Barrtch, 5 Medifreds, The Ascots. Colour illustrations of a clown, a leopard, a panther and a bear on a tall bicycle, type and...
Dates: 1966
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1967

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.196
Scope and Contents

Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Flying Leotaris, Taras Bulba and his tigers, Max and Barbara Morris with their sea-lions, Tibor Alexander and his Dog Revue, The 3 Villams, Tower Circusettes, Baily Fossettt's elephants and ponies presented by Ivor Rosaire, The Great Barton, Jean Claude, Gina The Girl in the Moon, Goldy the horse with Jack Rosaire, The Gerardis, Desmond and Marks, The Wilsons. Colour illustration of a clown, type and background multicoloured. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd.

Dates: 1967
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1965

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.197
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company, Ferdinando Jarz Troupe, Robert Bros 5 baby elephants presented by Dickie Baker, 3 Merkys, D'Angoly Jnr, Arno and Rita Van Bolen, The Tower Circusettes, Circus A. Althoff's Liberty horses presented by F R Althoff, Circus A Althoff's Shetland ponies presented by Helene Althoff, Hoppe's kicking mule, 8 Jungle Queens presented by Captain Sidney Howes, 6 Biasinis, 5 Olanders, Skating Bredos, Dogsi's football dogs, The Trio Puerto Rico, Alma Piana. Colour...
Dates: 1965
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1964

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.198
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company clown, The Flying Marilees, Lilian Daniels and her polar bears, Konyot's chimpanzee rodeo, The Four Rodriguez, Circus Schumann's 12 Liberty horses presented by Billy Baker, Desmond and Marks, The Guttenbergs, Fuzzy-Ball Kaye and Tiny Tommy Gallaher, Kimi Yokoi, See-Hee Troupe, Bartschelly, Evelyn Hans and her poodles, Rudi Llata. Colour illustrations of clowns, a chimp dressed as a cowboy, a polar bear, the 4 Rodriguez, Kimi Yokoi and two poodles, main...
Dates: 1964
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1955

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.203
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul clowns, Harry Belli and his lions, Armand Guerre's musical sea lions, Scriplini and his chimpanzees, Trampo-Tempo, 5 Armandis, The Cuban Boys, 2 Berty Borest, Alcetty, 3 Orfatis, Wenzel Kossmayer with Knie's horses and 6 baby elephants, The Garlands, Traffic Lights, Giant and Midget presentations, Western playtime and Spanish Fiesta presented by Douglas Kossmayer, The Tower Circusettes, Frances Duncan. Colour illustrations of a clown, four chimpanzees, three lions,...
Dates: 1955
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1956

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.204
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul, Krone's tigers presented by Gilbert Houcke, Edith Crocker's bears, Five D'Angoly's, See-Hee Troupe, The Heltanos, The Zemgannos, Tom and Jerry, Theda Sisters, The Matanzas, Tibor Dog, Alexander's Revue, King Kong, Krone's Arab stallions, the golden horses Pegasus with the elephant Lony, Piebald stallions and Shetland ponies presented by Jozsi Vinicky. Colour illustrations of a clown, four tigers, a strongman, dogs on a slide, horses, a chimpanzee climbing a pole,...
Dates: 1956
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, c1950 - 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.205
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli with Paul and Company, Knie's sea lions presented by Miss Hella, Gilbert Houcke with the Royal Bengal tigers, Pierre Alizes with Jacques and Maryse, The Seven Ashtons, Roberto Chiesa and Partner, The 3 Peters, Baudy's greyhounds and monkeys, Knie's 12 black horses presented by Maurice Houcke, The Dorchesters with the 3 Scott Boys, Eileen, Jean, Anne and Hilary presented by Delbosq, The 3 Goetschis, The Balcombes, The Laconas, The Dorocinas presented by Delbosq, Jimmy Scott,...
Dates: c1950 - 1959
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1960

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.141
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company clown, The Bob Gerry Troupe, 5amandis, Knie's Chimpanzees by Dudi Smith, The Myrons, Fattini, Schaller Bros, 2 Balcombes, 3 Houcs, The Cycling Therons, King King, Our Sammy, Little Jimmy, Gerb Siemoneit's animals from Benneweis, Sacha Houke presents Knie's Horses, Rupert Bemmerl presents Knie's Elephants, Colour illustrations of a clown and clothed chimpanzees at the top, a lion and a tiger at the bottom, acts listed in multicoloured fonts against...
Dates: 1960
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

Blackpool Tower Circus Poster, 1961

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.142
Scope and Contents Charlie Cairoli and his Company clown, The Schickler Sisters, Knie's Lippizanas, ponies and mules presented by Sacha Houke, Four Palacios, Circus Roland's Tigers presented by Charley Baumann, The Berosinis, Rudy Horn, 3 Lorrandos, Moni the Wonder smoking elephant presented by Monique, The Sydney Boxing Kangaroo, Five Elwardos, the Golden Gladiators, Little Jimmy, Our Sammy, Captain Danion's sea lions, Lilian Kenny. Colour illustrations of a clown, a horse, a tiger, an elephant and a sea lion...
Dates: 1961
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Blackpool Tower Circus Posters

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  • Subject: Animals X

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 107
Collection 3
 
Subject
Acrobats 25
Aerialists 44
Animal trainers 14
Art 1
Boxing 1
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Business 1
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Clowning 63
Comedians 9
Contortionists 5
Dance 6
Diving 1
Dwarfs (Persons) 4
Equestrians 23
Escape artists 3
Fairs 3
Fakirs 3
Family 2
Fire eating 6
Freak shows 3
Gymnasts 5
Human cannonball 1
Jugglers 12
Knife throwing 2
Magic 4
Male impersonators 1
Menageries 12
Mimes 1
Minstrel shows 3
Motion pictures 6
Music 2
Music-halls 3
Musical performances 5
Pantomime 7
Performers 83
Pierrot 2
Puppets 3
Ringmaster 4
Ringmistress 1
Showman 6
Showwoman 3
Singing 6
Skating 10
Strong men 6
Strong women 1
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Wall of death 1
War 5
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World War, 1914-1918 1
World War, 1939-1945 5
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