Olympia London (Established 1886)
Dates
- Existence: Established 1886
Biography
Olympia was originally conceived in the early 1880s as the National Agricultural Hall, a larger version of the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington to function as an exhibitions, tournaments, sporting competitions and entertainments venue.
The site first opened its doors on 26th December 1886, already popularly known as Olympia. From its inception it has hosted some of the best regarded international events and shows including The London International Horse Show, The First Ideal Home Show, The Cycle and Motor Cycle Show, The British Industries Fair and Crufts. Olympia also became famous as a circus venue from its early days, especially for hosing the renowned Bertam Mills Christmas Circus spectacular and fairground for over thirty years.
In 2017 Olympia was acquired by a consortium of investors, whose aim is to transform it into a twenty first century world-leading arts, events entertainment and experiential district.
Found in 96 Collections and/or Records:
Bertram Mills' Circus at Olympia Programme, 21 December 1933 - 25 January 1934
Artist colour illustration of female equestrian act standing on a white horse with a white face clown behind in a circus ring on the front cover, inside introduction, black white photographs of performers and acts, cartoons of circus acts with articles and commercial advertising. Printed by Fleetway Press Ltd, 28p.p
Bertram Mills' Circus at Olympia Programme, 1934 - 1935
Black and white illustration of horses performing on front cover and equestrian and equilibrist acts back cover, on decorative cover, inside black and white portraits of Bertram Mills, The Earl of Lonsdale and The Lord Daresbury on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs and illustrations of performers and acts, section covering who is who of Bertram Mills circus and commercial advertising,. Printed by Fleetwood Press Ltd, 30p.p.
Bertram Mills Circus Drawing, 24 December 1933
Ink on board drawing by Arthur Ferrier (1891-1973). Black and white illustration of circus acts including clowns, call-boy, boxing, kangaroo, female lion tamer, acrobat and juggling seal in individual windows with text, signed by Arthur Ferrier on bottom left corner in ink, on reverse in pencil 'Our artists sketches at Olympia', 'To Bertram Mills with the Editor's Compliments', 'Original of Arthur Ferrier cartoon from the News of the World Dec 24th 1933'.
Bertram Mills Circus Gala Performance in Aid of the Animal Health Trust Programme, 22 December 1959
Olympia, London. White and yellow type on blue background and illustration of a rearing horse in red on the top section on the front cover, inside black and white photograph the Queen, introduction, commercial advertising, articles and programme, 36p.p.
Bertram Mills Circus Gala Performance in Aid of the Animal Health Trust Programme, 23 December 1960
Olympia, London. White and yellow type on red background and illustration of a leaping leopard on the top section on the front cover, inside black and white photograph the Queen, introduction, commercial advertising, articles and programme, 38p.p.
Bertram Mills Circus Gala Performance in Aid of the Animal Health Trust Programme, Thursday 20 December 1962
Olympia, London. Black type on blue background and colour illustration of a clown seating on the floor on the front cover, inside black and white photograh of the Queen, introduction, commercial advertising, articles and programme, 36p.p.
Bertram Mills Circus Gala Performance in Aid of the Animal Health Trust Programme, 20 December 1963
Olympia, London. Green, black and red type on yellow background and coloured black and white photograph of rearing elephant and man in red outfit on the front cover, inside black and white photograh of the Queen, introduction, commercial advertising, articles and programme, 26p.p.
Bertram Mills Circus Gala Performance in Aid of the Animal Health Trust Programme, Monday 21 December 1964
Olympia, London. Colour illustration of ringmaster wearing a red tail jacket, black trousers and top hat and colourful curtains on the sides on the front cover, inside black and white photograh of the Queen, introduction, commercial advertising, articles and programme, 28p.p.
Bertram Mills Circus Gala Performance in Aid of the Animal Health Trust Programme, Wednesday 22 December 1965
Olympia, London. Black and white photograph of head of lion on the front cover, inside black and white illustration of the Queen, introduction, commercial advertising, articles and programme, 28p.p.
Bertram Mills' Circus Gouache, c1920 - 1967
Gouache on card, poster design. Olympia Grand Hall, 22 December to 27 January, featuring The Great Frederico. Colour illustration of a man swinging from a rope by his teeth, background image of circus ring, type multicoloured.
Bertram Mills Circus, Menagerie and Fun Fair Advertising Booklets and Cards, c1920 - 1969
A range of booklets with different designs containing several pages with mainly black and white photographs of performers and acts, time tables of performances and booking information for shows at Olympia, Manchester, Hastings, Lincoln, Liverpool and York.
Bertram Mills Circus Plan, 18 December 1962 - 2 February 1963
Colour coded aerial plan of Bertram Mills circus ring at Olympia, Grand Hall.
Bertram Mill's Circus Programme, 21 December 1925 - 23 January 1926
Olympia London. Insert programme for the day with photographic illustrations of the acts. Printed by Fleetway Press Ltd., Dane Street, High Holborn, London Circus, 8p.p.
Bertram Mill's Circus Programme, 21 December 1927 - 24 January 1928
Olympia London. Includes and eight page lose insert programme for the day with photographic illustrations of the acts. Printed by Fleetway Press Ltd., Dane Street, High Holborn, London Circus, 40p.p.
Bertram Mill's Circus Programme, 22 December 1931 - 27 January 1932
Olympia London. Includes a twelve page insert programme for the day and contains photographic illustrations of the acts. Printed by Fleetway Press Ltd., Dane Street, High Holborn, London Circus 44p.p.
Bertram Mill's Circus Programme, 20 December 1934 - 24 January 1935
Olympia London, contains photographic illustrations of the acts. Printed by Fleetway Press Ltd., Dane Street, High Holborn, London Circus, 60p.p.
Bertram Mill's Circus Programme, 20 December 1935 - 25 January 1936
Olympia London, contains photographic illustrations of the acts. Printed by Fleetway Press Ltd., Dane Street, High Holborn, London Circus, 56p.p.
Bertram Mill's Circus Programme, 22 December 1938 - 26 January 1939
Olympia London, contains photographic illustrations of the acts. Printed by Fleetway Press Ltd., Dane Street, High Holborn, London Circus, 60p.p.
Bertram Mill's Circus Programme, 20 December 1946 - 1 February 1947
Olympia London, contains photographic illustrations of the acts. Printed by Programme Publications Ltd., London Circus, 44p.p.
Bertram Mill's Circus Programme, 19 December 1947 - 4 February 1948
Olympia London, contains photographic illustrations of the acts. Printed by Welbecson Press Ltd., London Circus, 44p.p.