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Olympia London (Established 1886)

 Organisation

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 91 Collections and/or Records:

Bertram Mills' Circus at Olympia Programme, 22 December 1930 - 24 January 1931

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.500
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of Astley's amphitheatre showing an equestrian act in 1808 on decorative cover, inside nine lions on a blue and orange background on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs and illustrations of performers and acts, programme in the centre with road map, various articles and commercial advertising, 32p.p.

Dates: 22 December 1930 - 24 January 1931

Bertram Mills Circus Drawing, 24 December 1933

 Item
Reference code: 178V11.22
Scope and Contents

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'.

Dates: 24 December 1933

Bertram Mills Circus Gala Performance in Aid of the Animal Health Trust Programme, 22 December 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.590
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 22 December 1959

Bertram Mills Circus Gala Performance in Aid of the Animal Health Trust Programme, 23 December 1960

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.591
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 23 December 1960

Bertram Mills Circus Gala Performance in Aid of the Animal Health Trust Programme, Thursday 20 December 1962

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.593
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: Thursday 20 December 1962

Bertram Mills Circus Gala Performance in Aid of the Animal Health Trust Programme, 20 December 1963

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.595
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 20 December 1963

Bertram Mills Circus Gala Performance in Aid of the Animal Health Trust Programme, Monday 21 December 1964

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.596
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: Monday 21 December 1964

Bertram Mills Circus Gala Performance in Aid of the Animal Health Trust Programme, Wednesday 22 December 1965

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.598
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: Wednesday 22 December 1965

Bertram Mills' Circus Gouache, c1920 - 1967

 Item
Reference code: 178V11.47
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1920 - 1967

Bertram Mills Circus, Menagerie and Fun Fair Advertising Booklets and Cards, c1920 - 1969

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178I22.25
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1920 - 1969

Bertram Mills Circus Plan, 18 December 1962 - 2 February 1963

 Item
Reference code: 178M16.2
Scope and Contents

Colour coded aerial plan of Bertram Mills circus ring at Olympia, Grand Hall.

Dates: 18 December 1962 - 2 February 1963

Bertram Mills' Circus Programme, 22 December 1936 - 27 January 1937

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.510
Scope and Contents

Olympia, London. Colour illustration of Joe Craston in his signature clown's custome on front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of performers and acts, some articles, section covering who is who of Bertram Mills circus and commercial advertising. Printed by Fleetwood Press Ltd, 30p.p.

Dates: 22 December 1936 - 27 January 1937

Bertram Mills' Circus Programme, 22 December 1937 - 27 January 1938

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.512
Scope and Contents

Olympia, London. Colour illustration of Koringa's head on top section in green and black and crocodiles and snakes below on a black background on front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, some articles, programme with illustrations in the centre and commercial advertising. Printed by Fleetwood Press Ltd, 28p.p.

Dates: 22 December 1937 - 27 January 1938

Bertram Mills' Circus Programme, 22 December 1938 - 26 January 1939

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.514
Scope and Contents

Olympia, London. Colour illustration of three clowns on colourful background on front cover, inside black and white photographs of performers and acts with text, programme with illustrations in the centre and commercial advertising. Printed by Fleetwood Press Ltd, 30p.p.

Dates: 22 December 1938 - 26 January 1939

Bertram Mills' Circus Programme, 20 December 1946 - 1 February 1947

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.518
Scope and Contents

Olympia, Londo. Colour illustration of Joe Craston on a blue background on front cover, inside black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme with illustrations in the centre and commercial advertising, 22p.p.

Dates: 20 December 1946 - 1 February 1947

Bertram Mills' Circus Programme, 20 December 1949 - 2 February 1950

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.522
Scope and Contents

Olympia, London. Outline illustration of horses head in profile within a star with red dots on a green background with golden stripes on decorative cover, inside colour photograph of two clowns holding a white poster with circus information on front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme with illustrations in the centre and commercial advertising, 24p.p.

Dates: 20 December 1949 - 2 February 1950

Bertram Mills' Circus Programme, 19 December 1956 - 2 February 1957

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.532
Scope and Contents

Olympia, London. Green type and embossed figure of a clown on red faux velvet on decorative cover, inside colour illustration of three clowns' heads on a red background on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre with illustrations and commercial advertising, 16p.p.

Dates: 19 December 1956 - 2 February 1957

Bertram Mills' Circus Programme, 18 December 1962 - 2 February 1963

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.541
Scope and Contents

Olympia, London. Golden type on red faux velvet background on decorative cover, inside colour illustration of circus acts including clown, chimpanzees, elephants, horse, aerial act, cage animals and trick cyclist on blue background on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre with illustrations and commercial advertising. Printed by Welbecson Press Ltd, London, 16p.p.

Dates: 18 December 1962 - 2 February 1963

Bertram Mills' Circus Programme, 18 December 1963 - 2 February 1964

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.542
Scope and Contents

Olympia, London. Golden type on red faux velvet background on decorative cover, inside colour illustration of circus acts including clown, chimpanzees, poodles, horses and aerial acts in the circus ring on blue background on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, programme in the centre with illustrations and commercial advertising. Printed by Welbecson Press Ltd, London, 16p.p.

Dates: 18 December 1963 - 2 February 1964

Bertram Mill's Circus Programme, 21 December 1925 - 23 January 1926

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.1
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 21 December 1925 - 23 January 1926