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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 96 Collections and/or Records:

Bertram Mill's Circus Programme, 17 December 1948 - 3 February 1949

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.9
Scope and Contents

Olympia London, contains photographic illustrations of the acts. Printed by Welbecson Press Ltd., London Circus, 44p.p.

Dates: 17 December 1948 - 3 February 1949

Bertram Mill's Circus Programme, 1952 - 1953

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.10
Scope and Contents

Olympia London, contains photographic illustrations of the acts. Printed by Welbecson Press Ltd., London Circus, 44p.p.

Dates: 1952 - 1953

Bertram Mill's Circus Programme, 1961 - 1962

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.11
Scope and Contents

Olympia London, contains photographic illustrations of the acts. Printed by Welbecson Press Ltd., London Circus, 28p.p.

Dates: 1961 - 1962

Bertram Mill's Circus Programme, 1962 - 1963

 Item
Reference code: 178K27.12
Scope and Contents

Olympia London, contains photographic illustrations of the acts. Printed by Welbecson Press Ltd., London Circus, 28p.p.

Dates: 1962 - 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 Mills Circus Programmes, c1900 - 1999

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178K43.488-548
Scope and Contents

Bertram Mills Circus programmes at Olympia and travelling shows.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Bertram Mills Circus Royal and Gala Performance Programmes, Great Carmo, Bostock and Wombwell's, and Bailey's Circus Programmes, c1900 - 1999

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178K43.586-609
Scope and Contents

Bertram Mills Circus Royal and Gala Performance programmes, Great Carmo's Circus, Bostock and Wombwell's menagerie and Bailey's Circus programmes.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Bertram Mills Circus Royal Performance Programme, Wednesday 21 December 1960

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.592
Scope and Contents

Olympia, London. Black, green and yellow type on off white background on the front cover, inside colour illustrations of the Queen and Prince Philip, introduction, commercial advertising, articles and programme, 66p.p.

Dates: Wednesday 21 December 1960

Bertram Mills Circus Royal Performance Programme, 19 December 1963

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.594
Scope and Contents

Olympia, London. White type on blue background and a circle cut out in the centre throught which horses and ponies can be seen runing around the circus ring on the front cover, inside black and white photograhs of the Queen and Princess Margaret, introduction, commercial advertising, articles and programme, 28p.p.

Dates: 19 December 1963

Bertram Mills Circus Royal Performance Programme, Tuesday 21 December 1965

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.597
Scope and Contents

Olympia, London. Black type on golden background on the front cover, inside black and white photograhs of the royal family and the Queen, introduction, commercial advertising, articles and programme, 30p.p.

Dates: Tuesday 21 December 1965

Bertram Mills Circus Supershow Gouache, c1920 - 1967

 Item
Reference code: 178V11.42
Scope and Contents

Gouache on card poster design, signed by 'L C', probably Leon Chossley. Olympia Grand Hall, 18 December to 30 January. Colour illustration of many circus acts including a man in Indian dress, a woman riding an elephant, three horseback riders, three jugglers and three women balancing on spheres, background red with yellow and white stars and white, type multicoloured.

Dates: c1920 - 1967

Bertram Mills Circus Supershow Gouache, c1920 - 1967

 Item
Reference code: 178V11.30
Scope and Contents

Gouache on card poster design signed by Leon Chossley. Olympia Grand Hall, 18 December to 30 January. Colour painting of many circus acts including a woman riding an elephant, russian dancers, jugglers, equestrian acts, acrobats and performing dogs, as well as a man sitting on top of a lampost, a woman balancing on the moon and two astronauts with a rocket, main background red with yellow and white stars, type multicoloured.

Dates: c1920 - 1967

Bertram Mills Gala Performance in Aid of World Refugee Year Programme, c1900 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.599
Scope and Contents

Black and pink illustration of clown, ringmaster and female performer on a black background on the front cover, inside introduction, articles, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 16p.p.

Dates: c1900 - 1999