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 91 Collections and/or Records:
Original Artwork, c1800 - 2000
Original works of art including artists' prints, drawings, watercolours and paintings, and designs for circus posters.
Orton and Spooner Collection
This collection contains a large selection of archives from the Orton and Spooner Company. The collection comprises photographs and cabinet card images showing carved work, structural work and classic painted work, 4 boxes of notes, invoices and clippings, 8 drawers of plans and blueprints, 2 folders of ride specifications and order forms, accounts books and a library of source books showing turn of the century art used by the artists in the company.
Photographs and Postcards, c1800 - 1999
Black and white and colour photographs, negatives and photographic albums mainly containing images of British circus, circus performers, animals and circus personalities but also some menageries such as Bostock and Wombwell and other associated entertainments and non-British circuses taken by David Jamieson, Lindsay Temple, Den Curtis, Capt. Middleton, Jack Niblett and other photographers.
Plans, c1916 - 1939
Blueprints of electric parts for fairground rides supplied by Mather & Platt Ltd and Hackett & Co., Electrical Engineers to Orton and Spooner.
Plans, c1900 - 1999
Ring and seating plans for Chipperfield, Bertam Mills, Fossett, Smart and Robert Brothers Circuses.
Programmes, c1800 - 2019
A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.
Programmes for Circus, Magic and Variety Shows, c1890 - 1999
Circus, magic and variety show programmes including the Great Ohmy Circus, John Sanger Circus, Bertram Mills Circus and variety shows at various locations in Blackpool, London, Manchester and other theatres in England. Some of the variety performers showcased are Morecambe and Wise, Hetty King, Mae West, Bob Hope, Shirley Bassey, Larry Lamb and Cliff Richards.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, c1900 - 1999
Scrapbook of black and white photographs, newspaper cuttings and postcard, relating to multiple circuses and acts including including Olympia, Shirley Fossett, Freya Jose, The Cordons, Gosta Kruse, Dior Sisters, Frazesco, Charly Baumann, The Cairolis, Fabiola and the Shumans, 34p.p.
Trade and Advertising Material, c1900 - 1999
A range of items of promotion and advertising from a range of circus companies and performers, including artistes' photographs with act descriptions used for seeking employment in circuses and pamphlets advertising independent performances and circus companies' literature and souvenirs for public distribution and promotion including Gerry Cottle's Circus, Belle Vue, Blackpool Tower, Bertram Mills Circus, Gandey's, Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey, Knie and many more.
Various Circuses' Promotional Newspapers, c1950 - 1989
Various circuses' promotional newspapers including Circus Barlay, Gleich, Amar, Pinder, Cirque Rancy, Busch, Barum, Olympia, Chipperfield and Boswell and Wilkie, containing images and text including an article on the Chinese National Circus.
Whirldwind Racer Blueprint, 3 September 1936
Plan of whirldwind racer in Olympia, Grand Hall, for Mr John Collins, scale 1/16". Drawing X1070.