Taylor's Printers, Wombwell, Yorks (Established c1890)
Biography
Taylor's of Wombwell began as a small local jobbing printer in the 1890s in the then small mining town of Wombwell in Southern Yorkshire. The founder, Albert Taylor, supplied the printing needs of this small community and surrounding area. Taylor's two eldest sons were responsible for catapulting the family business into the world of showbusiness.
Returning home from the battlefields of World War I, Taylor's two eldest sons had a lucky break when they managed, at short notice, to print the publicity for a London theatrical agent whose touring show was just about to open in Barnsley. In order to fulfil the order, the brothers had to saw up the kitchen table in the shape of a gigantic "W" for the posters. Their effort so impressed the agent that he promised the brothers the bulk of his future business. He was true to his word and this proved to be the foundation on which the successful business was built.
By the mid-1920s they were one of the leading printers of entertainment industry advertising in the United Kingdom with music hall, fairground and circus showmen among their national client base. The firm became a limited company in the 1920's; and in the 1950s, Taylor's (Theatrical) Printers Ltd. was established to separate the commercial from the theatrical side of the business.
The chromolithographic pantomime posters the company produced provide a fascinating visual record of how travelling entertainment forms were marketed throughout the twentieth century.
Found in 209 Collections and/or Records:
2nd Annual Christmas Spectacular Poster, 19 December - 6 January c1970 - 1979
Bolton. Featuring Mary Chipperfield’s Animal Extravaganza. Red and green type on white background.
2nd Annual Christmas Spectacular Poster, 19 December - 6 January c1970 - 1979
Bolton. Featuring Mary Chipperfield’s Animal Extravaganza. Red and green type on yellow background.
Anglo-Danis Circus Poster, c1965 - 1969
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. First ever Appearance, Oscar the Loveable TV Chimpanzee. Black, Yellow and red type on white background.
Bailey's No.1 Circus Poster, c1960 - 1969
Racing Greyhounds, Samson, Ida, Vilara Troupe, Chang the Indian performing elephant, Robert Francis, Dimple, Blackbottom and Charleston on horseback, Wise Mare Peggy and Funny Jester. Blue type on blue background and illustration.
Chapman’s International Stage Circus Poster, Monday 23 October c1970 - 1979
Theatre Royal St. Helen’s. Blue and red type on yellow background.
Chapman’s International Stage Circus Poster, Week commencing 23 October c1977
Lacy’s Forest Bred Lions, clowns, trapeze artistes, Black Theatre puppets, plus performing bears, llamas, ponies, dogs. Red and blue type on yellow background.
Charles Taylor Collection
The Charles Taylor collection is a fine example of Taylor’s of Wombwell printers’ posters, which highlight changes in printing techniques, fashion and taste within the popular entertainment industry. Included are examples of posters for pantomimes, fairs and circuses. The collection also contains handbills and other advertising material.
Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 27 - 29 June 1977
Winsford. 5th Jubilee Year. Red, black and yellow type on white background.
Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 30 June - 2 July 1977
Neston. 5th Jubilee Year. Red, black and yellow type on white background.
Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 31 March - 2 April c1970 - 1979
Somercotes. 5th Jubilee Year. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.
Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 4 - 5 April c1970 - 1979
Langley Mill. 5th Jubilee Year. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.
Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 7 - 11 April 1977
Skegby. 5th Jubilee Year. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.
Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 28 - 30 March 1977
Southwell. 5th Jubilee Year. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.
Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 24 - 26 March 1977
Newark. 5th Jubilee Year. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.
Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 19 - 21 April 1977
Chapel-en-le-Frith. 5th Jubilee Year. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.
Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 29 April - 1 May 1977
Partington. 5th Jubilee Year. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.
Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 12 - 14 April 1977
Clay Cross. 5th Jubilee Year. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.
Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 25 July - 7 August 1977
Rhyl. 5th Jubilee Year. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.
Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 26 - 28 April 1977
Flixton. 5th Jubilee Year. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.
Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 1977
Wirksworth. 5th Jubilee Year. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.