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 26 Collections and/or Records:
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 Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Sioux and Piet, Tex and Anita Cowboys, Debbie Sue, Doggy Allsorts presented by Barbarella, Royal Welsh grey ponies presented by Alando, Madam Assunta, Aztek Indian Fire Dancers, Peter Platter, Gargantuan Gorilla Congo and Susie, Clowns Jo-Jo, Poo-Poo and Edward . Multicoloured type on white background.
Circus Markus Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for touring show. Featuring Worlds Strongest man, Gunga Din, Scotland’s own clown, Perso, among others.
Circus Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1965 - 1979
Circus posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell.
Circus Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1970 - 1979
Circus posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell.
Circus Verlaine Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for over-printing location and date. Grin Europe’s No. 1 clown, acrobats, jugglers, fakirs, aerialists, animals, ritual fire spectacular. Multicoloured type on white background.
Cyril Critchlow Collection
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Bobo musical Clown, Judy horse with the Human Brain. Red and Black type on yellow background.
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Rodeo, Bobo musical clown. Red and black type on yellow background.
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Rodeo, Bobo musical clown, Freda and Frenchi International Juggler.
Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Rodeo, Bobo musical clown, Henleo Indian Fire Eater, Freda and Frenchi International Juggler. Red and blue type on white background.
Gandey's Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for over printing location and date. Contains clown illustration.
Gandey's Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Crazy circus clowns, speciality acts, wild west, novelty animal acts. Blue and red type on yellow background and illustration.
Gandey’s Traditional Christmas Circus Poster, 27 December - 8 January c1970 - 1979
Halifax Piece Hall. Clown illustration and red and green type on yellow background with holly border.
Gandey’s Traditional Christmas Circus Poster, 27 December - 8 January c1970 - 1979
Halifax Piece Hall. Clown illustration and red and green type on yellow background with holly border.
Gandey’s Traditional Christmas Circus Poster, 26 December - 6 January c1970 - 1979
Bolton. Clown illustration and red and green type on yellow background with holly border.
Gandey’s Traditional Christmas Circus Poster, 26 December - 6 January c1970 - 1979
Bolton. Clown illustration and red and green type on yellow background with holly border.
Jack and the Beanstalk Poster, Commencing 22 December 1972
City Varieties, Leeds. Charlie Cairoli, Steve Collins, Ken Barnes, Ann Langford, Anne Woollin, Paul Connor, Dennis Lake, Charlie Jnr, The Gaiety Dancers, Jimmy Buchanan, Jane Terry, Brenda Martyne, Stan Simmons, Red Preston. Multicoloured type on white background and illustration.
Jack and the Beanstalk Poster, Commencing 22 December c1972
City Varieties, Leeds. Charlie Cairoli, Steve Collins, Ken Barnes, Ann Langford, Anne Woollin, Paul O’Connor, Dennis Lake, Charlie Jnr, The Gaiety Dancers, Jimmy Buchanan, Jane Terry, Brenda Martyne, Stan Simmons, Red Preston. Red and black type on white background.