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Taylor's Printers, Wombwell, Yorks (Established c1890)

 Organisation

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 192 Collections and/or Records:

Palace Manchester Poster, 4 April 1977

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.191
Scope and Contents

The Al Jolson Minstrel Show featuring Clinton Ford. Red and blue type on yellow background.

Dates: 4 April 1977

Palace Theatre Redditch Poster, 7 - 9 April c1980

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.156
Scope and Contents

‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King with Lee Sheraton, Reed and Delroy, Ben Johnson and Duggie Chapman. Red and black type on yellow background.

Dates: 7 - 9 April c1980

Pantomime Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, Week commencing 17 January 1955

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R11.300-342
Scope and Contents

Pantomime posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell.

Dates: Week commencing 17 January 1955

Pantomime Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, 1958 - 1979

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R11.1-28
Scope and Contents

A collection of pantomime posters.

Dates: 1958 - 1979

Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth Poster, 21 April 1980

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.157
Scope and Contents

‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King, Special Guest, Tony Melody, comedian. Red and black type on yellow background with photo.

Dates: 21 April 1980

Pavillion Ilfracombe Poster, Sunday 20 May 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.201
Scope and Contents

Roy Lester in ‘The Good Olde Days’ with all star company. Red, blue and black with curtains.

Dates: Sunday 20 May 1979

Pavillion Theatre Bournemouth Poster, 17 April 1978

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.180
Scope and Contents

The Fabulous Beverley Sisters. Black and red type on yellow background.

Dates: 17 April 1978

Pavillion Theatre Bournemouth Poster, 17 April 1978

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.181
Scope and Contents

The Fabulous Beverley Sisters. Black and red type on yellow background.

Dates: 17 April 1978

Pavillion Theatre Bournemouth Poster, 10 April 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.182
Scope and Contents

Arthur Askey Show. Red and purple type on yellow background.

Dates: 10 April 1979

Pavillion Theatre Glasgow Poster, 21 April 1980

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.159
Scope and Contents

‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King, Special Guest, Tony Melody, comedian. Red and black type on yellow background with photo.

Dates: 21 April 1980

Pavillion Theatre Liverpool Poster, Week commencing 26 December 1955

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.335
Scope and Contents

Babes in the Wood week commencing 26 December 1955, The Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe week commencing 9 January 1956, Cinderella week commencing 16 January 1956, Goldilocks and the Three Bears week commencing 23 January 1956, Harry Rowson, Raf and Julian Jover, Harry Neil, Joe Poynton, Frank Randle, Tony Lester, Bud Weston. Red and blue.

Dates: Week commencing 26 December 1955

Posters, c1937 - 1989

 Series
Reference code: 178R11
Scope and Contents

A collection of posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell for music hall and variety, circus, pantomime and fairgrounds.

Dates: c1937 - 1989

Posters, c1887 - 2010

 Series
Reference code: 178R27
Scope and Contents

Circus, variety, pantomime and magic posters including Argyle theatre, Liverpool Empire, Blackpool Tower Circus, Robert Brothers, Austen Brothers, Sorcar, Vesta Tilley, Ken Dodd, Dan Leno, Florrie Forde and others.

Dates: c1887 - 2010

Prince of Wales Theatre Colwyn Bay Poster, Season commencing Monday 28 June c1976

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.198
Scope and Contents

Tony Melody in ‘The Good Olde Days’ with all star company. Red, blue and black with curtains.

Dates: Season commencing Monday 28 June c1976

Putney Parish Church Poster, 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.167
Scope and Contents

The Putney Bridge Medallion. ‘Struck to commemorate the 250th Anniversary 1729-1979’.

Dates: 1979

Queen's Theatre Blackpool Poster, Week commencing 26 December 1955

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.318
Scope and Contents

Bo-Peep and her Live Sheep week commencing 26 December 1955, Goldilocks and the Three Bears week commencing 2 January 1956. Red and blue.

Dates: Week commencing 26 December 1955

Ralph Reader Show Poster, 1 - 3 April c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.600
Scope and Contents

Adeline Genee Theatre, East Grinstead. Ralph Reader, The De Milles, Barbara Drew, Margaret White, Bridie Devon, Jack Seaton. Red and grey type on white background.

Dates: 1 - 3 April c1970 - 1979

Red Riding Hood Poster, Week commencing 17 January 1955

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.300
Scope and Contents

Jimmy Malborn, Harry Tracy, The Gathering of the Clans, Kutie Kids, Jane Austin, Sherwood Girls, Margaret Harrison and Ida Rosaire’s Pekinese. Red and blue.

Dates: Week commencing 17 January 1955

Red Riding Hood Poster, Week commencing 27 December c1954

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.312
Scope and Contents

Grand, Doncaster. Terry Wilson, Estelle Russell, Sonny Boy, Patricia Lawtey, Arthur Carvey, Tony Hargreaves, Jan Kemp, Carole Hayes, Barry Gnome and Priscilla Beale. Contains colour illustration.

Dates: Week commencing 27 December c1954

Red Riding Hood Poster, Week commencing 27 December c1954

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.315
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Wigan. Jimmy Malborn, Harry Tracy, The Gathering of the Clans, Kutie Kids, Jane Austin, Sherwood Girls, Margaret Harrison and Ida Rosaire’s Pekinese. Red and blue.

Dates: Week commencing 27 December c1954