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 493 Collections and/or Records:
Joe Gandey's Circus Presentations Poster, 1970
English Single Most Circus International, Featuring Granada Television Documentary, Delmarrs Equilibrists, Trevor Doolottle acrobatic, comedy and juggling, Cheeko minute Trick Pony, Caprice Alpine Goat, Billy Diamond and Sioux City Sue Knife Throwing, Prince Kahn And Co., Running fox and Juanita Apache Fire Rituals.
Kellingley Social Centre Flower Show with Doubtfire’s Fun Fair Poster, c1960 - 1979
Red and blue type on white background.
Key Theatre Ayr Poster, Commencing Monday 14 February 1977
Billy Burden in ‘The Good Olde Days’ with all star company. Red, blue and black with curtains.
Kings Theatre Edinburgh Poster, Week commencing Saturday 8 October 1979
An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends portrayed by Steve King with Reg Dixon. Red and Black type on yellow background.
Kings Theatre Edinburgh Poster, 8 October 1979
‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King with Reg Dixon. Red and black type on yellow background.
Kirkheaton Spring Bank Fair Poster, 22 May -1 June c1975
North. Waltzer, Dodgems. Blue and white type on red background.
Kirkheaton Spring Bank Fair Poster, 23 - 27 May c1975
North. Waltzer, Dodgems. Rollercoaster. Multicoloured.
Large Clown Face Poster, c1960 - 1979
Poster left blank for printers for touring shows. Contains red and blue illustration of a large clown's face.
Leeds University Rag Week Fair Poster, 22 October - 9 November c1975
Woodhouse Moor. Red and blue type on white background.
Lido Cliftonville Poster, 7 July 1978
‘The Jolson Minstrel Show’ with comedy star Ken Joy. Red and black type on yellow background.
Midland Amusements Fun Fair Poster, c1960 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Red and blue type on white background.
Mother Goose Poster, Week commencing 26 December c1955
Royal Court Theatre, Warrington. Jimmy Slater, Leslie Gunby, Conita Dawn, Steve Traynor, Olwen Grounds, Patsy James, Antony Beaumont, Billy Harris, Judith Marlowe and Fred McAlister. Contains colour illustration.
Mother Goose Poster, Week commencing 26 December c1955
Embassy Theatre, Peterborough. Jack Anton, Michael Stanley, Eric Watts, Beryl Roberts, Tony Snape, Riegels, Phyllis Gladwin, Dickie Arnold, Cathie Haigh, Mickie Warren. Red and blue.
Mother Goose Poster, Week commencing 27 December 1954
Stockton Hippodrome. Billy Eaves, Sandy Daw, Harry Dawson, Edina Mason, Eddie Bewicke, Gilda Russell, Kathleen Laing, Jose Mykova, Griff Kendall, John Hammond, Regal Girls, Aerial Kenways and Carillon Girls Choir. Red and blue.
Mother Goose Poster, Week commencing 13 December 1976
Theatre Royal, St. Helens. Brian Eames, Charles Burdon, Noel Crowder, Pam and Mel Wingfield, Beverley Hill, Diane De Forge, David Lee, Coronet Dancers, Ray Paul Music. Red and green.
Mother Goose Poster, c1960 - 1979
Poster left blank for printers for touring shows. Contains colour illustration related to the theme of the pantomime.
Mother Goose Poster, c1960 - 1979
Poster left blank for printers for touring shows. Contains colour illustration related to the theme of the pantomime.
Mother Goose Poster, Week commencing 13 December 1976
Theatre Royal. St. Helen’s. Brain Emmis, Charlie Burdon, Noel Crowder, Pam and Mel, Wingfield, Beverley Hill, Diane De Forge, David Lee, Coronet Dancers, Ray Paul Music. Contains green and red, illustration related to the theme of the pantomime.
Motorbike Riders Poster, c1960 - 1969
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date for touring shows. Contains colour illustration with a fairground theme.
Municipal Theatre Colne Poster, 18 April 1977
The Al Jolson Minstrel Show featuring Clinton Ford. Red and blue type on yellow background.