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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 493 Collections and/or Records:

Pinder's Circus Poster, 9 - 11 June 1977

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.130
Scope and Contents

Banchoy. Red, blue, orange type and white background.

Dates: 9 - 11 June 1977

Pinder's Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.131
Scope and Contents

Poster left blank for over-printing location and date. Red, black, orange type and white background.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Pontefract Fun Fair Poster, 22 April - 27 May c1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.955
Scope and Contents

Showmen’s Guild, Yorkshire Section. Red and blue type on white background.

Dates: 22 April - 27 May c1975

Popeye Fairground Ride Poster, c1937 - 1945

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.1104
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of Popeye in the centre of the poster riding the Moonrocket.

Dates: c1937 - 1945

Popeye Fairground Ride Poster, c1937 - 1945

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.1105
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of Popeye in the centre of the poster riding the Moonrocket.

Dates: c1937 - 1945

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

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

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

Programmes for Circus, Magic and Variety Shows, c1890 - 1999

 Series
Reference code: 178K27
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1890 - 1999

Pudsey Feast Poster, 12 - 20 August c1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.936
Scope and Contents

J. Ling. Red and black type on yellow background.

Dates: 12 - 20 August c1975

Pudsey Feast Poster, 13 - 21 August c1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.904
Scope and Contents

J. Ling. Red and black type on yellow background.

Dates: 13 - 21 August c1975

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 Hall Xmas and New Year Fun Fair Poster, 19 December - 11 January c1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.915
Scope and Contents

Doubtfire. Colour type on white background.

Dates: 19 December - 11 January c1975

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

R. Tucker and Sons Kettlethorpe Summer Fair Poster, 16 - 22 July c1960 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.133
Scope and Contents

Attractions include the Waltzer, novelty Ride, Noah’s Ark, Speedway. Green and red type on yellow background.

Dates: 16 - 22 July c1960 - 1979

R. Tucker and Sons Royston Summer Fair Poster, 8 - 10 and 12 July c1960 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.138
Scope and Contents

Attractions include the Waltzer, novelty Ride, Noah’s Ark, Speedway. Red and black type on cream background and illustration.

Dates: 8 - 10 and 12 July c1960 - 1979

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