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:
Pinder's Circus Poster, 9 - 11 June 1977
Banchoy. Red, blue, orange type and white background.
Pinder's Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for over-printing location and date. Red, black, orange type and white background.
Pontefract Fun Fair Poster, 22 April - 27 May c1975
Showmen’s Guild, Yorkshire Section. Red and blue type on white background.
Popeye Fairground Ride Poster, c1937 - 1945
Colour illustration of Popeye in the centre of the poster riding the Moonrocket.
Popeye Fairground Ride Poster, c1937 - 1945
Colour illustration of Popeye in the centre of the poster riding the Moonrocket.
Posters, c1887 - 2010
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.
Posters, c1937 - 1989
A collection of posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell for music hall and variety, circus, pantomime and fairgrounds.
Prince of Wales Theatre Colwyn Bay Poster, Season commencing Monday 28 June c1976
Tony Melody in ‘The Good Olde Days’ with all star company. Red, blue and black with curtains.
Programmes for Circus, Magic and Variety Shows, c1890 - 1999
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.
Pudsey Feast Poster, 13 - 21 August c1975
J. Ling. Red and black type on yellow background.
Pudsey Feast Poster, 12 - 20 August c1975
J. Ling. Red and black type on yellow background.
Putney Parish Church Poster, 1979
The Putney Bridge Medallion. ‘Struck to commemorate the 250th Anniversary 1729-1979’.
Queen's Hall Xmas and New Year Fun Fair Poster, 19 December - 11 January c1975
Doubtfire. Colour type on white background.
Queen's Theatre Blackpool Poster, Week commencing 26 December 1955
Bo-Peep and her Live Sheep week commencing 26 December 1955, Goldilocks and the Three Bears week commencing 2 January 1956. Red and blue.
R. Tucker and Sons Kettlethorpe Summer Fair Poster, 16 - 22 July c1960 - 1979
Attractions include the Waltzer, novelty Ride, Noah’s Ark, Speedway. Green and red type on yellow background.
R. Tucker and Sons Royston Summer Fair Poster, 8 - 10 and 12 July c1960 - 1979
Attractions include the Waltzer, novelty Ride, Noah’s Ark, Speedway. Red and black type on cream background and illustration.
Ralph Reader Show Poster, 1 - 3 April c1970 - 1979
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.
Red Riding Hood Poster, c1960 - 1979
Poster left blank for printers for touring shows. Contains colour illustration related to the theme of the pantomime.
Red Riding Hood Poster, Week commencing 17 January 1955
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.
Red Riding Hood Poster, Week commencing 27 December c1954
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.