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:
Sinbad the Sailor Poster, Week commencing 12 January c1950 -1959
Gaumont Theatre, Taunton. Keith Leggett, Tony Dalton, Sydney Barnes, Velvet Dahlen, Annette Gaye, Colleen Laine, Toiya Kee, Les Quatre Furres, Big Chief Beaver, Burt Brooks, Twelvetrees Oriental Puppets, Michael Skinner, Martin Lee, Noel Baron and Candy, Valerie Crofts, Bunny Carter, Casima and Pippo. Containscolour illustration.
Sinbad the Sailor Poster, c1960 - 1979
Poster left blank for printers for touring shows. Contains colour illustration related to the theme of the pantomime.
Sinbad the Sailor Poster, c1960 - 1979
Poster left blank for printers for touring shows. Contains colour illustration related to the theme of the pantomime.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Poster, Week commencing 20 December c1950 - 1959
Queens Theatre, High Street, Poplar. Red and green.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Poster, Week commencing 13 December 1954
Theatre Royal, Worcester. Red and green.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Poster, Commencing 23 December 1976
City Varieties, Leeds. 7 real dwarfs, George Bolton, Des King, Eileen Martin, Bryan Nelson, The Twain Brothers, Joan Hall, Dennis Lake, Little Malcolm, Arthur Dean. Red and blue type on white background and illustration on cardboard.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Poster, Commencing 23 December 1976
City Varieties, Leeds. 7 real dwarfs, George Bolton, Des King, Eileen Martin, Bryan Nelson, The Twain Brothers, Joan Hall, Dennis Lake, Little Malcolm, Arthur Dean. Red and blue type on white background and illustration on paper.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Poster, Week commencing 23 December 1976
City Varieties, Leeds. Staring 7 real Dwarfs, George Bolton, Eileen Martin, Des King, Bryan Nelson, The Twain Brothers, The Villages and Courtiers, Joan Hall, Dennis Lake, Little Malcolm, Arthur Dean. Contains red and blue illustration related to the theme of the pantomime.
Sooty's Christmas Show Poster, Week commencing 27 December c1950 - 1959
Royal Hall, Harrogate. Sooty, Harry Corbett, Myster E, Bonzo, Marjorie’s Newbury’s Television Dance Girls. Red and green.
South Pier Theatre Blackpool Poster, 4 September c1973
All Stars Together with Billy Fontaine, Nick Martin and others. Red and black.
Spa Theatre Bridlington Poster, 29 March 1980
‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King with Marigold Sisters, Lee Sheraton, Beryl Johnson, Reed Delroy and Duggie Chapman. Red and black type on yellow background.
Spa Theatre Bridlington Poster, Season commencing 25 May c1977
A night at the Varieties, starring Kenny Cantor. Travelling show from City Varieties Leeds. Neon yellow, orange curtains, black and red type.
Spring Show '78 Poster, Week commencing 17 April 1978
Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth. Beverley Sisters, Mike Scott, Roy 'Jake' Jacobs, The Dolly Set, Miki and Griff, Ray Paul and his music. Red and blue type on yellow background.
Spring Show '78 Poster, Week commencing 10 April 1978
Theatre Royal, Nottingham. Arthur Askey, Peter Cavanagh, Van Buren and Company, Reed and Delroy, Adelaide Hall, Wally Dunn, Bob and Alf Pearson. Red and blue type on white background and illustration.
Stanley Fun Fair Poster, 18 - 21 August c1975
Shaw. 3 big rides, coconut shy, bingo stall. Red and blue type on yellow background.
Sunderland Empire Theatre Poster, 10 March 1980
‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King with Duggie Chapman. Red and black type on yellow background.
Sunderland Empire Theatre Poster, 10 March 1980
‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King with Marigold Sisters, Lee Sheraton, Beryl Johnson, Reed Delroy and Duggie Chapman. Red and black type on yellow background.
The Al Jolson Show, The Good Olde Days, Search for a Star Poster, 24 May 1980
Embassy, Skegness. Steve King, Ben Warriss, Michael Chivers and Vera Bennett, The Two Manderinos, Ray Dawson, Janice Suttons’s Minstrel Belles. Red and green type on yellow background.
The Annual Midnight Matinee Poster, 13 June 1978
ABC Theatre, Blackpool. The Bachelors, Marti Caine, Candlewick Green, Joe Church, Billy Dainty, Syd Francis, The Half Wits, Colin 'Fingers' Henry, Neville King, The Nolan Sisters, Tony Selby, Stuart Atkins and the ABC Theatre Orchestra. Red and blue type on white background.
The Edwin Hicks Illuminated Lecture Show Poster, 12 July c1982
Blackpool Pleasure Beach. ‘The Best Years of Your Lives’ 1890-1840, 50 Golden Years.