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 484 Collections and/or Records:
Theatre Royal Nottingham Poster, 8 May 1978
Big Hearted Arthur Askey in ‘Those Golden Years of Music Hall’. Red, blue and black with curtains.
Theatre Royal St. Helens Poster, 8 March 1976
The Dixie Minstrel Show featuring John Boulter with Reg Lester and David Lee. Red and black with border.
Theatre Royal St. Helens Poster, 14 March 1977
The Al Jolson Minstrel Show featuring Clinton Ford. Red and blue type on yellow background.
Those Golden Years of Music Poster, Week commencing 8 May 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.
Those Good Old Days Poster, 23 June c1970 - 1979
Arcadia, Skegness. Wally Dunn, Philippa Boulter, Dennis Lake, The Gorgeous Gaiety Girls, Gerrie Raymond, Llewellyn Williams, Colin Cresswell, Paula Lee with Claudi and Shelli. Red, black and yellow type on white background.
Thurcroft Community Bonfire and Fireworks and Fun Fair Poster, c1970 - 1979
Thurcroft Recreation Ground. Blue and red type on pink background.
Tucker's Fun Fair Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Speedway, waltzer. Blue and red type on white background.
Valence Park Fun Fair Poster, 18 - 22 August c1975
Dagenham. T. Holland. Dodgems, Waltzer. Red and blue type on white background.
Variety and Music Hall Poster Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1950 - 1989
Variety and Music Hall poster printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, including pantomimes and wrestling shows in theatre venues.
Verlaine Poster, c1970 - 1979
Multicolour type on white background.
Villadrome Ludworth Poster, 8 October c1950 -1959
Daisy Hays presents ‘Frivolity Revels’. Red and blue.
Wakefield Great Holiday Fair Poster, 1 - 9 August c1975
Clarence Park. Waltzer, Ark, Dodgems. Multicoloured.
Weights Circus and Zoo Poster, c1970 - 1979
Elephants, lions, bears, monkeys, llamas, coloured donkeys, Shetland ponies. Red and blue type on yellow background.
Weights Circus and Zoo Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Patricia Solo trapeze, Jose aerial Aquarius etc. Red blue and yellow type on white background.
Weights Circus and Zoo Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Patricia Solo trapeze, Jose aerial Aquarius etc. Red blue and yellow type on white background.
Weights Circus and Zoo Poster, c1970 - 1979
Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Black, red and yellow clown illustration, type in purple.
Winter Gardens Pavillion Blackpool Poster, 6 April 1980
‘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.
Woodhouse Easter Fair Poster, 8 - 16 April c1975
Leeds. T. Holland. Dodgems, Waltzer. Red and black type on yellow background.
Woodhouse Feast, Leeds Poster, 23 - 27 September c1975
The Showmen’s Guild, Yorkshire Section. Red and blue type on white background.
Woodhouse Feast Poster, 18 - 22 August c1975
Beighton Road, Sheffield. Farrar. Colour type on white background.