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:
Wakefield Great Holiday Fair Poster, 1 - 9 August c1975
Clarence Park. Waltzer, Ark, Dodgems. Multicoloured.
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.
Weights Circus and Zoo Poster, c1970 - 1979
Elephants, lions, bears, monkeys, llamas, coloured donkeys, Shetland ponies. Red and blue type on yellow background.
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.
Woodhouse Feast Poster, 17 - 21 August c1975
Beighton Road, Sheffield. Farrar. Black, red and green type on white background.
Woodhouse Fun Fair Poster, 19 - 23 August c1975
Beighton Road. Farrar. Colour type on yellow background.
Woodhouse September Fair Poster, 19 - 27 September c1975
Red and blue type on white background.
World of Wonders, The Unexpected Poster, c1970 - 1979
Continuous show of action and oddities for the entire family. Blue, yellow and green type on white background with illustration.