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:
Chapman’s International Stage Circus Poster, Week commencing 23 October c1977
Lacy’s Forest Bred Lions, clowns, trapeze artistes, Black Theatre puppets, plus performing bears, llamas, ponies, dogs. Red and blue type on yellow background.
Charles Taylor Collection
The Charles Taylor collection is a fine example of Taylor’s of Wombwell printers’ posters, which highlight changes in printing techniques, fashion and taste within the popular entertainment industry. Included are examples of posters for pantomimes, fairs and circuses. The collection also contains handbills and other advertising material.
Cinderella in Carriage Poster, c1960 - 1979
Poster left blank for printers for touring shows. Contains colour illustration related to the theme of the pantomime.
Cinderella in Carriage Poster, 28 January 1978
Royal Theatre, Redruth. Contains colour illustration related to the theme of the pantomime.
Cinderella Poster, Week commencing 27 December 1954
Theatre Royal, Barnsley. Kay Hamilton, Sheila Dawson, Kathie Dene, Len Astor, Leslie, Pell, Hal Denis, Teddy Deakin and Angela Kaye. Red and blue.
Cinderella Poster, c1954
Kay Hamilton, Sheila Dawson, Kathie Dene, Len Astor, Leslie, Pell, Hal Denis, Teddy Deakin and Angela Kaye. Red and blue.
Cinderella Poster, Week commencing 27 December 1954
Theatre Royal, Hyde. Len Howe, Sylvia Ross, Stan Saunders, Mary Mitchell, Phyllis Mellor, Kim Haughton, Ernie Payne and Sydney Grace, Haval and Byl, Earl and Elgar. Red and blue.
Cinderella Poster, c1960 - 1979
Poster left blank for printers for touring shows. Contains colour illustration related to the theme of the pantomime.
Cinderella Poster, c1960 - 1979
Poster left blank for printers for touring shows. Contains colour illustration related to the theme of the pantomime.
Cinderella Poster, Week commencing 23 December 1977
City Variety, Leeds. ‘All Star Cast. Beautiful Ponies and Crystal Coach'. Contains red and blue illustration related to the theme of the pantomime.
Cinderella Poster, Week commencing 23 December 1977
City Variety, Leeds. Des King, Deidre Douglas, Kerry Meadows, Simon Browne, Mykel Mills, Peter Barbour, Alec Halls and Dennis Lake. Contains colour illustration related to the theme of the pantomime.
Cinderella Poster, Week commencing 27 December 1954
Palace Theatre, Hull. Allen Modley, Mavis Whyte, Helen Hurst, Finlay Brothers, Dickie Martyn, Al Dixon, Al Rodgers, Jean Scott, Alain Diagora and partner and the 3 Dunjas Sisters. Red and blue.
Cinderella Poster, Week commencing 26 December 1955
Hippodrome, Hulme. Ted Lune, Bert Foley, Sylvia Ross, Brian Foley, Rovi Pavinoff, Gus Aubrey, Stella Lewis, Janet Munro and Three Truzzi’s. Red and blue.
Cinderella Poster, Week commencing 24 January 1955
Empire Theatre, Oldham. Kay Hamilton, Sheila Dawson, Kathie Dene, Len Astor, Leslie, Pell, Hal Denis, Teddy Deakin and Angela Kaye. Red and green
Cinderella Poster, 17 - 29 December c1970 - 1979
Theatre Royal, St. Helens. Roy Lester and Paula Lee, Claudie Lee, Patricia Allwood, Mike Pannell, Don Peters, Bella Maw, Jackie Pallo Jnr., Shelli Le-Crane, Black Theatre Puppets, Luckens Fairy Coach and Shetland Ponies. Green and red.
Cinderella Poster, 27 December - 15 January c1970 - 1979
Civic Theatre, Rotherham. Roy Lester and Paula Lee, Claudie Lee, Patricia Allwood, Mike Pannell, Don Peters, Bella Maw, Jackie Pallo Jnr., Shelli Le-Crane, Black Theatre Puppets, Luckens Fairy Coach and Shetland Ponies. Green and red.
Cinderella Poster, Commencing 23 December 1977
City Varieties, Leeds. Des King, Deirdre Douglas, Kerry Meadows, Simon Browne, Mykel Mills, Peter Barbour, Alec Halls, Dennis Lake, Sue Barbour, Mandy Cole, The Gaiety Dancers. Multicoloured type on white background and illustration.
Cinderella Poster, Commencing 23 December 1977
City Varieties, Leeds. Dave Betton, Marc Fleming, George Raymonde, Marsha Harris, Dennis Lake, Red Preston, Gerrie Raymond, Llewellyn Williams, Colin Cresswell, Annette Cotton. Multicoloured type on white background and illustration.
Cinderella Poster, c1970 - 1979
Artwork for Cinderella pantomime poster.
Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 10 - 12 November 1977
Rowley Regis. Acts include Buffalo Billy Wild, Miss Gina, contortions, The Martells, Debbie Sue, Aerialist.