Wilsons Group Services (Established c1860)
Dates
- Existence: Established c1860 - 1861
Biography
Wilsons is a family printing company. The business started in the furniture making sector, however, Wilson soon started to make printing blocks for the advertising industry. The company established itself within the lucrative world of music hall and cinema and by the early twentieth century they had become one of the leading advertising printers in the country for this sector. Wilsons' complimented the busines by running their own billboard posting business, until legislation on billboard advertising changed in the 1950s.
In the early 1960s, the business was split into Willsons Printers Leicester, which continued printing posters and Willsons Printers Nottingham, which moved into the commercial market. The Nottingham business expanded, acquiring several other print firms and creating two new locations: Willsons Printers (Newark) and Willsons Printers (Grimsby). In the early 1980's production at Nottingham was consolidated into Newark.
The company continues operating today.
Found in 21 Collections and/or Records:
Circus Friends Association Collection
This collection consists of a large library of books and journals, as well as archival material including posters, programmes, photographs, films, handbills, research material, scrapbooks, original artwork and many other items of ephemera relating to British, Irish and European circuses
Cyril Critchlow Collection
David Braithwaite Collection
This collection contains photographs taken by David Braithwaite from the 1950s and used towards his publications alongside older images collected from other sources as well as business records, monographs, articles, correspondence, newspaper cuttings, advertising material, bibliographies, catalogues, programmes, films and some other miscellaneous items.
De La Warr Pavilion Poster, c1930 - 1949
Bexhill. Tissington and Craig Productions present Edgar Sawyer in the scintillating Summer Show ‘Moonshine’, Edgar Sawyer comedian, Linda Love soprano comedienne, Bobby Bent Comedian, Yvonne Ford Speciality dancer, Jean Ward Acrobatic dancer, Robert King Baritone, Leo Conriche at the grand piano, Marjorie Yardley piano, Derek Pilcher drums, Doreen Brebner speciality dancer, The Izna Roselli Dancers. Black type on yellow background. Printed by Willsons, Printers, Leicester.
Empire, Southend-on-Sea Programme, 9 May 1905 - 14 May 1905
Jasper Redferns World Renowned Animated Pictures - Various films. Testo Bros - comedy, musical and acrobatic act. Mr and Mrs Edward H. Lucas - society entertainers. J.E. Linstead - Yorkshire Baritone. Salmon - trick and musical cyclist. Printed by Willsons', New Walk Printing Works, Leicester. 5 copies.
Fred Holmes Collection
A collection of material including posters, programmes, handbills, newspaper cuttings and photographs relating to the shows of Jasper Redfern mainly in the Sheffield and surrounding areas. The collection was created by Fred Holmes who was a manager for Jasper Redfern of Sheffield, a pioneer of early film and exhibition. Jasper Redfern was the first man to show films in Sheffield. Also included in the collection is correspondence between Fred Holmes and Jasper Redfern.
Grand Theatre Programme, c1950 - 1959
Bernard M. Woolley Presents stars from Welsh Rarebit, Stan Stennett, Llew Thomas comedian, Frank James Compare, Jones Sisters dancing stars, Will Norman cyclist, Margaret Luke mimic, Leslie Lewis impressionist, Gudzows Welsh Collie Dogs-acrobatic collies. Red, blue and yellow type on white background. Radio Talent Contest. Printed by Wilsons, Printers, Leicester.
Handbills, c1900 - 1999
Hanbills for variety, magic and illusion shows mainly in locations in Blackpool in cluding the North Pier, the Hippodrome and various theatres.
Lord George Sanger's Circus Programme, 1954
Red and white illustration of laughing clown's face and paragraph by George Sanger on front cover, inside programme and Sanger circus facts. Printed by Willsons, Leicester, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Circus Programme, 1949
Green and white illustration of laughing clown's face and paragraph by George Sanger on front cover, inside programme and Sanger circus facts and information on what happens before the circus comes to town on back cover. Printed by Willsons, Leicester, 2p.p.
Lord George Sanger's Grand Colosseum Circus Programme, c1908
Marron type on off white background with illustrations of circus performers along the right and left edges including, highwire walking, clowns, acrobats, animals and equestrian act, programme in the centre. Printed by Willson's Printers, Leicester, 2p.p.
Marine Theatre Poster, Week commencing Monday 12 January 1948
Lyme Regis. Wal Scott Present the Great Blackpool-Torbay Coast-to-Coast (Road Show) ‘Shine’, Sylvani continental illusionist, Sunya Musical comedy star, Paul Gray xylophonist, Isolde & Alexis music and dance, Shoe Shine Girls, Roys Instrumentalists Supreme, Beautiful Georgette dancing juggler, Vera Scott Pianist, Wal Scott & Christina. Red, blue and yellow type on white background and border. Printed by Wilsons, Printers, Leicester.
Odeon Theatre Handbill, c1990 - 1999
Southport. Grand Gala of Magic with International Stars Billy McComb, Harold Taylor comedy entertainer, Jeffery Atkins & Company, Fred Sherry Austrian Manipulator, Tommy Nightingale Orchestra, Duo Flamenco Espanol, The Pharos Mysteries of the Sphinx, Morine, The Roger Stevenson Marionettes, Mr Joe, King of Diablo, The Rosinis, Van Buren & Greta. Red, blue and yellow print. Printed by Wilsons (Printers) Ltd., King Street, Leicester.
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.
Programmes, c1800 - 2019
A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.
Programmes, 1899 - 1925
Collection of Programmes mainly relating to Jasper Redfern's Motion Pictures, as well as other entertainments and events.
Sanger Circus Programmes, c1894 - 1999
Sanger Circus programmes including Lord George Sanger's Circus, Lord George Sanger and Pops Sanger Circus, Lord John Sanger's Circus and Sanger's Circus. Contain pantomime acts as well as circus performances in theatres venues.
Trade and Advertising Material, c1890 - 2006
Fairground ride manufacturing companies' ride specification and trade sheets including Lang Wheels, Savage Brothers, Schippers-Vanderville and Supercar Amusements among others and Wilson's Printers' fairground related supplies.
Willsons (Printers) Ltd. Poster, c1900 - 1959
Willsons (Printers) Ltd. advertising poster for fairground posters and advertising. Leicester, 1p. with illustrations.
Wilson's Trade Sheet, 1957
Wilson’s Printers printed trade dart sheets. Leicester, 2p.p with illustrations.
Additional filters:
- Type
- Archival Object 17
- Collection 4
- Subject
- Acrobats 10
- Aerialists 4
- Amusement rides 5
- Animal trainers 5
- Animals 9
- Art 1
- Boxing 1
- Business 7
- Circus 9
- Circus workers 1
- Clowning 8
- Comedians 11
- Contortionists 2
- Dance 9
- Diving 1
- Drama 2
- Dwarfs (Persons) 1
- Equestrians 5
- Escape artists 2
- Fairground art 1
- Fairs 7
- Fakirs 3
- Family 2
- Fire eating 3
- Freak shows 3
- Games 1
- Gymnasts 2
- Human cannonball 1
- Jugglers 6
- Knife throwing 1
- Magic 7
- Male impersonators 3
- Menageries 2
- Mimes 1
- Minstrel shows 3
- Motion pictures 7
- Music 2
- Music-halls 2
- Musical performances 9
- Pantomime 5
- Performers 15
- Pierrot 4
- Poetry 1
- Puppets 4
- Ringmaster 3
- Showman 5
- Showwoman 3
- Singing 5
- Skating 4
- South African War, 1899-1902 2
- Sports 1
- Strong men 3
- Stunt performers 1
- Transport 2
- Travel 1
- Variety 12
- Ventriloquists 6
- Wall of death 1
- War 5
- Wild west 4
- World War, 1914-1918 1
- World War, 1939-1945 4
- Wrestling 4
- Zoos 2 + ∧ less