Messrs. Hamilton (c1848 - 1923)
Dates
- Existence: Founded 1848, business folded c1923 - 1923
- Usage: c1870 - 1903 by the early 1900s it was owned by John Reginald Poole
Biography
Messrs. Hamilton was a travelling Panorama company founded by Joseph Hamilton in 1848.
The company was run by Joseph and his brothers, Alfred, Harry H. (d. c1887) and William and was later continued by successive generations of the family. The Hamilton brothers run various shows successfully including Panoramas, Dioramas and Panstereoramas, and were the main rivals of the Poole family, who at that time were the main Panorama exhibitors in the UK.
Panorama shows were dramatic presentations of topical events that reflected the socio political spirit of the time, a very popular theme was travel, showing locations across the UK and around the world and famous battles such as the Crimea War and the Franco-Prussian War. The Hamiltons presented large painted scenes on canvas painted by themselves or by some of the greatest scenic artists of the day such as William Telbin. The Panoramas were accompanied by sound effects, music and variety acts, as it was customary for these shows.
The Hamilton family travelled various Panoramic shows from 1848 to c.1923 including Messrs. Hamilton, Harry H. Hamilton’s Excursions (c1870-1903), Hamilton & Overend’s Panorama (c1872-1885) and Hamilton’s New Excursions. They also expanded the business with the addition of theatre venues, such as the Hamilton’s Royal Amphitheatre at Holborn (1878-1879), which was managed by Harry and later a chain of cinemas, owned by Douglas Hamilton.
Harry was also the owner of Harry H. Hamilton’s Excursions, which he managed from c1870s to his death in c1887 when ownership passed to his widow, G.H. Hamilton and H. Hamilton. By the early 1900s John Reginald Poole from the Poole family of Panorama shows had acquired Harry H. Hamilton’s Excursions.
By the 1920s Douglas Hamilton, son of Victor Hamilton and descendent from the original Hamilton brothers, had taken over part of the family business and continued with the tradition of not only managing the business but also painting the Panorama scenes as well as running a chain of cinemas.
Found in 7 Collections and/or Records:
Bill Barnes Collection
Programmes, posters and photographs mainly related to the Poole family's travelling Myriorama show.
Hamilton's New Excursions Programme, c1880
Introductory tableau showing California, London, Crossing the Channel, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Constantinople, Ceylon, Washington, Southampton to Trasvaal, The Cotterells, comedy act, Miss Trixy Holland, comedy act, Arnetti, musical act, Walter Roselle, ventriloquist, Sid Colenza, comedy act, Godfrey Martin's latest cinematoscope. Black type on green background and two small illustraton of men in tailcoats, contains hand written annotations. Printed by Leader Printing Works, Lincoln, 2p.p.
Harry H. Hamilton Original Excursions to America Programme, c1800 - 1899
Harry H. Hamilton's Excursions Programme, c1880 - 1889
Harry H. Hamilton's Panstereorama of Passing Events Programme, c1880 - 1889
Posters, c1880 - 1899
Poster related to the Poole family film shows, Gompertz's diorama and other early cinema travelling shows and venues.
Programmes , 1881 - 2016
Pre-Film and variety and music hall programmes mainly related to the travelling shows of Joseph Poole and Harry Poole, Harry H. Hamilton, Mapleston Brothers and Adams but it also includes other showmen.