Anderton and Rowland (Established c1854 - 1879)
Dates
- Existence: Established c1854 - 1879
Biography
Anderton and Rowland was formed by Albert Haslam, a Sheffield born showman and magician and his son Arthur aka Captain Rowland, in the late 1800s.
They travelled a circus and menagerie, the latter being sold in 1898 to pay of debts, after which Anderton started touring as Fourpawrs circus.
George DeVey joined Anderton and Rowland's in 1894, later marrying Albert's daughter, Martha. He was integral to the development of the rides and transport that saw Anderton and Rowland's develop to become one of the best touring fairs.
Anderton invested in the development of a new novelty, animated pictures and the show became known as 'Anderton and Rowland's Grand Empire Palace. In 1906 a new show front was commissioned from the Orton and Spooner Company, which included a Marenghi organ in the centre, still owned today by the company. There were light bulbs lit up at night that changed colour in time to the music.
Since the 1950s, the firm has continued to expand and the name Anderton and Rowland is now in its fifth generation. It is owned by the De-Vey family and is the biggest fairground operator travelling in Devon and Cornwall.
Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:
Anderton and Rowland's Grand Empire Palace Poster, c1900 - 1930
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
Orton and Spooner Collection
This collection contains a large selection of archives from the Orton and Spooner Company. The collection comprises photographs and cabinet card images showing carved work, structural work and classic painted work, 4 boxes of notes, invoices and clippings, 8 drawers of plans and blueprints, 2 folders of ride specifications and order forms, accounts books and a library of source books showing turn of the century art used by the artists in the company.
Posters, c1800 - 2011
A wide range of British and international circus and menagerie posters ranging from the 19th to the 21st century including Astley's Amphitheatre, Pablo Fanque, Polito, Bostock and Wombwell, Ducrow, Cooke, Hengler, Sanger, Smart, Gerry Cottle, Bertram Mills, Chipperfield's, Robert Brothers, Fossett, Blackpool Tower, Billy Russell, Belle Vue, Great Yarmouth Hippodrome, Austen Brothers and many more.
Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian Circus Posters, c1800 - 1930
Early circus and menagerie posters including Polito's menagerie, Astley's Amphitheatre and Pablo Fanque's, Sanger's, Powell's, Ducrow's, Cooke's and Hengler's circuses among others.