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Holmes, Fred (Frederick), 1878 - 1951

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1878 - 1951

Biography

Fred Holmes was an instrumental manager throughout Redfern's career, in charge of a number of itinerant shows, and later permanent shows.

Fred Holmes was born in Dronfield, Chesterfield in 1878. He started working with Jasper Redfern around 1894 becoming proficient in photography then developing to become a 'Skilled operator' of animated pictures, a camera man and projectionist.

From 1900 to 1905, he travelled extensively with Jasper Redfern and was the manager for Redfern's vaudeville and animated picture shows. Including the two seasons at Redfern's 'Palace by the Sea' in Southend where he took stills and some movies. When Jasper Redfern set up the first picture house in Sheffield, Holmes became the manager as well as general manager for Redfern's various enterprises around the country.

Redfern and Holmes parted ways in 1912 when Redfern's business folded in 1912 but Holmes was retained as manager of the New Central Hall Cinema, which was named the Tivoli in 1913.

From 1914 until his retirement in 1937, Holmes was the manager of the Heeley Electric Palace on Chesterfield Road. In 1939 he moved to Tupton, Derbyshire and worked at Rawson's brewery, Sheffield during the war.

Fred Holmes died in 1951.

Found in 11 Collections and/or Records:

Central Hall Poster, 25 September c1900 - 1920

 Item — Frame Fred Holmes Frame 3: Series 178R34
Reference code: 178R34.6
Scope and Contents

Norfolk Street, Sheffield. Jasper Redfern's Animated Pictures and Vaudeville Entertainment. Gravetta and Parr - impersonators, comedy and juggling. Percy Farrimonde - singer. Madame Gavetta - vocalist. Stanert and Yondi - musical entertainers. Imperial Concert Orchestra. Printed by Jas Neville, 134 Carver St. Moorhead, Sheffield. Blue type on off white background with blue border.

Dates: 25 September c1900 - 1920

Central Hall Poster, c1900 - 1920

 Item — Frame Fred Holmes Frame 4: Series 178R34
Reference code: 178R34.7
Scope and Contents Norfolk Street, Sheffield. Jasper Redfern's World Renowned Animated Pictures and Refined Vaudeville Entertainment. King Edward Opening the Kingsway. The Late Sir Henry Irving's Funeral. Admiral Lord Nelson Centenary celebrations. Prince and Princess of Wales leaving for India. Dexterria in her Cabinet Mystery. Grand Pictorilia, illustrated songs. Pattie Varley - soprano. Beatrice Sinclair - contralto. Pulo - boy juggler. Carl Osmond - tramp lightening cartoonist. Blue type on off white...
Dates: c1900 - 1920

Fred Holmes Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0065
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1895 - 1925

Handbills, c1900 - 1920

 Series — Box Fred Holmes Box 2: Series 178K38; Series 178T31; Series 178Z31
Reference code: 178T31
Scope and Contents

Collection of Handbills mainly relating to Jasper Redfern's Motion Pictures, as well as other entertainments and events.

Dates: c1900 - 1920

New Palace Theatre, Hull Poster, 18 August 1902

 Item — Sleeve Fred Holmes Sleeve 3: Series 178R34
Reference code: 178R34.3
Scope and Contents

Millie Hylton. Maisamos - Musical Grotesques. Alice Cooke - Transformation Dancer. Sisters Morgan - Duettists and Dancers. Ross and Grayson - Comedians. Redfern's Pictures - The Coronation of King Edward VII. Sybil St. Elmo - Vocalist. O'Connor and Brady - Knockabout Comedians. Little Gitana - Child Vocalist. Glenroy Troupe. Edwin Boyde - Comedian. Red and green.

Dates: 18 August 1902

Posters, 1900 - 1905

 Series
Reference code: 178R34
Scope and Contents

Collection of posters mainly relating to Jasper Redfern's Motion Pictures, as well as other entertainments and events.

Dates: 1900 - 1905

Prince of Wales Circus, Scarborough Hippodrome Poster, c1900 - 1920

 Item — Sleeve Fred Holmes Sleeve 1: Series 178R34
Reference code: 178R34.1
Scope and Contents

Jasper Redfern's Vaudeville and Animated Picture Company. Prof. Gillin - Ventriloquist. The Falcons - Acrobats and Hand-Balancers. Master Leonard Ankers - Boy Comedian. Madame McMullen - Soprano Vocalist. Mr. Charlton Howarth - Tenor Vocalist. Mdlle. Dulcie Murielle - Solo Pianist. Printed by G. A. Pindar, 45 St. Thomas Street, Scarborough. Handwritten bill listing on the back from 'Ye Devonshire Halle'. Black on yellow.

Dates: c1900 - 1920

Public Hall, Harvey Institute, Barnsley Handbill, c1900 - 1920

 Item — Box Fred Holmes Box 2: Series 178K38; Series 178T31; Series 178Z31
Reference code: 178T31.4
Scope and Contents Minni Letta's Sporting Girls. Miss Edie Endon - Dainty little 'Coon' Songstress. Harry Clyo and Rochelle - Comedy. Fox and Melville - American Song Illustrators. Percy Farrimond - Lancashire Singing Collier. Miss Gracie Logan - Pert Soubrette and Graceful dancer. The Great Cinizelli - Funny Acrobatic Furniture and Plate-smashing. Jasper Redfern's Animated Pictures. A.P. Boswell - The Black Diamond. Sisters Mayo - Vocalists and Dancers. Eugene and Willie - Musical Grotesques. The 4 Andys -...
Dates: c1900 - 1920

Seven of the Best and Most Popular Songs Handbill, c1895 - 1920

 Item — Box Fred Holmes Box 2: Series 178K38; Series 178T31; Series 178Z31
Reference code: 178Z31.6
Scope and Contents

Sung by the great comedian Mr Charles Coburn. Printed by Dysons, Peterborough, 8pp.

Dates: c1895 - 1920

Town Hall, Brighouse Handbill, 22 September c1900 - 1920

 Item — Box Fred Holmes Box 2: Series 178K38; Series 178T31; Series 178Z31
Reference code: 178T31.6
Scope and Contents

Jasper Redfern's No 1 Vaudeville Company. Jasper Redfern's Singing and Living Pictures. Herbert Betts - Comedian. J.E. Linstead - Baritone Vocalist. Edison's Latest Marvel - The Phonometograph. George Dinnie - the finest developed man in the world. Printed by Sheffield Independent Press Limited, 21 Fargate.

Dates: 22 September c1900 - 1920

Various Items, c1895 - 1920

 Series — Box Fred Holmes Box 2: Series 178K38; Series 178T31; Series 178Z31
Reference code: 178Z31
Scope and Contents

Collection of Various Items mainly relating to Jasper Redfern's Motion Pictures, as well as other entertainments and events.

Dates: c1895 - 1920