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Barnes, Bill (William), 1920 - 2019

 Person

Biography

William 'Bill' Barnes was a renowned film history and collector, who together with his twin brother John (1920-2008), amassed one of the finest collections of early British cinema in the country.

Bill and John became fascinated with cinema from an early age. When they were twelve years old they had a home cine projector and soon after, still in their teen years, they started to make their own films and documentaries. Examples of the titles they created together are Cornish Nets and With the Gypsies in Kent.

Bill and John started to collect cinema material in the 1930s. The brothers served together in the Royal Navy during WWII. At the end of the war, they became specialist booksellers of cinema and pre-cinema material.

The brothers opened the Barnes Museum of Cinematography in St Ives in 1936. John managed the collection while Bill continued to build up the collection visiting fairs, markets and auctions around the country. At this time Bill was working as a Film Production Consultant in London, where he used to visit markets and antique shops. The museum closed in 1986 and the collection was split between the Museo Nazionale del Cinema in Turin and Hove Museum. Eventually, Bill started to run his own stall in Chelsea antiques market selling optical toys, lantern slides and photo cine items. John, who remained in Cornwall all his life, died in 2008. The brothers had always been very close and Bill felt a great loss.

Bill became a leading authority on many aspects of the optical media that preceded cinema and in particular of the early years of cinema itself.

John and Bill wrote extensively on early cinema history, John was known for The Beginnings of Cinema in Britain series and Bill for his articles on The Magic Lantern journal among others.

Bill and John received an honorary doctorate from the University of Stirling in 2006 and the Jean Mitry Prize.

Found in 98 Collections and/or Records:

Adam's New Diorama of Scotland Programme, 18 April 1885

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.8
Scope and Contents

Victoria Hall, Glasgow, 50 paintings illustrating cities, towns, mountains, rivers,lochs and the coast of Scotland, Scottish songs, solos, duets and humourous selections. Maroon type on brown background and maroon illustrations of views and architecture on the front cover inside programme, marron illustration of female figure and a deer on landscape, also press reviews inside and on the back cover, 2p.p.

Dates: 18 April 1885

Admission All Classes Handbills, 2007

 File
Reference code: 178T47.2
Scope and Contents

Handbills for two separated events of Admissions All Classes, containing colour photographs and listing of acts.

Dates: 2007

Alhambra Theatre of Varieties Programme, 5 July 1897

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.43
Scope and Contents

Leicester Square, London, Emmy's Trained Toy Terriers, The Tzigane, Musical Dale, Dagmar and De Celle, Mlle La Tostia, May and Flora Hengler, The Frank Bonhair Troupe of Acrobats, Miss Cissie Loftus, Victoria and Merrie England, Sells and Young. Colour illustration of chrubs and two women floating in the air holding wreaths of flowers and a banner with the theatre's name on it on a golden background on the front, on the reverse programme, 1p.

Dates: 5 July 1897

Argyle Theatre of Variety Poster, 7 November 1897

 Item
Reference code: 178R53.20
Scope and Contents Birkenhead. The Famoust American Biograph invented by Herman Cassler, including royalty in private life, the Prince of Wales' tea party, Galtee more winning the Derby, military review at Aldershot, Henley Regatta, naval review at Spithead, the marvellous fire bridage turnout, The Empire State Express, the pillow fight, Booker & Narbis, Miss Jenny Valmore, Herbert Lisle, Sandy & Carl, Tom Mulvaney, Sisters Santley, Morney Cash, Florence and Lilian. Red and blue type on white...
Dates: 7 November 1897

Berlin Winter Garten Programme, 1937

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.33
Scope and Contents Michaela Busch, equestrian act, Oscar Albrecht, comedy act, Valnohas, Marvelli, magic act, Manley u. Austin, acrobatic act, London Ballett, Gina Ginotti, acrobatic act, Gloria Grant, Swing-Sextett, dancing act, 5 Slatanachs, bicycle acrobatics act, South China, acrobatic act, 3 Marvels, acrobatic act. Colour illustration of two women dancing and a woman riding a white horse on a green background on the front cover, inside programme, black and white photographs of acts and performers with...
Dates: 1937

Bill Barnes Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0172
Scope and Contents

Programmes, posters and photographs mainly related to the Poole family's travelling Myriorama show.

Dates: 1881 - 2017

Brick Lane Music Hall Handbill, 2016 - 2017

 Item
Reference code: 178T47.1
Scope and Contents

Colour photograph of music hall performers waving Union Jacks on the front cover, inside colour photographs of acts and some informantion.

Dates: 2016 - 2017

Crystal Palace Programme, 1 January 1881

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.31
Scope and Contents Punch and Judy, Rudolf's black and white harmonic concert company, Christmas Pantomime, Aladdin, invented and produced under the direction of Mr Oscar Barrett and Mr W.R. Osman, The Children's dinner, The skating rink, The picture gallery, Bicycle practice tickets, Artic exploration, The Yarkund and Tibet Court, The Technological Museum, The Alhambra Court, The Pompeian House, The Chinese Court, The Crystal Palace Reading Room, Crystal Palace Company's Library, Pompeii, The New Book Court...
Dates: 1 January 1881

Dooner's Bioscope Poster, c1890 - 1900

 Item
Reference code: 178R53.27
Scope and Contents

Fairground Aberavon. Hunting the Fox with the Hounds, Blanco White coon impersonator and dancer, Sisters Williams the Welsh Nightingales. Black type on green background.

Dates: c1890 - 1900

Drury Lane Theatre Print, Published 11 August 1821

 Item
Reference code: 178V20.2
Scope and Contents

Tom and Bob enjoying a theatrical treat. Part of 36 scenes from real life, designed and etched by I.Robert and George Cruikshank in the book: Life in London: or, the day and night scenes of Jerry Hawthorn, Esq., and his elegant friend Corinthian Tom, accompanied by Bob Logic, the Oxonian, in their rambles and sprees through the Metropolis. London published by Jones and Co. Hand coloured etching and aquatint on paper.

Dates: Published 11 August 1821

Gomp-Ertz Grand Diorama Programme, c1882

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.14
Scope and Contents Philarmonic Hall, Southampton, War in Egypt, Mr Owen Vauguard and Miss Marie Coulson, musical act, Fred Medex, Central and Southern Africa, Mr H.M. Stanley's encounter with the natives of the Congo River, Discovery of Livingstone, Tarn Bend, Victoria Falls, Pandanus or screw palm, Horrors of the slave system, Slave market at Zanzibar, Source of the Nile, Victoria Nyanza, Abon Simbel, Second cataract of the Nile, Throne of Pharoah, Nubian water wheel, The sitting statues, Sphynx, Sir Garnet...
Dates: c1882

Great Colston Hall Poster , c1893 - 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R53.25
Scope and Contents Bristol. Mr Joseph Poole's latest Myriorama, Sights of the World, City of Chicago, The Loss of H.M.S Victoria, Venice, Poole's Pictorial Tours, Darkest Africa, The falls of Niagara, Poole's Consolidated Variety Confederation, Horton & Linder, Seebold and Dent, Miss May Finch, Spence and Wright, Mr Felix Somers, Beno, Mr A.W. Hallo, Pongo, Mr Fred Mayer, Ten Minutes in Shadowland. Blue type on white background and yellow border with geometric pattern. Printed by James Upton Printer,...
Dates: c1893 - 1895

Guide Book of Charles W. and John R. Poole Latest Myriorama, c1920 - 1929

 Item
Reference code: 178Z64.7
Scope and Contents Colour illustration of the Union Jack on front cover, inside variety programme listing John R. Poole, George Logan, The Lannons, Sam Kelly, The Tree Avenue Girls, M. Joanny and The Murus Comedy Four, descriptions of sights in england, Vienna, Petrograd, Berlin, Brussells, Paris, scenes of WWI including Kitchener's army, the sinking of Kaise Whilheml der Grosse, mine sweeping, camp and hospital scenes and lyrics to the national anthems of the allies and other popular songs such as It's a Long...
Dates: c1920 - 1929

Hamilton's New Excursions Programme, c1880

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.10
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1880

Handbills, 1882 - 2017

 Series
Reference code: 178T47
Scope and Contents

Handbills for Brick Lane Music Hall, Admission All Classes, Colston Hall, Harry H. Hamilton, Wilton's Music Hall, Player's Theatre, Hoxton Hall.

Dates: 1882 - 2017

Harry H. Hamilton Original Excursions to America Programme, c1800 - 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.30
Scope and Contents Visiting all scenes of importance from the palaces of the East to the Wigwams of the Wild West, 120,000 miles in 120 minutes, Harry H. Hamilton's original O.I.C.M. minstrels, Anglo-American concert confederation, Mr Walter Osborne, singing act, Mr Stuart Cowell, comedy act, Miss Emmie Watson, singing act, Messrs. Waters and Kelly, comedy and dancing act, M. Essmann. Blue type on white background with blue border and small scenes on the corners of the front cover, inside programme and listing...
Dates: c1800 - 1899

Harry H. Hamilton's Excursions Programme, c1880 - 1889

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.22
Scope and Contents Chung Ling Soo, Hyde Park, Westminster, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, the King's Guests, London Bridge, The London Docks, The Union Castle, Southampton Waters, Porstmouth, The Transvaal, Kimberley, Rhodesia, New Zealand, The Chinese Empire, The Chinese Imperial family, A Chinese wedding, Hong-Hong, Formosa, Korea, Japan, Ceylon, America, The Missisippi, The Hundson river, Dominion, Montreal, New York, Tom Birchmore comedy act, Bertha Greahame comedy act, Suli and...
Dates: c1880 - 1889

Harry H. Hamilton's Panstereorama of Passing Events Programme, c1880 - 1889

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.21
Scope and Contents America, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, British deeds of valour, Soudan incident, General Gordon“s fate, Mr H.D. Glover, Mr Walter Osborne, singing act, Mr Arthur Sullivan, comedy act, Miss Emmie Watson, singing act, Mr Stuart Cowell, comedy act, Mr Bob Matin, Miss Ethel Silvena, comedy act, Messrs Waters and Kelly, comedy act, Harry H. Hamilton's original O.I.C.M. minstrels and celebrated Blondin mules. Green type and illustrations of buildingings, weapons and a portrait on an easel on...
Dates: c1880 - 1889

Harry Poole's Greatest Myriorama Programme, 27 February 1893

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.48
Scope and Contents Assembly Rooms, Cheltenham, The approach, engagement and destruction of The Spanish Armada, St. Paul'd Cathedral,Buckingham Palace, Newcastle-on-Tyne, The Forth Bridge, Ireland, Mechanical set of shipping, Newhaven, Crossing the Channel, Paris, Italy, Switzerland, St. Gothard Tunnel, Vienna, St. Petersburgh, Adrianople during the war, The Holy Land, Ceylon, India, China, Japan, New Zealand, San Francisco, Trinidad, The West Indies, New York, Egypt, The Soudan, Battle of Kirbekan, Stanley in...
Dates: 27 February 1893

Hippodrome Programme, 28 August 1933

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.32
Scope and Contents

Brighton, The Big Crazy Gang from the London Palladium. Blue type on white background with Art Deco style frame decorations on the front cover, inside programme and commercial advertising. Printed by Stillwell Darby and Co., Advertising Contractors, Charing Cross House, W1, 6p.p

Dates: 28 August 1933

Filtered By

  • Subject: Variety X

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 97
Collection 1
 
Subject
Acrobats 5
Aerialists 5
Anglo-Afghan Wars 7
Anglo-Burmese War, 3rd, 1885 4
Anglo-Egyptian War, 1882 22