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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 165 Collections and/or Records:

Messrs. Poole, The World Programme, 25 September 1882

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.1
Scope and Contents Public Hall, Smethwick, Entry of General Sir Garnet Wolseley into Cairo with British Forces, Alexandria bombarded, on fire and in ruins!, England to Malta, Turkey, Cyprus, The Holy Land, Egypt, Zululand, India, Afghanistan, Russia, Germany, Holland and Belgium, Bombardment of Alexandria, Scenes of Cairo and the Suez Canal, Mr J. Sullivan and Miss Josephine, excelsior black and white duologists and versatile artistes, Herr Blitz, magic act, Mr Horace Wilton, comic singing. Black type on...
Dates: 25 September 1882

Messrs. Poole's Gigantic Pictorial Enterprise Programme, 14 August 1882

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.18
Scope and Contents Exchange Rooms, New Street, Birmingham, Egypt and the world, Bombardment of Alexandria, Cairo, The Suez Canal, London, South Africa, Afghanistan, India, Assassination of the Szar, Miss Ada Violet Poole, singing act, Prince of Wales Minstrels, Mr Charles Ernest, singing act, Mr J. Richards, musical act, Mr Horace Wilton, comedy musical act, Mr Felix Somers, ventriloquist act, Herr Blitz, magic act, Mr Oscar Hartwell, The orchestra conducted by Mr B. Simpson. Black type on pink background with...
Dates: 14 August 1882

Messrs. Poole's New Dioramic Excursions Programme, 17 October 1881

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.17
Scope and Contents Temperance Hall, Tredegar, Afghanistan and South Africa, Capitals of Europe, France, Italy, Germany, Russia, Austria, Bulgaria, Turkey in Europe, Constantinople, Cyprus, Entry of our Troops into Cabul under the command of General Roberts, The Ameer's Palace, General Burrows' disaster or great battle of Khussk-I-Nakhud, The Kojak-pass, City of Candahar, General Roberts great victory, The Kremlin, Viena, Berlin, Miss Ada Violet Poole, singing act, Messrs Henri and Pointer, musical act, Mr...
Dates: 17 October 1881

Mohawk Minstrels Poster, 21 October 1885

 Item
Reference code: 178R53.15
Scope and Contents

Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington. Annual Benefit, 20 Songs for the Occasion, Principal London Variety Artistes. Black type on white background. Printed by Aubert's Steam Printing Works, Maiden Lane, Strand.

Dates: 21 October 1885

Monographs, Articles, Manuscripts and Research Material, c1900 - 2018

 Series
Reference code: 178B44
Scope and Contents

Monographs, articles and research material on early travelling moving picture shows, related to the Poole family , Wilton's Music Hall, Walter Sickert, Bedford Music Hall, Randall Williams and early cinema in Scotland

Dates: c1900 - 2018

Mr Joseph Poole's Grand New Myriorama Poster, c1880 - 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178R53.6
Scope and Contents Colonial Hall, New Street, Cardiff. Picturesque trips abroad to all parts of the globe, Grand fashionable night, The Mayor David Jones, Esq., Ex-Mayor, Alderman T. Windsor Jacobs, Poole's Acme Combination Company, Mons. Martini's bicycle troupe, The Musical Marvels, Lizzie Dent and Jack Seebold, Mr Felix Somers, ventriloquist act, Miss Jessie Arnelli, musical act, Mr R.H.A. Williams, musical act, Mr Frank Freeland, Poole's orchestra and military band conducted by Mr C.W. Horton. Red type on...
Dates: c1880 - 1899

Mr Joseph Poole's New Myriorama Pictoresque Trips Abroad to all Parts of the Globe Poster, Friday 4 to Saturday 12 April c1890

 Item
Reference code: 178R53.1
Scope and Contents New Corn Exchange, Rochester. The Nile Expedition, Stanley in Africa, The falls of Niagara, The Goodwin Sands, London by day and night, The Queen's visit to Westminster Abbey, Ireland, Lakes of Killarney, Scenes of Liverpool, Poole's Acme Combination Company of talented artistes, The Great Alvantee, high wire act, Mr Harry Stewart, fast outfit change and musical act, Professor Le Ray, ventriloquist act, Miss Jessie Arnelly, musical act, La Petite Mdlle. De Lisle, musical act, Mr R.H.A....
Dates: Friday 4 to Saturday 12 April c1890

Mr Joseph Poole's Trips Abroad Poster, c1880 - 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178R53.3
Scope and Contents New Assambly Hall, Fawcett Street, Sunderland. The Nile Expedition,Battle of Abu Klea, Battle of Gubat, Bird's eye view of Khartoum, The Soudan war, The war in Egypt, The Burmese war, Bulgaria, Miss Keturah Evans, musical act, Mr Harry Stewart, Mr Bob Desmond, comedy act, Mr C.W. Wilmott, comedy act. Black type on white background and blue and white illustrations of male portraits around the right and left edges, cote of arms on top centre and view of Suakim on bottom edge. Printed by Fry...
Dates: c1880 - 1899

National Sunday League, Alhambra Programme, 7 April 1901

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.101
Scope and Contents

Black type on off white background on front cover listing the Band of His Majesty's Coldstream Guards, inside programme of musical repertoire with lyrics of songs, historical information and Scenes of Queen Victoria's Funeral, 3p.p.

Dates: 7 April 1901

New Corn Exchange Poster, Monday 31 March 1890

 Item
Reference code: 178R53.22
Scope and Contents Rochester. Mr Joseph Poole's Myriorama, Picturesque Trips Abroad to All Parts of the Globe, The Nile Expedition, Staley in Africa, The Falls of Niagara, The Goodwin Sands, London by Day and Night, The Queen's Visit to Westminster Abbey, Ireland, Lakes of Killarney, Scenes of Liverpool, Poole's Acme Combination Company, Alvantee, Mr Harry Stewart, Professor le Ray, Miss Jessie Arnelli, Le Petite Madlle. De Lisle, Mr R.H.A. Williams, Mr Bob Desmond, Mr C.W. Wilmott. Blue type on white...
Dates: Monday 31 March 1890

Newspaper Cutting About Messrs. Poole's Diorama, 30 November 1885

 Item
Reference code: 178G56.2
Scope and Contents

Diorama and Variety Entertainment at the Town Hall. Holbein's Visitors' List and Court Directory. Article about Messrs. Poole's diorama and variety show,

Dates: 30 November 1885

Opera Comique Programme, May 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.124
Scope and Contents

Strand. Black type on green background on front cover announcing Shamus O'Brien in three tableaux founded on the celebrated poem by Jos. Sheridan Le Fanu, inside commercial advertising and programme listing C. Villiers Standord's new romantic comic opera Shamus O'brien, also contains programme for Olympia listing Chevalier Blondin and Animated pictures by Mr Paul's Theatrograph, 2p.p.

Dates: May 1896

Original Artworks, c1821 - 1869

 Series
Reference code: 178V20
Scope and Contents

Small groups of artist prints depicting scenes of music hall and variety entertainment, magic and clowning and watercolour of battleships. Also prints of the London Coliseum and other archicture in Regent's Park.

Dates: c1821 - 1869

Palace Theatre Souvenir, 21 September 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178Z64.20
Scope and Contents

Black type on brown background on the front cover, inside black and white portrait photograph of Charles Morton, 2p.p.

Dates: 21 September 1899

Pavilion Threatre of Varieties Programme, 25 April 1910

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.42
Scope and Contents

Glasgow, Miss Margaret Cooper, 4 Celestas, Dolly Harmer, Mr John R. Poole, The Adras, Alexander Prince, Denaro Bros, J. M'Cormack, Tenka Troupe. Four folding programme with red, white and black type and red and grey illustration of a man in medieval clothing blowing a trumpet in the front, inside programme and commercial advertising.

Dates: 25 April 1910

Photographs and Postcards, c1900 - 1929

 Series
Reference code: 178C129
Scope and Contents

Black and white and colour photographs and postcards

Dates: c1900 - 1929

Photographs and Postcards Related to Pre-Cinema Shows and Early Cinema, Showpeople and Performers, c1900 - 1929

 File
Reference code: 178C129.1-33
Scope and Contents

Black and white and colour photographs and postcards of performers including dwarves, blackface performer, a white face pierrot and Du'calion, the interior of a theatre, a photograph of the Parade at Newport, Isle of Wight, photographs of Poole's myriorama, employess and brass band and a small family photo album.

Dates: c1900 - 1929

Player's Theatre Handbill, c1900 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178T47.5
Scope and Contents

Victorian Music Hall and Hoxton Hall, Sunday 2 December, Union Jack on top section, title in red and blue and rest of typescript on black and framed colour photograph of a man on the front, on reverse information, contact details and map.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Poole and Young's New Dioramic Excursions Programme, 9 June 1879

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.13
Scope and Contents The Opera House, Cork, Zulu War, Russia, Turkey, Cyprus, Afghanistan, Berlin, London, St. Petersburgh, Bucharest, Turkey, A battle before Kars, The battle before Plevna, British fleet at Prinkipo, Constantinople, Mosque of Santa Sophia, Cyprus, Miss Ada Violet Poole, singing act, Miss Clara Farren, singing act, Mr Stuart Cowell, singing act, Mr Frank Freeland, impresonation act, Professor Alexander, ventriloquist act, The band conducted by Mr Jas. Montague. Blue type on pink background,...
Dates: 9 June 1879

Poole's Latests Myriorama Programme, 1882 - 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.47
Scope and Contents Munt's Hall, Clapham Junction, Commencing Monday 15 May, Poole's latets trip around the world, London, Paris, Venice, Moscow, Norway, Cyprus, Cairo, Stanley in Africa, Shouth Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Ceylon, Herat, China, Niagara, The Wild West, Quebec, Belfast, North Wales, The Phydora Trio, musical act, Miss Rosie Williams, musical act, Professor Carson, ventriloquist act, Munro and O'Toole, comedy act, Otto Elliott (Silent Otto), comedy act, Mr J.J. Taylor, comedy act, Poole's...
Dates: 1882 - 1899

Filtered By

  • Subject: Variety X

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 164
Collection 1
 
Subject
Acrobats 6
Aerialists 5
Anglo-Afghan Wars 7
Anglo-Burmese War, 3rd, 1885 4
Anglo-Egyptian War, 1882 22