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Poole, Joseph, 1847 - 1906

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1847 - 21 October 1906

Biography

Joseph Poole Panorama proprietor and nephew of Charles Poole (1821-1877) and George Walter Poole (1828-1877).

Joseph was born in Malmesbury, Wiltshire on September 1847, the oldest son of agricultural labourer John Poole (1817-1889) and his wife Matilda Poole (1824-1899).

John and Matilda had five sons Joseph (1847-1906), George (1849-1929), Henry (Harry) (1850-1925), Charles William (1858-1918) and Fred (1867-c1907), all of who followed their uncles’ footsteps into the Panorama business from a young age, Joseph joining the business in 1863 when he was sixteen years old.

In 1870 Joseph partnered up with his brother George and they started to travel their own Panorama under the name Messrs. Strange and Wilson, name they adopted in agreement with their uncles to avoid confusion between their shows, which ran in parallel. In 1878, not long after the death of their uncles, Joseph and George changed their business name to Joseph and George Poole, probably upon the acquisition of the Poole and Young company from their aunt Ellen, who inherited her husband’s George Walter business, after his death.

Joseph married Susannah Mayer on 1 August 1869 and they had four children Florence, Minnie, Ada Violet (1875-1954) and Joseph Wolseley (‘Tubby’) (1878-1954). Joseph children became involved in the family business as it was common, with Ada Violet performing as a dancer and vocalist from the age of four and Joseph eventually becoming the manager of Joseph Poole’s No. 1 Company at twenty one years of age.

Messrs. Joseph and George Poole run several shows including two Dioramic shows, two Phantoscopic shows and by 1899 a No. 1 Myriorama Company, managed by his son Joseph Wolseley Poole and a No. 2 Company managed by his brother in law Fred Mayer.

By 1883 Joseph had bought Verona house at Malmesbury, where he established a studio for the maintenance of the equipment associated with the shows.

Joseph became a member of Wiltshire County Council and an Alderman and served as the second Mayor of his home town of Malmesbury in 1889.

Joseph business ventures also involved travelling English opera in the 1860s and 1970s and optical illusion shows including the most famous of all, Professor Pepper’s ‘Ghost’.

Joseph died in Malmesbury on 21 October 1906 and left his business to his wife with his son Joseph Wolseley and his brother in law Frederick to act as managers.

Found in 18 Collections and/or Records:

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
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive

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
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Posters

Great Colston Hall Poster, January 1894

 Item
Reference code: 178R53.26
Scope and Contents

Bristol. Brown type on yellow background listing Joseph Poole's sights of the world, Off with 'em by Mr Poole's Minstrels, Venice, Chicago, Loss of the H.M Ship Victoria, Poole's Variety Confederation, Poole's Popular Programme, Mr Fred Mayer, Miss Dent, Mr A.W. Hallo, Miss May Finch, Spence & Wright, Mr Somers, Miss May Finch, Pongo, Seeblod & Dent, Horton & Linder, Beno. Printed by Fry Bros, Printers, Broad Quay, Bristol.

Dates: January 1894
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Posters

J. Poole's Myriorama Booklet, c1900 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178Z64.8
Scope and Contents London to Pretoria. Colour illustrations of a bustling city on top section, on bottom section view of military parade and soldiers raising the Union Jack, in the centre black and white photograph of Joseph Poole in a medallion surrounded by flags on the front cover, inside introduction, description of sights in England, Europe and South Africa, descriptions of scenes from the Transvaal war including Colenso, Paardeburg and Elandslaagte, followed by scenes in india, China, Hong Kong, Boston,...
Dates: c1900 - 1999
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Various Items of Ephemera

J. Poole's Myriorama Booklet, c1900 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178Z64.10
Scope and Contents London to Pretoria, Dark green and whilte illustrations of a bustling city on top section, on bottom section view of military parade and soldiers raising the Union Jack, in the centre black and white photograph of Joseph Poole in a medallion surrounded by flags on the front cover, inside introduction, description of sights in England, Europe and South Africa, descriptions of scenes from the Transvaal war including Colenso, Paardeburg and Elandslaagte, followed by scenes in India, China, Hong...
Dates: c1900 - 1999
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Various Items of Ephemera

Joseph Poole's Myriorama Booklet, c1890 - 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178Z64.9
Scope and Contents Sights of the world and passing events. Colour illustration of a navy ship, a scene in Africa and a cityscape with a crowd and blue and white photographs of Joseph Poole and J. Wolseley Poole on the front cover, inside introduction, description of scenes in London, Liverpool, Dublin, New York, Canada the Spanish-American war, Artic Regions, St. Petersburg, South Africa, the slave trade in central Africa, the Soudan war, India, the Frontier war, Constantinople, Vienna, Paris and others, The...
Dates: c1890 - 1899
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Various Items of Ephemera

Joseph Poole's Myriorama Poster, c1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R53.7
Scope and Contents Colonial Hall, New Street, Cardiff. Picturesque trips abroad to all parts of the globe, The British Fleet, The Lord Mayor's Show, Falls of Niagara, Poole's excelsior concert company, Mons. Martini's Bicycle Troupe, Lizzie Dent and Jack Seebold, musical act, Mr Felix Somers, ventriloquist act, Miss Jessie Arnelli, musical act, Mr R.H.A. Williams, musical act, Mr Frank Freeland, Grand orchestral band conducted by Mr C.W. Horton. Black type on green background with chain border. Printed by...
Dates: c1895
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Posters

Joseph Poole's New Myriorama Picturesque Programme, 19 January 1891

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.45
Scope and Contents Town Hall Hounslow, England, France and Italy, Turkey, Egypt, The Soundan, Suez Canal and India, Afghanistan and China, Russia, Austria, Switzerland and Germany, America, the Atlantic Ocean and the Artic Regions, Scotland, Ireland, Mr Joseph Poole's Combination Company, Great Ledderites, The Modern Gladiators, Herr Blitz, Miss May Frinch, Mr Felix Somers, Mr Frank Freeland, Orchetral band conducted by Mr C.W. Horton. Gold type on green background and illustrations of Queen Victoria,...
Dates: 19 January 1891
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Programmes

Joseph Poole's New Myriorama Picturesque Programme, 11 April 1892

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.46
Scope and Contents Victoria Hall Suntherland, England, France and Italy, Turkey, Egypt, The Soundan, Suez Canal and India, Afghanistan and China, Russia, Austria, Switzerland and Germany, America, the Atlantic Ocean and the Artic Regions, Scotland, Ireland, Mr Joseph Poole's Combination Company, The Great Alvantee, high wire act, Herr Blitz, equilibrist act, Miss May Frinch, singing act, Bob Desmond, comedy act, Mr Felix Somers, George Mayo, Mr Fred Mayer, Group of Ladderites, equilibrist act, Poole's Merry...
Dates: 11 April 1892
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Programmes

Joseph Pool's New Eclipse Myriorama Guide Book and Songs, c1880 - 1889

 Item
Reference code: 178Z64.6
Scope and Contents Joseph Poole's new eclipse myriorama picturesque trips abroad all over the world, containing an introduction, descriptions of sights including Dover, Calais, Paris, Turin, Rome, Ancona, Constantinople, Gallipoli, Shumla, Cyprus and battles in Egypt and the Soudan, Stanley's expedition to central Africa, the Suez Canal, India, China, Russia, Europe, America and Great Britain, followed by the lyrics to The Mountain Guide, On, Staley On, Toll Gate, Irish Colleen, When the Lights are Low, Ducth...
Dates: c1880 - 1889
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Various Items of Ephemera

Mr Josep Poole's Myriorama Poster, 7 July 1890

 Item
Reference code: 178R53.29
Scope and Contents Black type on blue background. Large Assambly Rooms, Eyre Arms, St. John's Woods, meeting of H.M. Stanley and Emin Pacha, Mr Joseph Poole's Myriorama, Pictoresque Trips Abroad to all Parts of the Globe, The Emin Pacha Relief Expedition, Events in Egypt and the Soudan, Scenic Surprises and Eclipse Variety Amalgamation, Poole's Acme Combination Company, Herr Blitz, Miss May Finch, Paul de Lara, Mr Felix Somers, Mr Frank Freeland. Printed by Stafford & Co., Printers, Netherfield near...
Dates: 7 July 1890
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Posters

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
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Posters

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
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Posters

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
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Posters

Posters, c1880 - 1899

 Series
Reference code: 178R53
Scope and Contents

Poster related to the Poole family film shows, Gompertz's diorama and other early cinema travelling shows and venues.

Dates: c1880 - 1899
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection

Programmes , 1881 - 2016

 Series
Reference code: 178K53
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1881 - 2016
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection

Round Room Rotunda Poster, 4 July 1892

 Item
Reference code: 178R53.30
Scope and Contents Dublin. Mr Joseph Poole's latest Myriorama, Sights of the World, Venice, Poole's Pictorial Tours Darkest Africa, meeting of H.M. Stanley & Emin Pasha, The Falls of Niagara, Ireland, Sydney the capital of New South Wales, The British Fleet past and present, Poole's consolidated variety confederation, Miss Jessie Arnelly, Herr Blitz, Miss May Finch, Mr Felix Somers, Messrs Lisburn & O'Marr, Mr Willie Boatman, Poole's vocal quartette party, Mr Fred Mayer. Printed by Creber, Printer,...
Dates: 4 July 1892
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Posters

Various Items of Ephemera, c1800 - 2016

 Series
Reference code: 178Z64
Scope and Contents

Various items related to George Walter Poole, Wilton's Music Hall, Henry James Mayer, Alexander Billington, James Upton Printers, Gompertz's panorama show, Poole's Myriorama and Diorama shows and Messrs Strange and Wilson Ghost show. Also includes a theatrical clock with two figures on the sides attracting customers.

Dates: c1800 - 2016
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection

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