Braithwaite, David, 1932 - 1982
Dates
- Existence: 6 October 1932 - 4 July 1982
Biography
David Julius Braithwaite was born in Luton, Bedfordshire on the 6th of October 1932. The family moved to Northampton and as a young boy David was fascinated by the fairs which visited the town and thus began his lifelong interest and passion with the travelling fairground. He often helped with the building up of the rides and got to know some of the showmen.
David attended Northampton Grammar School where he developed art and drawing as his favourite subjects. He entered the Architectural Association School at seventeen and his subsequent career in architecture included work in various practices, teaching at Leicester, Hammersmith and Kingston School of Architecture and finally establishing his own practice in Knightsbridge, London. Here he worked in domestic, the commercial and entertainment fields, including the planning of Amusement Parks. Projects included the hall of Mirrors at Madame Tussaud’s in London and a floating theatre for children of which he was co-designer. In 1975 he was the prime mover in the rescue of the Savage Company Archives from King’s Lynn.
For many years he collected material for his book Fairground Architecture (the first book of its kind on this subject) which was first published in 1968. He also wrote a book on Frederick Savage of King’s Lynn, a booklet for Shire Publications and Building in the Blood, the history of the building firm, Dove Brothers. David Braithwaite is perhaps best known for his two influential works; ‘Fairground Architecture’ and ‘Savage of Kings Lynn’.
During the 1970's he acquired the Orton and Spooner Archive, which formed the basis of a book he was preparing to write at the time of his untimely death on July 4th 1982.
Found in 45 Collections and/or Records:
Beard & Son Catalogue, c1900 - 1959
Beard & Son catalogue for Colchester Stove’s, rifle shooting funnel and strong rifle box, 4p.p with illustrations.
C. J. Spooner Business Card, c1900 - 1959
Business card for C.J. Spooner, designer and carver.
Charles Bunn Leaflet, c1900 - 1959
Charles Bunn advertising leaflet for Folding Lifting Jack West Bromwich. 1p. with illustrations.
Compliment Card, c1900 - 1959
Compliments card from Modwena Hotel, Isle of Man.
David Braithwaite Collection
This collection contains photographs taken by David Braithwaite from the 1950s and used towards his publications alongside older images collected from other sources as well as business records, monographs, articles, correspondence, newspaper cuttings, advertising material, bibliographies, catalogues, programmes, films and some other miscellaneous items.
Envelope, c1900 - 1959
Envelope addressed to Mr G. Orton.
Frederick Savage Leaflet, c1890 - 1899
Frederick Savage advertising leaflet for hand and steam power roundabouts. King’s Lynn, 1p. with illustrations.
Gebros. A. en N. Hommerson en C.M. Vermolen Attratie-Bedrijven Catalogue, c1950 - 1959
Gebros. A. en N. Hommerson en C.M. Vermolen Attratie-Bedrijven advertising catalogue. Netherlands, 38p.p with illustrations.
Groupe Gaston Reverchon International Design Trade Sheet, c2005
Groupe Gaston Reverchon trade sheet for profiler bumper car. Samois, France, 1p. with illlustration.
Hopton & Co. Catalogue, c1890 - 1899
Hopton & Co. advertising catalogue for cars, including Dacre, Butterfly and Bent Panel cars, wheels and break blocks. London, 4p.p with illustrations.
Hopton & Co. Catalogue, c1890 - 1899
Hopton & Co. advertising catalogue for various machines including tyre bender, carding and drilling machines. London, 5p.p with illustrations.
John J. Stock Leaflet, c1900 - 1959
John J. Stock advertising leaflet for The Gadabout,. 1p. with illustrations.
John Perks' Business Card, c1900 - 1959
Business card for John Perks, Stourbridge, manufacturer of nails.
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited Trade Sheet, c1950 - 1959
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited trade sheet for the De-Luxe speed cars and tracks and specification sheet. Uxbridge, 2p.p with illustrations.
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited Trade Sheet, c1950 - 1959
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited trade sheet for Bumper cars. Uxbridge, 1p. with illustrations.
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited Trade Sheet, c1950 - 1959
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited trade sheet for the Helicopter ride Uxbridge, 1p. with illustrations.
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited Trade Sheet, c1950 - 1959
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited trade sheet for the latest deluxe children’s ride - Mini-Train. Uxbridge, 1p. with illustrations.
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited Trade Sheet, c1950 - 1959
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited trade sheet for the American portable junior roller coaster, containing specification and photograph. Uxbridge.
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited Trade Sheet, c1950 - 1959
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited trade sheet for mobile power units. Uxbridge, 6p.p with illustrations.
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited Trade Sheet, c1950 - 1959
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited trade sheet and specification for Junior jet ride - Skyfighter, 2p.p with illustrations.