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 105 Collections and/or Records:
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.
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited Trade Sheet, 17 November 1956
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited trade sheet reprint from World’s Fair Newspaper and specification for the Boat Ride built by a leading firm of boat-builders at Henley-on-Thames. 2p.p with illustrations.
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited Trade Sheet, c1950 - 1959
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited trade sheet and specification for the Hurricane jet machine. Uxbridge, with illustrations.
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited Trade Sheet, c1950 - 1959
Lang Wheels (Manufacturing) Limited trade sheet for Autodrome ride. Uxbridge, 2p.p with illustration.
Letter from Baxendale & Co. Manchester to Farrar and Tyler, 1910
Letter from Baxendale & Co. Manchester to Farrar and Tyler with receipts. Typescript and manuscript.
Letter from Hackett & Co. Ltd. to John Anderton, 29 May 1928
Letter from Hackett & Co. Ltd. to John Anderton regarding an unpaid account. Typescript.
Letter from J.R. Anderson to Mr Radford, 13 August 1901
Letter from J.R. Anderson to Mr Radford, regarding a quote for carvings. Typescript and manuscript.
Letter from Savages Limited to Mr Enoch Farrar, 7 August 1923
Letter from Savages Limited to Mr Enoch Farrar, including accounts. Typescript and manuscript.
Letter to America Article, c1960 - 1969
Review of David’s Braithwaite’s Fairground Architecture book. Typescript, 2p.p.
Lusse Bros Ltd, Leaflet, c1940 - 1949
Lusse Bros Ltd. advertising leaflet for Lusse Luxurious Skooter Car. Blackpool, 8p.p with illustrations.
Mephisto Postcard, c1900 - 1959
Mephisto the Mysterious postcard.
Monographs and Articles, c1927 - 1969
Articles and monographs on fairground engineering, architecture and personalities by various authors including David Braithwaite.
Newspaper Cuttings, c1950 - 1970
Newspaper cuttings including large selection of Nottingham Goose Fair local newspapers and architect cutting for Blackpool Derby Racer.
N.G.Wallis Trade Sheet, c1900 - 1959
N.G.Wallis trade sheet for N.G.Wallis, Amusement Ride Manufacturer featuring dodgem track’s and pay cabin. Leigh, 1p. with illustrations.
Notebooks, 1957
Notes about rides and patents compiled by David Braithwaite.
Notes about Patents, 1957
Loose sheets containing notes about patents, fairground rides and photographs compiled by David Braithwaite.
Nottingham Goose Fair List of Rides, 1965
List of rides and names at Nottingham Goose Fair by David Braithwaite.