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Braithwaite, David, 1932 - 1982

 Person

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:

Orton and Spooner Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0070
Scope and Contents

This collection contains a large selection of archives from the Orton and Spooner Company. The collection comprises photographs and cabinet card images showing carved work, structural work and classic painted work, 4 boxes of notes, invoices and clippings, 8 drawers of plans and blueprints, 2 folders of ride specifications and order forms, accounts books and a library of source books showing turn of the century art used by the artists in the company.

Dates: c1870 - 1969

Photographs, 1950 - 1970

 Series
Reference code: 178C75
Scope and Contents

Black and white and colour photographs and negatives taken by David Braithwaite as part of his research into fairground architecture and history.

Dates: 1950 - 1970

Photographs and Postcards, c1880 - 1979

 Series
Reference code: 178C77
Scope and Contents

Black and white photographs, postcards and negatives collected by David Braithwaite from the William Keating collection. Many original postcards and copy negatives of postcards.

Dates: c1880 - 1979

Plans, 1922 - 1965

 Series
Reference code: 178M7
Scope and Contents

List of rides at Nottingham Goose Fair and Savages ride plan.

Dates: 1922 - 1965

Programmes, 1962 - 1971

 Series
Reference code: 178K32
Scope and Contents

Programmes for steam engine rallies organised by various societies including East Anglian Traction Engine Club, Rempston Steam Treaction, Bysteam, Chiltern Traction Engine Club and others.

Dates: 1962 - 1971

Redgate & Earnshaw Postcard, c1900 - 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178Z21.5
Scope and Contents

Redgate & Earnshaw, importers of foreign birds postcard.

Dates: c1900 - 1959

Remembrance Card, c1900 - 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178Z21.6
Scope and Contents

In loving memory of Thomas Stanley, card.

Dates: c1900 - 1959

Rempstone Steam Traction Engine Rally Programme, 14 - 15 July 1962

 Item
Reference code: 178K32.5
Scope and Contents

Home Farm, Stanford near Loughborough. 24p.p with illustrations.

Dates: 14 - 15 July 1962

Rempstone Steam Traction Engine Rally Programme, 6 - 7 July 1963

 Item
Reference code: 178K32.6
Scope and Contents

24 p.p with illustrations.

Dates: 6 - 7 July 1963

Rempstone Steam Traction Engine Rally Programme, 4 - 5 July 1964

 Item
Reference code: 178K32.7
Scope and Contents

Ling Farm, Rempstone. 28p.p with illustrations.

Dates: 4 - 5 July 1964

Rempstone Steam Traction Engine Rally Programme, 3 - 4 July 1965

 Item
Reference code: 178K32.8
Scope and Contents

Ling Farm, Rempstone. 32p.p with illustrations.

Dates: 3 - 4 July 1965

Rempstone Steam Traction Engine Rally Programme, 6 - 7 July 1968

 Item
Reference code: 178K32.9
Scope and Contents

Ling Farm, Rempstone. 28p.p with illustrations.

Dates: 6 - 7 July 1968

Rempstone Steam Traction Engine Rally Programme, 3 - 4 July 1971

 Item
Reference code: 178K32.10
Scope and Contents

Ling Farm, Rempstone. 32p.p with illustrations.

Dates: 3 - 4 July 1971

Review of Botton Brothers Lang’s Jets, c1900 - 1959

 Item
Reference code: 178I7.17
Scope and Contents

Review of Botton Brothers Lang’s Vampire Jets and specification with illustrations.

Dates: c1900 - 1959

Ride Plan, 22 June 1922

 Item
Reference code: 178M7.2
Scope and Contents

Decorative and functional fittings at King’s Lynn. Drawing 1895/20. Highly detailed drawings of decorative fittings such as figurines, functional brass bearings and rods, crankshafts and platform slides. Savages Ltd.

Dates: 22 June 1922

Savage Brothers Leaflet, c1903

 Item
Reference code: 178I7.1
Scope and Contents

Savage Brothers Ltd leaflet advertising the manufacturing of wheels, 2p.p.

Dates: c1903

Savage Brothers Limited Catalogue, c1890 - 1910

 Item
Reference code: 178I7.23
Scope and Contents

Savage Brothers Limited catalogue for brick and clayworking machinery. King’s Lynn, 22p.p with illustrations.

Dates: c1890 - 1910

Savage Brothers Limited Catalogue, c1890 - 1910

 Item
Reference code: 178I7.24
Scope and Contents

Savage Brothers Limited illustrated catalogue of traction and portable engines and agricultural machinery. King’s Lynn, 78p.p with illustrations.

Dates: c1890 - 1910

Savage Brothers Limited Catalogue, c1890 - 1910

 Item
Reference code: 178I7.25
Scope and Contents

Savage Brothers Limited illustrated catalogue of traction and portable engines, agricultural machinery, brickmaking machinery and other products. King’s Lynn, 60p.p with illlustrations.

Dates: c1890 - 1910

Savages List of Exhibitis, 1975

 Item
Reference code: 178J5.3
Scope and Contents

List of exhibits by Frederick Savage at King’s Lynn Festival 1975 by David Braithwaite. Typescript.

Dates: 1975