Skip to main content

Showman

 Subject
Subject Source: Local sources

Found in 348 Collections and/or Records:

Letter to the Mail on Sunday, 28 October 1992

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 3: Series 178F17; Series 178H12
Reference code: 178F17.93
Scope and Contents

Letter signed by Hal Denver, which appears to have been sent to the chairman of the Mail on Sunday, requesting the return of material sent; typescript, 1p.

Dates: 28 October 1992
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Correspondence

Letter Wishing Good Luck to Mr Denver From United Writers Publications Ltd, 3 December 1993

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 3: Series 178F17; Series 178H12
Reference code: 178F17.57
Scope and Contents

Letter from United Writers Publications Ltd to Mr Denver wishing him luck in finding a publisher for his book typescript, 1p.

Dates: 3 December 1993
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Correspondence

Letters Regarding Montreal and New York Engagements, 24 February - 28 August 1951

 File — Box Norman Family Box 3: Series 178F17; Series 178H12
Reference code: 178F17.6
Scope and Contents Envelope, sent via Air Mail, from Stanley W Wathon, New York, to Ralph Norman (Hal Denver), containing four typed letters on headed paper: (i) Dated 24 February 1951, asking Ralph Norman in London about the length of his act, salary, availability; (ii) Dated 14 April 1951, to Ralph Norman in London, enclosing contract for 2 weeks' appearance at Bellevue Café Casino, Montreal, and requesting publicity photographs; (iii) Dated 25 August 1951 to Hal Denver in Montreal, discussing possible...
Dates: 24 February - 28 August 1951
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Correspondence

Magazine 'AM, 6 October 1953

 File — Box Norman Family Box 6: Series 178C144; Series 178E18; Series 178G22; Series 178Q4; Series 178R60; Series 178Z25
Reference code: 178G22.34
Scope and Contents

Copy of Magazine 'AM. Cover missing. Includes an article on Olga Denver and her role in the knife throwing act performed by her and her partner, Hal Denver, illustrated with three colour photographs, titled 'Hatchet Girl' on page 11.

Dates: 6 October 1953
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Newspaper Cuttings

Manuscript Notes, c1940 - 1960

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 1: Series 178B19; Series 178I13
Reference code: 178B19.39
Scope and Contents

Typescript account beginning, 'Daiquiris, Hemmingway's fav[ourite] bevy…', thought to be written by Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver). Includes descriptions of a visit to Cuba. Accompanied by a photocopy of a photograph of Hal and Olga Denver wearing Cuban style outfits, 2pp.

Dates: c1940 - 1960
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Monographs, Articles and Manuscripts

Memorandum of Agreement for Performance at Shrewsbury Musical and Floral Fete, 31 May 1960

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 3: Series 178F17; Series 178H12
Reference code: 178H12.76
Scope and Contents

Memorandum of agreement between John Tipton for Shrewsbury Musical and Floral Fete, and the Knife Throwing Denvers, to perform on 17 August 1960; typescript, 1p.

Dates: 31 May 1960
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Business Records

Memorial Card for Thomas Norman (Noakes), c1930

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 4: Series 178K36; Series 178L9; Series 178P5; Series 178Q4; Series 178T29; Series 178Z25
Reference code: 178Q4.2
Scope and Contents

Memorial card for Thomas Norman (Noakes) ‘the Silver King,’ who died on 24 August 1930; typescript and illustrated, 2pp.

Dates: c1930
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Obituaries, Birth and Marriage Certificates

Memphis on Mississippi: Souvenir Programme, 21 - 26 September 1956

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 4: Series 178K36; Series 178L9; Series 178P5; Series 178Q4; Series 178T29; Series 178Z25
Reference code: 178K36.8
Scope and Contents

Printed souvenir programme, advertising exhibitions, attractions, acts and contests, for the Mid South Fair Centennial. The Sensational Denvers', performed three shows daily as part of the Riverboat Follies (See pages 38-39). Blue cover with black, white, yellow and red illustrations and text, black text inside, and illustrated with black and white photographs, 66pp.

Dates: 21 - 26 September 1956
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Programmes

Message Regarding Distribution of Jewellery and Money, c1937

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 3: Series 178F17; Series 178H12
Reference code: 178F17.62
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of unsigned, undated handwritten message, concerning distribution of jewellery and money, and naming Amy, Nellie, Hilda, Laura, Brenda, Ella, Olive[?], and Ralph; manuscript, 1p.

Dates: c1937
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Correspondence

Metro Concessionary Fare Bus and Train Pass, c1990 - 1994

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 4: Series 178K36; Series 178L9; Series 178P5; Series 178Q4; Series 178T29; Series 178Z25
Reference code: 178Z25.29
Scope and Contents

Metro concessionary fare bus and train pass issued to Ralph Norman, expiring in 1999; includes photograph, 1p.

Dates: c1990 - 1994
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Various Material

Metro Permit Half Fare Bus and Train Pass, 1993

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 4: Series 178K36; Series 178L9; Series 178P5; Series 178Q4; Series 178T29; Series 178Z25
Reference code: 178Z25.30
Scope and Contents

Metro permit half fare bus and train pass issued to Ralph Norman; includes photograph, 1p.

Dates: 1993
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Various Material

Mid-South Fair Centennial Souvenir Programme, September 1956

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 4: Series 178K36; Series 178L9; Series 178P5; Series 178Q4; Series 178T29; Series 178Z25
Reference code: 178K36.5
Scope and Contents

Mid-South Fair Centennial 21-29 September 1956 fold out souvenir programme, with the Denvers mentioned as part of Entertainment in Riverboat Follies; 5pp.

Dates: September 1956
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Programmes

Monograph on Tom Norman and Joseph Merrick, c1970 - 1990

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 1: Series 178B19; Series 178I13
Reference code: 178B19.10
Scope and Contents

A monograph about the relationship between Tom Norman and Joseph Merrick, titled, ‘Even Shylock was entitled to his pound of flesh - but not one drop of blood. Treves got both with a knighthood to boot! The elephant man who was presented by my father Tom Norman, The Silver King’, typescript. 3pp.

Dates: c1970 - 1990
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Monographs, Articles and Manuscripts

Monographs, Articles and Manuscripts, c1910 - 1990

 Series
Reference code: 178B19
Scope and Contents

Monographs, articles, manuscripts and notes, relating to the lives and work of the Norman family, notably showman, Tom Norman (known as The Silver King), and his son, Ralph Norman, who was a knife thrower (known as Hal Denver). Most the writings in this collection were written by Ralph Norman.

Dates: c1910 - 1990
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection

Music Corporation of America Artists' Contract with Hal Denver, 19 December 1951

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 3: Series 178F17; Series 178H12
Reference code: 178H12.16
Scope and Contents

Artists' contract, employing Music Corporation of America as sole manager and agent for Hal Denver, signed by Hal Denver; typescript, 1p.

Dates: 19 December 1951
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Business Records

Music Corporation of America Exclusive Management Letter, Contract, and Agreement, 19 - 20 December 1951

 File — Box Norman Family Box 3: Series 178F17; Series 178H12
Reference code: 178H12.17
Scope and Contents

Letter dated 20 December 1951, from Morris M Schrier of Music Corporation of America to Hal Denver, enclosing copies of exclusive management contracts dated 19 December 1951; i) letter, ii) contract, iii) agreement, typescript, 5pp.

Dates: 19 - 20 December 1951
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Business Records

Music Corporation of America Inter-Office Memo, 26 October 1955

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 3: Series 178F17; Series 178H12
Reference code: 178F17.32
Scope and Contents Inter-office memo from Robert Brenner in New York to Eldred O Stacy in Chicago concerning the Denvers and listing four enclosures: a) Application for membership to the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists for Hal Denver; b) Statement of dues to the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists of $52.50 for Hal Denver; c) Application for membership to the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists for Olga Denver; d) Statement of dues to the American Federation...
Dates: 26 October 1955
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Correspondence

Muskogee Daily Phoenix Newspaper Cutting About the Denvers, 22 September 1955

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 5: Series 178G22
Reference code: 178G22.4
Scope and Contents

Newspaper cutting from the Muskogee Daily Phoenix of a short article entitled 'Fearless Femme,' with a photograph of the Denvers on stage.

Dates: 22 September 1955
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Newspaper Cuttings

News of the World Newspaper Cutting of Boxers and Referee Mickey Vann, 3 October 1993

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 5: Series 178G22
Reference code: 178G22.13
Scope and Contents

Newspaper cutting from News of the World, of boxing fights showing fighters with referee, inscribed in Biro pen, ‘my son referee Micky Vann.’

Dates: 3 October 1993
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Newspaper Cuttings

News of the World Newspaper Cutting of Ricky Hatton and Mickey Vann, c1997 - 2002

 Item — Box Norman Family Box 5: Series 178G22
Reference code: 178G22.14
Scope and Contents

Undated newspaper cutting from News of the World entitled ‘Hat’ll Do,’ showing Ricky Hatton and referee Mickey Vann.

Dates: c1997 - 2002
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Norman Family Collection / Newspaper Cuttings

Public only; | Accessibility statement | v3.5.0