George Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd (1875 - 1977)
Dates
- Existence: 1875 - 1977
- Usage: 1925 - 1977
Biography
Orton, Sons and Spooner Ltd., were an engineering company, which produced some of the most sophisticated and sought after rides, wagons and show fronts in the British fairgrounds at the turn of the nineteenth century. The company gained an unrivalled reputation, applying industrial and artistic design to produce some of the most spectacular rides in the sector through a combination of innovative engineering, entrepreneurship and decorative finishes applied by some of the best artists and carvers in the trade.
Orton and Spooner elevated ride manufacturing from its humble man and animal powered beginnings in the pre-industrial revolution to sensorial experiences of beauty, speed, discovery and thrill, matching the social aspirations of an entire nation.
George Orton first stablished the Lion Carriage Works in 1875, making Gipsy and other transportation wagons. It wasn't until 1883 that Orton started trading with fairground showmen by building highly decorative living wagons, which exteriors worked as showfonts. This diversification signified the company’s transition from the transport industry to the entertainment industry.
Charles Spooner was a skilled woodcarver mainly supplying the thriving Burton-on-Trent brewing industry with drays and handcarts. Spooner set up his own business in 1892. His impressive finesse as a woodcarver brought him to the attention of George Orton in 1894. Initially, Orton sub-contracted Spooner to supply carvings for his living wagons and showfronts. Their skills were so complementary that the business became dependant on each other and Orton and Spooner entered into a long partnership, which resulted in the amalgamation of their companies in 1925.
The manufacturing of living wagons soon evolved into lavish showfronts and ambitious rides that dominated the market, especially after the company’s main competitor, Fredrick Savage of King’s Lynn, went into liquidation in 1910.
The company was requisitioned by the government during both world wars; during WWI to manufacture portable aircraft hangers and during WWII to build military vehicles.
Orton and Spooner managed to resume business in the supply of the entertainment sector after both wars, but started winding down the manufacturing of fairground equipment after WWII as the company experienced the effects of fundamental changes on labour conditions and market demand.
From the end of WWII until 1953 they diversified into the manufacturing of light engineering products to offset the unpredictability of the entertainment sector. Orton, Sons and Spooner Ltd., finally stopped trading in fairground equipment in 1954 to specialise exclusively in the manufacturing of mechanical handling equipment until 1977 when the company finally closed.
Found in 806 Collections and/or Records:
Boxing Booth Elevation, December 1934
Front elevation of Stewart's boxing booth, scale 3/4".
Brake System Design, c1920 - 1939
Design for new ride's brake system. Pencil on paper.
Broadway Trailer Design, c1920 - 1939
Detailed design for a three dimensional advertising trailer for a show, with text reading Rialo now showing, 100% singing and dancing, showing dancing girls in a city scape full of sky scrappers.
Bumper Springs and Wheels for YoYo Machine Blueprint, 21 November 1932
Blueprint showing details of bumper springs and wheels at full scale.
Business Correspondence, 1925 - 1927
Correspondence relating to dynamo quotations for fairground rides and living wagons including specifications and cost.
Business Correspondence, 26 February 1912
Letter from H. A. Hands regarding his Airships machine and Patent No. 3458/10. 2p.p.
Business Correspondence, Blueprints and Drawings, 1924 - 1926
Correspondence, blue prints and drawings relating to enquiries regarding the supply of a projector by The London Electric Firm and alterations of Pulley centres on the Dynamo of machine No.662 from Mather & Platt Engineers.
Business Correspondence, Receipts and Invoices, 1902 - 1938
Correspondence, receipts and invoices from George Orton to Mr E. Farrar. Typescript and manuscript.
Business Records, 1860 - 1975
Various documents related to the business operations of Orton and Spooner including order books, correspondence, contracts, account books, product specifications and wage books.
Business Records and Correspondence, 1910 - 1927
Business information and correspondence regarding individual repair and construction jobs, invoices and break down of costs with different clients including Farrar, Hackett & Company Ltd, H. Thurston, Woolls Bros., Henry Jones & Sons, Pat Collins, Broncho Bill’s Western Circus, G. Marshall, John Danter & Sons, Royal Continental Circus.
Cars for Train Ride Blueprint, 15 January 1936
Blueprint 28 passanger train ride car to scale by Norman Bartlett, N. Tonawanda N.Y.
Cart Design, 1898
Design for a small cart with annotations and dimensions. Pencil on paper.
Cast Steel Wheels and Gunmetal Bushes Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Scale full size. Printed on cloth.
Castings for Large Boats Elevations, February 1915
Details of leg castings for large boats, scale 1/2 full size.
Certificates of Insurance, 1914
Certificates of insurance for Anderton & Rowland’s roundabout and Marenghi organ.
Chain Roller Bearing Axel Box Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Full size drawing.
Chalk Rubbing of Foliage, c1920 - 1939
Rubbing of foliage decoration. Blue chalk on brown paper.
Chalk Rubbing of J. Fletcher Window Design, c1930 - 1939
Rubbing of etched window glass design from J. Fletcher with decorative folliage motif on top section and classical Greek style border. Charcoal on paper.
Chalk Rubbing of J. Fletcher Window Design, c1930 - 1939
Rubbing of etched window glass design from J. Fletcher private carriage with decorative folliage motif. Charcoal on paper.
Chalk Rubbing of Window Design, December 1934
Rubbing of etched window glass design from a showman's Pullman with decorative folliage motif. Charcoal on paper.