Olympia London (Established 1886)
Dates
- Existence: Established 1886
Biography
Olympia was originally conceived in the early 1880s as the National Agricultural Hall, a larger version of the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington to function as an exhibitions, tournaments, sporting competitions and entertainments venue.
The site first opened its doors on 26th December 1886, already popularly known as Olympia. From its inception it has hosted some of the best regarded international events and shows including The London International Horse Show, The First Ideal Home Show, The Cycle and Motor Cycle Show, The British Industries Fair and Crufts. Olympia also became famous as a circus venue from its early days, especially for hosing the renowned Bertam Mills Christmas Circus spectacular and fairground for over thirty years.
In 2017 Olympia was acquired by a consortium of investors, whose aim is to transform it into a twenty first century world-leading arts, events entertainment and experiential district.
Found in 96 Collections and/or Records:
Bertram Mills Great International Circus and Christmas Fair Programme, 17 December 1920 - 24 January 1921
Olympia. Colour illustration of clown in yellow outfit with black duck and star and green moon on it, holding a fishing rod, standing on a white and red chair with a white circle behind him on a blue background on the front cover, inside introduction, floor plan of circus and fair, black and white illustrations and photographs of scenes, performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 12p.p.
Bertram Mills International Circus and Christmas Fair Programme, 22 December 1922 - 20 January 1923
Olympia. Front cover missing, inside introduction, floor plan of circus and fair, black and white illustrations and photographs of scenes, performers and acts with text, short articles on rides and games and commercial advertising, 9p.p.
Bertram Mills International Circus and Fun Fair Programme, 20 December 1923 - 23 January 1924
Olympia. Colour illustration of woman in an orange dress standing on a black horse with a whip on her hand, over a white background on the front cover, inside introduction, floor plan of circus and fair, black and white illustrations and photographs of scenes, performers and acts with text, short articles on rides and clowns and commercial advertising, also an insert for a programme painting competition, 13p.p.
Bertram Mills International Circus and Fun Fair Programme, 18 December 1924 - 21 January 1925
Olympia. Colour illustration of boy in white, green and yellow jockey outfit standing on a white horse holding a red cap on his hand next to a clown in a circus ring with expectators on the forefront on the front cover, inside introduction, floor plan of circus and fair and road and rail maps to Olympia, black and white illustrations and photographs of scenes, performers and acts with text, programme in the centre and commercial advertising, 18p.p.
Bertram Mills Royal Circus Performance Programme, 17 December 1959
Olympia, London. White type on blue background and a circle cut out in the centre throught which a male equestrian riding a horse stainding up can be seen on the front cover, inside colour photographs of the Princess Margaret, introduction, commercial advertising, articles and programme, also insert page on Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, 28p.p.
Bertram Mills Royal Circus Performance Souvenir Programme, 18 December 1952
Olympia, London. Red, yellow and white type on blue background with Royal sheal on top section and a circle cut out in the centre throught which a clown can be seen walking the high wire on the front cover, inside colour photographs of the Queen and Prince Philip, introduction, commercial advertising, articles and programme, 54p.p.
Bertram Mills Royal Circus Performance Souvenir Programme, 1955-1956
Olympia, London, 21 December. Yellow type on marron background with Royal sheal on top section and a circle cut out in the centre throught which a female equestrian riding a horse stainding up can be seen on the front cover, inside colour photographs of the Queen and Prince Philip, introduction, commercial advertising, articles and programme, 36p.p.
Bertram W. Mills' Circus 10th Olympia Season Programme, 20 December 1929 - 23 January 1930
Colour illustration of three elephants and woman wearing a safari hat seating on the one in the middle on a yellow background on the front cover, bound in black leather cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs and illustrations of performers and acts with text, various articles and commercial advertising, 27p.p.
Big Top Olympia Film, c1945 - 1990
Circusama and Yesterdays Circus Today. 16mm, Cecol. 400 feet. Includes J.S. Friese, Bertram Mills Circus, elephant ballet and the original title of a feature film called HOOP-LA. Peak Films.
Blueprints for Ride Structures and Platforms, c1911 - 1939
Blueprints for ride structures and platforms, including the Whirlwind Racer, the Rocket and Revolving Speedway and cars, Gorleston Ghost Train, No.1 Swoop and Noah’s Ark.
Blueprints of Plans and Elevation Drawings for Various Fairground Rides, c1880 - 1939
Circus Friends Association Collection
This collection consists of a large library of books and journals, as well as archival material including posters, programmes, photographs, films, handbills, research material, scrapbooks, original artwork and many other items of ephemera relating to British, Irish and European circuses
Circus Life and It's The Circus Film, c1945 - 1960
Circusama and Yesterdays Circus Today. 9.5mm, Pathescope. 100 feet, 4 minutes long. In Colour, with Sound. Includes Bertram Mills Circus at Olympia and on tour in other locations. 'It's the Circus' part one and two are edited together to make one film.
Circus Life No. 3, Whirlings, Circus and Vintage Thrill Makers 'Circus Edition' Films, c1927 - 1989
Circus Research Material, 1872 - 1975
Cyril Critchlow Collection
Exhibition and Entertainments Handbills, c1790 - 1939
Handbills for travelling shows, fairs, exhibitions and performances at a wide range of venues.
Films, c1930 - 1990
Amateur and commercial films on multiple formats, focusing mainly on Circus but also including transport, fairs, fairground rides and other types of travelling entertainments.
Films, 1927 - 2007
Compilation of circus films showing acts on the ring as well as interviews with performers and proprietors, mainly produced by tv companies in the UK and Europe. Many of them narrated in German.