Skip to main content

Taylor's Printers, Wombwell, Yorks (Established c1890)

 Organisation

Biography

Taylor's of Wombwell began as a small local jobbing printer in the 1890s in the then small mining town of Wombwell in Southern Yorkshire. The founder, Albert Taylor, supplied the printing needs of this small community and surrounding area. Taylor's two eldest sons were responsible for catapulting the family business into the world of showbusiness.

Returning home from the battlefields of World War I, Taylor's two eldest sons had a lucky break when they managed, at short notice, to print the publicity for a London theatrical agent whose touring show was just about to open in Barnsley. In order to fulfil the order, the brothers had to saw up the kitchen table in the shape of a gigantic "W" for the posters. Their effort so impressed the agent that he promised the brothers the bulk of his future business. He was true to his word and this proved to be the foundation on which the successful business was built.

By the mid-1920s they were one of the leading printers of entertainment industry advertising in the United Kingdom with music hall, fairground and circus showmen among their national client base. The firm became a limited company in the 1920's; and in the 1950s, Taylor's (Theatrical) Printers Ltd. was established to separate the commercial from the theatrical side of the business.

The chromolithographic pantomime posters the company produced provide a fascinating visual record of how travelling entertainment forms were marketed throughout the twentieth century.

Found in 493 Collections and/or Records:

Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.37
Scope and Contents

Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Rodeo, Bobo musical clown, Freda and Frenchi International Juggler.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Fossett Bros. Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.38
Scope and Contents

Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Rodeo, Bobo musical clown, Henleo Indian Fire Eater, Freda and Frenchi International Juggler. Red and blue type on white background.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Fun Fair Poster, 23 December - 14 January c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.672
Scope and Contents

Queens Hall, Leeds. Major rides, bingo. Red and blue type on yellow background.

Dates: 23 December - 14 January c1970 - 1979

Gaiety Theatre Ayr Poster, 22 March 1976

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.174
Scope and Contents

The Dixie Minstrel Show featuring John Boulter with Reg Lester and David Lee. Red and black with border.

Dates: 22 March 1976

Gaiety Theatre Ayr Poster, Season commencing 25 October 1976

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.204
Scope and Contents

Malcolm Vaughan in ‘Those Golden Years of Music Hall’ with all star company. Red, blue and black with curtains.

Dates: Season commencing 25 October 1976

Gaiety Theatre Minehead Poster, Season commencing Sunday 20 June c1976

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.199
Scope and Contents

Mike Onions from the Cliff Richard show in ‘The Good Olde Days’ with all star company. Red, blue and black with curtains.

Dates: Season commencing Sunday 20 June c1976

Gandey's Circus and Wild West Combined Shows Poster, 17 June c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.42
Scope and Contents

St Mary’s School, Langley. Sponsored by JW Lees Brewery, As used in Granada TV’s hit series 'Hard Times'.

Dates: 17 June c1970 - 1979

Gandey's Circus and Wild West Shows Poster, 27 - 28 March c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.82
Scope and Contents

New Mills. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.

Dates: 27 - 28 March c1970 - 1979

Gandey's Circus and Wild West Shows Poster, 23 - 25 March c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.83
Scope and Contents

Hazel Grove. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.

Dates: 23 - 25 March c1970 - 1979

Gandey's Circus and Wild West Shows Poster, 3 - 8 April c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.84
Scope and Contents

Wigan. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.

Dates: 3 - 8 April c1970 - 1979

Gandey's Circus and Wild West Shows Poster, 29 March - 1 April c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.85
Scope and Contents

Buxton. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.

Dates: 29 March - 1 April c1970 - 1979

Gandey's Circus and Wild West Shows Poster, Saturday 17 June c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.86
Scope and Contents

Langley. Red, blue and yellow type on white background.

Dates: Saturday 17 June c1970 - 1979

Gandey’s Circus International Poster, 27 July - 1 August 1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.55
Scope and Contents

Rhyl Towne Holiday Camp. Brett Montana and Karl Western Sports. Red, black and yellow type on white background.

Dates: 27 July - 1 August 1975

Gandey’s Circus International Poster, 1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.56
Scope and Contents

Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Brett Montana and Karl Western Sports and various other acts. Red, black and yellow type on white background.

Dates: 1975

Gandey’s Circus International Poster, 23 August - 4 September 1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.57
Scope and Contents

Llandudno. Brett Montana and Karl Western Sports and various other acts. Red, black and yellow type on white background.

Dates: 23 August - 4 September 1975

Gandey’s Circus International Poster, 12 - 21 August 1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.58
Scope and Contents

Aberystwyth. Brett Montana and Karl Western Sports and various other acts. Red, black and yellow type on white background.

Dates: 12 - 21 August 1975

Gandey's Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.664
Scope and Contents

Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Crazy circus clowns, speciality acts, wild west, novelty animal acts. Blue and red type on yellow background and illustration.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Gandey's Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.801
Scope and Contents

Black type on yellow background and illustration.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Gandey's Circus Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.51
Scope and Contents

Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. First ever UK Tour of Dr. Sparks, the Electronic Man. Illustrated with photographs.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Gandey's Circus Poster, 1973

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.64
Scope and Contents

Running Fox and Juanita Apache Fire Rituals, Brett and Rosa Montana Wild West Sports, Jacqueline trapeze artist, Alun Davies and his 10 poodle all with photographs. Yellow, red and blue type on white background.

Dates: 1973