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:

New Theatre Hull Poster, 10 May 1976

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.173
Scope and Contents

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

Dates: 10 May 1976

New Theatre Hull Poster, Week commencing Monday 26 September 1977

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.208
Scope and Contents

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

Dates: Week commencing Monday 26 September 1977

Normanton Gala and Fun Fair Poster, 8 - 16 September c1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.912
Scope and Contents

Hawhill Park. North. Red and blue type on white background.

Dates: 8 - 16 September c1975

Oaks Park Fun Fair Poster, 21 - 30 August c1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.961
Scope and Contents

Sheffield. Ling. Waltzer, dodgem, Noah’s Ark, Divebomber, Big Wheel, Octopus, Ghost Train . Red and blue type on yellow background.

Dates: 21 - 30 August c1975

Oaks Park Fun Fair, Sheffield Poster, 26 August - 4 September c1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.907
Scope and Contents

Waltzer, dodgem, speedway, Noah’s Ark. Red and black type on yellow background.

Dates: 26 August - 4 September c1975

Oaks Park Fun Fair, Sheffield Poster, 26 August - 3 September c1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.909
Scope and Contents

Waltzer, dodgems, speedway, Noah’s Ark. Red and blue type on white background.

Dates: 26 August - 3 September c1975

Oaks Park Spring Bank Holiday and Jubilee Fair Poster, 27 May - 11 June 1977

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.951
Scope and Contents

Beverley Racecourse, Sheffield. Shaw. Red and blue type on white background.

Dates: 27 May - 11 June 1977

Oaks Park Spring Fair Poster, 22 May - 7 June c1975

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.972
Scope and Contents

Sheffield. Satellite, Dodgems. Red and blue type on yellow background.

Dates: 22 May - 7 June c1975

Old Mother Hubbard Poster, Week commencing 10 January c1954

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.316
Scope and Contents

Hippodrome, Stockton. Roy Rolland, Nelson Fletcher, Carol Gatley, Julie Dey, Alec Halls, Chris Sands, Lewis Nanton, Max Dakin. Red and blue.

Dates: Week commencing 10 January c1954

Opera House Cork Poster, Season commencing Monday 22 February 1977

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.205
Scope and Contents

Billy Burden in ‘The Good Olde Days’ with all star company. Red, blue and black with curtains.

Dates: Season commencing Monday 22 February 1977

Oversize Circus Poster Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1970 - 1979

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R11.800-805
Scope and Contents

Circus posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Oversize Fairground Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1974 - 1977

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R11.900-974
Scope and Contents

Fairground posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, mainly for fairgrounds in Yorkshire, some presented by the Showmen's Guild Yorkshire Section.

Dates: c1974 - 1977

Oversize Mixed Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1960 - 1980

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R11.1000-1004 and 178R11.1101-1105
Scope and Contents

Oversize mixed posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell.

Dates: c1960 - 1980

Oversize Mixed Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1970 - 1979

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R11.650-679
Scope and Contents

Posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell including variety and music hall, fairgrounds and circus.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Oversize Pantomime Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1970 - 1979

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R11.700-705
Scope and Contents

Pantomime posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Oversize Variety and Music Hall Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, 1969 - 1979

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R11.600-613
Scope and Contents

Variety and Music Hall poster printed by Taylor's of Wombwell.

Dates: 1969 - 1979

Palace Manchester Poster, 4 April 1977

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.191
Scope and Contents

The Al Jolson Minstrel Show featuring Clinton Ford. Red and blue type on yellow background.

Dates: 4 April 1977

Palace Theatre Redditch Poster, 7 - 9 April c1980

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.156
Scope and Contents

‘An Evening with Al Jolson and Friends’ portrayed by Steve King with Lee Sheraton, Reed and Delroy, Ben Johnson and Duggie Chapman. Red and black type on yellow background.

Dates: 7 - 9 April c1980

Pantomime Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, 1958 - 1979

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R11.1-28
Scope and Contents

A collection of pantomime posters.

Dates: 1958 - 1979

Pantomime Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, Week commencing 17 January 1955

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R11.300-342
Scope and Contents

Pantomime posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell.

Dates: Week commencing 17 January 1955