Taylor's Printers, Wombwell, Yorks (Established c1890)
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:
Babes in the Wood Poster, 2 - 5 January 1978
City Varieties, Leeds. Ben Warriss, Bruce Trent, Ken Barnes. Contains colour illustration related to the theme of the pantomime.
Bailey's No.1 Circus Poster, c1960 - 1969
Racing Greyhounds, Samson, Ida, Vilara Troupe, Chang the Indian performing elephant, Robert Francis, Dimple, Blackbottom and Charleston on horseback, Wise Mare Peggy and Funny Jester. Blue type on blue background and illustration.
Barking Park Fun Fair Poster, 9 - 18 September c1975
Holland. Red and blue type on white background.
Barking Park Grand Fair Poster, 18 - 27 September c1975
Rishforth Road car park. Armstrong. Red and blue type on white background.
Barnes Fair Week Arts Festival Poster, 4 - 11 July 1976
List of events and locations for weeks events. Red and black type on white background.
Barnsley Xmas and Winter Fun Fair Poster, 19 December onwards c1975
Regent Street car park. Waltzer, Skyrider, Dodgems, Speedway, Flying Chairs. Colour type on white background.
Beverley Fun Fair Poster, 1 - 2 October c1975
Morton Lane car park. Shaw. Waltzer, dodgems, speedway, Noah’s Ark, Twist. Red and blue type on yellow background.
Beverley Fun Fair Poster, 3 - 4 October c1975
Morton Lane car park. Shaw. Waltzer, dodgems, Noah’s Ark, Twist. Red and blue type on white background.
Beverley Summer Fair Poster, 9 - 10 July c1975
Morton Lane car park. Shaw. Waltzer, Noah’s Ark. Red and blue type on white background.
Beverley Summer Fair Poster, 15 - 16 July c1975
Morton Lane car park. Shaw. Noah’s Ark, Speedway. Red and blue type on white background.
Big Show Variety '75 Poster, Week commencing 5 May 1975
Hoe Theatre, Plymouth. Ralph Reader, Jack Mozelle, The Keddello’s, Bette Gilmore, Barbara Drew, Calvin Kaye, Carol Gordon, Jack Seaton. Red and grey type on white background.
Birmingham Hippodrome Poster, 28 March 1977
The Al Jolson Minstrel Show featuring Clinton Ford. Red and blue type on yellow background.
Blank Poster Sample, c1960 - 1979
Contains red and blue illustration, round edges with Pierrots, stilt walkers and other characters.
Bolton-on-Dearne Fair Poster, 9 - 14 August c1975
Shaw. Waltzer, Moonwalk, Haunted Castle. Red and blue type on white background.
Bolton-on-Dearne Fair Poster, 24 - 29 July c1975
Shaw. Waltzer, Moonwalk, Haunted Castle. Red and black type on yellow background.
Bolton-on-Dearne Fair Poster, 14 - 26 March c1975
Shaw. Waltzer, Speedway. Red and blue type on yellow background.
Bolton-on-Dearne Fair Poster, 31 March - 5 April c1975
Shaw. Waltzer, Speedway. Red and blue type on white background.
Brierley Common Easter Fair Poster, 15 - 17 April c1975
Shaw. The Moonwalk, Waltzer, dodgems, speedway, Noah’s Ark, Twist. Red and blue type on white background.
Central Park Fun Fair Poster, 5 - 14 May c1975
Friar Wood car park, Dagenham. G. Eddy. Black and red type on yellow background.
Chapman’s International Stage Circus Poster, Monday 23 October c1970 - 1979
Theatre Royal St. Helen’s. Blue and red type on yellow background.