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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:

Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 19 - 20 July c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.476
Scope and Contents

Abergele, Wales. Acts include Bionic Bertha, Miss Gina-contortionist, The Martells and others. Red and blue type on yellow background.

Dates: 19 - 20 July c1970 - 1979

Circus Apollo Britain's Supersonic Circus Poster, 10 - 12 November 1977

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.44
Scope and Contents

Rowley Regis. Acts include Buffalo Billy Wild, Miss Gina, contortions, The Martells, Debbie Sue, Aerialist.

Dates: 10 - 12 November 1977

Circus Apollo Christmas Spectacular Poster, 26 December 1977 - 21 January 1978

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.107
Scope and Contents

Anglesey Showground. Red and green type on white background, with holly border and Santa Claus illustration.

Dates: 26 December 1977 - 21 January 1978

Circus Apollo Christmas Spectacular Poster, 26 December 1977 - 21 January 1978

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.108
Scope and Contents

Anglesey Showground. Red and green type on white background, with holly border and Santa Claus illustration.

Dates: 26 December 1977 - 21 January 1978

Circus Apollo Christmas Spectacular Poster, 26 December 1977 - 21 January 1978

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.109
Scope and Contents

Anglesey Showground. Red and green type on white background, with holly border and Santa Claus illustration.

Dates: 26 December 1977 - 21 January 1978

Circus Apollo Poster, Tuesday 19 - Thursday 21 September c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.105
Scope and Contents

Ormskirk. Black, red and yellow type on white background.

Dates: Tuesday 19 - Thursday 21 September c1970 - 1979

Circus Apollo Poster, 27 - 29 October c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.106
Scope and Contents

Hyde. Black, red and yellow type on white background.

Dates: 27 - 29 October c1970 - 1979

Circus Apollo Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.665
Scope and Contents

Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. The Ivanos, Les Puppeteers, Gonzarlez, Miss Debbie Sue, Barbarella’s Abounding Hounds, Mac Sisters Wild West Supershow, Miss Gina Contortions, J.J. Marriott, Marc Christian, Alando and Loui. Multicoloured type on white background.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Circus Apollo Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.666
Scope and Contents

Poster left blank for over-printing location and date. The Ivanos, Les Puppeteers, Debbie Sue, Barbarella’s Abounding Hounds, Mac Sisters Wild West Supershow, Miss Gina Contortions, Marc Christian, Alando and Co. Multicoloured type on white background.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Circus Apollo Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.667
Scope and Contents

Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Sioux and Piet, Tex and Anita Cowboys, Debbie Sue, Doggy Allsorts presented by Barbarella, Royal Welsh grey ponies presented by Alando, Madam Assunta, Aztek Indian Fire Dancers, Peter Platter, Gargantuan Gorilla Congo and Susie, Clowns Jo-Jo, Poo-Poo and Edward . Multicoloured type on white background.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Circus Apollo Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.802
Scope and Contents

Red and blue type on yellow background.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Circus Europa from Hungary Poster, 1972

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.54
Scope and Contents

First Scotland Tour. Petroff troupe from Budapest State Circus, Alun Davies and his 10 poodles. Red and blue type on white background with photographs.

Dates: 1972

Circus Hoffman Poster, 1970

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.32
Scope and Contents

British Tour 1970, ‘The Wildest Show on Earth’, Russian Bears, Hoffman’s Herd of Elephants, Menagerie and Stables.

Dates: 1970

Circus Hoffman Poster, 1968

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.33
Scope and Contents

British Tour 1968, ‘The Wildest Show on Earth’, Russian Bears, Menagerie and Stables.

Dates: 1968

Circus Location Poster, 4 - 13 April c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.436
Scope and Contents

Kronkeyshaw Common, Rochdale. Red type on yellow background.

Dates: 4 - 13 April c1970 - 1979

Circus Location Poster, 14 - 16 April c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.437
Scope and Contents

De Laine Field, off Spalding Road, Bourne. Red type on white background.

Dates: 14 - 16 April c1970 - 1979

Circus Location Poster, 17 - 19 May c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.438
Scope and Contents

Play Close, Melton Mowbray. Black type on orange background.

Dates: 17 - 19 May c1970 - 1979

Circus Location Poster, 24 - 26 May c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.439
Scope and Contents

Galley Hill Field, Sleaford. Black type on orange background.

Dates: 24 - 26 May c1970 - 1979

Circus Location Poster, 21 - 23 May c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.440
Scope and Contents

Ingelow Avenue Playing Fields, Boston. Red type on white background.

Dates: 21 - 23 May c1970 - 1979

Circus Location Poster, 28 May - 2 June c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.441
Scope and Contents

The Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Red type on white background.

Dates: 28 May - 2 June c1970 - 1979