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Weights Circus and Zoo (c1945 - 1999)

 Organisation

Dates

  • Existence: c1945 - 1999

Biography

Weights Circus originated with William Henry Weight Snr. (1815-1864), a travelling actor and comedian and his wife Sophia, also an actor, who travelled portable theatres in the West Country in the nineteenth century. William and Sophia had two sons Albert Trino Weight Jn. (1840-1926) who followed the family footsteps into theatrical performance and comedy and Charles who run the portable theatres with his mother. The portable theatre business tradition passed down through generations of the family well into the twentieth century, when it was being travelled around England and Ireland by Philip Christopher Weight (1911-1973), Albert Trino Weight Snr. grandnephew.

The Weight family branched out into the circus business after the Second World War, when its founder Charles John Josie Weight (1916-1985) who was also a grandnephew of Albert Trino Weight Snr. returned home from service.

The circus grew from its inception and became popular across the south of England and Wales until its closure in the late 1990s.

Found in 8 Collections and/or Records:

Charles Taylor Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0069
Scope and Contents

The Charles Taylor collection is a fine example of Taylor’s of Wombwell printers’ posters, which highlight changes in printing techniques, fashion and taste within the popular entertainment industry. Included are examples of posters for pantomimes, fairs and circuses. The collection also contains handbills and other advertising material.

Dates: c1937 - 1989

Circus Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1965 - 1979

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R11.29-131
Scope and Contents

Circus posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell.

Dates: c1965 - 1979

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

Posters, c1937 - 1989

 Series
Reference code: 178R11
Scope and Contents

A collection of posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell for music hall and variety, circus, pantomime and fairgrounds.

Dates: c1937 - 1989

Weights Circus and Zoo Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.70
Scope and Contents

Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Patricia Solo trapeze, Jose aerial Aquarius etc. Red blue and yellow type on white background.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Weights Circus and Zoo Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.71
Scope and Contents

Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Patricia Solo trapeze, Jose aerial Aquarius etc. Red blue and yellow type on white background.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Weights Circus and Zoo Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.72
Scope and Contents

Poster left blank for overprinting location and date. Black, red and yellow clown illustration, type in purple.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Weights Circus and Zoo Poster, c1970 - 1979

 Item
Reference code: 178R11.803
Scope and Contents

Elephants, lions, bears, monkeys, llamas, coloured donkeys, Shetland ponies. Red and blue type on yellow background.

Dates: c1970 - 1979

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 7
Collection 1
 
Subject
Acrobats 3
Aerialists 5
Amusement rides 2
Animal trainers 3
Ark 2