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Anderton and Rowland (Established c1854 - 1879)

 Organisation

Dates

  • Existence: Established c1854 - 1879

Biography

Anderton and Rowland was formed by Albert Haslam, a Sheffield born showman and magician and his son Arthur aka Captain Rowland, in the late 1800s.

They travelled a circus and menagerie, the latter being sold in 1898 to pay of debts, after which Anderton started touring as Fourpawrs circus.

George DeVey joined Anderton and Rowland's in 1894, later marrying Albert's daughter, Martha. He was integral to the development of the rides and transport that saw Anderton and Rowland's develop to become one of the best touring fairs.

Anderton invested in the development of a new novelty, animated pictures and the show became known as 'Anderton and Rowland's Grand Empire Palace. In 1906 a new show front was commissioned from the Orton and Spooner Company, which included a Marenghi organ in the centre, still owned today by the company. There were light bulbs lit up at night that changed colour in time to the music.

Since the 1950s, the firm has continued to expand and the name Anderton and Rowland is now in its fifth generation. It is owned by the De-Vey family and is the biggest fairground operator travelling in Devon and Cornwall.

Found in 24 Collections and/or Records:

Anderton and Rowland Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0009
Scope and Contents

This collection contains copies of original photographs and photocopies of newspaper cuttings relating to the Anderton and Rowland families and their business on the fairground.

Dates: c1894 - 1962

Anderton and Rowland’s Big Fair presents Dodgems, Disco Ark and Deluxe Waltzer Poster, 17 - 19 June c1980s

 Item
Reference code: 178R41.14
Scope and Contents

Bodmin Fairmeadow. Black type over yellow background. Printed by John Olson and Son, The Redborne Printing Works, Redruth.

Dates: 17 - 19 June c1980s

Anderton and Rowland's Grand Empire Palace Poster, c1900 - 1930

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.36
Scope and Contents Animated pictures, Great Riots in St. Petersbug, Blue Beard, Historic events during the reign of Louis XIV, Professor Anderton conjurer, Sisters May vocalists, cake walkers and skipping rope dancers, Charles Bruno comedian and singer, Miss Harvey dancer. Black, red and blue type on off white background and blocks of blue, yellow and red, with black and white illustrations of the acts on the top corners, centre and bottom left sections over blue and yellow background. Printed by Willson's New...
Dates: c1900 - 1930

Anderton and Rowland’s Plymouth Central Park Easter Fair Handbill, Thursday 25 March - Saturday 17 April c1990s

 Item
Reference code: 178T37.13
Scope and Contents

Blue, yellow and white type on red background with photographic image of fairground rides on top section, printed on both sides with list of rides on reverse. Printed by Baileys printers.

Dates: Thursday 25 March - Saturday 17 April c1990s

Blueprints of Plans and Elevation Drawings for Various Fairground Rides, c1880 - 1939

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178M15.35
Scope and Contents Plans and elevation drawings for various fairground rides, including No.64 Ark, No.52, No.54 Dodgems, No.1 Water Dodgem, Whirlwind racer design and electrical diagram, Yo-Yo centre drum, Swings, Joy Wheel, track for Gymnastic railway for East Coast Amusements, Ghost Train, Scenic No.1, commercial development on Burton-upon-Trent, Wall of Death, No.3 Monorail, No.8 Ghost train, Auto Skooter for Blackpool Olympia, Anderton and Rowland’s Dodgem’s carrier, No.45 Ark pay box, Codona’s Noah’s Ark...
Dates: c1880 - 1939

Business Records, 1860 - 1975

 Series
Reference code: 178H8
Scope and Contents

Various documents related to the business operations of Orton and Spooner including order books, correspondence, contracts, account books, product specifications and wage books.

Dates: 1860 - 1975

Certificates of Insurance, 1914

 File
Reference code: 178H8.4
Scope and Contents

Certificates of insurance for Anderton & Rowland’s roundabout and Marenghi organ.

Dates: 1914

Chris Russell Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0112
Scope and Contents

This collection contains five boxes of original photographic material including negatives and slides, a small amount of fairground journals, newspaper cuttings, correspondence, six audio tapes and a small amount of posters and handbills all related to the fairground and steam rally events.

Dates: 1971 - 2013

Circus Friends Association Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0122
Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a large library of books and journals, as well as archival material including posters, programmes, photographs, films, handbills, research material, scrapbooks, original artwork and many other items of ephemera relating to British, Irish and European circuses

Dates: 1795 - 2020

Copies of Newspaper Cutting Advertisments, 1921 - 1931

 File
Reference code: 178G40.1
Scope and Contents

Photographic reproductions of newspaper cuttings advertising Anderton and Rowland's attractions in Bodmin And St. Austell.

Dates: 1921 - 1931

Copies of Photographs and Negatives of the Anderton Rowland Family and Business, 1894 - 1962

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178C12.1-304
Scope and Contents

Black and white copies of photographs and negatives relating to the families and their business on the fairground including images of rides and transport, and photocopy of reference album.

Dates: 1894 - 1962

Dodgem Car Truck Elevation, c1920 - 1939

 Item
Reference code: 178M15.35(xxxvii)
Scope and Contents

Side elevation of Anderton's dodgem car truck, scale 1".

Dates: c1920 - 1939

Handbills, 1979 - 2012

 Series
Reference code: 178T37
Scope and Contents

Handbills for steam fairs, fairgrounds and other similar events collected by Chris Russell.

Dates: 1979 - 2012

Mega Rides Theme Park presented by Anderton and Rowland’s Poster, 3 - 26 February c1980s

 Item
Reference code: 178R41.19
Scope and Contents

New Abbot Racecourse. Colour photolithograph showing rides in motion and big top. Printed by Baileysprinters.

Dates: 3 - 26 February c1980s

Newspaper Cuttings, 1921 - 1931

 Series
Reference code: 178G40
Scope and Contents

Photographic reproductions of newspaper cuttings advertising Anderton and Rowland's attractions.

Dates: 1921 - 1931

Orton and Spooner Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0070
Scope and Contents

This collection contains a large selection of archives from the Orton and Spooner Company. The collection comprises photographs and cabinet card images showing carved work, structural work and classic painted work, 4 boxes of notes, invoices and clippings, 8 drawers of plans and blueprints, 2 folders of ride specifications and order forms, accounts books and a library of source books showing turn of the century art used by the artists in the company.

Dates: c1870 - 1969

Photographic Album, 1937 - 1941

 Item
Reference code: 178C57.13694
Scope and Contents

Photographic album containing black and white photographs of fairgrounds, fairground rides, steam engines and transport, circus, wall of death and fairground shows including Holland, Pat Collins, Butlin, Tom Norman, Manning, Pullen, Ling, Farrar, Tuby, Whitelegg and Anderton and Rowland at Huddersfield, Holmfirth, Lincoln Fair, Horton Feast, Manningham Feast and other locations and showmen with notes. Photographs taken and collected by Rowland Scott, 20p.p.

Dates: 1937 - 1941

Photographic Album, 1899 - 1955

 Item
Reference code: 178C57.13695
Scope and Contents Photographic album containing black and white photographs of fairgrounds, fairground rides, fairground organs, boxing booths, steam engines and transport, Showpeople, circus and fairground shows including Murphy, Harniest, Deakin, Waddington, Anderton and Rowland, Silcock, Harry Lee, Shaw, Proctor, Reany, M.A. Collins and Tom Norman at Hull Fair, Northampton Fair, Stockport, Daisy Nook, Heaton Park, Oldham and other locations and showmen with notes. Photographs taken and collected by Rowland...
Dates: 1899 - 1955

Photographs, 1894 - 1962

 Series
Reference code: 178C12
Scope and Contents

Black and white copies of photographs and negatives relating to the fairground.

Dates: 1894 - 1962

Photographs and Postcards, c1899 - 1969

 Series
Reference code: 178C57
Scope and Contents

Photographs, postcards and negatives of fairgrounds taken by Rowland Scott and other fairground enthusiasts.

Dates: c1899 - 1969