Stewart Family, Established 1914 (Fairground Showmen)

Family

Dates

Existence: Established 1914

Biography

The Stewart family, is related to the Irvin fairground family. The Stewarts were a family of boxers and showmen, who both fought in the professional ring and travelled boxing booths in the fairgrounds since around 1914.

Alf Stewart, aka Spider, achieved the most fame both professionally and in the fairground booths, his reputation preceded him and attracted big names from the boxing world to his fairground booth, including world champion, Primo Carnera in 1933.

After Alf’s death in 1948, his daughters, The Fighting Stewart Girls, continued the family business.

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:

Blueprints of Plans and Elevations for Various Fairground Rides and Details, c1915 - 1949

Sub-Series

Reference code: 178M15.33

Scope and Contents Plans and elevations for various fairground rides including No.24 Monorail, arrangement of swing boats, plan for Burton bridge widening, Collins Battersea cars, Wall of Death, Rocket Speedway, Coaster plan for John Collins in Yarmouth, No.7, No.8 and No.1 Ghost Trains, Weymouth and Ramsgate Ghost Trains, Monkey Roundabout, No.8 Dodgem for Yarmouth, plans for Leeds Amusement Park, No.48, No.49, No.57, No.53, No.52, No.68, No.22, No.29, No.35, No.66 and No.14 Dodgems, Codona Dodgem, No.1 Water...

Dates: c1915 - 1949

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Orton and Spooner Collection / Plans

Boxing Booth Elevation, December 1934

Item

Reference code: 178M15.33(l)

Scope and Contents

Front elevation of Stewart's boxing booth, scale 3/4".

Dates: December 1934

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Orton and Spooner Collection / Plans / Blueprints of Plans and Elevations for Various Fairground Rides and Details

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

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive