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Testo Family, Established c1700

 Family

Dates

  • Existence: Established c1700

Biography

The Testo family first came to England from France in the late 1700s in the form of 20 year old conjurer Felix Testot (senior). According to his descendants Felix Testot was quite a well-known performer in France. However, the fall of the aristocracy following the French revolution in 1789 created a decline on the demand for his services and Felix decided to cross the Channel into England.

Found in 25 Collections and/or Records:

Bank Notes, 1923

 Item
Reference code: 178Z22.6
Scope and Contents

Eine Million Mark. Four German bank notes, black and red type on white and green paper.

Dates: 1923

Birthday Card, c1930 - 1969

 Item
Reference code: 178Z22.2
Scope and Contents

Birthday postcard to Pauline from Mr and Mrs Saunders. Hand colour photograph of a rose on the front with typed text.

Dates: c1930 - 1969

British Roundabout Proprietors Rules, 1902 - 1903

 File
Reference code: 178H9.2
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of The British Roundabout Proprietors and Showmen’s Union Rules. Typescript.

Dates: 1902 - 1903

Business Card, c1940 - 1969

 Item
Reference code: 178Z22.7
Scope and Contents

Business card for Texas Liz and Sloppy Weather, Australian whip and rope act. Black type on off white card.

Dates: c1940 - 1969

Business Records, 1902 - 1903, 12 December 1932

 Series
Reference code: 178H9
Scope and Contents

Various items of business related to the Testo family.

Dates: 1902 - 1903; 12 December 1932

Certificate of Post-War Credit, 31 January 1944

 Item
Reference code: 178Z22.11
Scope and Contents

Certificate of post-war credit for Victor Joseph Jeffreys, due for the year ended 5th April 1942 issued in Manchester on 31 January 1944. Brown type on off white paper with royal coat of arms.

Dates: 31 January 1944

Certificate of Post-War Credit, 31 January 1944

 Item
Reference code: 178Z22.12
Scope and Contents

Certificate of post-war credit for Victor Joseph Jeffreys, due for the year ended 5th April 1943 issued in Manchester on 31 January 1944. Green type on light green paper with royal coat of arms.

Dates: 31 January 1944

Contract, 12 December 1932

 Item
Reference code: 178H9.1
Scope and Contents

Top section of contract between Bertram W. Mills Circus and Miss Testo, Snake Charmer, to furnish and exhibit three snakes. Black type on light green paper, 2p.p.

Dates: 12 December 1932

Correspondence, 1949 - 1964

 File
Reference code: 178F14
Scope and Contents

Various items of correspondence addressed to Mrs Jeffery regarding the printing of the book, Conjuring Collecting and The Testo Story. A letter from Stanley Robinson to Mrs Jeffery regarding some photographs and two regarding fairground shows and rides. Typescript and manuscript.

Dates: 1949 - 1964

Driving Licence, 1974 - 1977

 Item
Reference code: 178Z22.1
Scope and Contents

Driving licence for Pauline Testo. Black type on green paper, signed P. Testo.

Dates: 1974 - 1977

Funeral Cards, c1899

 Item
Reference code: 178Z22.3
Scope and Contents

A sympathy card for William Testo, who died at Shildon August 20th 1899 and a sympathy card with a message. Black type on white card with silver and black borders and ivy and flower decorations on one card.

Dates: c1899

How are Fleas Trained to Perform? Poster, c1930 - 1969

 Item
Reference code: 178R31.1
Scope and Contents

By Professor A. Testo. Navy blue type on off white background describing how to train fleas to perform. Printed by A. A. Fletcher & Son Ltd., Swalwell, Newcastle-on-tyne.

Dates: c1930 - 1969

Jonny's Bear Revue Leaflet, c1940 - 1969

 Item
Reference code: 178Z22.8
Scope and Contents

Threefold leaflet with black type on off white background and black and white illustrations of the act inside.

Dates: c1940 - 1969

Monographs and Research Material, c1851 - 1999

 Series
Reference code: 178B16
Scope and Contents

Various items of family history and an excerpt from a book on fortune telling.

Dates: c1851 - 1999

Newspaper Cuttings, c1959 - 1979

 File
Reference code: 178G19
Scope and Contents

Newspaper cuttings including general stories about fairgrounds and coverage of murder of Miriam Culine.

Dates: c1959 - 1979

Photographs, c1900 - 1968

 Series
Reference code: 178C79
Scope and Contents Black and white photographs, postcards and negatives of the Testo family, performers, side shows, animals, fairgrounds and circuses including Angela Rabbets ‘Jungle Girl’ female snake act, Sonya Alan ‘Lady of Lions’, men and women in WWI and WWII uniforms, Golga Testo snake act with Bertram Mills Circus, Pauline Testo, Alf Testo, Nora and Billy Kayes, Jack Lemm and his Troupe at Testo’s show, members of the Chipperfield family, members of the Dobson family, members of the Pinder family...
Dates: c1900 - 1968

Tattoo Artist Leaflet, c1957

 Item
Reference code: 178Z22.10
Scope and Contents

Les Skuse, Bristol’s one and only Tattoo Artist leaflet. Black type on blue paper, black and white portrait of a man on top right corner, illustration of a bat on bottom section, history of the business on the front and recommendations on tattooing practices on reverse.

Dates: c1957

Television Licence, 1963

 Item
Reference code: 178Z22.9
Scope and Contents

Television licence for Mrs Jeffreys. Black type on yellow paper with personal information filled in in biro.

Dates: 1963

Testo Family Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0032
Scope and Contents

This collection comprises photographs, business records, articles, correspondence, newspaper cuttings, advertising material, family research and items of personal archive related to the Testo family history in the fairground and circus

Dates: 1898 - 1999

Testo Family History Monographs, c1960 - 1989

 File
Reference code: 178B16.2
Scope and Contents

The story of Felix Testot, Magician, and founder of the Testo family in England (with a brief history of his descendants up to 1993). A portion of the Testo Family History. Alfred Testo’s Career by ‘Golga’ Jeffreys (his daughter). The Chipperfields’ Story: being a summary of items in the history of the Chipperfield family from 1803 and the connections with the Testo family (Harriet Sophia Jeffreys and Vic Jeffreys). Typescript.

Dates: c1960 - 1989