Holmes, Fred (Frederick), 1878 - 1951
Dates
- Existence: 1878 - 1951
Biography
Fred Holmes was an instrumental manager throughout Redfern's career, in charge of a number of itinerant shows, and later permanent shows.
Fred Holmes was born in Dronfield, Chesterfield in 1878. He started working with Jasper Redfern around 1894 becoming proficient in photography then developing to become a 'Skilled operator' of animated pictures, a camera man and projectionist.
From 1900 to 1905, he travelled extensively with Jasper Redfern and was the manager for Redfern's vaudeville and animated picture shows. Including the two seasons at Redfern's 'Palace by the Sea' in Southend where he took stills and some movies. When Jasper Redfern set up the first picture house in Sheffield, Holmes became the manager as well as general manager for Redfern's various enterprises around the country.
Redfern and Holmes parted ways in 1912 when Redfern's business folded in 1912 but Holmes was retained as manager of the New Central Hall Cinema, which was named the Tivoli in 1913.
From 1914 until his retirement in 1937, Holmes was the manager of the Heeley Electric Palace on Chesterfield Road. In 1939 he moved to Tupton, Derbyshire and worked at Rawson's brewery, Sheffield during the war.
Fred Holmes died in 1951.
Found in 45 Collections and/or Records:
Animated Picture Exhibition Rules, c1900 - 1920
Rules for animated picture and cinematograph exhibitions. Typed.
Assembly Hall, Saltburn Handbill, 10 June c1900 - 1920
A Grand Sacred Concert and Cinematograph representation, by Mr Jasper Redfern, of the 'Oberammergau' Passion Play. Printed by H. Hamilton, Saltburn, 4pp.
Central Hall, Norfolk Street Poster, c1900 - 1920
Sir Henry Irvines Funeral - J. Redfern.
Central Hall, Norfolk Street, Sheffield Poster, c1900 - 1920
Jasper Redfern's Animated Pictures. Bill is in two pieces, but has other acts. Printed by Willson's New Walk Colour Printing Works, Leicester. Red and Blue.
Central Hall, Norfolk Street, Sheffield Poster, 11 December [1905]
Charles Coborn - The Man who Broke the 'Bank of Monte Carlo'. The Banzai-Parez - Musical Troupe; Jasper Redfern's Animated Pictures - How Money is Made; Harland and Rollison - famous comedy musicians.
Central Hall, Norfolk Street, Sheffield Poster, 4 December 1905
Norfolk Street, Sheffield. Jasper Redfern's Animated pictures and Grand Vaudeville Company. Life of the Notorious Charles Peace. Whale Hunting in the Shetland Isles. Lilian Brothers - athletic act. Fred Hudson - entertainer and mimic. Lil Neville - vocalist. Cytoza, the artist’s model. Printed by Williams, New Walk Colour Printing Works, Leicester. Red and blue type on off white background with red border.
Central Hall Poster, 25 September c1900 - 1920
Norfolk Street, Sheffield. Jasper Redfern's Animated Pictures and Vaudeville Entertainment. Gravetta and Parr - impersonators, comedy and juggling. Percy Farrimonde - singer. Madame Gavetta - vocalist. Stanert and Yondi - musical entertainers. Imperial Concert Orchestra. Printed by Jas Neville, 134 Carver St. Moorhead, Sheffield. Blue type on off white background with blue border.
Central Hall Poster, c1900 - 1920
Cinematograph Act 1909 Licence, 1913
A copy of the Cinematograph Act 1909 Licence in an envelope.
Correspondence, 1900 - 1914
Collection of letters, envelopes, stamps, telegrams and tickets.
Correspondence from The Warwick Trading Company Ltd., 17 June 1912
Details of bioscope/Cinephone films on loan. Sheffield.
Cutlers’ Hall Handbill, c1900 - 1920
Sheffield rules for animated picture and cinematograph exhibitions.
Devonshire Hall, Morecambe Handbill, c1900 - 1920
Jasper Redfern's Animated and Packed House Monkey Company. Special Attraction of the Sloppy-Faced Bloated Blood-Nosed Comedian - Herbert Betts. George Dinnie - Strongman. J.E. Linstead - Baritone. Mr Phonograph with Dolly Gray and others. Professor Fred. ‘The Manager will nurse babies at 1D per Hour’. 2pp.
Empire, Southend-on-Sea Handbill, c1905
Salmon-trick and musical cyclist riding on one wheel without a saddle, to be filmed. Printed by Neale-Huggett and Pye, Electrical Printers, Weston Road, Southend.
Famous Players’ Review Booklet, 1 - 31 March 1914
Includes synopsis of films, some articles, and black and white photographs of actors and play scenes.
Fred Holmes Collection
A collection of material including posters, programmes, handbills, newspaper cuttings and photographs relating to the shows of Jasper Redfern mainly in the Sheffield and surrounding areas. The collection was created by Fred Holmes who was a manager for Jasper Redfern of Sheffield, a pioneer of early film and exhibition. Jasper Redfern was the first man to show films in Sheffield. Also included in the collection is correspondence between Fred Holmes and Jasper Redfern.
H. Jasper Redfern Letterheaded Paper Document, 1910 - 1911
Documents showing cricket season, batting and bowling averages. Two typed, one handwritten.
Handbills, c1900 - 1920
Collection of Handbills mainly relating to Jasper Redfern's Motion Pictures, as well as other entertainments and events.
History of the Kinetograph, Kinetoscope and Kinetophonograph Booklet, 1895
Booklet by W.K.L. Dickson and Antonia Dickson, 53pp.
Insert of Films Handbill, c1900 - 1920
One page only.