Braithwaite, David, 1932 - 1982
Dates
- Existence: 6 October 1932 - 4 July 1982
Biography
David Julius Braithwaite was born in Luton, Bedfordshire on the 6th of October 1932. The family moved to Northampton and as a young boy David was fascinated by the fairs which visited the town and thus began his lifelong interest and passion with the travelling fairground. He often helped with the building up of the rides and got to know some of the showmen.
David attended Northampton Grammar School where he developed art and drawing as his favourite subjects. He entered the Architectural Association School at seventeen and his subsequent career in architecture included work in various practices, teaching at Leicester, Hammersmith and Kingston School of Architecture and finally establishing his own practice in Knightsbridge, London. Here he worked in domestic, the commercial and entertainment fields, including the planning of Amusement Parks. Projects included the hall of Mirrors at Madame Tussaud’s in London and a floating theatre for children of which he was co-designer. In 1975 he was the prime mover in the rescue of the Savage Company Archives from King’s Lynn.
For many years he collected material for his book Fairground Architecture (the first book of its kind on this subject) which was first published in 1968. He also wrote a book on Frederick Savage of King’s Lynn, a booklet for Shire Publications and Building in the Blood, the history of the building firm, Dove Brothers. David Braithwaite is perhaps best known for his two influential works; ‘Fairground Architecture’ and ‘Savage of Kings Lynn’.
During the 1970's he acquired the Orton and Spooner Archive, which formed the basis of a book he was preparing to write at the time of his untimely death on July 4th 1982.
Found in 105 Collections and/or Records:
Orton and Spooner Collection
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.
Photographs, 1950 - 1970
Black and white and colour photographs and negatives taken by David Braithwaite as part of his research into fairground architecture and history.
Photographs and Postcards, c1880 - 1979
Black and white photographs, postcards and negatives collected by David Braithwaite from the William Keating collection. Many original postcards and copy negatives of postcards.
Plans, 1922 - 1965
List of rides at Nottingham Goose Fair and Savages ride plan.
Programmes, 1962 - 1971
Programmes for steam engine rallies organised by various societies including East Anglian Traction Engine Club, Rempston Steam Treaction, Bysteam, Chiltern Traction Engine Club and others.
Redgate & Earnshaw Postcard, c1900 - 1959
Redgate & Earnshaw, importers of foreign birds postcard.
Remembrance Card, c1900 - 1959
In loving memory of Thomas Stanley, card.
Rempstone Steam Traction Engine Rally Programme, 14 - 15 July 1962
Home Farm, Stanford near Loughborough. 24p.p with illustrations.
Rempstone Steam Traction Engine Rally Programme, 6 - 7 July 1963
24 p.p with illustrations.
Rempstone Steam Traction Engine Rally Programme, 4 - 5 July 1964
Ling Farm, Rempstone. 28p.p with illustrations.
Rempstone Steam Traction Engine Rally Programme, 3 - 4 July 1965
Ling Farm, Rempstone. 32p.p with illustrations.
Rempstone Steam Traction Engine Rally Programme, 6 - 7 July 1968
Ling Farm, Rempstone. 28p.p with illustrations.
Rempstone Steam Traction Engine Rally Programme, 3 - 4 July 1971
Ling Farm, Rempstone. 32p.p with illustrations.
Review of Botton Brothers Lang’s Jets, c1900 - 1959
Review of Botton Brothers Lang’s Vampire Jets and specification with illustrations.
Ride Plan, 22 June 1922
Decorative and functional fittings at King’s Lynn. Drawing 1895/20. Highly detailed drawings of decorative fittings such as figurines, functional brass bearings and rods, crankshafts and platform slides. Savages Ltd.
Savage Brothers Leaflet, c1903
Savage Brothers Ltd leaflet advertising the manufacturing of wheels, 2p.p.
Savage Brothers Limited Catalogue, c1890 - 1910
Savage Brothers Limited catalogue for brick and clayworking machinery. King’s Lynn, 22p.p with illustrations.
Savage Brothers Limited Catalogue, c1890 - 1910
Savage Brothers Limited illustrated catalogue of traction and portable engines and agricultural machinery. King’s Lynn, 78p.p with illustrations.
Savage Brothers Limited Catalogue, c1890 - 1910
Savage Brothers Limited illustrated catalogue of traction and portable engines, agricultural machinery, brickmaking machinery and other products. King’s Lynn, 60p.p with illlustrations.
Savages List of Exhibitis, 1975
List of exhibits by Frederick Savage at King’s Lynn Festival 1975 by David Braithwaite. Typescript.