Orton, George, 1843 - 1924
Biography
George Orton was born at March, Cambridgeshire in 1843. He was a wheelwright and coachbuilder by trade and set up his first business in Measham, Leicestershire, where the family had settled.
By 1875 George had moved to Burton-on-Trent where he set up the Lion Carriage Works, a transport building business focused in Gipsy as well as other types of travelling wagons.
By 1912 George was expanding the business and moved his main premises to Victorian Crescent, where he erected building sheds capable of housing whole fairground ride structures.
George retired in 1910, leaving the business to his sons Tom and Charles, his daughter Rose Anne (Annie) and his business partner Charles Spooner.
George Orton died in December 1924, aged 81.
Found in 11 Collections and/or Records:
Business Records, 1860 - 1975
Various documents related to the business operations of Orton and Spooner including order books, correspondence, contracts, account books, product specifications and wage books.
Correspondence, 1907 - 1922
Various postcards addressed to George Orton and his daughter.
David Braithwaite Collection
This collection contains photographs taken by David Braithwaite from the 1950s and used towards his publications alongside older images collected from other sources as well as business records, monographs, articles, correspondence, newspaper cuttings, advertising material, bibliographies, catalogues, programmes, films and some other miscellaneous items.
Envelope, c1900 - 1959
Envelope addressed to Mr G. Orton.
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, 1880 - 1950
Black and white photographs and negatives of fairground rides, living wagons, transport, fairground organs, carvings and other artwork from the Orton and Spooner company. Also contains some photographs of employees and showmen.
Postcard of Furness Abbey, 20 July 1922
Postcard of Furness Abbey sent to Miss Orton.
Postcard of Kendal Parish Church, 5 April 1907
Postcard of Kendal Parish Church sent to Mr George Orton.
Postcard of the Board School, Wrexham, 11 April 1907
Postcard of the Board School, Wrexham sent to Mr Orton by Sid.
Postcard of Whitehaven Pet Goose, 24 March 1907
Postcard of Whitehaven pet goose sent to Mr George Orton.
Trade Mark Certificate, 5 April 1934
Trade mark certificate for Orton and Spooner Buckeroos. Typescript.