Scope and Contents

Typed transcription of an article, titled 'One of the Old School', concerning the life and career of actor and acrobat, James Rayner, written by Tom Norman for The World's Fair on 1 May 1926. The article also includes details of the acting career of James Rayner's late wife, Elizabeth Rayner (nee Parkin). Accompanied by two pages of photocopied photographs of unidentified members of the Rayner family, 4pp.

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Printed out of an article titled, 'British spy fired the shot that finished Rasputin', written by Karyn Miller, which appeared on the Telegraph Newspaper website in 2004. Includes details of new forensic evidence suggesting that Rasputin was killed by Oswald Rayner, a member of the Secret Intelligence Bureau, 2pp.

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Newspaper cuttings, relating to the history of the Goose Fair, compiled by Eleanor Rayner. Includes articles taken from the Nottingham Guardian (1960 and 1962), and The World's Fair (1983, 1984 and 1990).

Scope and Contents Miscellaneous newspaper cuttings, compiled by Eleanor Rayner. Notably includes a photocopy of an article about showman, Billy Rayner and his flea circus, illustrated with a photograph of the circus tent at the Goose Fair in 1957 (n.d.), a photocopy of a newspaper article announcing the marriage if James Greenhow and Eva-Marie Chadwick (n.d.), and an article, recording the memories of showman boxer, Matt Moran (later known as Matt Watson), taken from the Manchester Evening News (1 October...

Scope and Contents

Two copies of a special publication by Nottingham Evening Post titled, 'Old Nottingham Goose Fair: A Story in Pictures'. Includes a timeline covering the history of the Goose Fair from 1284. Illustrated with reproductions of advertisements and photographs of the fair taken between 1855 and 1950 47pp.

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Two copies of a special publication by Nottingham Evening Post titled, '700th Goose Fair Souvenir'. Includes a welcome from the Lord Mayor, articles on the history of the fair, the stories of showmen involved in the fair and a colour map of the fairground in 1994. Illustrated with colour photographs, 12pp.

Scope and Contents

Two copies of a special publication by Nottingham Evening Post titled, '700th Goose Fair Souvenir'. Includes a welcome from the Lord Mayor, articles on the history of the fair, the stories of showmen involved in the fair and a map of the fairground in 1994. Illustrated with black and white photographs, 12pp.

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An edition of the Nottingham Post titled, 'Goose Fair: A Bygone Special'. Includes articles on the history of the Goose Fair. Illustrated with reproductions of advertisements and photographs, 31pp.

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Reproduction of a plan, with an enlarged photocopy, showing the layout of tents, shows and stalls at the Goose Fair in 1929.

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Poster advertising the Nottingham Goose Fair [1992]. Red and yellow text on black background, illustrated with a general view of a fairground in red, yellow and white, 1p. Accompanied by a circular letter addressed 'Dear Trader', requesting them to display the enclosed poster to promote the Goose Fair, sent from Margaret Wooding, Tourism Promotions Officer of the City of Nottingham (20 August 1992).

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Pencil drawing on a grid, depicting a cartoon cowboy holding a gun. Artist unknown, 1p.

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Photocopy of the family tree of James Rayner, confectioner, and his son Samuel Rayner, confectioner and play actor, who married Sarah Stevenson in 1839. Their son, James Rayner born in 1849 was also an actor who married fellow actor, Elizabeth Perkins born in 1856. The family tree provides details of six generations of the Rayner family, and is thought to have been compiled by Eleanor Rayner, daughter of William Rayner and Louise Rayner (nee Danter), 2pp.

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Photocopy of the family tree of Arthur Wright, a descendent of Samuel Rayner, who was the father of James Rayner, actor, born in 1849, 1p.

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Receipt issued to Miss Eleanor Rayner for her subscription to The Showmen's Guide, 1p.