Gallery 12 - Top of the Bill
Top of the Bill is an exhibition curated and hosted
by the National Fairground Archive as part of the opening of the
new front of house. The Archive has worked through its vast collections
of ephemera to bring out the most visually stunning and topically
intriguing posters and handbills. The exhibition runs from 6th December
2007 until 7th February 2008 and is on view in the Mezzanine Floor
of the Western Bank Library. Included in this online gallery are
just a small selection of images - come along and view the real
thing, you will not be disappointed.
The Archive will be selling a catalogue produced
for the exhibition - please see our sales
page for details.
Taylor's of Wombwell were leading producers in fairground posters
- designs such as this were called 'blanks' and could be completed
with details of the lessee and date of the fair.
Willsons of Leicester were another poster producer - this is an
early design for Dixon's Fair.
An action-packed scene designed by Taylor's of Wombwell depicting
the excitement and colour of a 1930s fairground.
Superb poster for Bosco's Boxing and Wrestling Show - a past iconic
tradition of the fairground.
With daredevil stunt-riders in the news, it is fitting to pay tribute
to the fairground tradition of dicing with death - the famous Wall
of Death!.
Fred Karno began as a circus acrobat and developed his own slapstick
troupe.
A bright and brash circus poster for the Chipperfield family.
A rare flyer for Proctor's film of the death of Sanger.
Canadian showman Bill Lynch with an eerie slice of Americana.
The Wall of Death was a world-wide attraction - seen here on this
late 1920s Danish poster.
Vivid detail from the Taylor's poster showing the classic thrill
of the Dodgem ride.
Taylor's of Wombwell produced many classic pantomime posters.
This iconic image forms the centre of the National Fairground Archive
publicity material for the coming year.
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