A large Collection of surviving (but not complete) archives of the Orton and Spooner Company. This consists of 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.
Orton and Spooner Collection
This material is held atNational Fairground Archive, University of Sheffield Library
- Reference
- GB 2314 NFA0070
- Dates of Creation
- 1870s-1960s
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English
- Physical Description
- 1084 images, 861 of these are unique and not duplicated in other collections. 8 plan chest drawers, 4 boxes, 2 folders and 1 metre of books
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Orton and Spooner were an amalgamation of two Burton upon Trent companies, George Orton and Charles Spooner, who worked together producing wagons and shows with elaborate carved work at the turn of the 19th century. They remained pioneering fairground manufacturers until 1954 after which they functioned as a light engineering company until their closure in 1977.
The collection was acquired by David Braithwaite who undertook an enormous amount of work on the history of the company.
Arrangement
Items catalogued by type
Access Information
The collection as a whole will not be available to the public until extensive restoration and conservation has been completed.
Acquisition Information
Donated from David Braithwaite's collection by his wife and daughter Joanna and Naomi Braithwaite.
Other Finding Aids
Contact the National Fairground Archive for further details.
Archivist's Note
Description compiled by Jane Donaldson
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright: National Fairground Archive