The National Fairground and Circus Archive

The National Fairground and Circus Archive The collection also includes a unique body of ephemera (programmes, handbills, posters, charters and proclamations, plans and drawings).

The NFCA is a unique collection of photographic, printed, manuscript and audiovisual material - covering every aspect of the fair, circus and allied entertainments - as well as the culture, business, and life of travelling show people. The National Fairground & Circus Archive (NFCA) was inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sheffield in 1994, with the support of the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain and the Fairground Association of Great Britain. Housed in the Western Bank Library, it is a unique collection of photographic, printed, manuscript and audiovisual material covering all aspects of the culture of travelling showpeople, their organisation as a community, their social history and everyday life; and the artefacts and machinery of fairgrounds. Our key collecting areas include fairs, circus, shows, magic and illusion, variety, entertainment spaces such as the sea-side, pleasure garden and amusement park, and many aspects of variety and performance. The NFCA collections are continuing to grow: there are now over 80,000 images in the photographic collection, in addition to audio and video material, journals and magazines, and nearly 4,000 monographs. The NFCA represents an important part of the cultural heritage of the nation. It is a primary resource of rich potential for research at every level; it provides a new and exciting source of teaching material for primary and secondary education, and provides access to a wealth of popular cultural history both for the academic researcher and for the public at large. For all enquiries please email: [email protected]

McKeowen's Boxing & Wrestling Show - photographed by Paul Angel at Bridgwater St Matthews Fair, September 1979 - from th...
09/09/2026

McKeowen's Boxing & Wrestling Show - photographed by Paul Angel at Bridgwater St Matthews Fair, September 1979 - from the NFCA's Paul Angel Collection 😄

Messham's Super Bob (SB16) - building up - photographed by Paul Angel at Oxford St Giles Fair, 1984 - from the NFCA's Pa...
09/09/2026

Messham's Super Bob (SB16) - building up - photographed by Paul Angel at Oxford St Giles Fair, 1984 - from the NFCA's Paul Angel Collection 😄

Mattia's Satellite Trabant (TB54) - photographed by Paul Angel at the Great Dorset Steam Fair, 1989 - from the NFCA's Pa...
09/09/2026

Mattia's Satellite Trabant (TB54) - photographed by Paul Angel at the Great Dorset Steam Fair, 1989 - from the NFCA's Paul Angel Collection 😄

Stevens' Hully Gully/Satellite Trabant (TB41) - photographed by Paul Angel at Neath Fair, 1981 - from the NFCA's Paul An...
09/09/2026

Stevens' Hully Gully/Satellite Trabant (TB41) - photographed by Paul Angel at Neath Fair, 1981 - from the NFCA's Paul Angel Collection 😄

Gray's Ark (A78) - interior view, Barnet Fair, 1938 - from the NFCA's Paul Angel Collection 😄
09/09/2026

Gray's Ark (A78) - interior view, Barnet Fair, 1938 - from the NFCA's Paul Angel Collection 😄

Harris' AEC Matador - photographed by Paul Angel at the Great Dorset Steam Fair, 2001 - from the NFCA's Paul Angel Colle...
09/09/2026

Harris' AEC Matador - photographed by Paul Angel at the Great Dorset Steam Fair, 2001 - from the NFCA's Paul Angel Collection 😄

Hall's Dive Bomber (DB17a) - photographed by Jack Leeson at Rugby Rag Fair, 1964 - from the NFCA's Jack Leeson Collectio...
02/09/2026

Hall's Dive Bomber (DB17a) - photographed by Jack Leeson at Rugby Rag Fair, 1964 - from the NFCA's Jack Leeson Collection 😄

Webb's Autodrome (AU9) - building up - photographed by Jack Leeson at Oxford St Giles Fair, 1965 - from the NFCA's Jack ...
02/09/2026

Webb's Autodrome (AU9) - building up - photographed by Jack Leeson at Oxford St Giles Fair, 1965 - from the NFCA's Jack Leeson Collection 😄

Manning's Ghost Train (GT21) - building up - photographed by Jack Leeson at Oxford St Giles Fair, 1965 - from the NFCA's...
02/09/2026

Manning's Ghost Train (GT21) - building up - photographed by Jack Leeson at Oxford St Giles Fair, 1965 - from the NFCA's Jack Leeson Collection 😄

Richards' Cake Walk (CW1) - photographed by Jack Leeson at Ashby-de-la-Zouch Fair, 1965 - from the NFCA's Jack Leeson Co...
02/09/2026

Richards' Cake Walk (CW1) - photographed by Jack Leeson at Ashby-de-la-Zouch Fair, 1965 - from the NFCA's Jack Leeson Collection 😄🍰

Address

Western Bank Library
Sheffield
S102TN

Telephone

+441142227299

Website

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