Bamforth & Co. Ltd
Written by admin on 22 January, 2009 – 9:59 pm -It's not just Nora Batty's tights, you know!
Cast your mind way back. Go on, further than that, go on... way back to the end of the nineteenth century to a time of furry black and white staccato images. Which part of the world would you normally associate with the art of film-making? Hollywood, California? Of course, yes, but also, you need to think of Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. Holmfirth?
You see, I was right about them tights. It's not all Nora Batty's tights. Well at least it wasn't back then. No, for three years between 1898 and 1900, two British Companies, Bamforth & Co. Ltd of Holmfirth (founded in 1870 by James Bamforth) and Riley Bros. of Bradford produced a catalogue of films to rival anything that Hollywood was then producing - in terms of both volume and quality.
From Manchester to Moscow, the latest releases were eagerly awaited. Films such as Weary Willie (1898), The Tramp and the Baby's Bottle (1899), The Kiss in the Tunnel (1899) - said to be the first time that a film was edited, Catching the Milk Thief (1899), Women's Rights (1899), The Would-be Conjuror (1900), Lover Kisses Husband (1900), Leap Frog (1900), Boy's Cricket Match and Fight (1900), Boy's Sliding (1900) and Biter Bit (A Joke on the Gardener) (1900) were produced to popular approval. Of course, they were helped in their international appeal by their silent nature.
Postcard production
But then it all stopped. Bamforths had decided that their future lay in the production of picture postcards, which they had been making since the 1880's. Although film-making did briefly resume in 1913, by this time Bamforth's had established itself as a major producer of postcards. In WWI Bamforth's produced many cards which were sent by women to their sweethearts on the front.
Bamforth's major line in postcards is of course the saucy seaside postcard. Although they were being produced as early as 1910, the explosion in the saucy postcard occurred in the 1930's. From this point on, with a brief interlude in the 1950's, Bamforth's produced such cards right up until they officially closed down in 1990. The Bamforth's name and assets are currently owned by the Leeds based company Fresh Faces.
One of Bamforth's strong suites was its maintenance of a distinctive house style with bright colours and exaggerated characters. Indeed, over the years the company only employed four staff artists. Step forward Douglas Tempest (the first of the artists who started in 1912), Arnold Taylor, Philip Taylor and Brian Fitzpatrick.
Cheeky postcards - in a nutshell
One of the original Bamforth family, Derek Bamforth once explained the success of the cards.
He said: "We never publish anything obscene, we know where to draw the line. But the more vulgar the card, the better it sells."
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| MILTARY WWI A VOICE IS CALLING FOR ME Bamforth PC | ![]() |
0 Bid | £2.00 | 33m |
| HUMOUR Bamforth TAKEN THINGS LYING DOWN Artist CHASE | ![]() |
0 Bid | £1.95 | 33m |
| HUMOUR ROMANCE Bamforth MY LITTLE WOODEN HUT | ![]() |
0 Bid | £1.95 | 33m |
| HUMOUR WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE Artist HY BAMFORTH | ![]() |
0 Bid | £2.00 | 33m |
| HUMOUR Bamforth LETS TRY IT ON THE ROOF Postcard | ![]() |
0 Bid | £2.00 | 33m |
| HUMOUR PICK UP A GERM SOMETIMES Postcard by BAMFORTH | ![]() |
0 Bid | £2.50 | 36m |
| Collection of 7 x Bamforth Comic Series Postcards | ![]() |
1 Bid | £.99 | 39m |
| COMIC BAMFORTH CO POSTCARDS X 8 NUDESLEWDFISHINGGOLFBBQBUS | ![]() |
3 Bids | £2.71 | 39m |
| HUMOUR Bamforth IF ONLY I COULD BE SICK by TEMPEST | ![]() |
0 Bid | £2.50 | 40m |
| COMIC BAMFORTH CO POSTCARDS X 8 NUDESLEWDGOLFDRDRINKING | ![]() |
4 Bids | £1.90 | 40m |
| COMIC BAMFORTH CO POSTCARDS X 8 NUDESLEWDFIREMANDENTIST | ![]() |
2 Bids | £1.20 | 41m |
| Bamforth COMIC SERIES No379 YOUD BE WASTING YOUR TIME GOING OUT WITH HIMDEAR | ![]() |
2 Bids | £.69 | 52m |
| Bamforth postcard No2205 I cant think of any other name but yours c1914 | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 55m |
| Bamforth TAYLOR TOT Girl in MOTOR CAR | ![]() |
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£5.00 | 1h 13m |
| CLEETHORPESOLD 1921 COMIC POSTCARDBAMFORTH SEASIDE COMIC SERIES NO 1676 | ![]() |
4 Bids | £2.26 | 1h 21m |
| BAMFORTH FUNNY COMIC IMAGE NEW SMALL METAL SIGN sg134 COUPLE AT THE SEASIDE | ![]() |
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£4.99 | 1h 22m |
| BAMFORTH COMIC IMAGE BEACH RELAXING FAT LADY IN DECKCHAIR METAL SIGN sg139 | ![]() |
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£4.99 | 1h 42m |
| BAMFORTH WELSH COMIC SERIES NO W23 HAVING A LOVELY HOLIDAY IN WALES | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 1h 45m |
| BAMFORTH COMIC SERIES NO 444 WHAT A WAY TO GO | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 1h 47m |
| BAMFORTH SEASIDE COMIC SERIES NO 1248 THINKING OF YOU POOR OLD SLAVES AT HOME | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 1h 54m |
| Bamforth comic scot taylor bees no 233 unused very good mint | ![]() |
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£1.75 | 2h 4m |
| Bamforth comic postcard suspenders unused no 1048 very good mint R | ![]() |
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£1.75 | 2h 4m |
| Bamforth comic scot taylor no 301 unused very good mint | ![]() |
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£1.75 | 2h 4m |
| Bamforth comic taylor no 297 unused very good mint | ![]() |
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£1.75 | 2h 4m |
| Bamforth comic drunk fitzpatrick no 299 unused very good mint | ![]() |
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£1.75 | 2h 4m |
| Bamforth comic taylor no 300 unused very good mint | ![]() |
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£1.75 | 2h 4m |
| VINTAGE PC BRIDLINGTON MULTI VIEW BAMFORTH | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.85 | 2h 9m |
| COMIC IM A REGULAR LITTLE BERT BAMFORTHS CUTE KIDDIES no42 1921 | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 2h 18m |
| COMIC I SUPPOSE YOURE HAVING A GAY TIMEIVE GOT YOUR NO BAMFORTHS 1925 | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 2h 18m |
| COMIC SURPRISED PUBS DONT GO IN FOR THIS IDEA BAMFORTHS 1924 | ![]() |
1 Bid | £.99 | 2h 18m |
| BAMFORTH COMIC SERIES NO 206 SHE OFFERED HER HONOUR HE HONOURED HER OFFER | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 2h 19m |
| Vintage Unwritten Comic Postcards 2 x Bamforths 1 x J Arthur Dixon | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 2h 29m |
| Sun of My Soul 2 Bamforth song card hymn vintage postcard | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 2h 37m |
| Sun of My Soul 4 Bamforth song card hymn vintage postcard | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 2h 37m |
| Sun of My Soul 1 Bamforth song card hymn vintage postcard | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 2h 37m |
| Evry Little While 3 Bamforth song card vintage postcard c1918 | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 2h 37m |
| Postcard MENAI STRAITS AND SUSPENSION BRIDGE BAMFORTH unused | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 2h 45m |
| D TEMPEST BAMFORTH COMIC POSTCARD SHAKESPEARES AS YOU LIKE IT USED 03 07 1950 | ![]() |
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£2.99 | 2h 52m |
| Bamforth Multiview Postcard Happy Mount Park Morecambe Lancashire | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 3h 4m |
| Vintage 1907 Bamforth postcard Should auld acquaintance be forgot | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 3h 5m |
| BAMFORTH COMIC CHILDRENS POSTCARD TAYLOR TOTS BABY PRAM 1960S | ![]() |
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£1.99 | 3h 24m |
| BAMFORTH COMIC CHILDRENS POSTCARD TAYLOR TOTS GARDENING DOG SIXTIES FASHION | ![]() |
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£1.99 | 3h 27m |
| BAMFORTH COMIC CHILDRENS POSTCARD TAYLOR TOTS BATHTIME DOG SIXTIES FASHION | ![]() |
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£1.99 | 3h 30m |
| BAMFORTH COMIC CHILDRENS POSTCARD TAYLOR TOTS BLACK EYE 1960S | ![]() |
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£1.99 | 3h 32m |
| BAMFORTH COMIC CHILDRENS POSTCARD TAYLOR TOTS FOOTBALL POOLS FIDO DOG 1960S | ![]() |
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£1.99 | 3h 35m |
| BAMFORTH COMIC CHILDRENS POSTCARD TAYLOR BOY DOG WITH JAR OF FISH 1960S | ![]() |
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£1.99 | 3h 38m |
| BAMFORTH COMIC CHILDRENS POSTCARD TAYLOR TOT DOG GRAMOPHONE POP RECORDS SIXTIES | ![]() |
1 Bid | £.99 | 3h 41m |
| BAMFORTH COMIC SEASIDE POSTCARD | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.50 | 3h 51m |
| Bamforth comic no 552 unused very good mint E | ![]() |
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£1.75 | 4h 34m |
| Bamforth comic suspenders no 621 vg mint E | ![]() |
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£1.75 | 4h 36m |
| Old Bamforth Comic Postcard Little Girl Bossing Dad | ![]() |
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£2.50 | 5h 15m |
| pc6954 postcard Daddys the Sweetheart for me Bamforth | ![]() |
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£3.80 | 5h 23m |
| Grape vs Grain by Charles W Bamforth HardCover BRAND NEW FREE PH | ![]() |
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£22.61 | 9h 38m |
| VINTAGE BAMFORTH POSTCARD GOOD CONDITION NOT POSTED | ![]() |
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£1.00 | 13h 33m |
| POSTCARD BAMFORTH NO ANNETTE I SAID ID MEET YOU BY THE BIG CLOCK | ![]() |
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£1.45 | 13h 47m |
| POSTCARD BAMFORTH THE SUNS LOVELY LIKE A WARM HAND CARESSING ONES SKIN | ![]() |
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£1.45 | 13h 47m |
| POSTCARD BAMFORTH THEY MUST HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TIMES CYNTHIA | ![]() |
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£1.45 | 13h 47m |
| POSTCARD BAMFORTH CANT YOU RUDDY WELL WAIT JOE | ![]() |
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£1.45 | 13h 47m |
| EILEEN ALANNAH1BAMFORTH89 1POSTCARD1907 | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 14h 11m |
| WHY IS HE CALLED BILLY BLINKING HECK BAMFORTH CARD | ![]() |
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£3.75 | 14h 13m |
| Irish Song Postcard Emigration Ireland Bamforth | ![]() |
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£3.50 | 14h 45m |
| 2 ORIGINAL OLD CIR 1970s BAMFORTH COMIC POSTCARDS N0 223 225 | ![]() |
1 Bid | £.99 | 14h 58m |
| BN 2 x Bamforth Postcards from At The Seaside series | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 15h 56m |
| THE SAILORS GRAVEBAMFORTHPOSTCARD | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 16h 6m |
| Vintage Bamforth coloured postcard Patriot series No 1073 | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 16h 28m |
| BAMFORTH TEMPEST KIDDY SERIES NO 604 1938 IM KNOCKING THE STUFFING OUT OF HERE | ![]() |
0 Bid | £.99 | 16h 30m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 488 | ![]() |
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£1.50 | 16h 37m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 2282 | ![]() |
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£1.50 | 16h 37m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 40 | ![]() |
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£1.50 | 16h 37m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1518 | ![]() |
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£1.50 | 16h 37m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1086 | ![]() |
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£1.50 | 16h 37m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 2312 | ![]() |
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£1.50 | 16h 37m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 872 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1414 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1133 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 136 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 817 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1313 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 352 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 946 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1845 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1174 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 4303 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1070 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1080 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 297 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 746 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 996 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1432 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 300 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1425 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1107 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1090 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1208 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 879 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 984 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1209 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1185 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1181 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
| POSTCARD COMIC BAMFORTH COMIC Series No 1096 | ![]() |
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£1.90 | 17h 35m |
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Tags: Abraham - Firth, Bamforth, Bamforth & Co. Ltd, Bamforth and Co, Bamforths
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By Derek Kelly on Jun 26, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for your article on the Bamforths.
James was also a Studio Photographer for the locals of Holmfirth.
If anyone wishes to see a photo of James at work …he can be seen with some of his family on the Song Card set 4500 Ora Pro Nobis. He is the one with the Top Hat.
Thanks and Regards Derek Kelly