Explore objects reflecting Manchester’s development from the mid-20th century into a centre for the creative industries. The collection focuses on film and television production and the city's alternative music scene.
Creative Industries
Set complete with houses used in the filming of 'Bob the Builder'.
1990
Replica of the Alien from the film Alien, made by Exquisite Corpse, England, c.1990
Replica of the Mr Fingal character puppet from the children's animated television series 'Cockleshell Bay', made by Cosgrove Hall Productions Ltd for transmission on Thames Television between 1982 and 1986.
before 1993
Picture and easel prop used on a set from 'The Nightmare before Christmas,' a Skellington Productions stop-motion animation film directed by Tim Burton in 1993.
before 2001
Armature for a puppet from the 2001 film 'Monkeybone', directed by Henry Selick.
Maquette of Boy character from 'The Sandman', a short animation directed and animated by Paul Berry.
Model cupboard used as a prop on the Santa interior set from the 1993 Disney stop-motion animation film The Nightmare Before Christmas,' directed by Tim Burton.
c.1970s
The earliest puppet made by Paul Berry as a child.
Tools used by Paul Berry whilst working as an animator in Manchester and elsewhere between 1981 and 2001.
Tool box used by Paul Berry whilst working as an animator in Manchester and elsewhere between 1981 and 2001.
Centipede character puppet (made from spare parts) from the 1996 Disney stop-motion animation film 'James and the Giant Peach,' produced by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick.
Pair of loading bay doors from the Hacienda nightclub, which operated from 1982 to 1997.
Head from the Weasel character puppet from the stop-motion animation television series 'The Wind in the Willows', made between 1984 and 1990 by Cosgrove Hall Productions, following the success of the film of the same title.
Witch character puppet from the 1993 Disney stop-motion animation film 'Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas', directed by Henry Selick and animated by Paul Berry.
Worm character puppet from the 1996 Disney stop-motion animation film 'James and the Giant Peach,' produced by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick.
1982
This brick formed part of the original external Coronation Street set at Grape Street, Granada TV Studio, Manchester which now forms part of the former Quay Street site. It was sold as one of 3000 limited edition commemorative bricks to raise money for the royal National Institute of the blind and the Television Benevolent Fund.
Kim Philby neon sign from the Gay Traitor Bar in the basement of the Hacienda, 1982.
1988
Pair of boots belonging to the Cyberman costume as used in the TV series 'Doctor Who' made by the BBC, London, c.1988.
Ladybug character puppet from the 1996 Disney stop-motion animation film 'James and the Giant Peach', produced by Tim Burton, directed by Henry Selick and animated by Paul Berry.
1998
Factory Too Records CD (FACDR 2.41) of Durutti Column's 'Time Was Gigantic ... When We Were Kids' and 'Reissued Experiments', signed by Vini Reilly and released in October 1998.
Grasshopper character puppet from the 1996 Disney stop-motion animation film 'James and the Giant Peach,' produced by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick.
Post in the style of a traffic bollard from the Hacienda nightclub in Manchester, which formed part of the interior design by Ben Kelly.
1986
Pin badge; Fac 151, the Festival of the Tenth Summer took place in July 1986 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the famous Sex Pistols gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall. Ten Events were held to celebrate the culture of Manchester, culminating in a gig at G-Mex which featured Factory artists.
Crocodile prop used on a set from 'Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas,' a Skellington Productions stop-motion animation film directed by Henry Selick in 1993.
after 1956
Granada TV Building sign
white 'Series 7' chair, designed by Arne Jacobsen and manufactured by Fritz Hansen; this chair was used at the Factory Records Headquarters (FAC 251) on Charles Street Manchester, it formed part of FAC 331 'The Temporary Contemporary Table' designed by Andy Woodcock and Ed Jackson, made in January 1991
1990-2000
A wooden cabinet with telephone/internet port; material inside cabinet.
Crew jacket worn by Paul Berry on the set of the 2001 20th Century Fox Film Corporation film Monkeybone. The film combines live action with stop-motion and clay animation. It was directed by Henry Selick and Paul Berry was Supervising Animator.
1987
1:5 scale model kit of a 'Dalek', from TV Series Doctor Who, unassembled in box.
T-shirt worn by Paul Berry on the set of the 1996 Disney stop-motion animation film James and the Giant Peach, produced by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick. Paul Berry worked as Supervising Animator on this film.
1980
JVC KY-2000 television camera with case and original accessories, used by Anthony Wilson and IKON FCL when filming news pieces for Granada TV, c.1980.
A box of 7" vinyl records containing singles by Factory Records artists, including Durutti Column, Joy Division and New Order; owned by Anthony Wilson.
Bow tie worn by Paul Berry to the 1992 Academy Awards ceremony when 'The Sandman' was nominated for Best Short Film (Animated).
Sign with 'Z' symbol, from 'Zumbar' a night held at the Hacienda from 1987 onwards.
A Beau Brummel music library case containing 12" vinyl records and audio cassettes by various Factory Records artists; owned by Anthony Wilson.
A box of 7" vinyl records by various non-Factory Records artists; owned by Anthony Wilson.
1979
Model of egg used in the film 'Alien', unsigned, 1979
Seagull puppet from the 1996 Disney stop-motion animation film 'James and the Giant Peach,' produced by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick.
Guitar plectrum with Vini Reilly signature printed onto main body, 1998.
Record sleeve containing 2 flexi-vinyl records; FAC 14c Test Card.
1985-1987
Three 2kw "Baby" studio lights made by Lee Colortran International, and used at BBC Manchester. Also includes several metal sheets with switches attached, possibly mounts for the lights and control equipment.
Two guitar plectrums with Vini Reilly signature printed onto main body, 1998.
Promotional soap used at Sankeys Soap nightclub
Small piece of Canadian maple dance floor, laid in the Hacienda club in April 1982.
Audio cassette tape of Sex Pistols 'The Heyday' (Fact 30), produced by Factory Records and released in December 1980.
2010
Digital photo frame produced to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of 'Coronation Street'; presented in a limited edition box set including a souvenir book and a certificate of authenticity.
Model of a chicken from the music video for the track 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia', performed by Primus and directed by Mike Johnson.
Baseball cap worn by Paul Berry on the set of the 20th Century Fox film Monkeybone (2001) based on the comic book series, Dark Town, directed by Henry Selick. Paul Berry was Supervising Animator on this production.
T- shirt bearing the logo 'Rob's Records', given to a member of the band 'The Flamingos' after they signed to the Rob Gretton's record label. From the 1990s.
before 1996
Tray of mouthpieces for the Ladybug character from the 1996 Disney stop-motion animation film 'James and the Giant Peach,' produced by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick.