Picked up these off Bruce the other week which he refers to as Stage Play Heralds but are probably more commonly known in the UK as (Pantomime) Small Poster Blanks they measure just 7" x 10". As I understand it there were printed (in bulk) by Taylor's of Wombwell (tho' not too sure about the last one however) from 1929 through to the (probably) the mid 30s. These particular designs/stock were continued to be used until at least the 1960s - they really printed in bulk! They were simply distributed to production companies who then overprinted their own Panto details.
Not so rare but cute nonetheless
This 60x40 I also recently picked up was printed by the same company also dated from the 30s - again a 'stock' poster, but great colours and great legs!
I bought these to relive a short period of my pre-teens when we lived in Portsmouth, England for two years and so for two Christmases went to a Panto. A lot of fun. Back then they upheld the tradition of the male lead (eg Prince Charming) being played by a (young) woman and the grumpy older woman (eg Ugly Stepmother) being played by a man. Not sure if it is the same today...
