At the recent marvellous Antiques For Everyone fair at the NEC in Birmingham, a friendly dealer approached me with a folder of around 50 photographs of furniture, home accessories, and room designs. Her father was a teacher and had used them in the late 1950s and early 1960s as props for lessons. Since he retired, they had sat forgotten in his loft until she rediscovered them after he died.
I found them fascinating – and turning them over revealed an even more fascinating feature. The backs all bore the names of the designers, manufacturers, and the dates of introduction. Some of the designs I recognised, some I did not. Although the dealer didn’t want much for them, I gave her £20, saying that it could always be donated to charity.
If I’m lucky, I sometimes see such archives on the Antiques Roadshow, and I always advice that, copyright allowing, the owner scans them and posts them online. In some instances, the images are original artworks, and the owners are the children of the designers who created them. The companies they were created for are typically long gone – like the tile company I filmed at the Antiques Roadshow in Hartland Abbey. In those cases I suggest that they compile the images into a book on their father or mother and their work. This suggestion doesn’t usually go down very well, due to the amount of work that requires!
So, I thought I’d practice what I preach, and post the archive I bought online. Hopefully, it’ll help someone somewhere identify their furniture, or learn something more. I’ve divided it into separate blog posts, each covering Seating, Home Accessories, Other Furniture (here), and Room Sets.
What I’d ask you to do is to relax and look closely at each image. Consider the fabrics used for upholstery, the ceramics, books and other accessories on the shelves, what features are brought out in one piece by another placed nearby, and the way pieces have been positioned, both in room sets and in the ‘frame’ of the photograph.
Enjoy. And if you’d like any more information, please email me using the contact form found using the top menu bar. Oh, and I’ve not watermarked them so that you can enjoy them properly. So if you want to use them elsewhere, please have the politeness and decency to ask me first, and credit the image with a link to my site. Thank you!
Also, if the copyright is held by you or your company and you wish me to credit them to you, or take them down, please contact me.
An Ernest Race bookcase, made from laminated plastic with wood veneer face sides and cast aluminium shelves.
A model 2031 five drawer chest of drawers, designed in 1957 by A. Loebenstein, Alan Hunt, and David Fowler, and first produced in 1958 by D. Meredew Ltd, Dunhams Lane, Letchworth, Herts, and at 6a Bedford Square, London WC1. Made from Weyroc chipboard, solid Nigerian walnut, and mahogany, beech, Indian Laurel and Makore veneers. In January 1958, the price was £22. 14s. 11d., excluding Purchase Tax of 15s. 1d..
A model ML.157 cheval mirror, from the G&T Mahogany Line, designed in 1956 by Walter Cornell, and first produced in 1957 by Greaves & Thomas Ltd, 103 Northwold Road, London E5, with a showroom at 103 New Bond St, London, W1. Made from solid mahogany and mahogany veneers, brass, plywood, and chipboard. Available in tawny or antique finishes. In February 1958, the price was £15. 10. 2d., excluding Purcahse Tax of £5. 5s. 10d.
A model 2002 occasional table, designed in 1955 by Tom Lupton and John Morton, and first produced in 1955 by I.M. Furniture Ltd, St John’s Road, Wallingford Berks. Comprising a solid mahogany top, turned and ebonised wood frame and legs, with polished and lacquered brass ferrules. In June 1958, the price was £13. 16s. 3d., excluding Purchase Tax of 8s 6d.
A late 1950s or early 1960s sideboard, designed by Neil Morris, and made by H. Morris & Co. Ltd, 147 Malton St, Glasgow.
A model R.413 sideboard, designed by Gordon Russell in 1956, and first produced in 1957 by Gordon Russell Ltd, Broadway, Worcs. Made from a solid mahogany carcase with veneered blockboard doors, with solid brass ring handles. Available in natural mahogany or rosewood finishes, and top surfaces treated with heat and spirit resistant lacquer. In July 1958, the price was £30. 16s. 0d., including Purchase Tax.
A ‘Heritage’ model dining table, designed by Robert Heritage in 1956, and first produced in 1956 by Archie Shine Ltd, 38-40 Upper Clapton Road, London E5. Made from blockboard, mahogany and rosewood veneers, with a natural wax finish. Matching chairs and a sideboard were available. In March 1957, the price was £31. 17s. 0d. excluding Purchase Tax of £1. 1s. 5d..
A walnut sideboard designed by Ernest Gimson and made by hand in his workshops in the Cotswolds.
A late 1950s to early 1960s Meredew Extend Burma teak veneered sideboard or cabinet, with Avodire lined interior, as shown at the British Furniture Manufacturers’ Exhibition at Earl’s Court in February 1957.
A walnut mirror designed by Ernest Gimson, and made by hand in his workshops in the Cotswolds.