Two rare Art Deco sketchbooks by Pickford Waller which have been donated to the GSA Library
The Friends of the British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA) have purchased two original Art Deco sketchbooks by designer Pickford Waller for the GSA’s rare book collection in solidarity after the fire. The sketchbooks, dated 1925 and 1926, feature colourful and ornate Art Deco ornaments and designs intended for bookplates. They were presented to The Glasgow School of Art today, 30 October 2015.
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Anne West, Director of the Friends of the British Antique Dealers’ Association, and Rebecca Oliva, GSA Graduate Trainee Librarian, with one of Pickford Waller's sketchbooks which have been gifted to the GSA |
Pickford R. Waller (1849-1930) was born in London to builder Robert John Waller and Harriet Shafto Pickford. An artist/designer Waller created book-plates and book decorations in Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles for Hans Christian Andersen, Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and Robert Laurence Binyon. Waller also designed book decorations for Scottish artist James Guthrie’s Pear Tree Press.
“I am delighted that the Trust has been able to present the GSA Library with these wonderful sketchbooks,”says, Anne Green, Friends Director for the BADA. “Not only will they add to the GSA’s collection, but they will also benefit students in years to come.”
As well as holding several volumes by Waller’s associate James Guthrie, The Glasgow School of Art Library also holds a large arts book collection by Art Nouveau and Art Deco designers such as Ann Macbeth, Talwin Morris, Jessie M. King, and Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
“We are grateful to the British Antique Dealers' Association for this generous gift,” says GSA Librarian, David Buri. “The sketchbooks are a perfect addition to our holdings as they are further examples of the period and style that The Glasgow School of Art Library specialises in. They will be an excellent resource for researchers and artists now and in the future.”
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Further information
Lesley Booth
0779 941 4474
press@gsa.ac.uk