Wells, Percy A. (1867-1956) / [Letter by Morris, Mary ‘May’ (Designer)] / [Letter by Allom, Sir Charles Carrick (english decorator)] / [Letter by Garnett, Prof. William (Experimental Physics)] / [Letter by Henry, Jacob Solomon (Furniture Maker)] / Letter by Hems, Harry (English architectural and ecclesiastical sculptor)] / [Letter: Image, Selwyn (British Artist & Designer of the Arts & Crafts Movement)] / [Letter: Russell, Sir Sydney Gordon (English Designer & Craftsman) / [Letter: Quennell, Marjorie (Courtney) (British historian, illustrator and Museum Curator at The Geffrye Museum) //

Small Archive / Manuscript Material, Letters, Designs, Books and Pamphlets as well as vintage photographs of Furniture like Chairs (Percy A. Wells Chair), Wardrobe, Advertising of Exhibitions [chaired for example by Christopher Hussey], etc. etc. This material all originates from Percy A. Wells’ personal collection and sensationally also includes a manuscript notebook / sketchbook with his drawings, designs and a detailed, typescript with autobiographical memories in which Wells details his decades of being involved in Furniture Design. Loosely inserted in the manuscript notebook / sketchbook, is a signed manuscript letter on stationery of Kelmscott Manor by Mary ‘May’ Morris, daughter of the Pre-Raphaelite artist and designer William Morris and his wife and artists’ model, Jane Morris [included is ephemeral material which for example informs about a pair of Episcopal Gloves, designed by William Morris’s daughter [May Morris] and the clipping continues: “Those who remember Morris’s attitude towards the Church will smile and reflect upon time’s revenges”]. The collection includes an abundance of information which easily can lead to a monograph on the life of Percy A. Wells. Detailed description of the Archive and all materials contained below (more details will be listed constantly).

Dulwich / Shoreditch / London a.o., Percy A.Wells Private Library, c.1900-c.1920. Octavo / Quarto / Folio. Hardcover Folder with loosely inserted material like letters and photographs, envelopes, signed and inscribed books and rare pamphlets with designs etc. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear. Fantstic Archive and lots of unpublished material of one of the more eminent Cabinet, Furniture and Chair – Designers which resulted from inspiration by William Morris’ Kelmscott – School. Percy A. Wells Chairs are still in regular demand today and sell for stunning prices (3000 £ etc.).

Please see here a detailed description of the Archive, which we display with permission of the composer of the Bibliography, Dr.Christian White from Christian White Rare Books and which we have embellished only by listing everything in more detail:

Percy A. Wells [with] May Morris; Ambrose Heal etc.

The Batsford-published author and arts and crafts designer Percy Wells’s retained collection of drawings, a notebook, letters, photographs, and articles. Wells (1867-1956), a cabinet maker and disciple of William Morris, lectured, taught and wrote extensively during the later phase of the Arts and Crafts movement in Britain. His typescript autobiography is included in the archive which follows him through an apprenticeship in London’s City Road with early practice as a cabinet maker before working alongside William Lethaby at the Central School and subsequently leading the cabinet department at the Shoreditch Technical Institution in London. His two most significant works, both published by Batsford, were “Modern Cabinet Work” (1909) which brought him to a wider audience and “Furniture for Small Houses” (1924) but as revealed by this archive, his work went much wider.

Included in the archive is the following material:


I. PHOTOGRAPHS

A fantastic collection of gelatin photographs of furniture, many used as illustrations in Wells’ books and labelled as such to verso. Contained within an envelope labelled in a later hand: ‘Furniture designed by Percy Wells. (Including Shoreditch)…’

Small sheaf of personal photographs including images of Wells in old age gardening in Dulwich. Two photographs of a house exterior project in New Barnet, with Wells’ handwritten explanations overleaf of ‘treatment of Wall with trellis and boxes’ and additional larger furniture photographs.

60 (sixty) silver gelatine photographs of Furniture designed by Percy A. Wells, many with his signature or monogram and titled verso

1 (one) silver gelatine print of a Livingroom setting with Furniture by Percy A. Wells (Photograph by Monger and Marchant)
1 (one) silver gelatine print of a Bedroom setting with Furniture by Percy A. Wells (Photograph by Monger and Marchant)

2 (two vintage Albumen print photographs showing a courtyard – design by Percy A. Wells:
a. Concrete Yard with border of flowers and Trellis of Flowers and Shelter designed by Percy A. Wells (Annotated and signed verso)
b. Yard – with Treatment of Wall with trellis and Boxes and Outdoor Shelter designed by Percy A. Wells (Annotated and signed verso)

4 (four) wonderful silver gelatine portrait photographs of Percy A. Wells

3 (three) negatives of vintage photographs showing cupboards and one chair designed by Percy A. Wells

1 (one) fantastic Group Photo of British Furniture Makers, signed by most of those depicted, showing C.C.Beetles and others


II. PERCY WELLS’ TYPESCRIPT AUTOBIOGRAPHY:

Containing 22-page (A4) Typescript Autobiography titled ‘Fifty Years in the Furniture Trade’ by Percy Wells, 1934 (according to a handwritten note by Wells, it was published on three instalments inside the publication: “The Cabinet Maker” (in the year 1934).

The short autobiography describes Wells’ poor background, his apprenticeship in the City Road as a cabinet maker; mentored by Stephen Webb and W. R. Lethaby and then teaching-work at Central School and Shoreditch Technical Institute.

The Typescript – Autobiography is included in a Folder (Numbered “9”) which also includes:

a. Typescript Autobiography
b. Page from “The Cabinet Maker”, June 11th, 1933 in which it is announced that Percy Wells has retired from his position as head of the department of cabinet-making at L.C.C. Shoreditch Technical Institute. A photograph shows a Chair and writing – desk, made and presented to Percy Wells by night students of the Institute (Photo by Bloomsbury Trade School).

″The Writing Desk is veneered with Walnut…the whole of the front pigeon-holes in fine Cuba Mahogany….Students responsible under their instructors for various features [of the desk]: Abbott, Beetles, Nash and Starling conytributed the carcase and veneered work; Elder the interior fitment; Hilliard and Wheeler the carving, Marritt the chair frame and Miller the Upholstery…”.
c. Account in local paper (Shoreditch) of Percy Wells’ retirement in December 1932
d. Personal Note with photograph of Wells, mentioning his authorship for Pamphlets for the National Association of Boys Clubs.


III. PERCY WELLS’ SKETCHBOOK c1900-1920:

Small quarto, c. 200 pages, bound in quarter-roan over textured black boards; back strip largely missing; binding remains intact. Inscribed in ink to first blank ‘Percy A Wells’ with pencil addition ‘31 Hindmans Rd East Dulwich SE’.

Starting with the endpapers Wells has used almost every page for drawings, some vignette sized, many full page. There are for example variations on William Morris titled in handwriting: ‘Border Designs – Corners from W. Morris’s Books, a series of heraldic shield-fillings, credited to William Morris and a full page attempt at what seems to be a graphic tribute to Morris with the names of ‘Dante Rossetti’, ‘Madox Brown’, ‘Burne Jones’ contained within a column in the right margin and the slogan ‘ARTS – CRAFTS – POETRY – BEAUTY – BROTHERHOOD’ at the foot of the page.

Much of the sketchbook is dedicated to drawings for furniture and other design such as tiles, architectural details, often connected to Wells’ emergent book projects, thus ‘Fences and Gates. Screens Chapt ?’ There are several early pages of stylised art nouveau influenced flower drawings, including irises, and many other attempts to incorporate the natural world into design as Wells examined and noted the ‘Geometry of leaf’. There are a couple of pages of experiments with lettering including a possible commission for ‘The Ruskin Gallery’ and ‘The Passmore Edwards Gallery’, copies from tapestries, medieval manuscripts and much more.

Many pages with Furniture – Designs in pencil of Library Tables and ornaments in the Merton College Library (1 page), drawings and manuscript elaborations on St.Peter’ Church in Sudbury, Designs for a wooden Music Stand etc. etc.

IV. LETTERS (25 items):

Writing on Kelmscott Manor paper, June 1922, May Morris thanks Wells for his letter and ‘the cheque. Will you please tell the students how very much I appreciate their help’ – probably with her fund raising in efforts for the Memorial Hall at Kelmscott, signed in full. In a 1910 letter the furniture designer Ambrose Heal writes asking for ‘your criticism on a piece of modern furniture design’.

There are several letters thanking Wells for presentation copies of Modern Cabinet Work Furniture and Fitments (1909) including one from Maple and Co, his bosses at Shoreditch Technical Institute, Ambrose Heal, the sculptor Harry Hems, furniture designer Ernest Betjemann (John Betjeman’s father) and the book’s publisher, Herbert Batsford.

Marjorie Quennell writes about a museum consultantship and an ALS from the artist and designer Selwyn Image proposes a talk on ‘the start and development of the Arts and Crafts Society and Movement’ (1922). Additional correspondence regarding the presentation of several awards to Wells including the Royal Society of Arts’ Silver Medal in 1909.

The Letters are detailed here:

1. [Garnett, William (Professor Garnett was also Editor of James Clerk Maxwell’s “Elementary Treatise on Electricity”] TLS from Professor William Garnett in his role as Secretary and Educational Adviser to the Technical Education Board at the London County Council to Percy Wells, detailing on two pages the awarding of an Artisan Art Scholarship to Wells at The Royal College of Arts. The letter is detailing the amount and some conditions. The Letter is accompanied with a beautifully designed Certificate [with Kelmscott-style borders] which details that Wells received the scholarship after winning a competition of 154 cantidates who had entered. 2 Pages plus Certificate. London, April 1898. Signed by Secretary to the Board, Prof. William Garnett.

2. [Masters, L.C. (Editor)] TLS on beautiful Stationery of “The Woodworker” (Handicraft Press) about an article by Wells on “Historic Woodworkers”. Wells obviously had written a series of instalments tackling the theme and is asked here by Editor L.C.Masters (The Woodworker) for the final instalment of the essay. 1 page, London, September 1908. Signed by L.C.Masters.

3. [Waterer Jr., Robert (english Furniture Maker)] MLS (Manuscript Letter signed) on beautiful stationery of Waterer & Sons – House Furnishers and Cabinet Makers from Chertsey, Surrey. In the Letter to Wells, Robert Waterer writes to Wells about Wells’ approaching appearance before the Society of Arts. Waterer was obviously consulted by Wells on the question of retaining the name of a certain “Comtess” in a draft description within an art-book-publication Wells was part of. 1 page, Chertsey, Surrey, January 8th, 1909. Signed by Robert Waterer.

4. [Wood, H.J. (english designer)] MLS (Manuscript Letter signed) on stationery of the Royal Society of Arts in John Street, Adelphi, London.
Wonderful autograph letter by english Designer H.J.Wood to Percy Wells, inviting Wells to attend a function at which Wells will receive a Medal which is awarded to him for his paper on “Furniture Design”, which Wells had read in May 1908 in front of the Royal Society of Arts. 1 page folded. London, 4th of March (?),1909. Signed by H.J.Wood.

5. [Allom, Sir Charles Carrick (english decorator)] – TLS (Typed Letter signed) by eminent english decorator Sir Charles Carrick Allom, thanking Wells for a letter and the Journal of the Society of Arts. Allom reminisces about a lecture by Wells which he attended and offers some prices he offers to be awarded to students of Wells and Hicks at the Shoreditch Technical Institute. 1 page, London, May 11th, 1909. Signed by Charles C. Allom.

6. [Wood, H.J. (english designer)] – MLS by english designer H.J.Wood, on stationery of the Royal Society of Arts, informing Wells that he was awarded the Society’s Silver Medal for his paper on “English Furniture Design and Construction”.
2 pages, London, 17th of June 1909. Signed by H.J.Wood

7. [Hicks, Shadrach (Principal at Shoreditch Technical Institue)] – MLS by Shadrach Hicks to Percy Wells. On Stationery of the London Council – Shoredich Technical Institute. Hicks praises Wells’ recent publication and conveys how poroud he is that “two of my colleagues are responsible for such an interesting and useful work. It is sure to have a permanent influence on the Craftnot only in Englland but abroad…..” 1 page, London / Shoreditch – 16th September 1909. Signed in full by Shadrach Hicks.

8. [Henry, Jacob Solomon (artistic and fancy furniture maker and fancy chair maker between 1878-1914)]
TLS by eminent furniture maker Jacob Solomon Henry to Percy Wells, thanking Wells for sending him his latest book and raising the work as “one of the finest and most interesting works that has been published for some considerable time…..it will always be a permanent work of interest to those connected with Cabinet work.” 1 page on beautiful stationery of J.S.Henry. London, 29th September 1909. Signed by J.S.Henry.

9. [Heal, Ambrose (english Furniture Designer)] MLS – 1 page, London, 29th of September, 1909. Signed by Ambrose Heal.
10. [Plimley, A.J (?)] MLS – 1 page, [London], 7th of October, 1909. Signed by A. J.Plimley (?)
11. [Maple & Co. Upholsterers to his Majesty / Murray, Frank Stuart] MLS on Stationery of this Royal Upholsterer, signed by an employee, Frank Stuart Murray, who thanks Wells for sending him his latest book. 1 page, London, 16th of October, 1909.

12. [Waterer Jr., Robert (english Furniture Maker)] MLS – 4 pages (A 4 folded) – Buxton, Derbyshire, 23rd of October, 1909.
Robert Waterer writes here to Wells from his holidays at the Buxton Hydropathic (the letter is on the stunning stationery of the Hydro). Waterer reports about his impression of Buxton and the surrounding landscape. aterer reports also that he has bought Wells’ book prior to leaving but has not brought it with him on his holidays. Waterer speculates in the letter if Wells does indeed “compare old methods of construction with modern…”. Waterer thinks that “…the price for such a book is very moderate…the amount of work entailed must have been enormous….[..] I had a chat with Mr. Batsford when I bought it – he happened to be in the shop – he spoke well of you”…..″I showed the book to my father, who was surprised at its volume and very pleased to see our cabinet in it…”, “…i explained to him that you had given it the first place under ‘modern work’, which was very kind of you”.

13. [Hems, Harry, English architectural and ecclesiastical sculptor / of Harry Hems & Sons – Ecclesiastical Art Works Exeter – Makers of Church Furniture & Fittings] MLS – 7 pages (on two A4 sheets folded), Exeter, 1st of November, 1909. On the beautiful stationery of Harry Hems & Co., citing all the prices this company won at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia (1876), World Fair, Chicago (1893) and International Exhibition in Antwerp, 1894.
Harry Hems writes to Wells and apologises for not being in touch earlier because he just returned “…from another visit to the United States and find your kind letter of Sept 28th and a copy of your most admirable volume entitled “Modern Cabinet Work, Furniture and Fitments” awaiting my advent – “, Hems goes on to praise “…the most useful selection of drawings and photographs that so lucedly illustrate the letterpress – all are invaluable”. Hems outs himself to be of earnest appreciation of “Modern Cabinet Work” and informs Wells that he is planning to ask Mr. Batsford to send him another copy so Hems may present it to his foreman and in doing this he is sure this will make his foreman of 20 years in his establishment an even better craftsman. Hems is also informed that Wells had written to Hems’ son Greville C[hester] Hems in his absence to inquire “..whether we have any photos of old chests and miserere″
Very detailed and interesting letter of one of England’s foremost sculptors of the Gothic Revival.

14. and 15. [Hems, Harry & Burgess, Edwin A.] Two MLS. One by Harry Hems to Percy Wells (dated 10th of November, 1909), in which Hems allows Wells to keep Photographs he provided and in which he also refers to a case of loss of a miserere which had been removed from a Cathedral and fell into Collector’s hands and Hems was only able to get it back after several years. Hems also writes about a letter he received from his foreman of joiners, one Edwin A. Burgess. Harry Hems writes to Wells that he send him the letter by his foreman and does not need it back. The letter by Burgess to Hems is dated Exeter, November 9th, 1909. This letter to Hems by Burgess is full of praise for the recent book by Wells & Hooper (which Burgess received as a gift from Hems) and Hems saw it fit to forward this letter of praise to Wells as encouragement.

16. [Heal, Ambrose (English furniture designer)] MLS on Stationery of “Heal & Son Ltd. “Manufacturer of Bedding, Bedsteads, Upholstery and Bedroom Furniture”. 1 page. London, 7th of February, 1910.
Important letter by Ambrose Heal to Wells: “Dear Mr.Wells, your letter & remarks of appreciation give me very great pleasure to receive, all the more so because I would rather have your criticism on a piece of modern furniture design than eny one else’s…” Signed by Ambrose Heal.

17. [Batsford, Herbert of B T Batsford – Publisher & Bookseller] TLS – On Batsford Stationery. 1 page, London,10th of October,1913.
Batsford writes to Wells about a letter which Wells had received from his co-author Hooper and which Wells obviously had forwarded to Batsford for his opinion. There seemed to be some discord but nothing which Batsford found alarming and Batsford reassured Wells that Hooper “clearly shows his appreciation of your knowledge, judgment and help”. Batsford continues: “The book will belaunched towards the end of next week and I shall send you a copy in which I propose to write “with kind regards and many thanks for friendly help’ because I think this is due to you. I shall hoipe to see you before very long and will then be able to report to you how the book is going and show reviews and so forth” Signed by Herbert Batsford.

18. [Llewellyn, Smith, Sir Hubert (British civil servant. He served as permanent secretary to the Board of Trade from 1907 to 1919, where he played an important role in the Liberal government’s welfare reforms. He also served as the chief economic advisor to the government from 1919 to 1927 (Wikipedia)] TLS (1 page, Knightsbridge, 4th of November, 1920) from Sir Hubert Llewellyn Smith to Wells about an invitation to Wells to “accept the title of Fellowof the British Institute of Industrial Art”. On Stationery of the Institute. Signed by Sir Hubert.

19. [Image, Selwyn (British artist, designer, writer and poet associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement. He designed stained glass windows, furniture and embroidery, and illustrated books. He was the seventh Slade Professor of Fine Art at the University of Oxford from 1910 to 1916. (Wikipedia)] MLS, 1 page. Holloway, 14th of May, 1922.
Wonderful letter by Selwyn Image to Percy Wells. Obviously Wells has invited Selwyn Image to hold a talk at the Shoreditch Institute and Selwyn Image is only happy to oblige: “Dear Mr. Wells, Itis very good of you to ask me to come to you again…..of course I’ll come ….As to subject, how do you think this would be acceptable ?: – a brief account of the start & development of the Arts and Crafts Society and Movement from its inception in the early eighties up to to-day. I could speak with some fair intimacy on this – if the idea of it appeals to you” – Beautifully Signed by Selwyn Image.

20. [Morris, May (Mary “May” Morris (25 March 1862 – 17 October 1938) was an English artisan, embroidery designer, jeweller, socialist, and editor. She was the younger daughter of the Pre-Raphaelite artist and designer William Morris and his wife and artists’ model, Jane Morris (née Burden) (Wikipedia)] MLS, 1 page on Kelmscott Manor Stationery. Kelmscott Manor, Lechlade, 4th of June, 1922. May Morris writes to Percy Wells and thanks him for sending a cheque to help with a Fund Miss Morris running. Signed by May Morris in full.

21. [Betjeman, Ernest (Silverware maker of dutch descent and father of Poet, Sir John Betjeman)] TLS, 1 page. London, Pentonville Road, 18th of October, 1923. Interesting letter by Ernest Betjeman to Percy Wells in which Betjeman shares his enthusiasm about the recent work “Modern Cabinetwork”. Betjeman writes: “….I feel that I must write to tell you and your co-Author how excellent and helpful it will be, even to us who have had many generations of experience in fine Cabinetwork”. In a post scriptum Betjeman adds in ink: “We want more works on Modern work v fewer on Antiques”.

22. [Herdman, Daniel W. (Librarian and Curator for the Cheltenham Arts and Crafts Collection)] TLS, 1 page with review stapled to the letter. Daniel W. Herdman writes to Percy Wells and thanks him enthusiastically for a wonderful lecture: “Dear Mr.Wells, on behalf of the Cheltenham Public Library,Art Gallery and Museum Committees, I cannot express too highly our sense of gratitude to you for coming all the way from London to deliver such a delightfully clear and interesting Lecture [″Craftsmanship and Furniture”].” Herdman includes a review / resume of the lecture, published in the “Gloucestershire Echo” aand remarks that the article was drawn up by the reporter from his notes and “Some, at least, of the salient points you made have been nicely brought out”. Signed by Daniel W. Herdman on stationery of the Cheltenham Public Library.

23. [Russell, Sir Sydney Gordon (English designer, craftsman and educationalist)] MLS, 1 page on Russell’s personal stationery, “Kingcombe – Campden”, October 27th, 1928.
Important letter by one of Englands foremost Furniture Makers of the 20th century, influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement but also important regarding the production of Utility Furniture. In this letter, Rissell highlights the importance of Percy Wells’ influence on the work of Russell’s company: “Dear Wells, If you can get away we should be so glad if you would be our guest at Broadway for the D.I.A. visit…You have been so intimately identified with our work since its commencement (or shall we say renaissance ?) that it would be nice for you to be here. We owe so very much to your counsel & encouragement – Sincerely Gordon Russell″

Letters No. 24. and 25. [Wells, Percy A. / Piercy. E.F.] TLS by General Secretary for the “National Association of Boys’ Clubs”, E.F.Piercy, to Percy Wells and attached to it the MLS which Percy Wells sent as an answer. 2 pages, London / Hampstead Garden Suburb, 5th (Piercy) and 6th (Wells) of June, 1936.
E.F.Piercy invites Wells to hold lectures in many of the Boys Clubs of the region and that after speaking to Sir Hubert [that is Sir Hubert Llewellyn Smith], the Association offers Wells 75 Sterling per year and accommodation for holding Lectures. Wells answers thoroughly and outlines on which topics he can speak: “In writing to the Clubs, perhaps you would like to say that I am ready to give talks or Lectures with or without a Lantern on Craftwork, Architecture, Furniture – old and new – Ancient Woodwork etc. or modern methods if desired – Yours Sincerely – Percy A. Wells″

26. [Quennel, Marjorie (British historian, Illustrator and Museum curator at “The Geffrye Museum” (1935-1940)] TLS, 1 page on Stationery of the “London County Council – The Geffrye Museum”, 31st of March, 1937. Marjorie Quennell, in her function as Curator of the Geffrye Museum, invites Percy Wells: “If you are free on Friday, 9th of April, I should be pleased if you would come to tea with me at 4 o’clock at the museum. Marjorie Quennell at this point had been curator for 2 years and she informs Wells in this letter also of fellow honorary concultants to the Museum (giving several names and their position in society).

Letters 27. and 28. are also by E.F.Piercy to Percy Wells, regarding Lectures given by Wells to the National Association of Boys Clubs.

DOCUMENT / Commons Order included in Folder with Letters:

The Folder with Letters also includes an original Commons Order Paper from Friday, 3rd of February, 1893.
The Commons order is annotated by Percy A. Wells at the rear and he obviously attended the House of Commons for this session because he writes in ink: “Heard Gladstone, Chamberlain, Harcourt, Balfour, Labouchère [Henry Du Pré] , Goschen [George Goschen], &c. from Strangers Gallery. Glorious !″


V. PORTFOLIO / Large Portfolio with an abundance of Reviews of Books written by Wells (forwarded by Batsford with a signed note on Batsford Stationery) as well as newspaper-articles on Lectures given by Wells etc.

Exhibition ephemera included in this Portfolio are sheaves of Wells’ drawings of church details at Long Melford, Kersey and Lavenham; rubbings of lettering pieces by ‘P Wells’ from the 1930s each carefully annotated with time spent on the commission; 2 folders of articles, annotated by Wells; reviews of his books; certificates for various awards and group photos; press reports of his lectures etc, etc.

VI. PUBLISHED WORKS included in the Archive are these very scarce pamphlets, some of which have Wells as co-author and some which he had no part in but obviously kept for reference:

1. [Wells, Percy A.]: “Modern Cabinet Works” by Percy A Wells & John Hooper. Promotional pamphlet for the First Edition from 1909 [″Just Published”]. The promotional pamphlet was designed on 16 pages with a perforated order-form for the book to the rear wrapper. An exceptional piece of Ephemera.

2. Wells, Percy A.: “Furniture For Small Houses” – “A Book of Designs for Inexpensive Furniture with New Methods of Construction and Decoration”. London, B.T.Batsford, [1920]. X, 4, 9 pages text and XIII Plates on Tables as well as LVII plates on other Furniture Dressers, Chair-Designs, Bedsteads, etc. Loosely inserted also a colour-scheme plate for “Patterns for Combing”. Inscribed to the author’s brother: ‘S.H.W’ [Sidney H. Wells] from the Author – June 1920.’

[The Chapter for Chairs includes: “The Windsor and Stick Back Chair / Stuff-over and Loose Seats / Wooden Seats and Loose Cushions / The Settee, the Couch and the Settle / Easy Chairs”].

3. [Wells, Percy A.] This pamphlet No.234 from Volume XXI of “Practical Education and School Crafts with which is Incorporated Manual Training”. Percy A. Wells is mentioned on page 112 in the segment on “Vacation Courses”. Wells is remembered for “talking about ‘Four points on good Furniture’. Published in Leeds, For the Institute by A.W.Howard, May, 1924.

4. [Percy A Wells] An Introduction to Handicrafts in Clubs, 1933, National Association of Boys’ Clubs, ‘P A Wells’ to upper cover – this anonymous work was written by Wells [Dr. Christian White]. Covers chipped and detached. With text-markings.
This work is of great interest regarding the creation of clubs for boys in which manual education would lead to craftsmanship and appreciation of quality in teaching Furniture Making as well as the wish that: “A Club should try to give scope for everything that contributes to the ideal of complete fitness. Handiness with tools and materials is a form of fitness as definite as soundness of wind and limb……The making of things is for many boys an immediate interest, having the direct appeal of play”.

Several Photographs within the publication show boys at work, e.g.: “Working a home-made lathe at the grainger Park Boys Club in Newcastle” or “An improvised work-shop at the Crown Club in Hoxton”. Other photos show “Simple Furniture” and “Plywood Animals for Noah’s Ark and toy birds”, “Mosaic Floor Tile made of waste fragments set in cement and sand” as well as an example of a “Lino Cut for Cover of Club Magazine”. The Booklet includes very useful “Detailed Notes on Particular Crafts” with recommendated Reading for Woodwork, Bookbinding and MArbling (mentioning books by J. Kay etc.) as well as a photoghraph of an £Example of Bookbinding by T.W.Swindlehurst”.

5. [Wells, Percy A.] Boys’ Clubs in War-Time. London, October 1939. Published by the National Association of Boys’s Clubs. 32 pages. Including an article by Percy A. Wells: “Club Handicrafts in War-Time”.

Other articles include: A.Llewellyn Smith – “Some War-Time Measures” / D. Hughes-Jones – “Physical Recreation in Time of War” / A.Thomas – Club Drama in War-Time” //

[PRESENTATION COPIES of two publications gifted, signed and inscribed to Percy A. Wells]:

1. Heal, Ambrose – ‘The Old Farm in Tottenham Court Road’. Offprint, blue paper wrappers detached. London, Tottenham Court, Published by Heal & Son Ltd. at the Sign of the Fourposter”, [1913]. Inscribed to title-page: ‘P.A. Wells – With AHs [Ambrose Heal’s] compliments’ [possibly secretarial].

2. Russell, J. B. – ‘The Story of an Old English Hostelry – Being a Concise History of the Lygon Arms, Broadway, Worcestershire, From Medieval Times until the present Day, Together with some account of the Craftwork carried on at Lygon Cottage, by S.G.Russell, with numerous Illustrations from Drawings and Photographs. Fourth Edition. London, Arden Press, 1924. Frontispice, Photograph of “The Lygon Arms”, VIII, 32 pages with several Photographs of the Interior as well as furniture of this Inn. The text is also embellished with drawings. Signed and beautifully inscribed by the author: “To P.A.Wells without whose help & encouragement the last chapter might have remained unwritten – J.B.Russell – 25. April – 24”. Binding Poor and cover detached.


VI. EXHIBITION – EPHEMERA:

1. BIA Exhibition of Industrial Art at Dorland Hall, 1933:

Reviews and Program including names mentioned like Christopher Hussey (Chairman of the Executive Committee), Sir Philip Sassoon, Bryan Guinness, Prince George (Patron), etc.

A wonderful collection of numerous newspaper-clippings and other materials, with detailed announcements of Furniture Exhibitions,
among them a fantastic original A4 Flyer (4 pages) advertising the:

“Exhibition of British Industrial Art (BIA) in Relation to the Home at Dorland Hall, June 20 – July 12, 1933. Organised privately but with the approval of the Government and the British Institute of Industrial Art, the Design and Industries Assaociation and the Society of Industrial Artists″

Loosely inserted a Typescript with a long list of names of those who were on the sub-committee (like Percy A. Wells) and represented all the different showcased industries in the Exhibition, like: Books & Printing, Furniture & Equipment, Kitchen Equipment, Lighting and Heating Fittings, Pottery & Glass, Siler & Metal, Textiles etc. (Architect of the Exhibition was Oliver Hill).

2. “Examples of Modern Craftsmanship – Exhibited by the British Institute of Industrial Art in the Victoria and Albert Museum″

Included is a page from “Modern Design in Furniture”, showing a full page of photographs of the Exhibition-setup and an explanation of the photographs like:

A. “Painted sideboard and two chairs designed by Percy A. Wells″

B. “Bedroom Furniture in teak with natural oak panels by Mrs. Betty Joel

C. Examples of Furniture of Gordon Russell
etc.

Newspaper Clippings with:

A. News about openings of Exhibitions

B. Announcements of Percy Wells’ Publications

• Keywords: Archive · Art – Rare · Art and Crafts · Art and Design · Autograph · Autograph – 19th Century · Autograph – 20th Century · Autograph – British History · Autograph – Rare · Autographed Letter – signed · Catalogue Four – International Art · English Furniture · Furniture · Furniture – Rare · Furniture Design · Furniture Design – Rare · Furniture Making · Manuscript / Autograph – Rare · Manuscript Art Rare · Manuscript Letter Rare · Manuscript Letter Signed · Percy A. Wells (Furniture Designer) · Shoreditch Technical Institute · William Morris
• Language: English
• Inventory Number: 31896AB

EUR 7.800,-- 

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