Records of the Worshipful Company of Painter Stainers. Court minutes begin in 1623, freedom admission registers in 1658 and apprentice binding books in 1660. The records were compiled between 1623 and 1973, but they include deeds from 1423. Collection also includes financial records and records of charitable payments.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESS: These records are stored at the Guildhall Library site rather than the LMA Clerkenwell site. Researchers wishing to access these records should do so at the Guildhall Library Rare Books table. The Library is open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 to 16:45. Researchers will need to have an Archives History Card or a Library Readers Card. An archivist will be available at Guildhall Library on Thursday mornings to answer any queries.

Papers of Ethel Gertrude Woods, 1921-1985, including a typescript of 'Scenery, its nature and origin' (confused pagination, approx 350 pp), unpublished; 87 watercolour and black and white sketches and diagrams prepared by Miss K Chandler Thomson as illustrations; note on the author; covering letter from donor, William Skeat (nephew) and other correspondence concerning the MS with Dr Joby of the Open University, 1985.

Alfred Wolmark was a painter whose range included figurative, landscape and graphic art. The papers and sketches in this collection reflect the various areas and influences in his life and work. The collection includes sketches, transcripts of his lectures, a diary, examples of posters and programmes designed by him, lists of his works, and correspondence with friends, associates and possible sitters.

Papers, 1914-1974, of Henrietta (Hettie) Withers, comprising correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1936-1974 (mainly 1930s-1950s), including letters to her family, 1937-1941, letters from the China Inland Mission (CIM) London Council, 1947, and two booklets on the Emmanuel Home for the Homeless, Shanghai, 1939, 1945; diaries, 1915-1945 (some gaps), including typescript circular letters, 1927-1932, describing her work, activities and experiences in China, including references to the Sino-Japanese War and World War Two; notes, on talks given [post-1930], meetings addressed in Chefoo (Yantai), 1938-1939, and on Sisiang in Shensi province, undated; photographs and some watercolours, 1914-1965 and undated, the subjects including Chefoo, Miss Withers, other teachers, and children; passport, 1932, with endorsements for escorting children; typescript list of publications about CIM missionaries and readers' comments, 1960s-1970s.

Log and private journal of John Wilson as ship's surgeon on the second voyage of the South Seas whaler GYPSY, 23 Oct 1839-19 Mar 1843 and portfolio of 23 watercolours, illustrating places named in the journal.

Papers of Henry Wilson, comprising correspondence, photographs and presscuttings [1864-1934].

Townsend's journals. Also correspondence, personal files, postcards, art photographs, press cuttings, newspapers, typescripts of poems and articles, and general professional papers concerning colleges and exhibitions in Canada and the UK.

Papers of Stephen Willats, 1960s-1998, comprising documentation relating mainly to his West London Social Resource Project in the Greenford, Hanwell and Osterley area, [1972], including questionnaires, re-modeling books and manuals for Greenford, Hanwell and Osterley, black and white photographs of the areas, audio tape of statement and interviews with project operators, examples of returns from re-modeling books and manuals, participants' sheets, public decision sheets, map of project area, exhibition display mounts; papers relating to his Edinburgh Social Model Construction Project, 1973, including project operators' manuals, problem sheets for project areas, participant project file; advertising posters, photographs; exhibition catalogues, 1968-1998, for exhibitions of Willats' work in the UK, Europe and Toronto.

Wash and line drawing.

Papers of Edward Whymper, 1871-1911, including computations of heights in the Andes, 1880 and watercolour, 'View of Greenland'.

Records of the Whitechapel Art Gallery (WG) and its predecessor, comprising:

minutes of the Gallery Trustees 1898-1976; Gallery Trustees, Finance and Fundraising committees, 1976-1981; Gallery Trustees, Finance and Building committees, 1981-1986; Gallery Trustees and Finance committees 1987-1988; Trustees, Finance and Joint Trustees committees, 1988-1996; Finance Subcommittee 1950-1951, 1966-1971; Development Trust Planning Group, 1981-1983; and Foundation Trustees, 1984-1995; as well as Development Trust Scheme files, 1978-1982; Gallery Trustees correspondence 1949-1981; Foundation Trustees correspondence, 1981-1989;

annual reports and accounts 1901-present;

early records of the Gallery including files relating to the establishment of the Gallery 1893-1901; correspondence of Gallery Directors and Secretary's 1901-1947; financial records and treasurer's correspondence, 1902-1947; and exhibition files 1901-1947;

Gallery Directors' papers including administrative and correspondence files of Hugh Scrutton, 1947-1953; Bryan Robertson, 1952-1969; Mark Glazebrook, 1964-1973; Jennie Stein (acting Director), 1971-1974; Jasia Reichardt, 1974-1976; Nicholas Serota, 1978-1987;

exhibition files 1947-1990 files, arranged chronologically by year date of exhibition, including correspondence and papers relating to exhibition arrangements such as loan of artworks, sales, valuations, catalogues, private views, and installation;

printed publicity materials including catalogues of Whitechapel Fine Art Exhibitions, 1882-1886; catalogues of Whitechapel Art Gallery exhibitions, 1901-1965-present;

printed posters relating to individual exhibitions, 1956-2002;

press cuttings relating to reviews and listings of WG exhibitions, and some general cuttings about the gallery and the London art scene, 1897-1922, 1952-2002;

guard books containing ephemera - relating to each exhibition, 1949-2002;

records of the Whitechapel Art Gallery Society including correspondence and papers concerning subscriptions 1947-1988; and cash books 1948-1978;

photographs of exhibitions and artists works 1948-1998; photographs and illustrations of the Gallery and its exhibitions, 1901-1939; photographs of the Gallery building, staff and the local area, 1890-1915, 1951, [1972]-1998; contact sheets and negatives of exhibitions and the gallery, 1966-1995;

Gallery visitors books 1949-1965;

Financial records including cashbooks, wages books and exhibition accounts, 1899-1971;

Letters to Lord Leighton on the Wellington memorial in St Paul's Cathedral.

Papers of Philip Webb, 1882-1907, comprising correspondence concerning building restorations in Italy and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), 1882; correspondence with Giacomo Boni, 1885-1907, (some of Webb's letters to Boni are photocopies), notably concerning Boni's excavations in Venice, including the Piazza di San Marco, restorations to the Ducal Palace, work on the Forum, Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), sanitation and drainage in Venice, the abbey of Casamari, Orvieto, Bari, personal details, such as their health, Boni's marriage and travels, particularly around Italy and his visits to England, discussions of contemporaries, notably William Morris, Italian architecture, monuments, pictures, buildings, artists, sculptors, archaeology, Boni's lectures; letters from George Wardle, [1887]-1906, notably concerning architecture and reports on buildings for the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) including Ipswich, Orford Church, Dorchester, Oxfordshire, Sandwich, Chichester, Bosham, Sussex, proofs for publication, papers on Pisano, Parengo, work on the 'Holy Graal', personal details, such as health, lodgings and travels; reports on the restoration of Bosham Church, Sussex, 1899, Dorchester Church, Oxfordshire, 1899, Grey Friars Chapel, Chichester.

Papers of and relating to Evelyn Underhill, 1874-1997 and undated, comprising personal correspondence of and concerning Underhill, 1888-1969 and undated, the correspondents including Baron Friedrich von Hugel (three letters, 1911-1916), Underhill's husband Hubert Stuart Moore (117 letters from Underhill to Moore, 1890-1912 and undated, and 30 letters from Moore to Underhill, 1898-1906 and undated), Rabindranath Tagore (typed transcripts of 10 letters from Underhill to Tagore, 1913-1914), and members of the Underhill family, the subjects ranging from Catholicism, travels in Italy, Switzerland and France, publications and lectures, spiritual matters and advice, mysticism, health, and World War Two; correspondence, 1907-[1954], with various publishers concerning Underhill's publications (some posthumous) and broadcasts, including copyright, costs, sales and royalties; manuscripts and typescripts containing proposed holiday itineraries and recording Underhill's impressions while travelling in Italy, Switzerland and France, 1898-1899, 1901-1907; poetry, 1917-1923 and undated, including some work which was published; a speech at King's College London on being elected a Fellow, 1927; an article on 'The Fountain of Life: an iconographical study', published in 1910; material relating to spiritual development, 1921-1939, mainly under the guidance of Baron Friedrich Von Hugel and including transcripts of his letters, 1921-1924, and other items on spiritual advice, confessions, goals and progress; papers relating to retreats and religious writings, 1924-1932 and undated, including notebooks and texts of addresses; printed material by and concerning Underhill, 1926-1941, 1990, including some of her publications; press cuttings, 1891-1949, mainly reviews of Underhill's work but also including early published pieces; sketchbooks and drawings, 1892-1911 and undated, including sketches and watercolours of marine scenes in Britain, ecclesiastical subjects, and Italian and French architecture; photographs, c1925-c1930s and undated, including a photograph and negatives of Underhill (one at Pleshey), a portrait of Baron Von Hugel, marine views, and views of French and Italian castles and towns; material relating to the Underhill family, 1874-1940, including the marriage certificate of Evelyn Underhill's parents, 1874, a family tree, c1891, a copy of Evelyn Underhill's will, 1940, and details of books in Dr Williams's Library, London, which originated from Underhill's library; obituaries of and articles about Underhill, 1941-1997, including theses, bibliographies, memoirs, biographical material and reflections on her work; newsletters of the Evelyn Underhill Association, 1992-1997.

Papers of Percy Moore Turner, 1905-1952, comprising folders relating to various artists and works of art including John Sell Cotman, John Berney Crome, Honoré Daumier Edgar Degas, Eugène Delacroix, Peter De Wint, Thomas Gainsborough, Francisco de Goya, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, Varin and Diego Velazquez, and museums including the Louvre, Paris; catalogues of pictures at Staunton Harold, 1922; an exhibition by Richard Parkes Bonington, 1937; Percy Moore Turner's collection of engravings, etchings, lithographs and other prints, 1951; correspondence relating to gift of pictures to the Louvre, 1947-1948, and P M Turner's estate, 1951-1952; photographs of paintings, undated, from the British Museum, Castle Museum, Norwich, National Gallery, Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter, and the Tate Gallery; newpaper cuttings, 1925-1950, including some relating to the Courtauld.

Letter from Thomas Telford of Inverness to Rev John Warren, Dean of Bangor, [Caernarfonshire], 23 Sep 1811. Concerning a possible road to pass through Bangor, and giving instructions for the surveyor.

Autograph, with signature.

The following items are filed with the letter: (a) an engraving of Thomas Telford (1832); (b) engravings of Menai Bridge, the Vale of Llangollen and Conway, by W Radclyffe (undated); (c) a list of Telford's achievements, set out as if for a memorial plaque [produced after Telford's death in 1834].

Papers of Cecil Symons, cardiologist, 1972-1988, comprising:
Correspondence on the commissioning of Peter Jones' pictorial representations of the Royal Free Group of Hospitals, 1972-1973, and the subsequent bequest to the Hospital in 1987-1988. Copies of the paintings are exhibited in the RFH Committee Room, and the originals are held in the Archives Centre, and known as the Symons bequest.
Correspondence on the commissioning of the 150th Anniversary group portrait of the RFH Consultants, 1978.

Papers of Philip Wilson Steer, 1836-1962, comprising personal ephemera, 1860-1917, including his birth certificate, 1860; art examination certificates, 1880-1881; permit book for sketching at Dover, 1917; photographs, 1864-1930s and undated, including Steer at various ages and family members;
original pictures by Steer, comprising charcoal drawing of pollarded stump and wall, undated; monochrome watercolour, 1877; monochrome over pencil drawing of Christ healing the sick / raising Lazarus, undated (described as an early work);
papers relating to dealers, notably lists and statements of accounts for pictures sold, by Barbizon House, 1927, undated, by Goupil Galleries, 1909-1937, by Charles A Jackson, 1919-1926, and by David Sassoon & Co, 1927; lists, comprising list of dates of places where Steer worked from 1884, undated, and list of pigments used by Steer, [1970];
letters, comprising correspondence from or to Steer or his parents, 1836-1942, including relating to Steer's Order of Merit, 1931, letters to his family whilst abroad, 1876, 1882-3; letters relating to Steer's memorial, 1942-1943; letters to Dorothea Hamilton concerning the gift of a Steer watercolour as a wedding present to Princess Elizabeth, 1947, and deposit of material to the British Museum, 1945-1946; letters concerning publications relating to Steer, 1942-1962, Steer's estate 1942-1944; lists of subscibers to the Steer Memorial and addresses given at Steer's memorial service and the unveiling of the memorial slab, 1942-1943; articles by Steer on Impressionism in Art, 1891, and by Dugald Sutherland MacColl, 1939; newspaper and magazine cuttings, 1906-1948, including Steer's obituary and will, 1942, 1944, Steer exhibitions, 1943-1945, reviews of publications relating to Steer, 1944, 1945; sales catalogues containing items (furniture, porcelain, pictures, watercolours, books and silver plate) sold from Steer's estate after his death, 1942; miscellaneous papers including invitation to Steer's Memorial exhibition, 1943, booklet for D S Macoll's memorial service, 1949; list of documents given to the Courtauld by Dorothea Hamilton, undated.

Letter from Sir Stanley Spencer of 3 Vale Hotel Studios, Hampstead, London to Thomas Sturge Moore, 26 Apr 1926. 'Here at last is the monograph of my works ... The much wanted or unwanted explanation of my pictures will be found in the book of words, so there will be no more trouble now, all is clear at last ... I am doing a big picture of the resurrection ... (18ft x 9ft) and it is going to take years to paint and I love painting it so I am enjoying myself ...'.

Autograph, with signature.

A sketchbook by Stanley Spencer, c 1919-1924 with one loose sketch of Gilbert Spencer by Stanley Spencer, c 1906-1908.

The Sketchbook contains 37 pages with sketches on front and back of pages, 4 loose sheets and 2 torn pages. Most sketches are made in pencil. However, 12 sketches are finished in pencil and wash, and 1 sketch in pencil and oil.

The sketchbook spans Spencer's time spent with the Slessers in Bourne End from late 1919-1920, with Muirhead Bone and his wife at Petersfield in 1921 and his stay with Henry Lamb in Poole, Dorset in April 1923 where he produced designs for what would later become the Sandham Memorial Chapel at Burghclere. The sketchbook is significant in that it includes initial ideas for a number of post-First World War religious works, including some Tate-owned paintings, notably 'Christ Carrying the Cross', 1920, 'The Robing of Christ and the Disrobing of Christ', 1922, and 'The Resurrection, Cookham', 1924-26. It also includes a number of designs (many in pencil and wash) for Sandham Memorial Chapel at Burghclare which are amongst some of the earliest sketches that Spencer created for this commission.

The loose sketch of Spencer's brother, Gilbert Spencer, is a pre-Slade School sketch of c 1906-1908 of his magnum opus.

This collection largely consists of correspondence to and from Stanley Spencer and his writings on himself, his paintings, religion and his relationships. The correspondence dates from the late 1930s, with the majority coming from the 1940s and 1950s. Important correspondents include: the British Broadcasting Corporation, Mary and Louis Behrend (patrons and founders of Sandham Memorial Chapel, Burghclere), Spencer's sister Florence Image, his first wife Hilda, his children Unity and Shirin, John and Elizabeth Rothenstein and the Tate, and Arthur Tooth and Sons (his agents). The collection also contains Spencer's writings, notebooks and diaries. Spencer was a prolific writer who appeared to use his writings as an opportunity to expand or refine his ideas for paintings, and his personal thoughts. Along with his letters, the continuous writings, notebooks and diaries often contain detailed descriptions of his paintings, compositions and schemes; his opinions on art, life, philosophy, religion and sex; and his autobiography and preparation for a proposed book. The collection is completed by a number of sketches and drawings by Spencer, the majority of which relate to larger, painted works; and some printed ephemera including press cuttings, photographs, postcards, private view cards and exhibition catalogues.

Papers of Jean Spencer, 1970-2002, comprising the Kleinsassen archive, 1986, consisting of schema, texts, plans, photographs and complete slide archive; Elephant Trust proposal and studies, 1987, including a folder of original drawings; studies for Kemi, comprising black and white photographs and line drawings; 2 sketchbooks of studies for reliefs; exhibition catalogues including Jean Spencer's work, 1972-1990; Study for Double Square Painting, 1992, (oil on linen); group exhibition catalogues, 1972-1990; "Countervail" exhibition publicity cards, Mappin Art Gallery, Sheffield, 1992.

Papers of Nathaniel Sparks including letters to Sparks from Alfred Bentley, artist and drypoint engraver, 1916-1917, with 2 photographs; and letters and photographs from Malcolm Osborne, 1916-1925.

Papers of Arthur Hale Smith-Dorrien, comprising four volumes of watercolours, photographs, newscuttings and documents covering his career from his schooldays in 1865 until the end of his naval service, together with three volumes of caricatures and sketches.

Papers of R P Smith comprising artworks including a sketch book containing pencil sketches and watercolours, (some incomplete) including images of the pleasure boat of the Rajah of Jehore; humorous cartoon; Knockholt House, Knockholt, Kent; Hobson's Bay, Victoria; Sir Walter Scott's Memorial, Edinburgh; Stirling Castle; Rumbling Bridge, Dunkeld; Loch Lomond; hand-coloured maps of the Western Hemisphere signed Percy Smith, Enfield, 1865; and Denmark, signed by Robert Percy Smith, Jun 1864;
loose watercolours depicting a woman in peasant costume; cottage and pond in winter, ship on the rocks, [1869];
Royal Medico-Psychological Association Presidential Medal, 1904-1905. `

Letters written by James Smetham, 1853-1877, mainly to William Davies, concerning his work, schemes to raise money and his religious beliefs. Smetham called his letters "ventilators" and they often took the form of handmade notebooks with their contents resembling diaries or commonplace books. Other correspondents include Rev Thomas Akroyd, Quintin Hogg (1845-1903), Charles Mansford, Charles Gabriel Dante Rossetti (1828-1882), John Ruskin (1819-1900) and Frederic James Shields (1833-1911). Also letters to Sarah Smetham, his widow, from William Davies, 1889-1895.

Watercolours and sketches of the North West Frontier Province, India, 1909-1913, by an unknown artist. Views of Himalayan landscapes, forts and outposts including the Landi Kotal Camp, Khargali [Kargil] Heights, Michni Kandao Post, Kabul River, Fort Jamrud, Khyber Pass, Suru fort and Matanni; views of towns, streets and bridges including Sumbal, Bihara, Sopor and the Mar Canal in Srinagar; views of ruins including Takht (Takht-i-Bahi) from the Dal Lake and the Sun Temple, Martand; and landscapes including the Swat River from the Landakai Ridge and the Lower Tochi Valley.

Papers of Evelyn Margaret Shaxson comprising manuscript volume of lecture notes, with diagrams on Anatomy and Physiology, Mar-Apr 1925, also including loose copies of examination question papers, 1925; notebook containing water colour paintings of flowers, each named with a note where seen [1920s].

Papers of Elizabeth Scott-Moore, comprising correspondence, working papers, scrapbooks and photographs, 1920s-1990s.

Papers relating to Kurt Schwitters, [1919-1993], comprising catalogues of exhibitions of Schwitters' work, largely in Britain and Germany, 1961-1986; invitations to exhibitions, 1963, 1985; pamphlets concerning Schwitters, 1948-1986; press cuttings relating to Schwitters and his work, 1985-1999; recording of Schwitters reading his poem 'An Anna Blume' and 'Die Sonatein Urlauten', 1943; Lord's Gallery exhibition catalogue, 1958; Private view invitations, Lord's Gallery Exhibition, 1958;
coloured getochromes by Schwitters, including from exhibitions, 1919-[1980]; photographs of Schwitters' work from exhibitions in Europe, 1944-1963, including from Lord's Gallery exhibition, 1958;
invoices, letters and price lists relating to exhibitions, 1958-1960; correspondence with Abbot Hall Art Gallery and Museum concerning Schwitters' work, 1993.

Papers relating to Sanders' life and military career, 1911-1966, including five letters of appreciation, 1911-1927, mostly relating to Sanders' work as Superintendent, Army Remount Service, No 3 Depot, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, 1914-1920, notably typescript letter from Gen Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, 3 Jun 1918; manuscript letter to Sanders from Lt Gen Adrian Carton de Wiart, from Rome, Italy, relating to his capture and imprisonment by Italian forces, 10 Aug 1941; painting of final mounted parade, 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards, Edinburgh, 15 Aug 1938; edition of Wandsworth Borough News, with photograph and article on the 28 Bn, (Wandsworth), County of London, Home Guard, commanded by Sanders, 26 Sep 1941.

Five letters of John Ruskin to the Rev Walter Lucas Brown on watercolour painting; letter to Miss Brown.

Records of the Royal Watercolour Society and its predecessors including:

minutes and proceeding of the Society associated for the purpose of establishing an annual exhibition of paintings in water colours 1804-1808; the Society of Painters in Water Colours 1908-1812; the Society of Painters in Oil and Water Colours 1812-1820; and the Society of Painters in Water Colours 1820-2003;

proceedings of the committees, 1805-1896; minutes of the Council, 1896-1989; and correspondence 1938-1975;

administrative papers including laws and regulations, correspondence, deeds, leases, licences, plans, signature collections, menus, photographs, 1823-1980; annual reports 1897-1955; calendar 1939-1959;

letter books 1896-1942;

financial records 1805-1978;

catalogues of exhibitions 1805-1990; catalogues of non-members exhibitions 1939-1968; London Salon of Photography exhibitions, 1935-1972; Society of Portrait Sculptors, 1958-1967; Society of Miniaturists 1943-1970;

Jenkins Papers comprising106 files on individual artists collected by John Joseph Jenkins, containing obituaries, letters, memoranda, catalogues, printed papers, cuttings, and notes;

miscellaneous volumes comprising of laws and rules of the society 1804-1842; photographs of Presidents, Honorary Members, Members and Associates of the Society, c1863; membership book 1878-1985; register of candidates 1904-1967; exhibition statistics 1914-1951; admission revenues 1926-1937; General meeting attendance books, 1895-1923; Council attendance book1908-1968; library catalogue 1885-1890s; inventories of furniture, fittings and works of art 1885-1906; list of members of the first exhibition 1805; private view list 1900-1910; register of visitors 1904-1905; stationary standard books 1901-1938; parcel books 1902-1937; annual dinner invitation lists 1904-1914; Treasurer's reports to Council 1885-1889; Social Evenings Committee minutes 1885; Sub-Committee on the Law of Copyright minutes 1896-1902; agendas 1898-1952; private view signatures 1927-1978;

press cuttings books 1880-1974;

sales records comprising sales books, 1825-1981; artists and buyers daily accounts 1897-1956; ledgers 1897-1937;

Peter De Wint Trust Fund records comprising minutes 1924-1976;
correspondence and papers 1922-1969; financial records 1922-1982;

Art Club minutes and papers 1884-1984; attendance book 1912-1953; letter book 1906-1909; financial records 1884-1976; register of subscriptions, 1931-1936; sales day book, 1959-1984; annual reports, 1936-1938; correspondence 1936-1986; catalogues of exhibitions, 1886-1984 including exhibitions held jointly with the Society of Miniaturists, 1971-1983; membership lists and rules, 1884-1939;

Old Water-Colour Society Club records comprising minutes 1923-1971; draft constitution and rules 1923; correspondence 1937-1985; printed papers and ephemera 1924-1972; financial records 1939-1970; annual dinner menus 1928-1939; plans of table 1926-1939;

John Joseph Jenkins' personal papers including personal letters 1846-1875; notes 1833-1834; society papers 1810-1884; newspaper cutting 1852-1884; miscellaneous papers on artists, 1815-1880; and papers relating to the Society's history 1804-1884;

Items given to the RWS comprising illuminated coat of arms, 1931; miscellaneous letters 1804-1946; papers of Sir Ernest A Waterlow, 1898-1913; sketchbook of Alfred Parsons 1880-1918; Thomas Rooke's memoir of the RWS and its members 1926; sketch, photograph and letters of Roland Bachelor 1979-1980.

Artist files containing cuttings, articles and related papers on members of the RWS (24 boxes); and Artist photographs - collection of photographs of members of the RWS 1852/3- (3 boxes).

Records of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, including minute books, agreements, rules, acceptances of membership, papers relating to annual dinners, press cuttings, and annual exhibiton catalogues. Please note that access to the collection is by written permission from the depositors only.

Records of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers comprising:

Council minutes 1880-1954, 1855-1986; rules and regulations 1888-1927; reports from Council to the Annual General Meeting 1883-1925; reports of Annual General Meeting proceedings 1888-1978; financial records 1881-1954; newspaper cuttings book 1889-1910, 1933-1946; exhibitions registers 1889-1962, 1968-1983; sales books 1890-1942, 1955-1968; sales file 1969-1983; register of names and address 1900-1920; roll of candidates 1920-1933; council signatures 1890-1910, 1920-1960; correspondence between Seymour Haden and the Print Sellers Association 1877-1884; papers for society elections 1963-1978; general correspondence 1880-1989; lists of Diploma Etchings 1882-1891; scrapbooks, 1898, 1894; lists of contributors to exhibitions 1881-1887; prospectus 1881 (also in French and German); photographs of Haden [1902]; photos of exhibition galleries 1909; printed monographs of Haden 1880-1902; papers and correspondence relating to the dispute over the RE charter 1905-1906; files relating to Haden's will 1908;

Catalogues of exhibitions 1881-1990, including annual exhibitions, open exhibitions and various visiting exhibitions;

Joseph Webb Memorial Fund minute book 1922-1981; correspondence 1964-1972; competition papers 1972-1979; and ledger 1965-1976;

Print Collector's Club records including minutes 1921-1991; sale book for Print Collectors Club publications 1939-1955; financial records 1928-1942, 1972-1983; correspondence 1921-1938, 1962-1974; Annual General Meeting reports and drafts 1922-1939; pamphlets for demonstrations of etching, mezzotint, wood-cutting and wood-engraving, acquatint, lithography, line engraving and dry point, 1922-1957; publicity materials 1933-1988; and rule book 1921;

Personal papers collections of Sir Frank Short, c1905-1924 (see separate description); Nathaniel Sparks 1916-1923 (see separate description); Thomas Lupton 1827-1854; and John Landseer [1804].

miscellaneous drawing of Frederick Goulding by James Tissot;

and collection of tools used by Seymour Haden presented to the society by his family.

Archive, 1754 to date, of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA; formerly the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, or Society of Arts), created by the Society in the course of its activities, and comprising records of its administration (Ref: AD), and records of its activities and events (Ref: PR), also including some printed material dating back to 1634.

Administrative records of the Society include:

Records of Miscellaneous Committees to discuss the programme and administration of the Society, including the Committee of Correspondence and Papers and the Committee of Miscellaneous Matters, 1754-1848 (Ref: AD.MA/104).
Records of the Society from 1754, later the Council (established 1845) (Ref: AD.MA/100).

Records concerning Chairmen of Council (from 1846) and Council membership (Ref: AD.MA/102).

Records of Secretaries (administrative head of the Society), after 1994 known as the Director (Ref: AD.MA/101).

Records of Presidents (Ref: AD.MA/103).

Records of Membership/Fellowship, relating to subscribers to the Society, originally termed 'members', referred to as 'Fellows' from 1908 (Ref: AD.MA/900). (The archive does not include extensive biographical information on RSA Fellows, although dates of membership of Fellows are usually recorded.)
Records concerning the Society's House in John Adam Street from its design and construction by the Adam Brothers, including correspondence, papers, notes, leases and other legal documents, relating to administration, management, alteration and repair of the building (Ref: AD.MA/300).

Records of various House Committees set up at different times to look at the building, its use, function, administration and management (Ref: AD.MA/305).

Accounting and financial records produced by various committees including the Accounts Committee and Finance and General Purposes Committee (Ref: AD.MA/400).

Annual Reports recording the Society's activities over the year, initially within the Journal (from 1852), but later as a separate publication (Ref: AD.MA/701).

Records relating to general lectures (developed from the 1850s when the Society ceased the award of premiums for inventions), with correspondence mainly concerning administrative arrangements for speakers and publication of their texts (in the RSA Journal) and suggestions for topics for discussion (Ref: AD.MA/800).

Records relating to the RSA Silver Medal awarded annually for the most interesting lecture over the preceding year (Ref: AD.MA/803).

Records relating to production of the Journal and other publicity, promotion and communication (Ref: AD.MA/203).

Donations and collections, comprising objects and artefacts donated to or bought by the Society (Ref: AD.MA/204).

Records of the Society's activities (such as award schemes, exhibitions, conferences, seminars and lectures), including joint initiatives with a range of other organisations, include:

Guard Books (30 volumes), 1754-1770, containing correspondence and papers about all Society activities and committees, on a range of subjects (Ref: PR.GE/110).

Manuscript versions of the Society's Transactions, comprising draft versions of the printed Transactions, including drawings, plans and diagrams in support of claims for premiums and awards. Also general correspondence to the Society on various 19th century campaigns, conferences and committees, covering subjects including lectures (arrangements for dates, speakers, chairmen, participants; suggestions for subjects, submission of lecture texts, corrections to texts, requests for tickets/programmes, acceptances, apologies for non-attendance etc), examinations (requests for syllabus, copies of certificates, programmes, rules; complaints, arrangements, agreements with colleges, details of examiners etc), membership (requests for information, applications, replies to circulars, notes accompanying subscriptions, resignations, complaints), Council/committee chairmen (intention to attend meetings, acceptances, general arrangements for meetings, requests for information, dates, times etc), Journal (receipt/non-receipt of copies, reciprocal arrangements with other libraries, requests for extra copies, corrections to proofs, advertising, arrangements for making blocks, photogravures etc), House (letters from freeholders, solicitors, contractors; booking of rooms), staff (applications for employment, testimonials, sick notes etc - a very small number of items), general (invitations, letters from bankers, auditors, business circulars, requests for funding, suggestions for campaigns, policies, events etc), and including artistic copyright, uniform musical pitch, domestic economy, art workmanship, musical training, food committees, patent law reform, prevention of fires in theatres and education exhibitions (Ref: PR.GE/118-19, 121).

Records relating to Premium and Programme committees (Ref: PR.GE/112); Albert Medal (founded 1863) (Ref: PR.GE/101); Memorial Tablet (blue plaque) scheme (founded 1866) (PR.GE/122); War Memorials Advisory Council (established 1944, disbanded 1948), concerning memorials of the Second World War (Ref: PR.GE/117); Exhibition of Exhibitions (1951), concurrent with the Festival of Britain, to commemorate earlier ground-breaking Society exhibitions on contemporary art (1760), industrial design (1847-1850), photography (1852), industry (1761), and the first international exhibition (1851) (Ref: PR.GE/102); R B Bennett Commonwealth Prize (endowed 1944) for outstanding contribution to the promotion of the arts, agriculture, industries and commerce of the Overseas Empire (Ref: PR.GE/116); Commonwealth Committee (Ref: PR.GE/113); proposals and planning for the Festival of Britain (1951) (Ref: PR.GE/103); events for the RSA Bicentenary (1954) (Ref: PR.GE/107); Benjamin Franklin Medal (instituted 1956) (Ref: PR.GE/100); Trusts, bequests, fundraising and development (Ref: PR.GE/111).

Records relating to manufacture and commerce, including the Paris Exhibitions (1844-1900) (Ref: PR.MC/109); Great Exhibition (1851) (Ref: PR.MC/107); International Exhibition (1862) (Ref: PR.MC/108); Chicago Exhibition (World's Columbian Exposition, 1893), British Section (Ref: PR.MC/112); Industry Year/Industry Matters (1986) (Ref: PR.MC/100); Tomorrow's Company (begun 1994), concerning the role of business in a changing world (Ref: PR.MC/115); Redefining Work (launched 1995) (Ref: PR.MC/116); Forum for Ethics in the Workplace (1997) (Ref: PR.MC/117); Manufacturing, Wealth Creation and the Economy (1998) (Ref: PR.MC/118).

Records of subject-based standing committees set up by the Society from 1754 to judge awards and premiums in particular areas, including minutes and correspondence about awards and attendance at and structure of committees: Agriculture (Ref: PR.MC/103), Chemistry (Ref: PR.MC/105), Colonies and Trade (Ref: PR.MC/104), Manufactures (Ref: PR.MC/102), Mechanics (Ref: PR.MC/101), and Polite Arts - including prints, drawings and other artwork submitted for award (Ref: PR.AR/103).

Records relating to fine and applied arts, including exhibition of works of Ancient and Medieval Art (1847-1850) (Ref: PR.AR/105); exhibition of the works of William Etty and William Mulready (1848-1849), including general correspondence, printed matter, catalogues, press cuttings, tickets and notices about mounting of exhibitions, and attendance (Ref: PR.AR/112); British Art in Industry Exhibition (1935) to publicise good design in articles of everyday use (Ref: PR.AR/101); Humorous Art Exhibition (1949-1950) (Ref: PR.AR/100); Art for Architecture scheme (from 1990), aiming to enhance the urban environment by encouraging cross disciplinary approaches to building and landscape projects, and associated with the Jerwood Art for Architecture Award (introduced 1994) (Ref: PR.AR/110); Shakespeare in Schools (begun 1992), a pilot project to introduce Shakespeare to children (Ref: PR.AR/108).

Records relating to promotion of design, including the Design Bursaries Board, Design Committee, the Design Board, Design Advisory Group and Design Section (Ref: PR.DE/106-7); Industrial Art Bursaries Competition (started 1924), succeeded by the Design Bursaries Competition, Competition of Industrial Designs and Student Design Awards (Ref: PR.DE/100); Royal Designers for Industry (RDI) scheme (created 1936) to encourage a high standard of industrial design (Ref: PR.DE/101); Bicentenary Medal (instituted 1954) for exceptional influence in promoting art and design in British industry (Ref: PR.DE/102); Presidential Awards for Design Management (instituted 1964) to recognise outstanding design policy (Ref: PR.DE/105).
Records relating to education, including the RSA Examinations Board (PR.ED/100); the Education for Capability programme (initiated 1979) to counteract academic bias in British education and promote practical, organising and co-operative skills (Ref: PR.ED/107); the future of Technological Higher Education in Britain (1982), a study group to consider the problems facing Britain in the development of technological higher education (Ref: PR.ED/118); Home-School links (from 1988) (Ref: PR.ED/108); Parents in a Learning Society, a development project to involve parents in education and assess home-school work (Ref: PR.ED/104); the National Advisory Council for Careers and Educational Guidance (established 1994), to promote and advise on provision of guidance for learning and work (Ref: PR.ED/103); Education Futures (2000) (Ref: PR.ED/116).

Records relating to the environment, including the Campaign for the Preservation of Ancient Cottages (begun 1926) to protect cottage architecture, establishing a fund which purchased or restored cottages near Worthing, at Bibury, Gloucestershire, West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, Chiddingstone, Kent, and elsewhere (Ref: PR.EN/100); three 'Countryside in 1970' Conferences (1963-1970) (Ref: PR.EN/104); Environment Committee (formed 1971) to identify and anticipate major environmental problems and provide a forum for discussion (Ref: PR.EN/107), which began the Pollution Abatement Technology Award Scheme (PATAS) (1983-1986) (Ref: PR.EN/103), succeeded by the Better Environment for Industry/European Better Environment Awards for Industry (BEAFI/EBEAFI) (1987-1991) (Ref: PR.EN/101); the Environment Committee's sub-committee the RSA-Cubitt Trust Panel (to 1991), devoted to the built environment and working with the Cubitt Trust to convene conferences, seminars and an annual Cubitt Lecture (Ref: PR.EN/106); After the Earth Summit - What Next? (1992) (Ref: PR.EN/128); RSA Environmental Management Awards (begun 1993) (Ref: PR.EN/102).

The Early Library (Ref: SC/EL/1-5), comprising c500 printed works collected by the Society before 1830, including journals and periodicals, and c300 pamphlets and tracts covering broad-ranging topics relating to premiums and awards of the various sectional committees (Agriculture, Polite Arts, Chemistry, Manufactures, Mechanics, and Colonies and Trade), and including extracts from proceedings of other societies and learned institutions.

Photographic record of student work completed at the Royal College of Art, 1949-ongoing, including c5000 prints, 1949-1980s, c25,000 slides, 1961-2002, and upwards of 25,000 digital images, 2003-ongoing. The majority of images are installation shots of individual student works across all departments, including Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Sculpture, Ceramics and Glass, GoldsmithingSilversmithing Metalwork and Jewellery, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interaction Design, Furniture, Design Products, Architecture, Vehicle Design and Textiles. Work exhibited in the Fashion (catwalk and static) shows and final-year exhibitions staged by Curating Contemporary Art students are also included.

Papers of Sir Hugh Mallinson Rigby, 1904-1927, comprising cases notes, correspondence, watercolour illustrations and photographs relating to patients with gall bladder diseases, 1910-1926; case notes, correspondence and illustrations relating to patients with arterial surgery and arterio-venous aneurism, 1915-1924; and case notes, correspondence, illustrations, photographs, radiographs and X-rays of various medical cases, mostly from the London Hospital, 1904-1927.

Papers, 1835-c1975, of and relating to the Rev Thomas Pyne, comprising correspondence and accounts, 1839-1845 and undated, documenting Pyne's guardianship of (John) Ossoo Ansah and (William) Quanti Massah in England (1840), associated expenses, and aspects of their trip including invitations to dinner, entrance permits to London Zoo and to George Heriot's Hospital [School], Edinburgh, undated plan of a breakwater, Falmouth(?), undated print of Brighton Pavilion and other ephemera relating to places visited, photographs of paintings of the princes, and various visiting cards; other correspondence and papers of Pyne, 1835-1873 and undated, including printed Thanksgiving sermon preached at St Peter's Church, New York, including anti-slavery sentiments, 1835, pamphlets by Pyne on peace, 1844 and undated, and astronomy, 1852, a letter from L'Institut d'Afrique to Pyne concerning honorary membership, 1843, miscellaneous pamphlets relating to African affairs, and a photograph of Pyne, 1870; correspondence, notes, transcripts from original documents, and other papers, 1950-1953, c1975 and undated, concerning Pyne and his papers, and the two princes, including their portraits.

Collection of photographs of public sculptures including statues, reliefs, fountains and murals in locations including schools, housing estates and old people's homes.

Portraits, mostly of Members of the Geological Society of London, 1792-2011, comprising of oil paintings, portrait busts, prints and drawings and sculptures of individuals notably including:

Mary Anning; William Babington; James Scott Bowerbank; William Buckland; Thomas Henry De la Beche; Hugh Falconer; Archibald Geikie; George Bellas Greenough; Henry Thomas Huxley; Charles Lyell; John MacCulloch; Gideon Mantell; Roderick Impey Murchison; William Pengelly; John Phillips; Joseph Prestwich; Andrew Crombie Ramsay; Adam Sedgwick; William Smith; Abraham Gottlob Werner; Henry Woodward.

Also 1,042 black and white photographs of Fellows who were chiefly active between the 1850s and 1920s, including Foreign Members and Correspondents; images of groups, notably a meeting of 'The British Association at Newcastle in 1838' and 'Discussion on the Piltdown Skull', 1915; images of Presidents of the Society, 1833-2011; images of winners of medals and funds, 1947, 1980-2003; images of staff of the Geological Society, 1863-1997.

Photographs and pictures of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 1633-2001. The majority of photographs depict the membership and social history of the College and include presidential portraits and photographs of Fellows and Members, prominent obstetricians and gynaecologists, visitors to the College, meetings and study groups. There is also a class of photographs of College buildings. Donated and deposited material also includes photographs and slides of clinical disorders and specimens.

Records comprise portraits, pictures and other memorabilia relating to William Blair-Bell, 1920-1996; presidential portraits, 1927-1995; portraits of Fellows, 1935-1991; photographs of Honorary Fellows, 1921-1997; photographs of annual dinners, 1931-1954, 1998; photographs of admission ceremonies, 1931-1992; College buildings, 1930-1991; Royal visits, 1931-1990; Council and officers, 1934-1992; photographs of meetings, members and artefacts of the Gynaecological Visiting Society, 1911-1973; British congresses of obstetrics and gynaecology, 1933-1999; photographs of overseas groups and other photographs relating to the profession overseas, 1935-1997; RCOG study groups and educational courses, 1979-1995; photographs and paintings donated to the College by Professor Preston Maxwell, 1898-1935; presentations, awards and lectures, 1949-1995; Strachan collection of portraits of eminent medical men, c1693-c1847; ceremonial and related paraphernalia and artefacts and gifts to the College, 1931-1992; miscellaneous photographs relating to the history of the College and of obstetrics and gynaecology, 1929-1999; decorative pictures, 1633-1957; photographs of pathological subjects transferred from the College Museum, 1950s-1978; photographs and drawings presented to the College by Professor John Chassar Moir, 1932-1957; photographs of eminent medical men collected by Sir Anthony Alment, transferred from the College Library, 1921; photographs and memorabilia relating to Sir Norman Jeffcoate, 1946-1975;

undated portrait photographs of eminent medical persons; Donald Whatley Roy photographs donated to the College Archives by A D Roy, 1903-1935;

collection of miscellaneous photographs transferred from the College Library, undated.

The photographs in this collection cover areas of Peri's work between 1920 and 1966. They include images of his early constructivist work, bronze figurines, cement sculptures and pictures of the artist at work. The drawings and sketches are mainly of people in a variety of simple poses, but are all undated. The correspondence refers to possible commissions for the London County Council, 1958 and an exhibition of his work at St. Pancras Public Library, 1963.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS COLLECTION IS NOW HELD BY THE EAST SUSSEX RECORD OFFICE

Papers and designs of Peggy Angus, comprising: Business papers and reference material including correspondence, Angus trade cards, Carter tile catalogues, sketch books and photographs of tiles, painted murals and wallpapers in situ. Printed ephemera, comprising cards (postcards, cigarette cards, greetings, advertising cards); booklets (programmes, guidebooks, exhibition catalogues, leaflets, maps); loose papers (handbills, cuttings, calendars, bookplates, posters). Design examples by Angus and others, including oil paintings, prints, collages; wallpapers and wallpaper samples; tiles and floor designs.

Collection of papers of and relating to Samuel Palmer, 1829-1944, comprising note to George Richmond concerning works seen in London, 1872; typescript copies of letters to various correspondents, 1870-1880, relating to the printing of his plates, advice on choosing prints; letters from John Linnell (Palmer's father-in-law), concerning retouching a picture, 1829, invitation to visit, 1858; letter relating to Samuel Palmer's financial affairs, 1845; correspondence between Alfred Herbert Palmer and Martin Hardie (some copies), [1922-1930], concerning selling A H Palmer's collection of his father's works and Linnell's papers; correspondence and notes of Geoffrey Grigson, including with Martin Hardie, 1922-1923, concerning A H Palmer's collection of his father's drawings; with the owner of a Palmer work, 1944; memoirs of Isabelle Linnell, relating to her grandfather John Linnell and Samuel Palmer compiled by Geoffrey Grigson, undated; correspondence between Isabelle Linnell and A H Palmer; copy of painting notes by Samuel Palmer, [1844]; catalogues of exhibitions of Samuel Palmer's work, 1927, 1928; article by Grigson on Samuel Palmer, 1941; sale catalogues of works by George Richmond, 1897.

Papers of Lady Caroline Amelia Owen, c 1790-1835, comprising a letter from Joanna Baillie, 1831, including a transcript of a sonnet by William Wordsworth; a watercolour sketch of Keeper's House, Hyde Park, c 1790; a watercolour of execution dock, by William Clift, 1816; a pen and ink sketch of the opening of the theatre at the Royal College of Surgeons, by William Clift; a sketch of Caroline Clift by her father; a pencil portrait of Eugenius Roche, by William Home Clift, 1824; a printed caricature of Richard Owen lecturing, by Richard Doyle; a volume titled Select Sentences or a Collection of Moral Precepts by John Gregor, 1792; a pencil drawing of three pigs by 'R H'; a pen and ink sketch showing Oxford Street with placards referring to Owen's researches, by Robert Lee; an unfinished watercolour titled 'Sketch of church and castle, Lancaster, from my mother's house (the procession of the judges was to have filled the foreground)', by Richard Owen, 1835; a volume of French verse titled Envoi a Caroline by Eugenius Roche, 1829; a flyer for Mr Mears' Benefit at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, 25 Jun 1839; and a list of 'books consulted in the progress of the catalogue of the Gallery'.

They consist of eleven log books, the first of which was written by Osborn as a Mate, with the rest by him as Master. Ranging between 1853 to 1875, they span the majority of Osborn's career at sea. As well as containing the standard information one would expect, ( bearings, weather details, journal entries, etc), the logs also contain nearly 100 drawings and sketches in ink, pencil and watercolour of various ships, coastline profiles, sea-birds, etc.

Notebooks of Emilia Noel, comprising 57 travel journals, 1892-1937, together with a manuscript volume of 'Indian Notes' and two small notebooks with named specimens of seaweeds and British mosses. Journals are quarto manuscript or typescript with many small watercolours, photographs, picture postcards, etc, within the text - they cover Noel's travels throughout the world.

Visitors' book and list of titles (with Russian titles translated) exhibited at National Book League exhibition entitled "Art books from the Soviet Union", 1978

Letters and cards written by Iris Murdoch to artist Rachel Fenner from 1964 onwards. Murdoch taught Fenner at the Royal College of Art and they remained friends afterwards. Topics covered in their correspondence includes Fenner's studies and later work, Murdoch's work, their travels, arranging meetings, and general family news. There are over 300 letters in total.