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The archive consists of the papers of Mary Eliza Haweis and family. It includes:

• Original correspondence and papers

45 original family letters, 1857-1961, including between Hugh Reginald Haweis and his parents, Mary Eliza Haweis and her husband, children and aunt; c. 25 drawings and poems by Mary Eliza Joy before her marriage, including designs for her monogram; Haweis family memorabilia.

• Bound volumes containing typescript transcriptions of letters and other writings from the period 1856 to 1900, collated by her son, Lionel Haweis, 1931-1941. The volumes also contain a small amount of original material, e.g. press cuttings, printed ephemera and letters. The commentary and annotations provided by Mary's sons Lionel and Stephen make these volumes more than mere copies, providing contextual personal information about their family life.

The records document Mary's childhood and her relationship with her unfaithful husband and her family. Although the collection does not contain many references to Mary's work or publications it provides an interesting insight into the private and domestic life of one of the key female figures in the development of interior design.