Designer Bookbinders : records

Scope and Content

Minutes, papers and correspondence relating to the Designer Bookbinders (1953 - 1980); Minutes and papers of the AGM of the Designer Bookbinders (1969 - 1990); correspondence and papers of E.P. Womersley, secretary (1955 - 1969); papers of Trevor Jones, president (1983 - 1985); papers of James Brockman, president (1985 - 1987); papers of Faith Shannon, president (1987 - 1989); papers of Angela James, president (1990 - 1996); exhibition files, including correspondence (1955 - 1994); Thomas Harrison Memorial Bookbinding Competition records, including programmes, minutes, correspondence, press cuttings, entry forms, leaflets, reports, designs for posters (1957 - 1998); publications including stationary samples (undated), Designer Bookbinders Newsletter, volumes 1-119 (1975 - 2002), membership forms; Designer Bookbinders Review (1973 - 1979); exhibition catalogues (1955 - 1994); Directories of Fellows and Members (1969 - 1983); list of members (1974 - 2001); The New Bookbinder, correspondence and papers (1980 - 1995); international journals relating to bookbinding (1958 - 1984); plates of designs (undated); exhibition visitors books (1955 - 1984); ephemera (1980s); master classes, papers and correspondence (1983 - 1986); posters (1976 - 1997).

Administrative / Biographical History

Designer Bookbinders is the leading body for promoting the art and craft of contemporary hand binding. Founded in 1955 as the Guild of Contemporary Bookbinders, "a society devoted to the maintenance and improvement of standards of design and craft in hand bookbinding by means of exhibitions, teaching and publications". Adopted a new constitution and renamed as Designer Bookbinders in 1968. An exhibition was held at the V&A in 1972.

Access Information

This archive collection is available for consultation in the V&A Study Rooms by appointment only. Full details of access arrangements may be found here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/archives/.

Access to some of these materials may be restricted. These are noted in the catalogue where relevant.

Acquisition Information

Given by Designer Bookbinders, 2003

Conditions Governing Use

Information on copying and commercial reproduction may be found here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/archives/.

Corporate Names