Alan Bell's Bernard Leach collection

This material is held atCrafts Study Centre Archives, University for the Creative Arts

Reference
- GB 2941 ABL
Dates of Creation
- 1903 - 2003
Name of Creator
- Bell Alan fl 1979
Language of Material
- English Japanese
Physical Description
- 1 box 1 oversize box 2 Timecare boxes

Scope and Content

Alan Bell's collection of material about, and created by, Bernard Leach: early sketch book, dating back to 1903, and 2 later sketch books (1950s and 1960s); many loose sketches, drawings and etchings; 3 oil paintings (2 on the same board); photographs and cuttings, [1925]-1999; books and other souvenirs which belonged to BL, including a catalogue on which sketches have been drawn; souvenirs of Japan and of friends in Japan; books by and about Leach, 1961-2003, which appear to have been collected together by Alan Bell; books and other souvenirs which belonged to Leach; and a pottery plaque with image of BL

Administrative / Biographical History

Alan Bell was secretary to the potter Bernard Leach from 1975 to 1979, and Leach gave him many gifts of drawings and other items which could be sold for a good sum of money. However, Bell did not sell any, but kept them, together with photographs, cuttings and books, in a collection which he left to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Ba'hai of the United Kingdom.

Arrangement

ABL/1 Sketch books
ABL/2 Drawings and paintings
ABL/3 Photographs, cuttings and other memorabilia
ABL/4 Writings by BL
ABL/5 Books and magazines by and about Bernard Leach
ABL/6 Bernard Leach's books and other souvenirs