Furniture History Society: records

Minute books (1964 - 1998); Furniture history (1965 - 2000); Furniture history society newsletter (1965 - 2000); papers and correspondence relating to Furniture history (1972 - 1992); editor's papers (1974 - 1997); foreign tours (1976 - 2000); rejected articles (1977 - 1984); Dictionary of English furniture-makers 1660-1843 newsletter project (1979 - 1983); council correspondence (1984 - 1986); annual reports (1986 -2000); pending and rejected articles for Furniture history (1987); Hon. Secretary's general correspondence (1989 - 2000); Hon. Secretary's correspondence with council members (1989 -1993); council papers (1989 - 2000); proposed publicity leaflet (1990 -1991); Hon. Secretary's correspondence on behalf of the council (1990 -1993); finished projects, papers (1990 -1999); papers relating to the Ingram Fund (1991 - 1994); correspondence with council members (1992); name and address list of council/committee members (1992 - 1999); articles and ideas for Furniture history (1993 -1994); correspondence with contributors to 1995 issue of Furniture history (1993 - 1995); minutes of the activities committee (1993 - 1999); Furniture History Society visits (1994 - 1995); permission to reproduce photographs (1995 -1996); formation of FHS Australia (1995 - 1997); list of officers 1964 - 2001 (2001); Furniture History Society leaflets and flyers (undated); papers relating to study weekends and activities (undated).

The Furniture History Society was founded in 1964 to study furniture of all periods, places and kinds, to increase knowledge and appreciation of it, and to assist in the preservation of furniture and related records. In its first year it had 333 members, 285 in Great Britain and 48 abroad, with the membership becoming increasingly international. The Society's interests included furniture; its patrons, design, manufacture and arrangement; interior decoration and planning; the social and economic background; and relevant aspects of the history of architecture, textiles and metalwork.

Since 1965 the Society's journal, Furniture history , has been issued annually to members and the Furniture history society newsletter has been published quarterly. The Society has also published special volumes for sale both to its members and to the public: these include The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840 , edited by Geoffrey Beard and Christopher Gilbert, 1986; Printed Furniture Designs Before 1650 , by Simon Jervis, 1974; and Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture by Christopher Gilbert, 1996. Other activities have included an annual symposium, lecture and foreign tour; study weekends; conferences; and visits.

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 the material may be restricted. These are noted in the catalogue where relevant.

Given by the Furniture History Society, 2000

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