F.J. Mayers: Persian Square, Tracings and Roughs 6.6.68

'Package of Mayers Persian Designs (not catalogued)', typed on a label and stuck on the front of the folder. Majority of designs are pencil on tracing paper, with a number initialled 'F.J.M.' (Fred J. Mayers).

Frederick J Mayers (fl1915-1940) was a designer who worked for James Templeton & Co Ltd for over 20 years. However, he learned his trade elsewhere and built up his reputation before joining the company in his 'forties'. After working for a few years with a Kidderminster firm, he went to Paris to broaden his experience, and while studying there he worked as a free lance designer. Returning home, he established himself in Kidderminster as a public designer. His work became known to manufacturers outside the United Kingdom, and he was commisioned to do special work for a leading Garman carpet firm. It wasn't until 1915 that he joined Templetons, despite having sold his first design to the company when he was 20. Most of the time he was in charge of the London designing department, but he also spent some years at the factory in Glasgow. He took a wide and keen interest in decorative arts, including publishing the book Carpet Designs and Designing in 1934, which came to be regarded as the standard on the subject. He later remarked: "Certainly my work with the firm has been the pleasure of my life".