Sixty letters from T.M. Heron, Managing Director, and fifteen from P.T. Davies, Director, Cresta Silks Ltd, to Paul Nash.

This material is held atTate Archive

  • Reference
    • GB 70 TGA 7050/476-562
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1929 - 1934
  • Physical Description
    • 2 files

Scope and Content

Regarding Nash's designs for their fabrics. The letters concern minute details regarding the size, colours and advertising of the Paul Nash designs, his terms and royalties, printing difficulties and business troubles. The designs were named 'Cherry Orchard' (sometimes 'Tree'), 'Phalanx', 'Terminus', 'Pitcher', 'Polka' and 'Ribbon'. Examples of Cherry Orchard and Pahalanx are at TGA 7050/505,510 and 560(ii) and TGA 7050/560(iii) respectively. Draft agreements between Paul Nash and Cresta are at TGA 7050/527, 538, 547 and 553-554. After two years of difficulties printing the designs in colours Paul Nash approved of, he agreed Cresta could have more control over the choice of colours to enable the fabrics to be produced more rapidly, see TGA 7050/535 and 537. From April 1933 Margaret Nash took over Paul's business affairs due to his ill health, and there are two draft letters from Margaret concerning the contract between Paul Nash and Cresta, royalites and the free use of a design to help Cresta out of financial difficulties, see TGA 7050/550 and TGA 7050/552. Printing difficulties were mainly related to Swaislands Fabric Printing Company, and there is one letter from its Director Mr. Baker, TGA 7050/480. The collection also includes royalty statements, examples of adverts and notes by Paul and Margaret regarding the demise of communication between the Nash's and Cresta, TGA 7050/562.