Ralph Lamprell, interior decorator: papers

Trade literature (1910 - 1993); album of linocuts produced for posters and the journal Landworker (1920s); correspondence and certificates (1923 - 1967); life drawings (1926); advertisements and contract lists for Drytone Joinery (1930s); albums relating to interior designs for Gaskell & Chambers Ltd, including designs and photographs (1950s - 1970s); drawings, plans and photographs relating to furniture, interior design schemes for Gaskell and Chambers, neon lighting and shop fittings (1950s - 1970s); lectures and reports relating to Gaskell & Chambers Ltd (1950s - 1970s); reference material for interior decoration (1950s - 1990s); curriculum vitae (ca. 1951); reference material (1956 - 1992); press cuttings (1969 - 1975); audio tape and transcript of an interview with Ralph Lamprell (1995); photocopy of photograph of Ralph Lamprell (undated); slides (undated).

Ralph Lamprell studied art in London, from 1924 to 1926, at both the Camberwell School of Arts & Crafts and the Central School of Arts & Crafts. In 1927 he joined the firm of Frederick Sage & Co. Ltd, a London shop fitters, as assistant designer. In 1932 he became a designer at Selfridges and then in 1933 a design representative for Drytone Joinery Ltd London. From 1936 to 1941 he worked as a technical representative for Gaskell & Chambers Ltd in Birmingham, which specialised in designing and fitting bar and hotel interiors. During the Second World War he was seconded to the firm of Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners, consultancy engineers to the Ministry of Supply and the Ministry of Works and Buildings, and then into the Royal Engineers. He served in India and Europe, reaching the rank of major. In 1948 he was demobilised and joined the firm of Kwikform Ltd, where he remained until 1951, when he was invited to return to Gaskell & Chambers Ltd with responsibility for both the design work and the costing, planning and production of bar and hotel interiors throughout the UK.

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.

Purchased from Ralph Lamprell, 1995.

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