Drawings of Charles Daniel Power, architect

Drawings of London theatre buildings, includes come cinema, music halls and opera houses. Most drawings are ground level plans, often accompanied by plans of other levels and occasional sections and elevations. Nearly all drawings by C.D. Power, mostly signed and dated by him. Some drawings have dates between 1902 and the early 1940s but many appear to be from the 1950s and 1960s, after his retirement. These drawings appear to be copies of originals submitted to the London County Council (where Power worked as an architect) as the safety and licensing authority.

Charles Daniel Power was born on 16 November 1882. When he left school he was apprenticed to Mr Blackburn of Queen Anne's Gate for three years. Once he qualified he worked in the Architects Department of the London County Council. At this time he was also a student at the Slade School of Art. In 1906 he went on a six month architectural tour of Italy, without pay, with Heaton Comyn, architect for the Drapers' Company. Following this trip he went on stage from 1907 to 1911, acting in drama, comedy and musical comedy. He then returned to work at London County Council until he volunteered for the Royal Engineers in January 1915. After the battle of the Somme he was sent back to England suffering from trench fever. When he retired at the age of 65 he began his hobby of drawing plans of London theatres and music halls. He died on 29 October 1965.

This material has been arranged alphabetically by name of the theatre.

This archive collection is available for consultation in the V&A Blythe House Archive and Library Study Room 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.

Purchase, 2002.

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

This collection was appraised in line with the collection management policy.

Plans offered for sale in 2002 and purchased by V&A.

No further accruals are expected.

Other plans from London County Council can be found at London Metropolitan Archives.