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Anthony Gardner and Mary Parker Letters

 Collection
Identifier: Anthony Gardner and Mary Parker letters

Scope and Contents

The Anthony Gardner and Mary Parker letters contain 74 pieces of correspondence between Anthony Gardner at Chiddingfold, Surrey, England, and Elizabeth Van der Hoek of Pomfret, Connecticut. These letters reveal the personal and political side of artist Anthony Gardner, ranging from his views on twentieth century America to his abhorrence of contemporary technology, such as airplanes and television. Additionally, some of Gardner's artistic talents are on display since the letters are written in an elegant calligraphic hand employing coloured inks and graced by occasional drawings.

Dates

  • Creation: 1956 - 1972

Biographical / Historical

Anthony Gardner (1887-1973) was born in Essex, England in 1887. Little information is known about his early life. He took up bookbinding as a hobby in 1937. Following his retirement as Chief Structural Engineer in the Ministry of Works in 1953, he began a one-person bookbinding and restoration firm. Gardner approached this craft with his own unique style. Every job presented a distinct challenge to Gardner, who viewed each book as "an individual, almost as a character with a soul of its own". In order to share his love of bookbinding, he offered classes at the West Surrey College of Art and the King Edwards School. In addition, he was a self-taught engraver and calligrapher. Notable among the craftsmen of his time, Gardner employed a distinctive style of calligraphy, some of which he creatively incorporated into his bookbinding designs.

Extent

.25 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Title
Guide to the Anthony Gardner and Mary Parker letters
Status
In Progress
Author
Kyré William-Smith
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Watkinson Library - Archival Collections Repository

Contact:
Trinity College Library
300 Summit St.
Hartford Connecticut 06106