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Finding Aid for the Collection 1919-1989

Processed by Ashley Johnston. William Andrews Clark Memorial Library University of California, Los Angeles 2520 Cimarron Street Los Angeles, CA 90018 Phone: (323) 731-8529 Fax: (323) 731-8617 Email: [email protected] URL: http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/humnet/clarklib/ ©2010 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Finding Aid for the Robert Press Coll. Archives Gibbings 1 Gibbings Collection 1919-1989 Descriptive Summary Title: Robert Gibbings Collection, Date (inclusive): 1919-1989 Collection number: Press Coll. Archives Gibbings Creator: Gibbings, Robert, 1889-1958 Extent: 4.6 linear feet (3 boxes, 1 shelf of bound volumes) Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. William Andrews Clark Memorial Library Los Angeles, California 90095-1490 Abstract: This collection contains correspondence, artwork, bound manuscripts, ephemera, photographs and other materials by Robert Gibbings and related to his work. Physical location: Clark Library Language of Material: Collection materials in English Access Collection is open for research. Publication Rights Copyright has not been assigned to the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, UCLA. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Clark Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, UCLA as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained. Preferred Citation [Identification of item], Robert Gibbings Collection, Press Coll. Archives Gibbings, William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California, Los Angeles. Acquisition Information This collection, compiled over time by Joseph Kelly Vodrey, was purchased by the Clark Library in 1986 from Zeitlin & Ver Brugge. Processing History This collection was previously processed and described in a paper-based finding aid in the 1980s. From January to February 2010 portions of this collection were processed and this finding aid was written by Ashley Johnston. Biography Robert Gibbings (1889-1958) was an Irish author and artist best known for his wood engravings. He bought and ran the in , England from 1924-1933, when the stresses of the Great Depression forced him to sell the press. During and after World War II he wrote and illustrated several books on the landscape and natural history of various rivers (among them, 'Sweet Thames Run Softly', 'Going Down the Seine' and 'Lovely is the Lee') which resonated with readers concerned about the effect of war on the changing countrysides. Scope and Content This collection contains correspondence to and from Robert Gibbings's friends and colleagues, including , as well as ephemera and photographs related to his work. Artworks in this collection include copper engravings, wood engravings and drawings in pencil. Bound manuscripts include original paste-ups, notebooks, and early or unpublished drafts of books. There is also correspondence between Joseph Kelly Vodrey and booksellers regarding the compilation of this collection. Arrangement The collection is organized into the following series: Series 1. Correspondence and Ephemera, 1919-1989. 1 box (.42 linear feet) Series 2. Artworks and Proofs, 1921-1959. 1 oversize box (1.67 feet) Series 3. Bound Manuscripts, 1924-1958. 1 shelf of bound volumes (2.5 linear feet) Related Material Additional books by Robert Gibbings are held in the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library's Press Collection and can be found through the UCLA library catalog. Indexing Terms The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog. Subjects

Finding Aid for the Robert Press Coll. Archives Gibbings 2 Gibbings Collection 1919-1989 Vodrey, Joseph Kelly, 1905-1975. Correspondence--Ireland--20th century. Engravers--Irish--20th century. Ephemera--Ireland--20th century. Manuscripts, Irish--20th century.

Series 1. Correspondence and Ephemera 1919-1989 Physical Description: 1 box (.42 linear feet) Scope and Content Note This series contains personal and professional correspondence to and from friends and colleagues, as well as ephemera and photographs related to Robert Gibbings and his work. Also included is correspondence from Joseph Kelly Vodrey, the primary compiler of this collection, to booksellers showing how he built this collection. Arrangement The correspondence in this series was arranged alphabetically by sender and further sorted chronologically where possible. The ephemera is arranged thematically.

Subseries 1. Robert Gibbings Correspondence and Ephemera 1919-1989 Arrangement This series was originally arranged alphabetically by correspondent and further arranged chronologically where possible. The ephemera is arranged thematically. Scope and Content Note This subseries contains correspondence from Gibbings to friends and colleagues as well as ephemera related to his work. Also included is correspondence from friends discussing his obituary and preparation for an exhibit after Gibbings death.

Box 1, Folder 1 Robert Gibbings to Thomas Balston, 1922-1930 Scope and Content Note Letters to Thomas Balston, concerning the Golden Cockerel Press. Note Includes comments by Robert Gibbings on his engraved books.

Box 1, Folder 2 Robert Gibbings to 'Monsieur' Brault, ca. 1931? Scope and Content Note A letter in Gibbings's hand concerning the publication of Paul Gauguin's correspondence. Note Originally laid in 'Iorana!, a Tahitian journal'.

Box 1, Folder 3 Robert Gibbings to F. Close, 1952 Box 1, Folder 4 Robert Gibbings to Dunster House Bookshop, 1919-1924 Scope and Content Note Letters concerning the sale of prints and of publications of the Golden Cockerel Press. Note Includes list of prints signed and 'hand printed by myself.'

Box 1, Folder 5 Robert Gibbings to Eric Gill, 1927-1930 Box 1, Folder 6 Robert Gibbings to Mary Gill, 1940 Box 1, Folder 7 Robert Gibbings to Mary O'Sullivan Kavanagh, 1932-1942

Finding Aid for the Robert Press Coll. Archives Gibbings 3 Gibbings Collection 1919-1989 Series 1.Correspondence and Ephemera 1919-1989 Subseries 1.Robert Gibbings Correspondence and Ephemera 1919-1989

Box 1, Folder 8 Robert Gibbings to Hubert Pike, 1931 Box 1, Folder 9 Robert Gibbings to Charles Spencer, 1945-1947 Scope and Content Note Includes letters and postcards written while traveling in and Samoa. Note Items originally laid in Blue Angels and Whales (1946).

Box 1, Folder 10 Robert Gibbings to Unnamed Bookseller, 1926 Note Includes the dealer's description.

Box 1, Folder 11 Robert Gibbings to Unnamed Bookseller, 1932 Note Originally laid in Michael Ernest Sadler's copy of 'Fourteen Wood Engravings'.

Box 1, Folder 12 Robert Gibbings to C.D. Wyatt, 1937 Box 1, Folder 13 Patience Empson to Hubert Pike, 1958-1960 Scope and Content Note Correspondence concerning the loan of materials for an exhibit on Robert Gibbings's work.

Box 1, Folder 14 David Low to A.J.A. Symons, 1935 Note Originally laid in Symons's copy of 'Sermons by Artists'.

Box 1, Folder 15 Christopher Sandford to the Times, 1958 Scope and Content Note Draft of a letter correcting the Times' obituary of Robert Gibbings. Note Enclosed with the Society of Wood Engravers 29th Exhibition pamphlet.

Box 1, Folder 16 Autograph album, 1927 Scope and Content Note Mary O'Sullivan Kavanagh's autograph album, including two wood engravings by Gibbings and verses by A.E. Coppard and others associated with the Golden Cockerel Press.

Box 1, Folder 17 Biographical Pamphlet, 1989 Scope and Content Note Biographical pamphlet on Gibbings from the Reading Borough Council.

Box 1, Folder 18 Book jacket fragments, undated Scope and Content Note Includes 'Robert Gibbings: A Bibliography' (by A. Mary Kirkus, Patience Empson and John Harris) and Gibbings's own 'Lovely is the Lee'.

Box 1, Folder 19 Notes on Melville's 'Omoo', undated Scope and Content Note Typed transcription of Gibbings's manuscript notes on Melville's 'Omoo'. Note Includes dealer's description.

Finding Aid for the Robert Press Coll. Archives Gibbings 4 Gibbings Collection 1919-1989 Series 1.Correspondence and Ephemera 1919-1989 Subseries 1.Robert Gibbings Correspondence and Ephemera 1919-1989

Box 1, Folder 20 Photographs, undated Scope and Content Note Includes two photographs, one of Gibbings and his family and another of Andrew C. Cooper, pressman. Note Photos identified by Martin Andrews in 'Matrix 9' article, September 11, 1995.

Box 1, Folder 21 'Rivers Are Roads' Draft, ca. 1953 Scope and Content Note 'Rivers Are Roads' typescript with Gibbings's holograph additions and corrections.

Box 1, Folder 22 Theater Program, 1929 Scope and Content Note Theater program from the Gate Theatre Studio of 'Maya' by Simon Gantillon with a by Robert Gibbings, not in Balston or Kirkus.

Box 2, Folder 1 Oversized book jacket, 1927 Scope and Content Note 'The Chester Play of the Deluge', published by the Golden Cockerel Press.

Subseries 2. Joseph Kelly Vodrey Correspondence 1958-1973 Arrangement This subseries was arranged alphabetically by correspondent and further organized chronologically where possible. Scope and Content Note This subseries includes invoices and correspondence between Joseph Kelly Vodrey, booksellers, and friends of Robert Gibbings which chronicle the acquisition of some of the materials in this collection.

Box 1, Folder 23 Miscellaneous Dealers, 1959-1973 Scope and Content Note Includes correspondence and invoices from booksellers as well as Vodrey's 'List of Additional Gibbings Items Earnestly Sought'.

Box 1, Folder 24 Anthony Rota, 1958-1961 Box 1, Folder 25 Anthony Rota, 1962-1963 Box 1, Folder 26 Anthony Rota, 1964-1973 Box 1, Folder 27 G.F. Sims, 1958-1960 Box 1, Folder 28 G.F. Sims, 1961-1963 Box 1, Folder 29 Aimee Gibbings, 1964-1968 Note Includes 'The Wood Engravings of Robert Gibbings' with introduction by Thomas Balston, Spring 1960.

Box 1, Folder 30 Mary O'Sullivan Kavanagh, 1963-1964 Note Includes family photographs of Gibbings.

Box 1, Folder 31 Joseph Kelly Vodrey Miscellaneous, 1973

Finding Aid for the Robert Press Coll. Archives Gibbings 5 Gibbings Collection 1919-1989 Series 1.Correspondence and Ephemera 1919-1989 Subseries 2.Joseph Kelly Vodrey Correspondence 1958-1973

Box 2, Folder 35 Newspaper clippings, 1944-1969, undated Note Includes articles and obituaries on Robert Gibbings and articles discussing Vodrey's collection of Gibbings' work.

Series 2. Artworks and Proofs 1921-1959 Physical Description: 1 oversize box (1.67 feet) Scope and Content Note Objects in this series include copper engravings, drawings and proofs of individual artworks as well as for artworks included in Gibbings's books. Arrangement Items in this series are arranged alphabetically by title.

Box 2, Folder 2 Bermudian Fish proof wood engraving, 1940 Note Signed with presentation inscription ("To Helen Waddell"), dated 18 Feb 1940.

Box 2, Folder 3 Collection of two copper engravings and 22 proof wood engravings, undated Note Interleaved in portfolio on which is mounted a wrapper from 'The Perfect Wife'.

Box 2, Folder 4 Design of country buildings and implements proof wood engravings, 1933 Box 2, Folder 5 Design of foreign newspaper headings proof wood engraving, 1935 Box 2, Folder 6 Elephants copper engraving, ca. 1928 Note Signed and numbered 1/10 for 'A Circle of the Seasons' (1929).

Box 2, Folder 7 Fish proof wood engraving, ca. 1934 Note For 'Glory of Life.'

Box 2, Folder 8 Forest scene pencil drawings, undated Box 2, Folder 9 Letter to Eric Gill on pencil drawing of reclining nude, 1930 Note Includes dealer's description.

Box 2, Folder 10 'Maugaia' original drawing in pencil and proof wood engraving for 'Journal of...the Voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle', ca. 1946-1956 Box 2, Folder 11 Mediterranean Calm proof wood engraving for 'Fourteen Wood Engravings', ca. 1932 Note Signed and numbered 14/20.

Box 2, Folder 12 Mediterranean Calm proof for 'Fourteen Wood Engravings', ca. 1932 Note Signed and numbered 19/20.

Box 2, Folder 13 Minaret and village with mountains in distance original drawing in pencil, undated Box 2, Folder 14 Morea, Tahiti proof wood engraving, ca. 1931 Note Signed and numbered 9/20 for 'Iorana! a Tahitian journal'.

Box 2, Folder 15 Old London Bridge proof wood engraving, 1921 Box 2, Folder 16 Open-air market original drawing in pencil, undated

Finding Aid for the Robert Press Coll. Archives Gibbings 6 Gibbings Collection 1919-1989 Series 2.Artworks and Proofs 1921-1959

Box 2, Folder 17 Otter and leaping fish proofs of two wood engravings in 'The Twelve Months', ca. 1937 Box 2, Folder 18 Photograph of a sculpture in Portland stone, nude lovers embracing, undated Box 2, Folder 19 Poplar hawk moth original drawing in pen and pencil, undated Note With annotations in pencil.

Box 2, Folder 20 Proof of 'Lines on the Mermaid Tavern' by , ca. 1927 Note From 'Lamia, Isabella, The eve of Saint Agnes, & other poems' by John Keats; with engravings by Robert Gibbings (1928).

Box 2, Folder 21 Proofs of the front matter for Gustave Flaubert 'Salambo', ca. 1931 Note Includes a separate proof of the title page border

Box 2, Folder 22 Proofs of the ten wood engravings in 'The Voyage of the Bounty's Launch', 1959 Note Includes a note indicating these were pulled from the original 'Bounty' blocks for the collector Joseph Kelly Vodrey.

Box 2, Folder 23 Proofs of twenty-one wood engravings for 'Trumpets from Montparnasse' and two unidentified proofs, ca. 1955 Note The two unidentified proofs are a river scene and a tropical bird.

Box 2, Folder 24 Proofs of wood engravings for 'Beasts and Saints', ca. 1934 Box 2, Folder 25 Proof of wood-engraved initial from 'Le Morte d'Arthur', ca. 1936 Note Signed and numbered 1/15.

Box 2, Folder 26 Reclining nude, 'Nicole', ca. 1955 Note Oil painting on artists' board reproduced facing page 155 in 'Trumpets from Montparnasse'.

Box 2, Folder 27 River scene original drawing in pencil, undated Box 2, Folder 28 Sailing ship in South Pacific original drawing in pencil, undated Box 2, Folder 29 Storm at sea in the South Pacific original drawing in pencil, undated Box 2, Folder 30 Studies of seabirds for 'Glory of Life' original drawings in pencil, 1933 Box 2, Folder 31 'Till I End My Song' proof wood engravings, ca. 1957 Note Mounted in cartridge paper by Gibbings.

Box 2, Folder 32 Undersea scene drawn on xylonite, ca. 1956 Note Possibly a preparatory drawing for 'The Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle'. Pencil note on back of mat calls this piece 'Down Underneath the Sea'.

Box 2, Folder 33 Water flea original drawing in pencil with annotations, undated Box 2, Folder 34 West Cork original drawing in pencil for 'Sweet Cork of Thee', ca. 1951

Finding Aid for the Robert Press Coll. Archives Gibbings 7 Gibbings Collection 1919-1989 Series 3.Bound Manuscripts 1924-1958

Series 3. Bound Manuscripts 1924-1958 Physical Description: 1 shelf of bound volumes (2.5 linear feet) Scope and Content Note This series includes original paste-ups, notebooks, proof engravings and original drawings of Robert Gibbings's work. Arrangement This series is arranged alphabetically by title.

Shelved as Batty Kit, Llewelyn & Theodore: two unpublished typescripts, undated Gibbings Bound Note Manuscripts With six leaves of an unpublished illustrated story on the South Seas and dealer's description.

Shelved as 'Blue Angels and Whales' original drawings in pencil, ca. 1938-1946 Gibbings Bound Manuscripts Shelved as 'Blue Angels and Whales' original drawings in pencil, ca. 1946 Gibbings Bound Note Manuscripts Eight are annotated with instructions to the printer.

Shelved as 'Coconut Island' sequel preliminary drafts, undated Gibbings Bound Note Manuscripts An incomplete and unpublished manuscript with a synopsis and revised version of chapters one through four and three sketches laid in.

Shelved as 'Coconut Island' sequel revised draft with twelve chapters. undated Gibbings Bound Note Manuscripts An incomplete and unpublished manuscript with holograph corrections and additions.

Shelved as 'Coming Down the Seine' engravings, ca. 1953 Gibbings Bound Scope and Content Note Manuscripts Proof wood engravings made for 'Everybody's Magazine'. Note Includes dealer's description.

Shelved as 'Coming Down the Seine' final page proofs, 1953 Gibbings Bound Note Manuscripts Annotated by Gibbings with additions and corrections and includes proof wood engravings and original paste-up.

Shelved as 'Coming Down the Seine' original typescript marked for the printer, ca. 1953 Gibbings Bound Manuscripts Shelved as 'Journal of Researches by Charles Darwin...during the Voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle' Gibbings Bound proof wood engravings, ca. 1956 Manuscripts Note In box with dealer's description and typed note by Patience Empson laid in.

Shelved as 'Over the Reefs and Far Away' original drawings in pencil, 1945-1947 Gibbings Bound Note Manuscripts With annotations in Gibbings's hand.

Finding Aid for the Robert Press Coll. Archives Gibbings 8 Gibbings Collection 1919-1989 Series 3.Bound Manuscripts 1924-1958

Shelved as 'Over the Reefs and Far Away' original typescript, 1948 Gibbings Bound Note Manuscripts With additions and corrections in typescript and in Gibbings's hand. Includes a drawing in pencil on p. 1.

Shelved as Pacific notebook, ca. 1946 Gibbings Bound Note Manuscripts Notes in typescript and in Gibbing's hand on history and wildlife of Samoa, some used in 'Over the Reefs' and some marked as unpublished.

Shelved as South Seas drawings and manuscript notes, 1946-1947 Gibbings Bound Manuscripts Shelved as 'Sweet Cork of Thee' paste-up and proofs of wood engravings, 1951 Gibbings Bound Note Manuscripts Annotated by Gibbings.

Shelved as 'Sweet Thames Run Softly' manuscript notebook, ca. 1937-1940 Gibbings Bound Manuscripts Shelved as 'Till I End My Song' manuscript notes and rejected drafts, ca. 1957 Gibbings Bound Note Manuscripts Includes three proof impressions of wood engravings.

Shelved as 'Trumpets from Montparnasse' carbon of original typescript, ca. 1955 Gibbings Bound Scope and Content Note Manuscripts With holograph corrections and some inserted leaves with additions in typescript.

Shelved as 'Trumpets from Montparnasse' paste-up, ca. 1955 Gibbings Bound Note Manuscripts With proof wood engravings, drawings in pencil, and additions and corrections in typescript and in Gibbings's hand.

Shelved as 'Twelve Months' proof wood engravings, ca. 1936 Gibbings Bound Note Manuscripts All annotated by Gibbings and most inscribed to Llewelyn Powys. In folder with dealer's and Joseph Kelly Vodrey's descriptions.

Shelved as Unpublished original drawings, undated Gibbings Bound Note Manuscripts In pencil with captions, in typescript and in Gibbings's hand.

Shelved as Letter to Colette, 1924 Gibbings Bound Note Manuscripts Illustrated with proof wood engravings by Gibbings and with note by G.F. Sims laid in.

Shelved as Letters to Kenneth Hopkins, 1937-1955 Gibbings Bound Note Manuscripts 10 holograph and 11 typewritten letters, mostly concerning the publication of Gibbings's work in 'Everybody's Magazine'.

Shelved as 'Sweet Cork of Thee', 'Trumpets from Montparnasse' and 'Coming Down the Seine' Gibbings Bound original drawings, undated Manuscripts

Finding Aid for the Robert Press Coll. Archives Gibbings 9 Gibbings Collection 1919-1989 Series 3.Bound Manuscripts 1924-1958

Shelved as Press 'Sweet Thames Run Softly' wood proof engravings, 1958 Coll. Gibbings Note For paging: Shelved in Press Coll Gibbings G43swe 1958.

Shelved as Press 'Till I End My Song' proof wood engravings, 1957 Coll. Gibbings Note For paging: Shelved in Press Coll Gibbings G43ti 1957.

Finding Aid for the Robert Press Coll. Archives Gibbings 10 Gibbings Collection 1919-1989