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Middlesex University: Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture

Crown Wallpaper collection


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 1383 SC

Held at: Middlesex University: Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture

Title: Crown Wallpaper collection

Date(s): early 1950s-late 1960s

Level of description: Collection (fonds)

Extent: c 5000 loose items and books

Name of creator(s): Crown Wallpaper Company | wallpaper manufacturers

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

In 1899 a large number of wallpaper firms came together under the umbrella title of `Wallpaper Manufacturers' (WPM) and subsequently some of their products were sold under the trademark `Crown'. The archive therefore consists largely of wallpaper pattern books by a variety of manufacturers, collected as part of the group's working records.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Crown Wallpaper Archive, comprising 5,000 wallpaper samples and pattern books, early 1950s-late 1960s.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

Conditions governing access:

Archival material is open for consultation in the Study Room on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10am-4pm, by appointment with the staff of the museum, subject to conservation status of the material concerned. The museum is open to all during its normal opening hours.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Reproduction of material is at the discretion of the curator.

Physical characteristics:

Finding aids:

Part of the collection is catalogued and available on-line via the Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture Crown Wallpaper website.

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Given by Crown Wallpapers in 1989.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester holds related collections of wallpapers and wallpaper pattern books from the 19th and 20th centuries, by WPM and other manufacturers.

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Archivist's note: Compiled by Robert Baxter and Zoe Hendon as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

Rules or conventions: Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions: Mar 2002


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Interior architecture | Decorative arts
Paper | Wood | Forest products | Agricultural products
Paper technology | Chemical technology
Structural elements (buildings) | Building design | Construction engineering
Graphic arts

Personal names

Corporate names
Crown Wallpaper Company | wallpaper manufacturers

Places