Artists' books
Special Collections at Camberwell College of Arts Library includes a wide range of illustrated books, from 19th century children's illustrated books to artists’ books, and the College Archive.
Description and origins of the collection
This small collection of artists' books began in the 1990s. It represents the work of Camberwell students, particularly those from the MA Book Arts course. However, it also includes a small number of significant examples from external artists and publishers, to support teaching and learning at the College.
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Camberwell College of Arts Archive
Description and origins of the collection
This is a collection of primary material documenting the history of Camberwell College of Arts from 1898 to the present. It includes prospectuses, minutes of meetings of Boards of Governors, exhibition and degree show catalogues, photograph albums, private view cards and other College ephemera.
About the collection
The collection is not catalogued, but a partial hand list exists. Please contact Library staff for further information. A more detailed collection level description for this archive is available on the AIM25 website.
Designer Toys Collection
Description and origins of the collection
This collection comprises of around 50 vinyl toys. It includes work by artists and designers active in illustration, animation, graphic design and 3D design. They include James Jarvis, Gary Baseman, Michael Lau or Mori Chack.
About the collection
The collection can be found on the University of the Arts London Catalogue.
Walter Crane Collection
Description and origins of the collection
The collection contains around 150 books, including numerous first or rare editions, by and about Walter Crane (1845-1915), the illustrator, educationalist and social reformer. The collection was given by Lewis F. Day to his god-daughter, and this was acquired by the College for the library.
Items from the collection were part of the South London Gallery exhibition Nils Norman: Geocruiser (2001), presenting the work of Walter Crane alongside that of contemporary artist Nils Norman, and also of James Joyce and other stories: books at the London Institute, an exhibition held at the London Institute Gallery (1999).
About the collection
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The Camberwell Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) Collection
Description and origins of the collection
The collection was established in 1951/52 as the ‘Experiment in Design Appreciation’, later renamed the ‘Circulating Design Scheme’. The scheme was concerned with the teaching and dissemination of modern, ‘good design’ through the circulation of boxed showcases which were loaned to London schools. Comprising c.2,000-5,000 objects (this figure is an estimate only as the collection has not yet been fully catalogued), the collection is a time capsule of mid-century design.
It includes domestic ware, studio pottery and examples of ethnographic objects from Commonwealth Countries. Material dates from c.1951-1976, with a small selection of 19th century objects. The collection also contains examples of objects which were exhibited in the Design Centre London, as chosen by the Council of Industrial Design. The collection is an excellent resource for researchers of design history, design pedagogy, material culture and museology. The collection is supplemented by a small amount of archival material relating to the administration of the scheme - including photographs, record cards and inventory lists.
About the collection
This collection is available to explore online.
For more information contact us at archive-enquires@arts.ac.uk.