An important collection of signed prints & livres d’artiste – artist books – offer rich pickings for collectors in a special Library Auction on July 18.
Catalogue: The July 18 Art & Livres d’Artiste Library Auction: Paintings, Prints, Posters & Books
Jim Spencer, Head of the Library Auction, said: “The vendor inherited these from her grandfather, Walter J. Strachan (1903-1994), poet, translator and champion of the arts.
“Much of his personal collection went to the Tate, the V&A and the Taylor Institution, as well as forming the basis of The Walter Strachan Collection at University of Manchester Library – so it’s very exciting to be handling anything owned by him.”
Strachan lots, which include big names such as Henry Moore, most with heartfelt inscriptions to Strachan, are: 32, 36, 61, 62, 71, 77, 83, 88, 93, 104, 107, 109, 111, 116, 153, 156, 157, 158, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 180.
Jim said: “The livre d’artiste is still a bit of an under-appreciated art form. It’s such a tactile, beautiful format. Handmade paper and wonderful illustrations in the form of original etchings and lithographs, often signed and limited to a small number of printed copies.
“These books should appeal to collectors of art and private press. The craftsmanship is a joy to behold, especially in this digital age.
“Walter Strachan was a champion of the livre d’artiste and did much to promote and emphasise its beauty and importance. He was not only a discerning collector but someone the artists admired and respected, which is evident in all the inscriptions thanking him for his support.”
John Wood Collection
The July 18 sale also offers a collection of paintings, sketchbooks, illustrated manuscript books, and Royal Academy medals for John Wood (British, 1801-1870), a student at RA Schools, Gold Medallist 1825.
This collection comes to auction by descent. John Wood was the vendor’s great-great-great uncle. The oil painted portraits and handwritten books are all of/for close family members, and we even have a wonderful self-portrait of the artist himself.
Lots to browse are: 6, 13, 18, 22, 26, 30, 34, 38, 40, 42, 48, 51, 54, 56, 63, 64, 152, 172, 173, 183, 184, 185.
Jim said: “John Wood was clearly an immensely talented and sensitive artist. The manuscript books he wrote for his sisters are touching in their display of affection.
“He wrote his autobiography by hand in three densely-filled volumes, embellished with original illustrations throughout. It must’ve been a huge undertaking and shows that he had confidence in his own talents but wasn’t receiving the recognition he deserved.
“The books are candid and talk of suffering with depression. He never married and it’s clear that he was taken with art from a very young age. He devoted himself to painting and his sisters. This archive sheds light on the prestige of the RA, but also the tortured soul of an artist.”
The July 18 Art & Livres d’Artiste Library Auction: Paintings, Prints, Posters & Books
