I’ve constantly amazed by the generosity of the many, many supporters to the antique dealer research project. Over the years we have had donations of archives, ephemera, books as well as funds, and crucially people’s time, all of which have not only helped the various strands of the research project but have also helped to build a community of interested, and interesting, people.
But I was truly touched when the postie called last week to deliver a parcel from our lead volunteer, Chris Coles. Chris, as many of you will know, has been helping with the project for many years, helping out with many aspects of the projects, from undertaking and transcribing several of our Oral History interviews, sending us data and information on the history of antique dealers, and generally being first in line to help out with project events. When he started as a volunteer on the research project Chris was working in the Prints and Drawings Department at the British Museum, but he has now moved on to be a consultant researcher for the antique furniture trade.
Chris was exceptionally generous to send us this beautiful watercolour design for a needlework top for a period card table, produced for the antique dealers’ Camerons of Mount Street, London in 1940.
The design was created by Wilfred Stanley Haines (1905-1944), who worked for his family firm A. Haines & Son, tapestry restorers at 216 Merton Road, Wimbledon. W.S. Haines trained at William Morris & Co and was working at Morris & Co in 1936 but by the time the Second World War broke out Haines was working for his family firm. Chris tells us that there are several watercolour designs by W.S. Haines in the collections at the V&A Museum in London. Sadly Haines was killed in a bombing raid during the Second World War in 1944 whilst working as a fireman.
Camerons (Antiques) was established in c.1910 by Beatrice Cameron, initially at 16 Mount Street, before relocating to 67 Duke Street, St. James’s immediately after the Second World War. Cameron’s seem to have specialised in antique tapestries and panelled rooms in the 1930s and 1940s, hence I guess, the commissioning of the design for a needlework top for an antique card table. W.S. Haines produced several designs for needlework tops and covers for antique furniture in the early 1940s, including a design for a needlework cover for a ‘Chippendale chair, circa 1760’ for the antique dealer William Lee of 39 Stonegate, York – (thanks to Chris for sending us all this information!). Below is a photograph of William Lee’s antique shop interior at Stonegate, of c.1949.
Chris very generously gifted the watercolour to the antique dealer project, in honour, he tells us, of John Hill (of Jeremy Antiques, formerly of the King’s Road) and (he says) of me (I am truly flattered and honoured). Chris also tells us that Tom Edwards at Abbott & Holder (where Chris purchased the watercolour) was also exceptionally generous with a discount in acknowledgment of the gift of the watercolour to the antique dealer research project.
Thank you to Chris and to Tom for such generous gestures, it is so encouraging, and touching, that you regard the research project so highly.
Mark
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