This archive is comprised of four series:
1. Personal papers – Primarily correspondence and ephemera
2. Published works – Material concerning books by or about Richard Shirley Smith
3. Exhibitions – Material relating to exhibitions of Richard Shirley Smith’s work
4. Artwork – Original artwork and related material, including numerous objects and photographs
Most original packaging has not been retained, with exceptions noted in the catalogue where relevant.
Any original labelling has been transcribed and included within the relevant box description.
For preservation purposes, unannotated newspaper cuttings have not been retained, excluding those contained within MS. 21920/27 and MS. 21920/28.
Full details of all removed items have been recorded inside the relevant boxes.
Please note that throughout this catalogue, reference is made to (Bain: number x) and (Moss: number x). These numbers relate to item lists presented in the following titles:
Iain Bain (1994) The Wood Engravings of Richard Shirley Smith. Silent Books: Cambridge. (Available at MS. 21920/12)
Roger Moss (2010) The Moss Collection. Marlborough: Libanus Press. (Available via SOLO)
Dates
- Creation: 1950-2022 and n.d.
Extent
7.85 Linear metres (150 boxes)
Language of Materials
- English
- Dutch; Flemish
- German
- Italian
- Latin
- Russian
Conditions Governing Use
Some material is closed.
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. 21920/1].
Full range of shelfmarks:
MSS. 21920/1-77; MSS. 21920 photogr. 1-47; JL 998 - 1000; JL 1067 - 1091
Collection ID (for staff)
CMD 21920, 17724
Abstract
This collection comprises material relating to Richard Shirley Smith (b 1935), including original artwork.
Biographical / Historical
Richard Shirley Smith (b 1935) spent his early years at Harrow School, before attending the Slade School of Fine Art. He held several teaching positions throughout his professional life, including at St. Albans School of Art, Marlborough College and Swindon School of Art, but was primarily a practicing artist in his own right. Proficient in numerous mediums, he is perhaps most well known for his murals and wood engravings.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was purchased from Blackwell's Rare Books in 2022.
Three exceptions are the mural panels (JL 998-1000), which were donated to the Bodleian by Richard Shirley Smith in 2019.
Occupation
Style / Period
Technique
Temporal
Topical
- 20th century
- 21st century
- Art
- Art museums
- Art, British -- 20th century
- Art, British -- 20th century -- Exhibitions
- Art, British -- 21st century
- Art, British -- 21st century -- Exhibitions
- Book design
- Books
- Drawing
- Drawing, British
- Drawings
- Exhibitions
- Humanities
- Illustration of books
- Museums
- Painting
- Pencil drawing
- Photography
- Printed ephemera
- Prints
- Private press books
- Publishers and publishing
- Sketchbooks & albums
Creator
Subject
- Title
- Catalogue of the archive of Richard Shirley Smith
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Bethany Goodman
- Date
- 2023
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Edition statement
- First edition
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk