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1898 edition of John Keats, His Poems with cover design by Ann Macbeth
donated to the GSA by the Antiquarian Booksellers Association
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The Antiquarian Booksellers
Association has donated a rare 1898 edition of work by the Romantic poet, John
Keats, to The Glasgow School of Art as the institution begins to rebuild its
collection following the fire in the Mackintosh Building. The cover design of John Keats – His Poems, which is
elaborately gilt-tooled in Glasgow School style, was created by acclaimed GSA
teacher and designer, Ann Macbeth. The book was formally presented to GSA
Librarian, Jennifer Higgins, by President of the Antiquarian Booksellers
Association, Brian Lake, on Friday 6 March 2015.
Association has donated a rare 1898 edition of work by the Romantic poet, John
Keats, to The Glasgow School of Art as the institution begins to rebuild its
collection following the fire in the Mackintosh Building. The cover design of John Keats – His Poems, which is
elaborately gilt-tooled in Glasgow School style, was created by acclaimed GSA
teacher and designer, Ann Macbeth. The book was formally presented to GSA
Librarian, Jennifer Higgins, by President of the Antiquarian Booksellers
Association, Brian Lake, on Friday 6 March 2015.
“The ABA is very pleased to donate the Poems of Keats, in a binding
designed by Ann Macbeth, who was a student and teacher at The Glasgow School of
Art,” says Brian Lake, President of the Antiquarian
Booksellers Association “When the
purchase was suggested by Cooper Hay, the Glasgow rare book dealer, it seemed
an entirely appropriate contribution to the rebuilding of the Library and, we
hope, an encouragement to other booksellers and collectors to make their own
contributions of suitable books and bindings as The School of Art rises from
the ashes.”
designed by Ann Macbeth, who was a student and teacher at The Glasgow School of
Art,” says Brian Lake, President of the Antiquarian
Booksellers Association “When the
purchase was suggested by Cooper Hay, the Glasgow rare book dealer, it seemed
an entirely appropriate contribution to the rebuilding of the Library and, we
hope, an encouragement to other booksellers and collectors to make their own
contributions of suitable books and bindings as The School of Art rises from
the ashes.”
“Glasgow School of Art Library is thrilled to be presented with
such a generous donation from the Antiquarian Booksellers Association,” adds
Jennifer. “The fact that so many booksellers across the
UK offered us support after the Mackintosh Library fire of May 2014, is very
humbling and a testament to both their generosity and the esteem in which the
Library was held.”
such a generous donation from the Antiquarian Booksellers Association,” adds
Jennifer. “The fact that so many booksellers across the
UK offered us support after the Mackintosh Library fire of May 2014, is very
humbling and a testament to both their generosity and the esteem in which the
Library was held.”
“Today’s presentation of a stunning Art Nouveau binding by Ann Macbeth
is particularly poignant, for Macbeth would have known the Library well during
her time as both a student and teacher at the GSA from 1897 onwards. Indeed,
she is known to have taught bookbinding to our students, and this gilt design
on green morocco leather was first exhibited at the Glasgow International
Exhibition in 1901. It is a superbly rare example of her work and of the Glasgow
Style that is so synonymous with the School. It’s wonderful to welcome it
home.”
is particularly poignant, for Macbeth would have known the Library well during
her time as both a student and teacher at the GSA from 1897 onwards. Indeed,
she is known to have taught bookbinding to our students, and this gilt design
on green morocco leather was first exhibited at the Glasgow International
Exhibition in 1901. It is a superbly rare example of her work and of the Glasgow
Style that is so synonymous with the School. It’s wonderful to welcome it
home.”
Ann Macbeth
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| Ann Macbeth (seated) in an art class at The GSA |
The eldest of nine children of a Scottish engineer, Ann
Macbeth was born in Bolton in 1875 and was a student and teacher at The Glasgow
School of from 1897-1929. The GSA knows from the student records held within
the school’s Archives & Collections that her father’s occupation was that
of engineer. Her addresses are also listed: she came to Glasgow from St. Anne’s
on the Sea, Lancashire, and in Glasgow she lived at 9 Park Quadrant (1897-98), at
15, Windsor Circus, Kelvinside (1898-99), at 6 Melrose Street from 1899 and at Queen
Margaret Hall from 1905.
Macbeth was born in Bolton in 1875 and was a student and teacher at The Glasgow
School of from 1897-1929. The GSA knows from the student records held within
the school’s Archives & Collections that her father’s occupation was that
of engineer. Her addresses are also listed: she came to Glasgow from St. Anne’s
on the Sea, Lancashire, and in Glasgow she lived at 9 Park Quadrant (1897-98), at
15, Windsor Circus, Kelvinside (1898-99), at 6 Melrose Street from 1899 and at Queen
Margaret Hall from 1905.
Before 1902 her occupation is given in the student
registers as either “Art Student” or “Designer”. From the session 1902-3 her
occupation is listed as that of “Teacher”, but she still appears in the student
registers because she continued to advance her formal education through the
attendance of classes at the school.
registers as either “Art Student” or “Designer”. From the session 1902-3 her
occupation is listed as that of “Teacher”, but she still appears in the student
registers because she continued to advance her formal education through the
attendance of classes at the school.
In 1902 she was appointed to the position of Assistant
Mistress, teaching courses in needlework, embroidery and applique, in the
Design and Decorative Art Section. She continued to teach in The Glasgow School
of Art until her retirement in 1929.
Mistress, teaching courses in needlework, embroidery and applique, in the
Design and Decorative Art Section. She continued to teach in The Glasgow School
of Art until her retirement in 1929.
In 1903-5 she taught Design and Instruction, from 1906
she taught Metalwork and Repousse, and from 1907 Bookbinding and Decoration. In
1909 she became the Head of the Needlework and Embroidery Section, adding
Bookbinding and Decoration and Decorative Leatherwork to these responsibilities
in 1910. In 1912 she finally became the Director of Studies in the
Needlecraft-Decorative Art Studios.
she taught Metalwork and Repousse, and from 1907 Bookbinding and Decoration. In
1909 she became the Head of the Needlework and Embroidery Section, adding
Bookbinding and Decoration and Decorative Leatherwork to these responsibilities
in 1910. In 1912 she finally became the Director of Studies in the
Needlecraft-Decorative Art Studios.
In addition during her time at the Glasgow School of
Art Ann Macbeth also taught classes in Ceramic Decoration and China Painting.
Even after she moved to the Lake District in the 1920s she held the prestigious
position of Visiting Lecturer – Needlework and Embroidery from 1921 until her
retirement in 1929.
Art Ann Macbeth also taught classes in Ceramic Decoration and China Painting.
Even after she moved to the Lake District in the 1920s she held the prestigious
position of Visiting Lecturer – Needlework and Embroidery from 1921 until her
retirement in 1929.
Ends
Further information:
Lesley Booth
07799414474
Notes for Editors
- Following
the fire in which the GSA lost around 20% of its Rare Book Collection a
priority replacement list was compiled. Around 25% of the list has already been
generously donated by individuals and institutions from across the world.
- Founded in 1906, and the oldest organisation
of its kind in the world, the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association is the
senior trade body for dealers in antiquarian and rare books, manuscripts and
allied materials in the British Isles. Its membership also extends to many of
the leading booksellers overseas. Members are elected solely on the basis of
proven experience, expertise and integrity. They are expected to observe the
highest professional and ethical standards and to foster the mutual trust and
respect that exists between the trade and the public. For further details on
the work of the ABA visit: www.aba.org.uk