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Bewick
Resources in the North East
There
is a wealth of Bewick material in the region to access and enjoy,
and it is hoped that this listing will assist the avid researcher
or just the curious browser into more corners of Bewick’s world
than they may have realised existed. It is only the regular use
by scholars and fellow enthusiasts of these collections, which
will help maintain their importance and conservation for the future
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The
Hancock Museum
Barras Bridge
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 4PT
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Society
Secretary: Mr David Noble Rollin
Open:
During office hours Monday-Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm
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Contact:
Mrs June Holmes
Tel: (0191) 232 6386
E-mail: nhsn@ncl.ac.uk
Web site: In progress
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Natural History Society's archive houses one of the most comprehensive
collections of the work of Thomas Bewick in the country. Isabella
Bewick sent a selection of watercolour drawings, held by the Bewick
family, to the British Museum in 1882. The remaining collection,
which included, a bust of Bewick, family portraits, original artwork
and numerous impressions of woodcuts, was presented to the Society
in 1884 by the executors of her estate. The family's collection
of natural history books was presented in 1881.
The most
important part of the collection are the seven hundred and thirty-eight
watercolour and pencil drawings and engravings of British and
foreign birds, quadrupeds, vignettes etc. by Thomas Bewick, John
Bewick, Robert Bewick and the apprentices (c.1776-1849). These
are mostly transfer drawings used for engravings, with some studies
and proof engravings. Included is a copy of the famous Chillingham
Bull on vellum.
There is
also a comprehensive reference collection of various editions
of Bewick's natural history books, some biographies and papers
on Bewick etc. There are a number of bird specimens drawn by Bewick
in the museum collections and the Wombat specimen figured by Robert
Bewick in Fox's Synopsis of the Newcastle Museum.
Catalogue:
All items have been catalogued on a computer database and a printed
catalogue is in progress. The collection of 728 drawings etc.
are now available to view on CD-ROM.
To obtain access to the Bewick archives ring the honorary archivist
Mrs June Holmes on the above number to arrange an appointment.
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The
Newcastle Local Studies and Family History Centre
Newcastle
City Library
Princess Square
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE 99 1DX
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Open:
Monday, Thursday: 9:30am - 8:00pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:30am - 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
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Contact:
Local Studies Manager:
Ms Cath Cassidy
Tel: 0191 277 4116
E-mail:
local.studies@newcastle.gov.uk
Web site:
www.newcastle.gov.uk
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The
library houses an extensive Bewick collection presented to the
city of Newcastle by John William Pease in 1901. The bequest
includes a comprehensive collection of the various editions of
all Bewick's printed works, many volumes of Bewickiana containing
cuts from Bewick's books and the workshop illustrating the work
of Thomas Bewick, John Bewick and the apprentices. MS letters,
woodblocks, large engravings and portraits as well as Bewick's
workbox and table are also included in this bequest.
Considerable additions, including books and woodblocks, have been
made to the collection since 1901.
Catalogue:
The Catalogue of the Bewick Collection (Pease Bequest) 1904 by
Basil Anderton can be viewed at the library, accessions made to
the collection after that date are recorded in a manuscript ledger
held at the library.
Copies of the Pease catalogue (with damaged paper covers) are
available from the Local Studies Centre at £5 plus p&p
(£4 plus p&p to Bewick Society members).
Viewing
of the complete Pease collection is by appointment only, requests
to be made by written application to the Local Studies Manager.
Certain items, such as the books, may be viewed at any time in
the Local Studies Centre.
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The
Hatton Gallery
University
of Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RU |
Curator:
Lucy Whetstone
Open: Monday - Friday: 10:00am - 5:30pm
Saturday 10:00am - 4:30pm
Admission: Free
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Contact:
Curator - Lucy Whetstone
Tel: 0191 222 6059
E-mail: hatton-gallery@ncl.ac.uk
Web site: www.ncl.ac.uk/hatton
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The
Hatton Gallery, which forms part of the University of Newcastle,
houses a small but extremely important selection of Bewick's work.
The two most significant items being: -
The original woodblock for Bewick's famous and most successful engraving
'The Chillingham Bull', 1789 commissioned by Marmaduke Tunstall
of Wycliffe Hall. The block was purchased by Robert Robinson in
1876 from the Misses Bewick (Robinson, 1887 p.279) and was by 1904
in the possession of Thomas Gow (Anderton & Gibson, 1904 p.82).
The original woodblock for Bewick's last and unfinished large engraving
'Waiting for Death', a few impressions of which were published by
Robert Bewick in 1832. Bewick was working on this block at the time
of his death and it was to have been augmented by two or three more
blocks to add tonal colour. Robert Robinson also purchased this
block in 1876 and it was also in the possession of Thomas Gow by
1904 (Anderton & Gibson, 1904 p.87).
The collection also consists of a small number of preparatory drawings
for vignettes and circus tickets as well as some of the larger impressions
including the Tiger, Lion, Zebra and Elephant produced for Gilbert
Pidcock, proprietor of a travelling menagerie.
A number of early volumes of books complete the assemblage.
The Hatton Gallery hopes to place some of these items on permanent
display to the public in the near future if a suitable grant can
be obtained.
Access to the collection is by application only to Andrew Heard
at the above address.
Catalogue: No published Catalogue.
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The
Robinson Library
University of Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 4HQ.
Tel: General enquiries 0191 222 7662
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Open:
Monday - Friday 9:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 9:00am - 4:30pm
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Contact:
Special Collections
Librarian
Melanie Wood
Tel: 0191 222 5146
E-mail: lib-specenq@ncl.ac.uk
Website:www.ncl.ac.uk/library/specialcollections/ |
The Robinson Library holds an extensive collection of books relating to
Thomas Bewick, mainly in the Bradshaw-Bewick Collection which is part
of Special Collections.
Special Collections are not open to access, but
must be requested by completing an application form, available from the
library and on the Special Collections web pages. It is advisable to
arrange a visit to the Special Collections in advance.
Catalogue: Items from the Bradshaw-Bewick collection can be searched for
on the library's catalogue by performing an "advanced search" for the
"shelfmark" Bradshaw-Bewick.
Some descriptions and digitised images from the Bewick collection can be
seen on the Bewick exhibition pages: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/specialcollections/
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