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Thomas Gulliver Quoin Club collection

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-Archives-FA 2011/01

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of etchings, lithographs and woodcuts which demonstrate how prints that utilise traditional commercial processes can become works of fine art.

The items are drawn from T. V. Gulliver’s private collection with many of the works depicting Auckland city scenes: the Domain, Grafton Gully, the waterfront and industrial buildings.

In addition to the work of Quoin Club members there is also ephemera and photographs relating to the Club, as well as examples of prints by other artists, collected by Gulliver.

Dates

  • 1900 - 1932

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Not restricted

Biographical / Historical

The Quoin Club was formed in Auckland in 1916 and was dissolved in 1929. The main object of the club was to foster all arts and crafts; two members were jewellers but the majority were commercial artists. Founding members included the commercial artists, Arnold Goodwin and Albert Hooper; the civil engineer, T. V. Gulliver; Eric Warner, the head of lithography at Bretts Publishing; Percy Bagnall, who was head of the Art Studio; jeweller, Reuben Watts and finally the Architect, William Gummer.

The name of the club was derived from printing. A ‘quoin’ is a wedge used in letterpress printing to lock up type and other elements inside a frame, or ‘chase’. As all the graphic arts belong to the craft of printing it was an appropriate choice.

Club rooms were located in the Mining Chambers in Mills Lane.

Extent

2 metres

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Mrs D. Gulliver, October 1964.

Title
Inventory of the Thomas Gulliver Quoin Club collection, 1910-1929
Status
Completed
Author
Alexa Johnston (1977) and collated by Victoria Passau
Date
2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2014: Revised and updated by William Hamill

Repository Details

Part of the Fine Arts Special Collections, University of Auckland Repository

Contact:
5 Alfred Street
Private Bag 92019
Auckland 1142 New Zealand