Scope and Content of Collection
The David Piper Papers relate to Piper's tenure as director of the National Portrait Gallery (1964-1967), the Fitzwilliam
Museum (1967-1973), and the Ashmolean Museum (1973-1985), as well as his position on various boards and institutions, such
as the Royal Fine Art Commission and the Leeds Castle Foundation. The papers consist of letters, notes, essays, reports, clippings,
and some single journal issues and promotional material concerning the arts in Britain. Incorporated are the miscellaneous
papers of Isherwood Kay, Keeper at the National Gallery from 1933-1938. Dating mostly from 1924-1938, these papers include
correspondence with members of the art world, including Collins Baker, Kenneth Clark, Charles Holmes, Ellis Waterhouse, Martin
Davies, and others, as well as additional ephemera and a small collection of art postcards. Piper's literary manuscripts are
not included.
Arrangement note
Organized in five series:
I. Correspondence, ca. 1916-1989;
II. Notes and writings, ca. 1928-1989;
III. Ephemera, ca. 1925-1989;
IV. Clippings, ca. 1926-1990;
V. Art postcards.
|
