Design drawing in pencil on paper for the gravestone of Charles and Mary Howard by Philip Webb. The drawing shows two examples of the memorial-- one large version with partial text, and one small version with the full text indicating the gravestone is for Charles and Mary Howard. Elsewhere on the sheet Webb has drawn part of the alphabet and some numbers, probably as as an example of the lettering. The gravestone was commissioned by the couple's son, George Howard, who was the owner of 1 Palace Garden and Narworth Castle, both designed by Webb.
Philip Speakman Webb (Oxford, 1831-Sussex, 1915) was a prominent British architect who designed numerous buildings throughout Great Britain. Known for his contributions to British vernacular architecture, Webb was also a skilled draughtsman, and designer of tableware, tiles, stained glass, and furniture. He also designed gravestones and memorials for his friends and clients. Webb lent his hand to many collaborative projects and worked closely with his colleagues, namely William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and Edward Burne Jones. His precise drawings of animals, particularly birds, frequently adorn tiles, stained glass, textiles, and wallpaper produced by Morris and Co. Webb is best known for designing Morris’ Red House in Bexleyheath, as well as Clouds House, Naworth Castle, and several London town houses. Among his other accomplishments, Webb is attributed with laying the groundwork for the Arts and Crafts and Modern movements, establishing longstanding principles in historic preservation, and creating some of the most influential designs still studied and celebrated today.