Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level E , Case I, Shelf 53

Illustrations of the Victorian Series and other Wall-papers

Design
ca.1887 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is a design for the cover of a wallpaper brochure and was drawn by Walter Crane in about 1887. The drawing shows a winged male figure, standing among foliage and blowing a trumpet. The title of the brochure, Illustrations of the Victorian Series and other Wall-papers, is to the right of the figure. The National Art Library (in the Victoria and Albert Museum) has several copies of the Jeffrey & Co. wallpaper brochure with its cover derived from this design. Walter Crane’s monogram - his initials and a crane - can be seen at the bottom right hand corner of the design.

Crane was an artist and designer, and a prominent socialist. He was a founder member of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society and the Art Workers' Guild. Wallpapers by well-known designers such as Crane and William Morris were very popular in the late nineteenth century, in part because they allowed middle-class householders to display their taste and discernment, without the need for unaffordable artworks such as paintings or sculpture.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Illustrations of the Victorian Series and other Wall-papers (assigned by artist)
  • Manufactured by Jeffrey & Co 64 Essex Road, London. N. (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Pencil, pen and ink and wash and bodycolour on paper
Brief description
Design for cover of brochure by Walter Crane, London, about 1887.
Physical description
Design for the cover of a wallpaper brochure depicting a winged male figure to the left, standing among foliage and blowing a trumpet, with the title of the brochure to the right.
Dimensions
  • Height: 38.3cm
  • Width: 28cm
Production typeDesign
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'PATTERNS MAY BE HAD OF ALL LEADING / DECORATORS'
  • Figure of crane and 'W' enclosed in large 'C' (Monogram of Walter Crane in bottom right corner.)
  • 'J Co' (Within a a six-pointed star at bottom right of design.)
Credit line
Given by Simon Warner, Deborah Warner and Susan Ashton
Object history
There is a copy of Illustrations of the "Victorian" series, and other wall-papers manufactured by J. & Co. (Jeffrey & Co., London, 1887) 43.G.73 in the National Art Library.

There are two copies of The "Victorian" wall papers, for the decoration of rooms & staircases, staircase decorations & ceiling papers. (Illustrations of the "Victorian " series and other wall-papers.) (Jeffrey & Co., London, c. 1885?) 47.H.68 L.172 13.1.1971 and 47.H.69. L. 173 13.1.1971. in the National Art Library.
Production
Manufactured by Jeffrey and Co., at 64, Essex Road, London.

Attribution note: Design for brochure cover.
Subject depicted
Summary
This is a design for the cover of a wallpaper brochure and was drawn by Walter Crane in about 1887. The drawing shows a winged male figure, standing among foliage and blowing a trumpet. The title of the brochure, Illustrations of the Victorian Series and other Wall-papers, is to the right of the figure. The National Art Library (in the Victoria and Albert Museum) has several copies of the Jeffrey & Co. wallpaper brochure with its cover derived from this design. Walter Crane’s monogram - his initials and a crane - can be seen at the bottom right hand corner of the design.

Crane was an artist and designer, and a prominent socialist. He was a founder member of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society and the Art Workers' Guild. Wallpapers by well-known designers such as Crane and William Morris were very popular in the late nineteenth century, in part because they allowed middle-class householders to display their taste and discernment, without the need for unaffordable artworks such as paintings or sculpture.
Collection
Accession number
E.10-2009

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 20, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest