Browse the full Thomas Pitfield Collection (RNCM) Collection
Archive: RNCM
Collection: Thomas Pitfield Collection
Reference: TP/1
Title: Notebooks
Level: Series
Extent: 24 volumes
Creator:
Dates: 1923-1998
Scope and content: The notebooks cover virtually the whole of Pitfield's creative life (there is a gap between June 1927 and February 1932). He treated them as both sketchbooks and commonplace books, carrying the current one with him wherever he went, in a specially designed coat pocket. They contain sketches - both artistic and musical - poems, quotations from his reading, teaching notes and the occasional newspaper cutting. Especially attractive are the many pencil, pen-and-ink or watercolour sketches of places visited. An extraordinary record of a full and creative life, they reflect his ongoing concerns and the sources of his inspiration. Recurring themes include the natural world, architecture, pacifism and vegetarianism. Each book is numbered in a single sequence; those from 1 - 39 were bound in threes and these rebound and additionally numbered 1-13 (so that, for example, number 6 contains books 25-27). This numbering is somewhat confused, as 2, 4 and 5 are missing, but the continuous sequence runs throughout with the exception of books 4-11, which are missing. It appears that Pitfield planned to continue rebinding the notebooks into threes, as books 40-42 are marked inside Vol.14 no.s 1, 2 and 3.
Archive: RNCM
Collection: Thomas Pitfield Collection
Reference: TP/2
Title: Music
Level: Series
Extent: 15 series
Creator:
Dates: c.1930-2000
Scope and content: All MS are autograph MS unless otherwise stated. An interim catalogue of the music of Thomas Pitfield, including details of first performances and publication where known has been compiled by John Turner and is published in "Manchester Sounds" 2004 : pp.147-183. This catalogue also includes a discography.
Archive: RNCM
Collection: Thomas Pitfield Collection
Reference: TP/3
Title: Writings
Level: Series
Extent: 5 subseries
Creator:
Dates: c.1920-1998
Scope and content:
Archive: RNCM
Collection: Thomas Pitfield Collection
Reference: TP/4
Title: Art on paper
Level: Series
Extent: 2 boxes, 5 folders, 2 books, 4 portfolios, 41 individual items
Creator:
Dates: 1918-1996
Scope and content: A wide range of artistic works on paper by Thomas Pitfield. Most are undated. One box of miscellaneous items, including sketches, calligraphic alphabets, music covers and illustrations. Some original, some photocopied and re-used or amended. One box labelled by TBP "Music covers; photocopies of work". Includes music covers (chiefly printed but a couple of original drawings), and other artistic works both original and photocopied. Two folders (previously one box labelled by TBP "Christmas cards") of Christmas cards, produced to own designs. One folder of "Pencil portraits" - self-portraits, Alice (1947), Earnest [sic] Scott (1930). Single oversize sketch [conservation-mounted but unframed]. Single oversize "Elevation of horizontal compound steam engine" dated 1918 [conservation-mounted but unframed]. Single oversize "Writing cabinet in mahogany". Display book of "Drawings etc"- includes examples of music covers, alphabet, buildings, costume designs, illustrations from "The Orchestra", and calligraphy. Mostly originals. With loose board of examples of logos and small illustrations (with early signature - c.1940s). Scrapbook of "Drawings etc", including photocopied and original examples, and photographs of binding, needlework, domestic furnishings etc. Two folders of "Greeting cards" 1931-1962, and 1962-1996. Portfolio of 29 paintings and drawings, chiefly of places/buildings (many identified). This portfolio bears a Wolverhampton address. Portfolio of 44 abstract linocut designs, watercolour paintings, and pen-and-ink drawings. Many are of (named) buildings and landscapes, and bear dates from the 1950s-1960s. Portfolio labelled "Prints" containing 19 examples of prints, with prices, and with painted design for bedspread (executed by AMP).Portfolio labelled "School of Art Portraits Furniture Designs" containing 64 items: chiefly designs for furniture, a folder "Historic ornament", portraits, watercolour paintings of flowers, Alice Astbury RMCM Diploma certificate. Mostly from 1930s, but also with some later photocopies and exhibition captions. 34 individidually framed items, chiefly watercolour paintings but also including the original pencil sketch portraits of TBP and AMP. Many subjects are named and dated; some are numbered (probably from display in an exhibition). These items were hanging on the walls of Lesser Thorns. Portfolio of 9 display boards showing design work including flywheel (constructed), cards, linocut endpapers, and prints. Portfolio of 24 mounted items including costume and furniture designs, watercolour paintings, and exhibition captions. Published calendars of local scenes - 1979, 1994 (incomplete), 1996 and 1997.
Archive: RNCM
Collection: Thomas Pitfield Collection
Reference: TP/5
Title: Three-dimensional art/crafts
Level: Series
Extent: 3 subseries
Creator:
Dates: 1937-c.1960
Scope and content: Tools, mostly made by TBP, carvings and other objects, and examples of bookbinding.
Archive: RNCM
Collection: Thomas Pitfield Collection
Reference: TP/6
Title: Scrapbooks and other items collected for reference
Level: Series
Extent: 9 files
Creator:
Dates: 1925-1997
Scope and content: Folder of postcards and other cards, chiefly of buildings and animals. Two scrapbooks of pictures and photographs cut from magazines/newspapers, and leaflets, 1930-1997. With index to first volume. Subjects are chiefly architectural and the natural world (both animal and vegetable, and landscapes), but also include costume and furniture. "Gardening scrapbook", 1938. Instructional articles from magazines/newspapers. "Domestic & craft scrap-book", 1930s. Instructional articles from magazines/newspapers. "Music general notes" - RMCM notebook begun 1925. With index. "Scottish songs" - photocopy of "Two hundred and twenty-two popular Scottish songs with music..." (Glasgow: Mozart Allan, [1883]). Box of 5 78rpm recordings "Songs of Wild Birds" (Parlophone Co. Ltd.) collected by E.M. Nicholson and Ludwig Koch, publ. H.F.&G.Witherby Ltd. Book of 5 78rpm recordings of Folk Music from Africa, Japan, India and China - issued by HMV and Parlophone Co. Ltd. Folder of articles - chiefly on music, but also on spirituality; 1935-1984. Copy of James Blades "Percussion Instruments and Their History" new & rev. edn. (London: Faber and Faber Ltd, 1975) transferred to RNCM Library, August 2004.
Archive: RNCM
Collection: Thomas Pitfield Collection
Reference: TP/7
Title: Early education and other related papers
Level: Series
Extent: 14 files
Creator:
Dates: 1918-1995
Scope and content: Folder containing notes on heraldry and on other signs and symbols including the signs of the zodiac and the symbols of the four evangelists. nd Two electrical engineering notebooks: Practical, and Theoretical. 1919. Notebook "Steam" - includes drawings. April 1918. Notebook - hydraulics, statics, dynamics and mathematics. [1918] General mechanical and other scientific notebook, 1920. Engineering notebook (reference) - weights. [1920] General notebook - nature. Jan 1920. General notebook - chiefly English literature and grammar. 1921- Folder (formerly kept in tobacco tin) of miscellaneous papers including: annual lists of books read, 1925-1995; paintings of trains; Tettenhall College timetable 1934/5; drawing of "ring lubricating pedestal"; copy birth (TBP - 2 copies, AMP) and marriage certificates; baptism certificates, RMCM student's card 1924/5 and report; correspondence re. scholarships, 1920s; savings bank paperwork; examination results (design) certificates, 1932-3; letter from AMP to her mother on the latter's 73rd birthday, 1936; list of folk and traditional songs.
Archive: RNCM
Collection: Thomas Pitfield Collection
Reference: TP/8
Title: Journals
Level: Series
Extent: 21 volumes
Creator:
Dates: 1928-1999
Scope and content: Journal, Nov 3-Dec 31 1928. Journals, labelled 1, 2 and 3. 1929-1971. With indexes. Some overlap with notebooks. Two diaries and a notebook used as journals, 1993, 1995 and 1997. Nine (appointment) diaries, 1988-1995, 1998. Address book. Christmas card list. Lesser Thorns visitors book, 1957-1999. Holiday scrapbook, 1934-1997. Notebook recording remembered dreams. 1967-1969
Archive: RNCM
Collection: Thomas Pitfield Collection
Reference: TP/9
Title: Reviews, programmes, and exhibitions
Level: Series
Extent: 3 subseries
Creator:
Dates: 1926-1998
Scope and content:
Archive: RNCM
Collection: Thomas Pitfield Collection
Reference: TP/10
Title: Correspondence
Level: Series
Extent: 15 files
Creator:
Dates: 1927-1997
Scope and content: 13 folders of in-letters, but also some copy out-letters. Each arranged chronologically. - 1927-1959, with index. [some items listed were apparently sold at Sothebys 1989 - copies of very few of them in the 1989 correspondence folder]. - 1961-1997 (with list of correspondents on each folder cover). Subjects include publication and performance of music, relations with Richard Hall, appointment to the RMCM, application to tribunal for registration as a conscientious objector, references and other letters about obtaining or failing to obtain employment, personal news, publication of written works, birthday and Christmas greetings, vegetarianism, pacifism, and other matters of principle. Correspondents include Gordon Green, Herbert Foss (OUP), John Ogdon, Fritz Spiegl, John Golland, Ena Mitchell, Alison Uttley, Maurice Jacobson, John Turner, Anthony Goldstone, John McCabe, Ronald Stevenson, William Alwyn, Dennis Jones, Evelyn Rothwell, Ursula Vaughan Williams, RNCM, Walter & Winifred Wilkinson, Norma [Pitfield - niece]. Also one folder of miscellaneous letters, chiefly concerning performing rights and royalties. Not filed in chronological folders. 1977-1994. Also one folder of 95th birthday cards and letters, 1998.
Archive: RNCM
Collection: Thomas Pitfield Collection
Reference: TP/11
Title: Photographs
Level: Series
Extent: 6 files
Creator:
Dates: 1903-c.1998
Scope and content: Three albums of photographs: one entirely of animals, one entirely of TBP's craft works, and the third of family and friends but chiefly of AMP and TBP throughout their lives. Box of miscellaneous photographs, chiefly of TBP. Including duplicate prints of items in the albums.
Archive: RNCM
Collection: Thomas Pitfield Collection
Reference: TP/12
Title: Alice Pitfield
Level: Series
Extent: 14 files
Creator: Pitfield, Alice Maud (1903-2000), Craftswoman
Dates: 1917-1999
Scope and content: Folder of letters from friends, in Russian; 1917-1918. Folder of three letters from TBP - 1934 (2), 1936. Folder of two letters - reference, 1947; personal news, 1960. Folder of keepsakes - locks of hair of AMP and her mother; photographs of the grave of ?AMP's uncle; RMCM examination papers and other items; birthday card from AMP's parents; bank pass book. "My girlhood in Russia" (2 copies) and "Russia of my girlhood" - similar reminiscences, but expressed differently. Folder of notes in Russian - vocabulary and grammar? Folder of cards and letters, chiefly from "Norma", 1980s & 1990s. Notebook of poetry in Russian, with folder of birthday and other cards from TBP, verse and other papers (loose items kept in notebook). Notebook of religious notes, with pamphlet about the Society of Friends. Folder of letters and cards of sympathy, and order of service for funeral of TBP; 1999. Wall-hanging/double bedspread - applique work by AMP. "Flower piece" and "Tettenhall Wood" - embroidery by AMP (framed).
Archive: RNCM
Collection: Thomas Pitfield Collection
Reference: TP/13
Title: Miscellaneous
Level: Series
Extent: 4 files
Creator:
Dates: 1907-c.1990
Scope and content: Folder of miscellaneous papers including family tree, notes of advice on memory loss and memory training; 1990s. Folder on Bowdon Conservation Group: publicity, membership. Folder on Bowdon Festival: programmes and related papers; 1980s. Folder of items relating to Adolph and Anna Brodsky, including copies of the booklets by Mrs Brodsky, and a number of autographs [to Adolph Brodsky??] including Arthur Catterall, Busoni, Toni Maaskoff, Carl Fuchs (self-portrait), Naum Blinder, Lucy Pierce and Max Mayer. Also an autograph of Adolph Brodsky. Dates 1907-1918. The provenance of these items is unclear.
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