Albert Dawson Collection

Description

The Albert Dawson Collection was an influential collection of fine and decorative arts primarily dating from the 19th century. It was formed by Peter Rose (1927-2020) and Albert Gallichan (1930-2001) throughout their lives, starting in the 1950s when the couple met. The collection was referred to as the Albert Dawson Collection, which was a combination of their second names.

Following the death of Peter in 2020, the Collection was dispersed amongst museums and through auction sales. The proceeds have gone towards the Albert Dawson Educational Trust, which was set up by Peter in 2003 to further the research into 19th century fine and decorative arts. A wealth of archival material, index cards and catalogues were donated by the Trust to Leeds University Libraries and form this collection.

The collection consists of papers relating to the business of antique collecting which have been categorised as purchases, loans, sales, gifts and bequests. It also contains correspondence related to antiques, collecting and the Albert Dawson Collection itself. Other series include publications relating to Albert Dawson Collection, journal and other publication contributions, photographs, research and a Montpelier Villas contents guide (1978).

The collection includes a large amount of print material which comprises of auction catalogues, exhibition catalogues and other publications on decorative arts. It also includes a large number of index cards which list the decorative arts previously held in the Albert Dawson Collection, alongside photographs of each item.

Finally, the collection contains a series of material related to Charles and Lavinia Handley-Read, as well as a series of material related to Dom Pierre-Sylvester Houédard. The Houédard material is unique and consists primarily of poems, letters, drawings and notes by Houédard, as well as other supplementary material.

Biography or history

Peter Rose (1927-2020) and Albert Gallichan (1930-2001) were pioneering collectors of 19th century fine and decorative arts. The art and antiques that they collected throughout their lives together formed the Albert Dawson Collection.

Albert was born on 23rd July 1930. He attended Nottingham High School before going to university at Wadham College, University of Oxford. He then worked as an advertising executive.

Peter was born on 6th August 1927. He studied at Birmingham College of Arts and Crafts, before serving in the Royal Air Force from 1945-7. Peter led a significant academic career, starting as Principal Lecturer in Arts and Crafts, St. Mary’s University, Twickenham (1960-5), before going on to become Head of Art and Design at Brighton College of Education (1965-76). He then was appointed as Head of Expressive Arts and Governor of Brighton Polytechnic (1976-83) where he worked until he became a freelance writer and lecturer.

Peter and Albert met in the 1950s and began the Albert Dawson Collection in a small flat which they rented above an antique shop in Hampstead, London. 19th century decorative arts became a shared passion of the pair as they continued to add to the collection. In 1965 they moved to Brighton, where the works of art populated their villa which became an impressive display of decorative arts primarily dating from the 19th century. The collection continued to grow throughout their lives and ultimately became one of the most important collections in its field, with many researchers and interested parties visiting the villa to view it.

Peter and Albert grew the collection from a combination of antique shops, markets, car-boot sales, galleries and sale rooms. As they became more prosperous, these included Sotheby’s Belgravia, The Fine Art Society, Abbot & Holder, Richard Dennis, John Jesse, Paul Reeves and Michael Whiteway. They connected with other collectors through these organisations as well as through the Victorian Society and, most notably, the Decorative Arts Society, which they helped found in 1975.

Albert died in 2001, and Peter in 2020. Although the collection itself has been dispersed amongst museums and through sales, the rich collection of archive material relating to the Albert Dawson Collection is preserved at the University of Leeds.

Provenance

Following the death of Peter Rose in November 2020, this collection of material was entrusted to the Albert Dawson Educational Trust. It was donated by the Trust to Leeds University Libraries in March 2022.

Access and usage

Access

This collection is subject to various access conditions. Please see individual catalogue descriptions for further details on access.